Studying in China vs. Ireland
China and Ireland are both popular study destinations — but the price tag, visa rules, and currency differ. We pulled the numbers from our cost calculator: monthly living averages €552 in China and €1,778 in Ireland.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
China
Cheaper monthly living
China
Lower visa proof of funds
Ireland
Side-by-side comparison
China
Ireland
Currency
CNY (¥)
EUR (€)
Public tuition (annual)
¥26,000
≈ €3,302 / yr
€16,000
Private tuition (annual)
¥45,000
≈ €5,715 / yr
€22,000
Monthly living (city avg)
¥4,343 / mo
≈ €552 / mo
€1,778 / mo
Visa proof of funds
¥100,000
Bank balance proof (annual, X1/X2 visa)
€10,000
INIS proof of funds
Cities tracked
Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing
Dublin, Cork, Galway
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.