As an international master's student in Ireland, how many hours can I work part-time during term time and holidays? And can my spouse work in Ireland during my studies or only after I graduate?

As a Stamp 2 master's student in Ireland, you can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and up to 40 hours a week during specific holiday periods. Your spouse, however, cannot generally join you as a dependant or work in Ireland purely because you are studying for a masters.

Your Work Hours and Spouse Rules

What Changes After You Graduate

• Third Level Graduate Programme: if you qualify, you can get Stamp 1G for up to 24 months to work full time without an employer permit.
• Switching to work permission: once you move to an employment based permit, some permits, like the Critical Skills Employment Permit, have specific spouse or partner provisions.
• Planning ahead: your spouse's work rights depend on the specific permit you eventually hold, not on your student status.

My Advice

Do not plan for your spouse to accompany and work in Ireland during your masters itself, since this is not the standard route for Stamp 2 students; instead, plan your finances around your own 20 to 40 hour work allowance during your studies, and revisit your spouse's options once you secure a graduate work permit.