I am planning to relocate overseas and am considering pursuing a Master’s degree as a pathway. I would appreciate advice on the feasibility of my plan. I am 28 years old with a B.Sc. in Computer Science and 7 years of work experience as a Software Tester in India.
Is 28 considered too old for a Master’s program in countries like Australia or Ireland? How is the job market for Software Testers/QA roles for international graduates in these countries? Between Australia and Ireland, which country offers a more realistic and faster path to permanent residency for someone with my profile?
Hi @monalisaa 28 is definitely not too old for a Master’s abroad, especially in Australia or Ireland. Lots of students apply in their late 20s or even 30s, and with 7 years of software testing experience, you’ll actually have a stronger profile than fresh grads.
On the countries:
Australia – The tech market is decent, and QA/testing roles are in demand, along with automation skills. PR is also more straightforward here because of the points-based system. Your age, degree, and work experience will all count in your favor.
Ireland – Big tech companies are there (Google, Microsoft, etc.), so there are QA/testing jobs, but the overall market is smaller. You do get a post-study work visa, but the PR process is slower compared to Australia.
If your main goal is a clear path to settle, Australia is the safer bet. Ireland is good for exposure and experience, but you’ll need more time to get permanent residency.
So no, 28 isn’t a problem at all. If anything, your experience makes you more employable once you graduate.
hey @monalisaa Nah, 28 isn’t old at all for a Master’s abroad — you’ll actually find tons of people in their late 20s or even 30s in classes, especially those who’ve been working. Your 7 years of QA experience is a solid plus.
Job-wise, Australia’s market is bigger, so more chances overall, but they usually want automation skills (think Selenium, Python, Java). Ireland’s tech scene is strong too with all the big companies in Dublin, but since it’s smaller, competition can feel tighter.
For PR, Australia is usually quicker and more structured. Ireland’s path takes a bit longer, since you need to work a few years before applying for residency.
So if PR is the main goal → Australia. If you’d rather get into the EU tech scene → Ireland works.
Oh, not at all! In fact, your work experience is a huge plus. My cousin went to Australia at 29 for a Master’s in IT. The universities there and in Ireland actually value professional experience. It shows you’re serious and have a clear career path. You’ll fit right in with the mature-age students.
Hi, @monalisaa You’re not “too old” at 28 for a master’s in Australia or Ireland, and your 7 years in QA is an asset; both countries hire international grads, but roles are strongest if you upskill to SDET/automation (Java/Python, Selenium/Cypress, API testing, CI/CD, cloud). For post-study work, Australia’s Temporary Graduate (485) now generally gives up to 2 years after a master’s under the revised settings, with tighter migration rules than before, so PR can take longer and depends on points/state nomination or employer sponsorship; QA-type roles exist on ANZSCO (e.g., ICT Quality Assurance/Systems Test Engineers), which helps with skills assessment and sponsorship. Ireland offers Stamp 1G (typically 24 months for master’s grads) to find work and a clearer PR track if you land a Critical Skills Employment Permit (common for many ICT roles), leading to Stamp 4 after two years with that permit, often a faster residency path than Australia if your offer meets the list/salary. Bottom line: both are viable, but if speed to residency is your priority, Ireland can be quicker via Critical Skills; if you want a larger market and don’t mind a longer PR journey, Australia is solid either way; push toward test automation/SDET to maximize outcomes.