Study in Ireland - Study abroad destination

Costs & Funding - Study in Ireland

A realistic breakdown of tuition fees, living costs by city, scholarships, and part-time work earnings for international students in Ireland.

Updated March 1, 2026 6 min read

Costs & Funding in Ireland

Studying in Ireland requires careful financial planning, but the country offers good value compared to the UK, USA, or Australia -- especially for EU/EEA students who benefit from significantly lower tuition fees. Non-EU students pay more but still find Ireland competitive, particularly given the English-language instruction and access to the EU job market.

This guide gives you realistic numbers for tuition, living costs, and available funding options.

Tuition Fees (2025-2026)

EU/EEA Students

EU/EEA students benefit from the Free Fees Initiative, which covers tuition fees at Irish universities. However, you must still pay the student contribution charge of EUR 3,000 per year. Some programs in professional areas (medicine, dentistry) may have additional fees.

To qualify for Free Fees, you must have been resident in an EU/EEA country for at least 3 of the previous 5 years.

Non-EU International Students

Field of Study	Annual Tuition (EUR)
Humanities, arts, social sciences	10,000 - 16,000
Business, law, education	12,000 - 20,000
Science, engineering, technology	14,000 - 25,000
Medicine	45,000 - 55,000
Dentistry	30,000 - 40,000

Tuition at Top Universities (Non-EU, 2025-2026)

University	Arts/Humanities	Science/Engineering	Business
Trinity College Dublin	EUR 18,000	EUR 24,000	EUR 19,000
UCD	EUR 16,000	EUR 23,000	EUR 18,000
NUI Galway	EUR 14,000	EUR 20,000	EUR 15,000
UCC	EUR 14,000	EUR 20,000	EUR 15,000
DCU	EUR 13,000	EUR 18,000	EUR 14,000
University of Limerick	EUR 12,000	EUR 17,000	EUR 13,000

Living Costs by City

Category	Dublin	Cork	Galway	Limerick
Rent (shared)	700-1,000	500-700	450-650	400-600
Groceries	250-350	220-300	220-300	200-280
Transport	80-120	50-80	40-70	40-60
Utilities (share)	60-100	50-80	50-80	40-70
Phone/Internet	30-50	30-50	30-50	30-50
Entertainment	80-150	60-120	60-120	50-100
Monthly Total	1,200-1,770	910-1,330	850-1,270	760-1,160

Pro tip: Living outside Dublin can save you EUR 3,000-6,000 per year on accommodation alone. Galway, Cork, and Limerick all have excellent universities and growing job markets.

Accommodation Options

Type	Monthly Cost (EUR)	Includes
University halls	500-900	Utilities, internet, sometimes meals
Purpose-built student housing	600-1,000	Utilities, internet, gym
Shared apartment (2-3 people)	400-800	Rent only -- add utilities
Homestay	700-900	Meals, utilities
Private studio	1,000-1,500	Rent only

Scholarships & Funding

Government of Ireland Scholarships

Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships

Value: EUR 10,000 per year plus full tuition fee waiver
Eligibility: Non-EU/EEA students applying to full-time programs at eligible institutions
Level: Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD
Deadline: Typically March each year

Irish Research Council (IRC) Postgraduate Scholarships

Value: EUR 28,000/year stipend + EUR 5,750 tuition contribution
Eligibility: Master's research and PhD students
Application: Through your university's research office

Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Funded Positions

Value: Full tuition + stipend (EUR 22,000-28,000/year)
Eligibility: PhD candidates in SFI-funded research centres
Fields: ICT, biomedical, energy, marine, food

University Scholarships (Examples)

University	Scholarship	Value
Trinity College Dublin	Global Excellence Scholarships	Up to EUR 5,000/year
UCD	Global Excellence Scholarship	50-100% tuition reduction
NUI Galway	International Student Scholarships	EUR 2,000-4,000/year
UCC	International Student Scholarships	EUR 2,000-5,000/year
DCU	International Student Scholarship	Up to EUR 2,000/year
University of Limerick	Sports, Academic, and Access Scholarships	EUR 1,500-5,000/year

Part-Time Work

International students on a student permission (Stamp 2) can work:

20 hours per week during term time
40 hours per week during holiday periods (June-September and December 15 - January 15)

Typical Wages

Job Type	Hourly Rate (EUR)
Retail (shops, supermarkets)	12.70-14.00
Hospitality (cafes, restaurants, bars)	12.70-15.00
Campus jobs (library, admin, labs)	13.00-16.00
Tutoring	15.00-30.00
Tech sector (internships, part-time)	15.00-25.00

Working 20 hours/week at EUR 13.50/hour average earns approximately EUR 1,080/month -- enough to cover living costs outside Dublin or contribute significantly to Dublin costs.

Budget Examples

Example 1: Bachelor's at UCD (Dublin) -- Non-EU, 3 Years

Item	Annual (EUR)	3-Year Total (EUR)
Tuition	18,000	54,000
Living costs (Dublin)	15,600	46,800
Books and supplies	500	1,500
Total cost	--	102,300
Part-time work income	-10,800	-32,400
Net cost	--	69,900

Example 2: Master's at NUI Galway -- Non-EU, 1 Year

Item	Annual (EUR)	Total (EUR)
Tuition	15,000	15,000
Living costs (Galway)	10,800	10,800
Books and supplies	400	400
Total cost	--	26,200
Part-time work income	-8,640	-8,640
Net cost	--	17,560

Financial Proof for Student Permission

Non-EU students must show:

EUR 10,000 in accessible funds (or EUR 7,000 if tuition is prepaid)
First year's tuition already paid or evidence of ability to pay
Evidence of ongoing funding for subsequent years
Medical insurance coverage

Acceptable evidence includes bank statements, scholarship letters, sponsor letters with supporting bank evidence, and loan approval letters.

Compare student health insurance options for Ireland

Next Steps

Admissions & Application -- Submit your applications with confidence
Visa & Arrival -- Financial requirements for student permission
Living in Ireland -- Practical guide to accommodation and daily expenses
Work & Career -- Part-time work rules and career opportunities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to study in Ireland as an international student?

EU/EEA students pay EUR 3,000-9,000 per year in tuition (the student contribution charge). Non-EU students pay EUR 10,000-25,000 per year depending on the program and university. Medicine is significantly more expensive at EUR 45,000-55,000 per year. Living costs range from EUR 800-1,500 per month depending on the city.

What is the student contribution charge in Ireland?

The student contribution charge is EUR 3,000 per year for EU/EEA students. This covers registration, student services, and examinations. Some EU/EEA students may qualify for the Free Fees Initiative, which covers tuition but not the contribution charge. Non-EU students pay full tuition fees instead.

What are the main scholarships available for studying in Ireland?

The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships offer EUR 10,000 per year plus tuition waiver. The IRC Postgraduate Scholarships provide EUR 28,000/year stipend. SFI-funded research centres offer fully funded PhD positions. Each university also has its own merit-based and need-based scholarships.

How much is rent in Dublin for a student?

Student accommodation in Dublin ranges from EUR 600-1,200 per month for a shared room or apartment. University halls of residence cost EUR 500-800 per month. Purpose-built student accommodation costs EUR 700-1,000 per month. Living outside the city centre and sharing with others significantly reduces costs.

How much can I earn working part-time as a student in Ireland?

The national minimum wage in Ireland is EUR 12.70 per hour (2026). Working the maximum 20 hours per week during term time, you can earn approximately EUR 1,000-1,100 per month. During holiday periods, you can work 40 hours per week, earning up to EUR 2,200 per month.

Is Dublin more expensive than other Irish cities?

Yes, significantly. Dublin living costs are 20-40% higher than Cork, Galway, or Limerick, primarily due to accommodation costs. A shared room in Dublin averages EUR 700-900/month, while the same in Galway or Cork averages EUR 450-650/month. Food, transport, and entertainment are also somewhat higher in Dublin.

Do I need to show proof of funds for an Irish student visa?

Yes. Non-EU students must demonstrate access to EUR 10,000 plus their first year's tuition fees (or EUR 7,000 if tuition is already paid). This must be shown through bank statements, scholarship letters, or financial guarantor documents. The funds must be accessible, not locked in long-term deposits.

Are there free tuition options in Ireland?

EU/EEA students may qualify for the Free Fees Initiative, which covers tuition (but not the EUR 3,000 student contribution charge). This applies to students who have been resident in an EU/EEA country for 3 of the previous 5 years. Non-EU students do not qualify for free tuition but can apply for scholarships to reduce costs.

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