Ireland has plenty to offer graduates, with its booming economy and cultural heritage proving very attractive to many people from countries all over the world. Some students come to Ireland specifically to gain training and qualifications that they can put into practice in their home countries, while others enjoy their time in Ireland so much that they stay on after graduation and pursue further study or employment.

Student visas do not entitle the holders to remain in Ireland and work once their programmes of study or research have ended. Students from European Economic Area (EEA) countries - the EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland - are free to work in Ireland; however, non-EEA nationals require a work visa or work authorisation.

The distinction between 'work visa' and 'work authorisation' is an important one. Work visas are given to passport holders who require a visa to enter Ireland, while work authorisations are given to people who do not need a travel visa to visit Ireland.

Non-EEA passport holders do not apply directly for a visa or authorisation. They must first find an employer willing to offer them work. The employer then applies for the visa or authorisation on behalf of their prospective employee. Work visas and authorisations are generally granted on a case-by-case basis, and there is an appeals process for those who are not successful. Further details and application forms are available from the Economic Migration Policy Unit of the Irish Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (www.entemp.ie), or from Irish embassies and consulates around the world.

Application forms should be completed and returned to the Postgraduate Admissions Office with the relevant supporting documentation.

For international students with qualifications in sought-after subjects, there are good opportunities to remain and work in Ireland. The Irish government is actively trying to attract qualified workers from abroad to fill shortages in certain areas within the Irish workforce. These include the IT, computing, construction, medical, social care and science areas. International students who graduate with good qualifications in these disciplines should be in a good position to commence employment in Ireland when their studies are complete.

Graduates wanting to work in a particular profession, such as surgery, nursing or physiotherapy, must register with the relevant professional associations and have attained all the necessary qualifications and training to meet Irish standards and conditions.

Those graduates in career areas not targeted by the Irish government may find it more difficult to secure employment in Ireland. However, if your qualifications, skills and motivation are sufficient to impress an Irish employer to submit a work visa or work authorisation on your behalf, there is every chance you will be granted permission to remain and work in the country.

It is important to note that the employment market and economic conditions are subject to change over time, and conditions in four or five years' time may be different to the current situation.

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