
How to Break Into Tech in Ireland Without a Degree
Think you need a four-year computer science degree to land a job in tech? Think again. More people in Ireland are getting into software, design, coding, and other tech roles without a degree—and they’re doing just fine.
If you can build stuff, solve problems, and keep learning, companies want you. Here’s how to get started and actually get hired.
Degrees Are Nice. Skills Are Better.
What Employers Really Want
Sure, some big companies still ask for degrees on job listings. But most hiring managers are just looking for people who can do the job. That means showing your skills in real ways, not just writing “team player” on your CV.
One Dublin-based hiring manager put it this way: “We’ve had grads with honours degrees who couldn’t write clean code, and self-taught devs who could ship working apps in a week.”
The tech world moves fast. Employers care more about what you can build than where you studied.
Stats Back It Up
According to Code Institute, 72% of their Irish graduates land tech jobs within a year, many without any previous tech experience or university degree.
Ireland’s tech sector is growing too. With more remote work and global hiring, the gap is widening between people who think they need a degree and those who are just applying anyway.
Learn What You Need to Learn (No Loans Required)
Pick a Path That Pays
You don’t need to master everything. Start with something focused like:
- Frontend development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Backend development (Python, Node.js, SQL)
- UX/UI design (Figma, Adobe XD)
- QA/testing
- Product design
- No-code tools (Webflow, Bubble, Shopify)
You can also mix technical and creative skills. A Cork-based freelancer we spoke to started by learning WordPress and Canva. Now she builds small business websites and earns more than she did at her old retail job.
Use Free and Low-Cost Resources
Don’t pay for expensive bootcamps straight away. Try free options first.
Good places to start:
- freeCodeCamp
- The Odin Project
- Coursera (many are free with audit option)
- Code Institute short courses
- Irish Tech Community on Discord and Slack
YouTube is also packed with full crash courses. You can literally learn JavaScript basics in a weekend. Just block out the distractions and follow along.
Build Stuff That Works
Start Projects Immediately
It’s tempting to keep watching tutorials forever. But employers won’t care unless you’ve built something on your own.
Start small. Clone a simple website. Build a personal to-do app. Make a fake product landing page. Design an app interface. Anything you can show is better than nothing.
One Limerick-based junior dev told us, “I applied for 20 jobs. Got ignored. Built one working React app and updated my portfolio. Got three interviews in the next week.”
Share It Publicly
Post your projects on GitHub, Behance, or even your own website. Write about what you built and what you learned. It shows initiative and gives people something to Google when they look you up.
You’re building proof. Employers love proof.
Find a First Role That Isn’t Perfect
Apply Before You Feel Ready
If you wait until you “feel qualified,” you’ll never apply. Send the CV anyway. You can always learn on the job.
Some companies in Ireland offer apprenticeships or junior roles that don’t require a degree. Look for:
- Junior developer roles
- Support engineer jobs
- QA or testing positions
- Internships with flexible entry requirements
Smaller Irish startups often skip the formal stuff if you show potential. Reach out. Send your work. Ask to help with a small task or freelance job. That’s how most people get their foot in the door.
Be Honest, Not Timid
If you’re self-taught, say so. Mention the courses you took, the projects you built, and what you’re learning now. Most hiring managers respect hustle. They don’t expect perfection from someone starting out.
Just don’t pretend to be something you’re not. You don’t need to say you’re a senior engineer. Just show what you can do and what you’re learning next.
Get in the Room (Even If It’s Online)
Join Irish Tech Communities
You don’t need to live in Dublin to network. Join online groups, Slack channels, Reddit threads, or Discord servers with Irish tech workers.
Start with:
- Irish Devs Slack
- Code Institute Community
- r/irishdev on Reddit
- LinkedIn groups like Tech Careers Ireland
Ask questions. Share your wins. Comment on posts. It might feel awkward at first, but it works. Jobs often come from connections, not job boards.
Go to Local Events
If you’re near a city, look for meetups, hackathons, or tech nights. Even one short conversation can lead to an opportunity later. Bring your project, not just your CV.
One junior dev told us he got his first contract after showing a recruiter his phone and saying, “I built this yesterday.”
Watch Your Online Footprint
Clean Up Your Google Results
If someone searches your name, what do they see?
Make sure your LinkedIn is updated. Create a simple portfolio. Use your real name on GitHub or Behance. You don’t need to be famous—just visible.
And if your teenage blog or questionable Facebook posts are still ranking? Maybe untag a few things. You’re applying for jobs, not writing a Netflix crime doc. No employer wants to find out you’ve been trying to remove your online criminal record from page one of Google.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a degree to work in tech in Ireland. You need proof. Projects, persistence, and a little bit of hustle.
Start small. Learn fast. Share your work. Say yes to stuff even if you’re scared.
The tech world doesn’t care where you started. It cares what you can build. So go build something.