Studying in Ireland vs. South Africa
Ireland and South Africa 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 €1,778 in Ireland and €588 in South Africa.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
South Africa
Cheaper monthly living
South Africa
Lower visa proof of funds
South Africa
Side-by-side comparison
Ireland
South Africa
Currency
EUR (€)
ZAR (R)
Public tuition (annual)
€16,000
R50,000
≈ €2,500 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
€22,000
R100,000
≈ €5,000 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,778 / mo
R11,750 / mo
≈ €588 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€10,000
INIS proof of funds
R120,000
Proof of funds for the Section 11(1)(b) study visa (varies by case)
Cities tracked
Dublin, Cork, Galway
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.