Ireland, a part of Europe’s island countries, is a popular study-abroad destination for international students. On average, Ireland welcomes more than 40,000 students from 140+ countries yearly. The Irish Government invests generously to improve the academic infrastructure of the country. The colleges and universities in Ireland have excellent education quality, ample research opportunities and nearly 5,000 degree courses for students.
In comparison to the UK, US and Canada, the cost of living and studying in Ireland is much more affordable. There are plenty of low tuition fee universities in Ireland for international students. The yearly tuition fee for Irish universities is approximately 14,000 - 21,000 Euros (INR 1,116,710 - 1,675,065) whereas 5,265 Euros (INR 419,962) is the yearly cost of living.
Dublin, the capital of Ireland is a sociable city with plenty of work opportunities for international students. Several multinational companies have their headquarters in the city including Google, Facebook, Airbnb, PayPal, Microsoft and LinkedIn. Thus, finding a lucrative post job after graduating from Irish universities will be convenient for international students.
Table of Contents |
Most Affordable Universities in Ireland for International Students
The Irish universities offer several competitive courses at affordable tuition fees such as business analytics, investment banking and finance, data science, biological sciences and engineering. Here is a comprehensive list of cheap universities in Ireland for international students:
Name of Universities |
QS University Rankings 2023 |
Trinity College Dublin |
98 |
University College Dublin |
181 |
National College of Ireland |
- |
University College Cork |
303 |
Dublin City University |
471 |
University of Limerick |
531-540 |
Maynooth University |
801-1000 |
Technological University Dublin |
801-1000 |
These are some of the cheap universities for international students in Ireland where the tuition fees are near to negligible. Let’s have a closer look at this above-mentioned list of cheap universities in Ireland, their tuition fees, top courses, etc.
1. Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) is a leading public research university in Ireland and has an elaborate history of academic excellence. TCD is one of the cheapest colleges in Ireland, enrolling more than 5,500 international students in undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The University has 3 major departments: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Engineering, Mathematics and Science; and Health Sciences. Top international faculties mentor students through their coursework and research. In fact, all undergraduate students are provided with a personal tutor for academic and professional guidance.
University Type |
Public |
Popular Courses |
Business Management, Engineering Law Arts & Humanities |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate - 20,000 EUR (INR 15,80,918) Postgraduate - 12,000 EUR (INR 9,48,550) PhD - 8,800 EUR (INR 6,95,604) |
2. University College Dublin
University College Dublin (UCD) is a research-intensive public university in Ireland welcoming more than 5,000 international students. The College offers 38 academic disciplines in the following facilities: UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, UCD Sutherland School of Law, UCD Lochlan Quinn School of Business, UCD Moore Centre for Business and UCD Student Centre. Several merit-based, sport-based and Global Excellence Scholarships are also awarded to international students.
University Type |
Public |
Popular Courses |
Veterinary Science Petroleum Engineering English Language & Literature, History Nursing Law Politics & International Studies |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate - 25,000 EUR (INR 19,76,147) Postgraduate - 16,000 EUR (INR 12,64,734) PhD - 13,080 EUR (INR 10,33,920) |
3. National College of Ireland
National College of Ireland (NCI) is a non-profit, state-aided college and is one of the low tuition universities in Ireland for international students. The college is well-known for its facilities, employability, inclusiveness and social responsibility. The NCI School of Computing and School of Business are two of the best schools located in the heart of Dublin. All the degree courses offered by the university are accredited by the QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland). NCI has partnered with Stanford, UC Berkeley and Cornell universities to help students find better opportunities. Approximately 96% of students are offered high-paying jobs within 6 months of graduation.
University Type |
Public |
Popular Courses |
Data Analytics International Business Marketing and Management |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate - 11,000 EUR (INR 869505) Postgraduate - 15,000 EUR (INR 11,85,688) PhD - 30,000 EUR (INR 23,71,377) |
4. University College Cork
University College Cork (UCC) is one of the best cheap universities for international students in Cork, Ireland. The university offers 120 courses, research opportunities and scholarships to international students. There are 4 departmental colleges under the UCC banner, namely arts, celtic studies and social sciences; business and law; medicine and health; and science, engineering and food science. The campus has important research centres like Tyndall National Institute, APC Microbiome Ireland Institute, Environmental Research Institute, Boole Centre for Research in Informatics and Analytical and Biological Chemistry Research Facility.
University Type |
Public |
Popular Courses |
Pharmacy & Pharmacology Nursing Psychology Data Science & Analytics Finance |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate - 13,000 EUR (INR 10,27,596) Postgraduate - 18,000 EUR (INR 14,22,826) PhD - 11,540 EUR (INR 9,12,189) |
5. Dublin City University
Dublin City University (DCU) is also referred to as Ireland's University of Enterprise because of its immense contribution to academic and research advancements. Though it is one of the cheap schools in Ireland for international students, DCU offers excellent education and offers nearly 200 programs across 5 main campuses. The main departments of the university are engineering and computing; business; science and health; humanities and social sciences; and education. The DCU Business School offers lucrative placement opportunities after graduation.
University Type |
Public |
Popular Courses |
Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Analytical Science Artificial Intelligence Mathematics |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate - 14,000 EUR (INR 11,06,642) Postgraduate - 17,000 EUR (INR 13,43,780) Phd - 5,500 EUR (INR 4,38,704) |
6. University of Limerick
University of Limerick (UL) provides high-quality, innovative part-time as well as full-time degree programs to international students and is considered one of the cheapest universities in Ireland. The Cooperative Education Program offered by the UL has partnered with several reputed employers in Ireland to enhance their graduate employability rate. Nearly 2,000 international students join the various departments namely, arts, humanities and social sciences; education and health sciences, science and engineering; and business.
University Type |
Public |
Popular Courses |
Computer Science and Information Systems Architecture Electronic and Computer Engineering Mathematics Statistics |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate - 13,000 EUR (INR 10,27,596) Postgraduate - 16,000 EUR (INR 12,64,734) PhD - 9,550 EUR (INR 7,54,888) |
7. Maynooth University
Established in 1997, Maynooth University is considered Ireland’s fastest-growing education institute with a vibrant, friendly and diverse campus for international students. The interactive curriculum and international faculty attract thousands of students from across the globe. In total, the university has 30 departments which offer 235 undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The 3 noteworthy departments are arts, celtic studies and philosophy; science and engineering; and social sciences. The university welcomes more than 2,000 international students who can find on-campus accommodation at reasonable rent.
University Type |
Public |
Popular Courses |
Economics Finance Computer Science Arts |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate - 18,000 EUR (INR 14,22,826) Postgraduate - 14,000 EUR (INR 11,06,642) |
8. Technological University Dublin
Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is one of the cheap universities in Ireland for international students and offers the best technical education courses. In fact, it is Ireland’s first technological university to provide undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral degree programs. Focas Research Institute in TU Dublin facilitates multiple research projects in its state-of-the-art labs. It has research-oriented partnerships with CREST (Centre for Research in Engineering Surface Technology), RESC (Radiation and Environmental Science) and (IEO) Industrial and Engineering Optics.
University Type |
Public |
Popular Courses |
Computer Science Information Technology Data Analytics Mathematics Business Law Engineering Architecture |
Annual Tuition Fees |
Undergraduate - 12,000 EUR (INR 9,48,550) Postgraduate - 15,000 EUR (INR 11,85,688) PhD - 12,500 EUR (INR 9,88,073) |
Read: Admission Intakes in Ireland
Ireland is an excellent choice for international students. Along with world-class education quality, globally recognised degree programs and ample work opportunities, students will enjoy the scenic beauty of the island country. There are multiple cheap ireland universities for international students. The National Framework of Qualifications (NFF) in Ireland monitors the academic infrastructure and ensures that every student gets the best of opportunities, both academically and professionally.
Wondering how to take admission to the cheapest universities in Ireland? Subscribe to Yocket Premium and get one-on-one application support and visa guidance.
Important Resources to Read about Ireland |
||