Study & Work in Ireland
You can download our study/work brochure as a PDF file HERE
The study/work scheme in Ireland allows students to combine improving their English with working to put their new language skills into practice. To enable this, students are allowed to work while they study and, on successfully completing an approved English test, stay for a further 2 months (8 weeks) either on holiday or working full time (up to 40 hours per week – (June to September & Mid-December to Mid-January).
The study/work programme can then be repeated a further 2 times.
How much can I earn?
The minimum hourly rate of pay is currently (see here) €11.30 per hour for adults (age 20+). Remember this is in Euros (€) so check the current exchange rate for your own currency.
During your 6 months of study you can work up to 20 hours per week = €226 per week. Once you are working full time this equates to €452 per week.
Visa
If you are from a country which is part of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) & Switzerland, you do not need a visa to travel to Ireland.
If you are from a country which is not part of the EU, EEA & Switzerland, then you will need to check if you need a visa before travelling to Ireland.
If you are from a country which is not part of the EU, EEA & Switzerland and you need a visa before you come to Ireland, you must:
- Apply for your visa before travelling to Ireland
- Register with immigration after you arrive in Ireland to get your Student Visa.
- If you are from a country which is not part of the EU, EEA & Switzerland and you do not need a visa before you come to Ireland, you must:
- Register with immigration after you arrive in Ireland to get your Student Visa.
Effectively, this means you will apply for a visa to travel to Ireland and then, after you have arrived, you apply for your student visa. Your school will usually help you with this and to apply for your Irish Residency Permit card.
For the study/work programme you will need to show evidence of savings of at least €3,000 (held for at least 1 month) when you arrive in Ireland as well as your course acceptance letter from your language school.
Study
Study for 6 months (25 weeks) either mornings (15/20 hours per week) or afternoons (15 hours per week) and then take an approved English test (Cambridge, Trinity, IELTS). Morning lessons are more popular as they allow more flexibility for working but, as they are for more lessons, the course fees are higher.
Work
If you are from the European Economic Area (EEA) you are free to take up full-time or part-time employment in Ireland while studying.
Students from outside the EEA attending a full-time course and in possession of a Irish Residence Permit card are entitled to take up casual employment provided that their course of study is included on the government’s list of visa-eligible courses, known as the ILEP.
While you study your visa allows you to work for up to 20 hours per week.
After you complete your 6 months of study and you have passed your English test, then you can stay for a further 2 months (8 weeks) and work full time (up to 40 hours per week – June to September & Mid-December to Mid-January).
What type of work can I do?
Employers will generally want you to be able to speak and read/write in English so the type of work will depend on your English level. There are many jobs for students in hospitality but, if your English is at a higher level, then office work or other work using additional skills you may have can be possible.
There is no guarantee of work but it is extremely unlikely that you would not find something. Most of our partner schools will assist you in looking for work and preparing your CV.
