On average, one in ten students in Ireland is from abroad. In addition to the cost of living, tuition fees on the Emerald Isle are a major cost factor for studying abroad in Ireland. The fees vary depending on the institution, study program and subject, as the universities in Ireland decide themselves on the amount. The search for the famous pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is not necessary, however, because EU citizens benefit from Ireland’s membership in the European Union through the Free Fees System.
Tuition fees in comparison
The universities in Ireland charge tuition fees to finance the modern equipment and teaching on site. Students pay between EUR 3,000 and EUR 52,000 to study in Ireland. To learn more about the country of Ireland and continent of Europe, please follow behealthybytomorrow. This wide range arises because several factors influence the level of tuition fees.
For EU and non-EU citizens, different regulations apply to tuition fees in Ireland. When applying, students state whether they are EU citizens and retain this status for the entire duration of their studies.
The tuition fees in Ireland are also based on the following criteria:
- Study location: Depending on whether students choose a university, college or Institute of Technology, the tuition fees vary.
- Study program: The level of tuition fees in Ireland depends on whether it is a full course or a semester abroad.
- Subject: The content focus of studying in Ireland also affects the level of tuition fees. An MBA degree is one of the most expensive programs, while an LLM or a liberal arts degree is the cheapest for EU citizens.
The fees for language courses depend on the provider and program. In general, for a General English Standard course they range between EUR 150 and EUR 250 per week for 20 hours per week.
Tuition fees in Ireland by study type and subject
Tuition fees in Ireland vary depending on the program and subject. With EUR 3,000 to EUR 7,000, the LLM is one of the more affordable Irish study programs. For a full-time MBA, on the other hand, students pay between EUR 7,900 and EUR 35,000. Both the LLM and the MBA are very cheap in international comparison, for example, to the USA or Great Britain.
The tuition fees for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree are higher than for a Study Abroad program. This particularly applies to the fields of medicine and economics in the master’s degree. You can find out more in the following two sections.
Fees for a Bachelor’s degree in Ireland
In the undergraduate sector, EU citizens pay no tuition fees for at least two years of full-time study. The prerequisite is that you are in your first degree and have lived in the EU for at least three of the five years before the start of your studies.
Instead of tuition fees, EU citizens pay a student contribution fee in the undergraduate area at public universities. The Free Fees Scheme of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) pays the tuition fees and eligible students instead pay around EUR 3,000 for non-tuition student services per academic year. The Department of Education and Skills determines the amount of these fees. This includes, for example, examination fees and co-financing of university services for students.
In addition to EU citizens, refugees and citizens of the European Economic Area and Switzerland are also included in this regulation. It also applies to students who have spent at least five years in a primary or second level school in Ireland. The exact conditions can be found at Student Finance.
The private universities in Ireland deviate from this rule. There are tuition fees here, which vary depending on the degree program. For EU citizens there are costs from EUR 3,700.
Costs for a Masters in Ireland
EU citizens pay between EUR 3,800 and EUR 30,000 for a Masters degree in Ireland. The largest ranges are in economy with EUR 6,000 to EUR 30,000 and medicine with EUR 3,800 to EUR 21,000. The humanities and arts courses are cheaper at EUR 4,400 to EUR 9,600. In the middle of the field are engineering with EUR 5,500 to EUR 9,000 and natural sciences with EUR 5,000 to EUR 10,000.
These fees also apply to Swiss citizens and citizens of the European Economic Area who have lived there for at least three years. Exempt from tuition fees in the postgraduate area are taxable students in the EU with the appropriate academic prerequisites.
Easy to finance: a semester abroad in Ireland
A cheap alternative to a full degree is a semester abroad in Ireland. Students at public universities who are EU citizens mostly benefit from the Fee Frees Scheme and only pay the Student Contribution Fee. Sometimes a stay for the entire academic year and the recognition of the courses by the home university are required. A semester abroad costs from EUR 2,500.
Further costs for studying in Ireland
In addition to the tuition fees or the student contribution fee, there are other costs for studying in Ireland:
- Application fee: In the undergraduate sector, EU citizens pay an application fee of EUR 30 to EUR 40 when applying to study in Ireland. This fee increases slightly for those who decide late.
- Health insurance costs in Ireland: Even while studying within the EU, it is advisable to take out health insurance abroad in order to be covered in the worst case scenario.
- Teaching materials: During their studies, students need various books or documents for the courses. In many cases, these can be obtained more cheaply in used condition.
