Is it possible for someone over 36 years old to study abroad, and what are the country options for that age group in UK/Ireland?

Yes, you can absolutely study abroad after 36, since student visas in the UK and Ireland carry no upper age limit at all. Universities in both countries value the professional experience mature students bring, though you will need a stronger statement of purpose explaining your study gap and career trajectory than a younger applicant would. Your bigger challenge is financial proof and planning, not your age.

UK Versus Ireland For Mature Students

What Changes When You Apply At 36 Or Older

• Write a convincing statement of purpose that explains why you are pausing your career now and how this specific degree bridges you to your next role.
• Prove you can support yourself financially without working, since visa officers scrutinise mature applicants' funding more closely.
• Know that bringing dependents has become highly restricted; in the UK you generally need a research PhD or government-sponsored programme, and Ireland allows it only under narrow conditions.
• Lean into your professional experience in your application, since both countries value it as a genuine asset rather than a gap to explain away.

My Advice

Write your statement of purpose around a clear "bridge" narrative connecting your past career, this degree, and your next professional step, and start your financial documentation early since mature applicants often face extra scrutiny on their funding source.