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International students

If you are an international student studying at Trinity, you might be considering internship and graduate work in Ireland, in your home country, or elsewhere. This section provides information for Non EU students on working in Ireland during and after your studies. Read 'Employable You' the online guide for international students.

If you have a specific query relating to visa or immigration related matters please contact Trinity Global Room.



Eligibility to work in Ireland during studies

  • Students from the European Economic Area (EEA) may take up employment in Ireland while studying. If you are unsure about your status, please contact the Irish Immigration Service.
  • Students from outside the EEA attending a full-time course of at least one year's duration leading to a qualification recognised by the Minister for Education and Skills are granted a Stamp 2. If you have a Stamp 2 you are entitled to take up employment in Ireland during your studies.
  • Stamp 2 entitles you to undertake casual part-time work for up to 20 hours per week during term time, and up to 40 hours casual full-time work per week from 15th December to 15th January and between the 1st of June and the 30th of September, once this does not interfere with your attendance at university. These dates are subject to change, please check the Irish Immigration Service and ICOS Ireland websites for the most up-to-date information. 
  • In order to work in Ireland you will need to get a Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number), but you need to have evidence of a job offer to secure one. The first step is to find work, and then apply for a PPS number. You can find out more from the Citizens’ Information Board.  

Opportunities during study

  • Log on to MyCareer to view employment opportunities, including casual work, summer work experience and internships.
  • View the SU Jobs list which advertises part-time casual work opportunities throughout the year.
  • Find out about other sources of vacancies in Ireland.
  • Search #jobfairy on Twitter, a hashtag used in Tweets sharing job adverts for Irish-based opportunities.

Other ways to gain experience while studying

Employers value candidates who have more to offer than a good degree with high grades. They look for students who are well rounded and who have experience outside the classroom. Search for and take advantage of opportunities to gain experience, develop your skill set, and gain a clearer picture of what you like and don't like in terms of career options.

For example, you can get involved in some of the many student clubs and societies in college, volunteer or get a part time job. Remember that voluntary work is as valuable as paid work on your CV or resume - it's a great way to demonstrate your skills to future employers. Have a look at the TCD Civic Engagement website and check out volunteering opportunities in Ireland and abroad.

Working in Ireland after your studies

Non EU students who complete an undergraduate degree at Trinity can get the Stamp 1G which allows you to work in Ireland for 12 months from the date of issue of final results, as part of the Third Level Graduate Scheme. Non EU students who complete a Masters' or PHD also have the option to renew their Stamp 1G for a further 12 months.

For information on the Third Level Graduate Scheme / Stamp 1G please visit the Irish Immigration Service website. You will also find useful and up to date information on the website run by the Irish Council for International Students. Watch 'Looking Ahead: Third Level Graduate Scheme and Careers Workshop' for practical tips from Global Room, Trinity Careers Service and Trinity graduate and student. All of these and more are listed in the resources section below.

Work permits

If you want to remain in Ireland for longer than the length of the Stamp 1G, you will need a work permit. To find out about qualifying and applying for work permits please visit the website of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. You'll find a link in the resources section of this page.

Working outside Ireland after your studies

If you are an international student returning home or seeking employment in another country, it’s important to spend some time researching local labour market information and finding out what employers in your target country are looking for in an application. You will also need to research work permit and visa requirements in your target country to assess if you are able to work there. The embassy websites, or national immigration body websites, are a good place to find information about these.

If you work in a profession that involves regulation, such as medicine or teaching, you should also do some research to find out what professional bodies you might need to approach about being able to work in this profession in a different country.

Marketing yourself to Irish employers

Tips for success

  • Watch 'Looking Ahead: Third Level Graduate Scheme and Careers Workshop' in Resources section below from 13:44- 24:30 for practical tips from Trinity Careers Service also tips from Global Room and Trinity graduate and student
  • Know how your qualifications are comparable to Irish qualifications and make this clear on your CV, e.g. Irish Leaving Certificate or an undergraduate or postgraduate degree. See the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland to check equivalence of qualifications.
  • On your CV or resume, consider indicating your eligibility to work to a prospective employer e.g. "EU Citizen" or “Eligible to work under Third Level Graduate Scheme, with possibility of extension.”
  • Think about your employment experiences (paid and unpaid) and emphasise what you have learned. Think about your skills and how these apply to the role you are applying for. These skills could have been developed during your studies e.g. from group coursework or from voluntary work/hobbies. Make this information clear in your application.

Know your strengths

  • Language skills could be useful when working with overseas colleagues and potentially open up new markets for your employer abroad.
  • Specialist or technical skills may give your application an extra edge.
  • You may have experience of working with or knowledge of foreign business practices.
  • Your decision to study and work in Ireland shows motivation, enthusiasm, drive, and the ability to work in multicultural context, all skills highly valued by employers.
  • You have knowledge and experience of different cultures.

Issues to consider

  • The employer may have a lack of knowledge about employment schemes for international graduates. Be aware of the different work schemes available and be prepared to provide website details and/or leaflets which you can recommend to the employer.
  • The employer may have a concern about your English language skills. Explain that you completed your qualification through English and if applicable that you passed an internationally recognised proficiency test in order to study in Trinity.

Resources