Cost of Studying in Ireland

How Much does it Cost to Study in Ireland?

Ireland is one of the intellectual capitals of the world and has produced some of the leading minds of our time. From its world-class universities to its rich culture and history enhanced by literature, art, technology, and medicine, it is a leading destination for international students looking to take their studies to a new and perhaps unfamiliar location. The country offers a wide variety of opportunities to students through its institutions, colleges, and universities, giving those who wish to attend one of the schools there a difficult decision to make.

Ireland’s universities, while not the most expensive in the world, are not always the most inexpensive,, either. But, there are a variety of factors that will directly affect this, and a student has the power to change the cost of tuition based on his or her choices.

Here are 3 of the most important decisions tied to the cost of studying in Ireland:

Which Field of Study?

Students looking to study in Ireland should be encouraged by the diversity of programs offered by the universities and colleges spread across the beautiful country. Virtually any academic and professional interest will have a course offering somewhere in the country, and more than likely, students will have many options to choose from. But it is important to bear in mind that a student’s chosen field of study will directly affect the cost of their tuition in most situations.

Some of the most popular fields of study in Ireland include medicine, engineering, science/technology, arts/humanities, and business. Of course, if a student is interested in a different area of study, they can look into other options with the help of services such as YesAtlas.

For non-EU international students whose passions fall within those top categories, here is what you can expect to pay in terms of annual tuition. Those interested in medicine will be paying the most by a significant margin, likely be looking at tuition fees ranging from €45,000 - €52,000. Those pursuing a degree in engineering, science and technology will pay fees between €9,750 - €23,000. Arts and Humanities students are even lower, with an annual tuition price of €9,750 - €20,000. Finally, business undergraduates should expect a bill of €9,750 - €18,000.

Which Degree Level are you Pursuing?

Ireland follows a common trend of dividing degrees between undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. These differentiate between three progressive levels of education experience, and each has a different purpose: undergraduate provides the basis upon which students can begin to shape their careers; graduate is often achieved either directly after undergraduate or after a few years in the “real world,” and aims to help advance careers; and postgraduate degrees are for experts looking to conduct research and even teach at higher education facilities.

Unsurprisingly, the cost of each program level varies from the others. In Ireland, general averages in tuition are measured between two categories instead of three – undergraduate and postgraduate (which includes graduate degrees). Using the same popular fields as above, which were representations of the undergraduate tuition fees, here are the graduate counterparts:

Those interested in medicine have the widest range of fees, which will range between €4,000 - €31,000. For future engineers, fees will be approximately €9,250 - €24,000. Science and technology professionals might be faced with the highest fees overall, which will fall between €9,250 - €45,000. Arts and Humanities students are the lowest, with an annual tuition price of €9,250 - €22,000. Finally, business undergraduates should expect fees to be €9,250 - €34,500.

Will you be Applying for a Scholarship?

Scholarships are one of the best ways to save money when looking into universities around the world, and Ireland is no exception. But, they require hard work and dedication. Hundreds of scholarships are available to international students, funded by a wide variety of sources like the Government of Ireland, the Irish higher education institutions. and other private organizations. Scholarships are awarded based on their respective required qualifications, which can be needs-based or merit-driven.