Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity for any international student – a chance to live and study in a whole new country can be a real adventure. But, it’s important to understand the financial side of things too, and tuition fees are often the most significant expenditure you’ll encounter.

In Ireland, as in many countries, tuition fees vary considerably depending on several factors and trying to make sense of it can feel overwhelming. We’ve done the research and compiled all the information for you.

All costs in this article are provided in US dollars, with a conversion rate of 1 USD: 0.95 EUR at the time of writing.

What do tuition fees cover?

In Ireland, tuition fees are charged annually and cover all teaching offered as part of your chosen course or modules, including tutorials, seminars, and lectures.

Tuition fees do not cover student supplies (e.g. textbooks or stationery) or living expenses (e.g. rent, travel or bills). For more information about these, why not read our article about the cost of living in Ireland.

Most Irish universities charge a compulsory student contribution (also known as a registration fee) separate from their tuition fees. This covers non-tuition student services and examinations. The maximum rate chargeable for the 2022/23 academic year is USD 3,158. However, some universities incorporate the student contribution within their tuition fees, so be sure to check how things work at the institution you’re applying to.

Understanding tuition fees

When calculating the price of tuition fees in Ireland, you’ll need to consider several important elements, as the costs can vary so widely.

EU, EEA, British and Swiss students

If you are an EU or EEA citizen or British or Swiss national, you’ll have ‘EU fee status', meaning you’ll get cheaper rates than other international students:

• If you are applying for your first undergraduate course, you’ll likely qualify for the Free Fees Initiative, and the Irish government will pay your tuition fees for you.
• If you are applying for a postgraduate course, you will pay fees at the subsidised EU rate.

Academic institution

Tuition fees vary significantly between institutions. Fees will generally be more at universities that place higher on rankings, such as the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the QS World University Rankings.

Type of qualification

Often, tuition fees for postgraduate degrees are more costly per year than they are at the undergraduate level.

Subject studied

Typically, STEM degrees cost more than arts or humanities degrees. Medical and veterinary sciences are usually much more expensive than other degree types.

Course length

Don’t forget to consider the length of your course. As tuition fees are not usually charged as a one-off payment, the longer your course takes, the more expensive it will be. Undergraduate degrees in Ireland are typically three years long.

Method of learning

If you decide to study your course online, this is often considerably cheaper than traditional methods of study. Similarly, at the postgraduate level, research-based courses will be cheaper than those that are taught.

Years abroad

If your course offers a year abroad, the tuition fees for that year may be different to other years.

How much do international undergraduate fees cost in Ireland?

Undergraduate tuition rates for students vary considerably in Ireland, typically costing non-EU Students USD 11,000 to USD 30,000 per year.

We know there are big differences, but don’t worry, we’ve compiled the data so that you can put together a better picture of what you might expect to pay.

In our first table, you can see the cost of overseas undergraduate tuition fees (per year) at Ireland’s top five universities. These fees are for full-time courses starting in the 2022/2023 academic year.

Typical Irish (non-EU) international undergraduate tuition fees per year

*fees at the higher end of these ranges represent the more expensive years in medical and/or veterinary subjects

Want to get an idea of tuition fees for some of the most popular undergraduate courses in Ireland? Our next table will help.

Typical Irish annual international (non-EU) undergraduate tuition fees (by course)

*health sciences only

With these tables, hopefully, you can get a basic understanding of what you might expect to pay in tuition fees as an undergraduate in Ireland. And of course, if you already know which universities you are interested in, you can request prospectuses for more information about courses and fees.

How much do international postgraduate tuition fees cost in Ireland?

The range in postgraduate international tuition fees in Ireland is about:

• USD 3,000 to USD 52,000 per year (non-EU students)
• USD 2,000 to USD 26,000 per year (EU/EEA, British and Swiss students)

There are some big differences, so our tables should help you get an idea of what you might expect to pay as an international postgraduate student. These fees are for courses starting in the 2022/2023 academic year, and are split to show costs for students applying from both inside and outside the EU.

Postgraduates applying from outside the EU/EEA

Typical Irish international (non-EU) postgraduate tuition fees per year (or course length, where the full course is shorter than a year)

Next, we show the tuition fees for some popular postgraduate course options at the same five universities. Remember, the range shown for each course may include options at every level of study, from postgraduate certificates all the way through to doctorates.

Typical Irish annual international (non-EU) postgraduate tuition fee per year (or course length, where the full course is shorter than a year) by course type

* charged as a one-off payment for the full course rather than an annual fee

Postgraduates applying from within the EU/EEA (plus British and Swiss nationals)

Typical Irish international (EU, EEA, British and Swiss nationals) postgraduate tuition fees per year (or course length, where the full course is shorter than a year)

Next, we’ve researched popular postgraduate courses at the same five universities. Remember, the ranges shown may include courses at every level of study, from postgraduate certificates all the way through to doctorates.

Typical Irish annual international (EU, EEA, British and Swiss nationals) postgraduate tuition fee per year (or course length, where the full course is shorter than a year) by course type

* charged as a one-off payment for the full course rather than an annual fee

Feeling a little more confident about what to expect? Perhaps now would be a good time to order some prospectuses and narrow down your university choices.

How do I pay my tuition fees in Ireland?

In Ireland, tuition fees are paid to the university before the start of the academic year.  You will need to prove you have paid at least USD 6,316 of your course fees (or the full amount if it is less) when you apply for your student visa.

Since tuition fees are charged annually, if your course is longer than a year, you will usually need to pay your tuition fees before every academic year of study. However, different institutions may have different payment structures, so be sure to check the requirements with your chosen university before you apply.

Did you know?

Many universities offer scholarships and funding opportunities to international students. It’s worth checking to see if there’s one that might suit you.

Now that you know all you need to about the cost of tuition fees, why not learn about the application process for universities in Ireland? You can also start searching for your ideal degree in Ireland using our course matcher tool. 

Disclaimer: Whilst we’ve done all we can to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, be aware that these are guidelines and averages only. Costs may vary or change at any time, so be sure to verify fee structures with any prospective institutions.