Studying for a nursing degree in Ireland can be a valuable opportunity for international students. Students gain the experience of living abroad, learning in a different academic environment, and adapting to a new culture. These skills can be useful in many careers, including healthcare.
Nursing is also a profession with clear career pathways. In Ireland, public-sector Staff Nurse/Midwife pay scales start at €37,788 before allowances and rise with experience and increments. Salaries vary depending on experience, role, employer, and location.
Completing an approved bachelor’s degree in nursing makes graduates eligible to apply for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Nurses must remain on the NMBI Register to practice legally in Ireland and must renew their registration each year by paying the annual retention fee.
What Degrees are there for Nursing in Ireland?
Irish higher education institutions offer NMBI-recognized undergraduate nursing degrees in general nursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing, intellectual disability nursing, and integrated children’s and general nursing. Midwifery is a separate professional pathway. Current undergraduate nursing options can be found on the official pages of Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University of Galway, and Dublin City University.
General nursing bachelor’s degrees are offered by the University of Galway, formerly the National University of Ireland, Galway; Trinity College Dublin; the University of Limerick; and Dublin City University. Applicants should check each course page carefully because some nursing degrees are not open to non-EU applicants.
After becoming registered nurses, graduates can continue their studies at postgraduate level. For example, the University of Limerick offers an MSc Nursing for registered nurses.
Cost of Studying Nursing
Tuition-free study in Ireland is not available to all international students. Under Ireland’s Free Fees Initiative, tuition may be paid for eligible full-time undergraduate students who meet residency, nationality, and course requirements. Eligible students may still have to pay the student contribution and other charges unless these are covered by a grant.
Most students who do not meet Free Fees Initiative requirements need to pay tuition fees. The amount varies depending on the university, fee status, academic year, and program.
Non-EU students should check both tuition fees and program availability before applying. For 2026/27, the University of Galway lists the Bachelor of Nursing Science (General) total non-EU fee at €28,140 per year. Dublin City University lists the non-EU fee for Nursing (General) at €23,000 per year. Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick currently state that their General Nursing bachelor’s courses are not open to non-EU applicants.
Postgraduate nursing fees vary by program. For 2025/26, the University of Limerick lists MSc Nursing at €7,500 and MSc Nursing Studies at €5,100 for EU students and €18,000 for non-EU students. Postgraduate nursing courses are usually designed for registered nurses, and the duration depends on whether the course is taken full-time or part-time.
Education is not the only cost students need to plan for while living in Ireland. Students should also budget for accommodation, food, transportation, health insurance, books, and personal expenses. The University of Galway estimates that a standard single room in a shared house can cost about €600 to €1,000 per month. The University of Limerick’s 2026/27 on-campus accommodation fees vary by residence and room type, with full academic-year fees ranging from about €5,489 to more than €8,000.
Accommodation choice has a major impact on total living costs. Many students live in shared housing or apply for university accommodation, but rent is not always low and places can be limited.
Requirements to Study Nursing in Ireland
Applicants who plan to study for a bachelor’s degree in nursing should have a recognized secondary school qualification. Requirements differ by university, but they typically include mathematics and at least one laboratory science subject. Applicants should not assume that biology, physics, and mathematics are all compulsory at every university.
For example, the University of Limerick requires six subjects, including English, mathematics, Irish or another language, and a laboratory science subject. Trinity College Dublin requires mathematics and one approved science subject for General Nursing. Dublin City University requires mathematics and one of physics, chemistry, biology, physics with chemistry, or agricultural science. The University of Galway requires Irish, English, mathematics, a laboratory science subject, and two other subjects.
Nursing applicants may also need to meet professional requirements, such as Garda vetting, health screening, vaccination or occupational health checks, mandatory training, and overseas police clearance where applicable.
Master’s degree programs have additional requirements. For example, the University of Limerick’s MSc Nursing is intended for qualified nurses. Applicants must hold a Level 8 bachelor’s degree in nursing with at least a second-class honors grade 2, or an approved equivalent, and must be registered nurses on the current NMBI Register.
In What Languages Do You Study Nursing in Ireland?
The main language of instruction in Irish universities is English. Applicants who have not completed their education through English usually need to provide evidence of English language proficiency.
Accepted English tests vary by university. Trinity College Dublin’s General Nursing course requires Band B English, and Trinity accepts tests such as IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Duolingo English Test, Cambridge English, and Pearson PTE for that band. Dublin City University also lists accepted English tests, including IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English, Pearson PTE, and Duolingo English Test. The University of Galway lists accepted tests such as IELTS, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English, Pearson PTE, LanguageCert, and OET; applicants should not assume that Duolingo is accepted there unless the current admissions page confirms it.
Best Nursing Schools in Ireland
1. University of Galway
Its Bachelor of Nursing Science (General) is a four-year, full-time course that leads to eligibility for registration in the General Division of the NMBI Register.
Students complete theory and clinical practice throughout the program. The course includes clinical placements in each year and a paid 36-week clinical internship in the fourth year.
2. Dublin City University
Dublin City University’s BSc in General Nursing is a four-year, full-time NFQ Level 8 program. Clinical placement is included every semester, and placements are organized with partner healthcare providers such as Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Hospital.
After graduation, students are eligible to register as general nurses with the NMBI, subject to meeting the board’s requirements. DCU accepts direct applications from non-EU applicants for this course, but places are limited and applicants should check the current application deadline and fee before applying.
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