Studying in Ireland vs. United Kingdom
Ireland and United Kingdom 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 €1,836 in United Kingdom.
Side-by-side comparison
Verdict
Cheaper tuition
Ireland
Cheaper monthly living
Ireland
Lower visa proof of funds
Ireland
Side-by-side comparison
Ireland
United Kingdom
Currency
EUR (€)
GBP (£)
Public tuition (annual)
€16,000
£22,000
≈ €25,740 / yr
Private tuition (annual)
€22,000
£38,000
≈ €44,460 / yr
Monthly living (city avg)
€1,778 / mo
£1,569 / mo
≈ €1,836 / mo
Visa proof of funds
€10,000
INIS proof of funds
£12,006
UKVI maintenance (outside London)
Cities tracked
Dublin, Cork, Galway
London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Birmingham
Figures are 2026 reference estimates from our cost calculator. Actual costs vary by city, program, and lifestyle.