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Meta title: Bachelor's in Ireland: Level 8, Fees 2026/27 | StudyU
Meta description: Bachelor's in Ireland: NFQ levels 7 and 8 and Stamp 1G, programme types, placements, 2026/27 UL and TCD fees, non-EU direct applications, visa, recognition.
Last modified: 2026-10-02

# Bachelor's Degree in Ireland: Level 7 or Level 8, Choosing a Programme, 2026/27 Fees and How International Students Apply

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A full bachelor's degree in Ireland is the Honours Bachelor Degree at level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), usually four years long; the three-year Ordinary Bachelor at level 7 is offered mainly by technological universities. For an international student the difference is fundamental: only a level 8 award or higher gives 12 months to look for work after graduation (Stamp 1G). Applicants from outside the EU apply directly to the university rather than through the national CAO system; at Trinity College Dublin the 2026 entry window ran from 1 November 2025 to 30 June 2026. Fees for 2026/27 range from $19,772 (€17,500) a year for humanities and business programmes at the University of Limerick to $33,408 (€29,570) for computer science and engineering at TCD.

| At a glance | Bachelor's in Ireland, 2026/27 |
| --- | --- |
| Degrees | Ordinary Bachelor (NFQ 7, usually 3 years), Honours Bachelor (NFQ 8, usually 4 years) |
| How non-EU applicants apply | Directly to the university through its portal; CAO serves EU applicants |
| TCD dates (2026 entry) | 1 November 2025–30 June 2026; medicine, dental science and drama by 1 February |
| Non-EU fees | UL: $19,772 (€17,500) humanities, business, law; $25,646 (€22,700) IT, engineering, sciences |
| Russian school certificate | UCD, University of Galway, UCC accept it with EGE results; TCD requires a foundation year or an international school qualification |
| Work during studies | Up to 20 hours a week, up to 40 in holidays |
| After graduation | 12 months on Stamp 1G only for level 8 awards and above |
| Recognition in Russia | TCD, UCD and University of Galway are on list No. 186-r |

New Square with the Rubrics building at Trinity College Dublin, September 2012. Photo: J.-H. Janßen / [source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dublin_Trinity_College_New_Square_Rubrics_01.JPG), [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0).

## What this guide covers and where the rest lives {#section-1}

This guide helps you choose a programme: which level, type and field of bachelor's to pick, what the full degree costs, how international applicants apply and what Russian citizens should note. EGE thresholds by programme, foundation years and the document checklist are in [applying to Irish universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-irish-universities), institutions and cities in [universities in Ireland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-ireland), the full budget in [the cost of studying in Ireland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-ireland) and the visa in [the Irish student visa and Stamp 2](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-ireland-student-visa-stamp-2). The country overview is on [studying in Ireland](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-ireland).

## How the Irish bachelor's is structured: levels 6, 7 and 8 {#section-2}

Ireland's National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) attaches every award to a level, and the level determines both further study and the right to stay in the country.

| NFQ level | Award | Typical full-time length | Where you find it |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 6 | Higher Certificate | Usually 2 years | Technological universities (TUs) |
| 7 | Ordinary Bachelor Degree | 3 years | Mainly TUs |
| 8 | Honours Bachelor Degree | 3–4 years, most often 4 | Universities and TUs |
| 9 | Master's Degree | Usually 1 year | After level 8 |

Technological universities build their levels as a ladder: TU Dublin, for example, publishes progression routes from level 6 and 7 programmes to a level 8 honours degree. Trinity College Dublin shows the opposite case: computer science and engineering are integrated programmes whose fifth year is postgraduate, with a common first stage and specialisation chosen later.

## Why the programme level matters to an international student {#section-3}

After graduation. Under the Third Level Graduate Programme, Ireland's Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) gives graduates with a level 8 award 12 months on Stamp 1G to look for graduate employment and obtain an employment permit; during this time you can work 40 hours a week without a permit. A level 7 award does not give this right. If you want Irish work experience, a level 8 programme is essential.

The overall cap. ISD limits time on student permission to seven years, and earlier study in Ireland, including English language courses, counts towards it. A foundation year, a four-year bachelor's and a one-year master's fit within the cap, but the margin is small.

Work during studies. A student on Stamp 2 can work up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week in June to September and from 15 December to 15 January. Work does not replace visa funds: for the first year you must show access to $11,298 (€10,000) on top of tuition. More detail is in [working while studying and Stamp 1G](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-and-stamp-1g-ireland).

## Programme types: what to look for in the course description {#section-4}

- Named specialism or common entry. Some programmes carry a specialism from day one; others begin with a common first stage (engineering at TCD, for example) and the specialism is chosen later. Common entry suits you if you are unsure about your field, but places on popular specialisms are allocated on first-year results.
- Joint honours. TCD offers combinations such as Economics and Computer Science, or Business Studies with a foreign language, including Russian and Polish. You get two subject profiles, with the workload split between them.
- Built-in placement. At the University of Limerick the Cooperative Education placement lasts six to eight months, is compulsory and carries 60 credits; students from 56 programmes take part, from business and IT to the humanities. For an international student it is a way to gain Irish work experience before graduating.
- Year abroad or languages. Language programmes often include a semester or year in another country; check whether you need a separate visa for it and whether your Irish status is maintained.

## Fields and 2026/27 fees {#section-5}

Irish universities charge non-EU students a separate rate, and it depends more on the faculty than on the university.

| University and programme group | Non-EU fee per year | $ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| University of Limerick: Arts, Business Studies, International Business, law (LLB) | €17,500 | $19,772 |
| University of Limerick: Computer Science, AI and Machine Learning, Mechanical Engineering, Physics | €22,700 | $25,646 |
| University of Limerick: Physiotherapy | €26,300 | $29,714 |
| University of Limerick: Nursing (General) | €29,000 | $32,764 |
| University of Limerick: medicine (MB BCh) | €56,600 | $63,947 |
| Trinity College Dublin: law, psychology, BESS, English Studies | €22,580 | $25,511 |
| Trinity College Dublin: Global Business | €20,630 | $23,308 |
| Trinity College Dublin: computer science, engineering, biomedical sciences | €29,570 | $33,408 |
| TU Dublin: level 7 / level 6 | €12,500 / €11,650 | $14,123 / $13,162 |

What these figures mean:

- Fees in later years. TCD warns that fees for continuing students may rise each year under its rules. UCD, by contrast, keeps a non-EU student on the fee rate of the year they started for the whole programme.
- The full degree. Four years of a humanities programme cost $79,086 (€70,000) at UL before any increase and $102,044 (€90,320) at TCD. Add living costs, which are higher in Dublin than in Limerick, Cork or Galway.
- Deposit. TU Dublin asks for 50% of the annual fee or $6,779 (€6,000), whichever is greater, to confirm your place on the programme; the remainder is due by the end of January.

Living costs and three sample budgets are in [the cost of studying in Ireland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-ireland).

## Five checks before you choose {#section-6}

1. NFQ level. Make sure the description says level 8 if you want Stamp 1G after graduation or a direct route into a master's.
2. Entry with a Russian certificate. Find the university's requirements page for Russia: UCD and University of Galway convert an average EGE score across four subjects including profile mathematics, UCC groups programmes with different thresholds, and TCD does not accept the certificate directly.
3. Subject requirements. For commerce, engineering and computer science, universities look separately at mathematics; for sciences, at the relevant subjects.
4. Professional recognition. For regulated professions (nursing, physiotherapy, engineering, psychology), check whether the course description states recognition by the relevant Irish professional body.
5. City and budget. The same programme in Dublin and Limerick can differ both in fee and in living costs.

## How international students apply {#section-7}

The national CAO system serves EU applicants. Universities usually classify people living outside the EU, EEA, UK and Switzerland as non-EU by residence, and they apply directly on the programme page. At TCD this is the my.tcd.ie portal: for 2026 entry the window opened on 1 November 2025, with a general deadline of 30 June 2026 and 1 February 2026 for medicine, dental science, music education and drama. TCD decides on a rolling basis and warns that some programmes fill up by early spring, so it pays to apply in the first months of the window. As of 2 October 2026 TCD had not yet published its 2027 entry dates, so check them on the programme page.

A typical application includes the school certificate with its supplement or a grade transcript, EGE results for universities that use them, an English certificate, a personal statement, sometimes references, and an application fee. EGE thresholds, IELTS requirements and the rules for applicants under 18 are in [applying to Irish universities](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-irish-universities). If your certificate does not qualify directly, see how a preparatory year works using the example of the [foundation year in the UK](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-foundation-year-in-the-uk): the TCD and UCD programmes follow similar logic.

## Russian citizens: visa and degree recognition {#section-8}

The Embassy of Ireland in Moscow no longer accepts applications from visa-required nationals: for citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, VFS Global accepts documents and visa fees, including at visa centres in Moscow and Kazan. Study longer than three months requires a long-stay D study visa, supported by an offer for a full-time programme, proof of payment and access to $11,298 (€10,000) for the first year. Step by step: [the Irish student visa and Stamp 2](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-ireland-student-visa-stamp-2).

If you plan to return to Russia, the institution matters. The list attached to Russian Government Order No. 186-r includes three Irish universities, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and University of Galway, whose Bachelor with Honours is recognised as a bachelor's degree without a separate procedure. Degrees from other institutions go through recognition, and Rosobrnadzor decides. The government GOI-IES scholarship is not open to Russian citizens; what funding remains is covered in [scholarships in Ireland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-scholarships-in-ireland).

If you are comparing Ireland with less expensive EU countries, see the guide to a [bachelor's degree in Poland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-bachelors-in-poland) and, for Russian citizens, [studying in Poland as a Russian citizen](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studying-in-poland-for-russian-citizens) and [studying in Finland as a Russian citizen](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-studying-in-finland-for-russian-citizens): entry restrictions work differently in both. For the next level there are guides to a [master's in Ireland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-ireland) and a [master's in Poland](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-masters-in-poland).

## Timeline for a September start {#section-9}

| When | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| 15–18 months ahead | Shortlist 3–5 level 8 programmes; check the requirements for Russia and subject conditions |
| Grades 10–11 | Plan EGE with profile mathematics; take IELTS or TOEFL |
| From November of the previous year | Apply through university portals as they open; earlier deadlines for medicine and creative programmes |
| Spring–summer | Offers, programme choice, deposit or advance payment |
| 3 months before the start | D visa application via VFS Global; a decision usually takes about eight weeks |
| September | Arrival, immigration registration, start of studies |

## Common mistakes {#section-10}

- Choosing a three-year level 7 programme to save money and losing the right to Stamp 1G after graduation.
- Applying through CAO instead of the university portal when you live outside the EU.
- Comparing only first-year fees: at TCD fees in later years may rise, at UCD they do not.
- Expecting direct entry to TCD with a Russian certificate. Without a foundation year or an international school qualification, TCD does not admit you.
- Ignoring the seven-year cap on student permission if you plan language courses, a foundation year and a master's.
- Buying tickets before the visa decision.

## FAQ {#faq}

### How long is a bachelor's degree in Ireland?

A level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree usually takes four years, sometimes three, and a level 7 Ordinary Bachelor takes three. Computer science and engineering at TCD are integrated programmes with a fifth, postgraduate year. The exact length is stated in the programme description on the university website.

### Can I apply for an Irish bachelor's through CAO?

CAO serves EU applicants. Universities usually classify people living outside the EU, EEA, UK and Switzerland as non-EU, and they apply directly through the university portal. The university itself determines your EU or non-EU status and makes the admission decision.

### How much does a bachelor's in Ireland cost for international students?

For 2026/27, from $19,772 (€17,500) a year for humanities, business and law programmes at the University of Limerick to $33,408 (€29,570) for computer science and engineering at TCD; medicine costs over $56,490 (€50,000) a year. The university sets the fee, and whether it stays fixed for the whole programme depends on its rules.

### Why does level 8 matter?

Only graduates with a level 8 award or higher receive 12 months on Stamp 1G under the Third Level Graduate Programme to look for work. A level 7 award does not give this right; technological universities offer progression routes from it to level 8. The permission is granted by Ireland's immigration service.

### Can I start an Irish bachelor's straight after grade 11?

Yes, at UCD, University of Galway and UCC, with your certificate and EGE results, if your average meets the programme threshold. TCD does not accept the Russian certificate directly: you need a foundation year or an international school qualification. The university makes the admission decision.

### Can I work during my bachelor's?

Yes, a student on Stamp 2 can work up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours in June to September and from 15 December to 15 January. Earnings do not count towards the funds you must show for the visa. Conditions of stay are set by Ireland's immigration service.

### Is an Irish bachelor's degree recognised in Russia?

The Bachelor with Honours of Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and University of Galway is on list No. 186-r and is recognised without a procedure. Degrees from other Irish institutions go through recognition, and Rosobrnadzor decides.

## Sources {#section-12}

- [ISD: Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G)](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/my-situation-has-changed-since-i-arrived-in-ireland/third-level-graduate-programme/) and [student FAQs: work, the seven-year limit](https://www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-study-in-ireland/frequently-asked-questions-for-students/)
- [QQI: National Framework of Qualifications](https://www.qqi.ie/what-we-do/the-qualifications-system/national-framework-of-qualifications)
- [Trinity College Dublin: direct applications for non-EU applicants and dates](https://www.tcd.ie/study/apply/making-an-application/undergraduate/direct-applications/) and [undergraduate fees 2026/27](https://www.tcd.ie/courses/undergraduate/fees/)
- [University of Limerick: undergraduate fees 2026/27](https://www.ul.ie/fees/course-fees/undergraduate-fees/undergraduate-fees-2026-2027) and [Cooperative Education placements](https://www.ul.ie/enterprise-innovation/student-work-placement)
- [UCD: non-EU undergraduate fees 2026/27](https://www.ucd.ie/students/fees/noneucoursefees/internationalnon-euundergraduatefees202627/)
- [TU Dublin: fees for international students](https://www.tudublin.ie/study/international/fees--registration/fees---funding/) and [progression from levels 6 and 7 to level 8](https://www.tudublin.ie/study/undergraduate/cao/progression/)
- [Embassy of Ireland in Moscow: visas and VFS Global visa centres](https://www.ireland.ie/en/moscow/services/visas/visas-for-ireland/)
- [Russian Government Order No. 186-r as amended on 19.02.2026](http://publication.pravo.gov.ru/document/0001202602200041)

Sources checked 02.10.2026. Conversions use the ECB reference rate of 01.10.2026: €1 = $1.1298.

If you want to work through your route, send a [request](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply): document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, the university makes the admission decision, and Ireland's immigration service decides on the visa.

[During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.](https://www.studyu.org/en/apply)

## Next steps

- [Studying in Ireland for international applicants](https://www.studyu.org/en/country-ireland)
- [Applying to Irish Universities After School: Entry Routes, Exam Thresholds, Documents and Deadlines](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-applying-to-irish-universities)
- [Universities in Ireland for International Students: Types, 2026/27 Fees and Entry Routes](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-universities-in-ireland)
- [Cost of Studying in Ireland in 2026/27: University Fees, Dublin Living Costs and Visa Funds](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-cost-of-studying-in-ireland)
- [Ireland Student Visa and Stamp 2: Documents, the €10,000 Rule, Applying from Russia and IRP Registration](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-ireland-student-visa-stamp-2)
- [Working While Studying in Ireland and Stamp 1G: Hours, Pay and Staying After Graduation](https://www.studyu.org/en/blog-working-while-studying-and-stamp-1g-ireland)

Updated: October 2026