Dublin is a great place to study and its universities welcome students from across the world. But how much are the tuition fees in Ireland?

Most universities and institutions of higher learning have at least two parts to their fee structure – tuition and the student contribution. Tuition fees cover your learning in class, while the student contribution covers student services and examinations.

The maximum rate for the student contribution right now is €3,000. Fees are competitive, particularly when compared to those of universities in the UK. On average, tuition in the UK is more than three times more expensive. In addition, many EU students may not have to pay any fees.

Tuition fees for non-EU students

Students from countries outside of the EU and the EEA must pay the full cost of their college courses in Ireland. This can vary hugely, depending on the course and the institution you want to study at.

For example, annual fees for undergraduate degrees at Dublin City University (DCU) range from €12,600 to €18,000. The lower end of the scale is for courses like Early Childhood Education, while the most expensive course is Athletic Therapy Training. All the courses available from its computing and engineering faculty cost €15,000 in tuition fees. You can find a full breakdown of costs at DCU here.

At University College Dublin (UCD), annual tuition fees vary from €16,800 to €25,600 for undergraduates. And at Trinity College (TCD) from €13,758 to €29,548. TCD fees for full-time postgraduate courses vary even more, with tuition ranging from just over €6,000 all the way up to €35,800. TU Dublin charge undergraduate tuition fees in the range of €11,650 to €21,886.

The links below will help you figure out the relevant tuition fees at Dublin’s most prominent third-level institutions.

Dublin universities

• Dublin City University
• Maynooth University
• TU Dublin
• Trinity College Dublin
• University College Dublin

Other colleges and institutions

• National College of Art & Design
• Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
• Royal Irish Academy of Music
• Honorable Society of King’s Inns
• Law Society of Ireland
• National College of Ireland
• Dorset College
• Dublin Business School
• Independent College Dublin
• Institute of Art, Design and Technology
• College of Computing Technology
• Griffith College

Fees for Irish and EU students

If an Irish or EU citizen wants to study in Dublin, they may be eligible to have their tuition fees paid by Ireland’s Higher Education Authority (HEA). However, it is necessary to satisfy all of the following criteria:

• You have been a resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years before your studies begin
• You haven’t attended an undergraduate course before
• You’ll be studying full-time on a course that lasts at least two years

On top of this, you must also satisfy at least one of these requirements:

• You’re a national of a country within the EU, the EEA or Switzerland
• You’re a family member of an EU national and have permission to live in Ireland
• You have refugee status in Ireland
• You’re a family member of someone with refugee status and have permission to reside in Ireland
• You have been granted ‘leave to remain’ in Ireland on a humanitarian basis
• The Minister for Justice and Equality has granted you permission to live in Ireland

Students who are repeating a semester or a year of their degree are not eligible for this fee-free tuition. Neither are students pursuing a second undergraduate degree.

While the HEA has established these criteria, it’s up to individual institutions to assess the eligibility of applicants. You can check out the HEA’s website on student finance for more information. It’s also important to remember that even if you don’t have to pay tuition fees in Ireland, you will still need to cover the student contribution fee of €3,000.

Scholarships in Ireland

Talented and hard-working international students are always welcome in Dublin. That’s why hundreds of scholarships are available from across the city’s third-level institutions.

To find out which ones you’re eligible for and how to apply, it’s best to contact each individual institution or organisation directly. Education in Ireland offers a thorough introduction to all the scholarships on offer.

Disclaimer: Tuition fees are subject to annual review at most universities. We have made every effort to ensure that these figures are correct as of June 2021.