Ireland is a popular study-abroad destination with a large publicly funded higher education sector that includes universities, technological universities, and colleges. Irish institutions attract students from around the world, and graduates work across many industries in Ireland and overseas.
Recent Higher Education Authority data shows that 44,535 students in publicly funded Irish higher education institutions in 2024/25 were non-Irish domiciled, equal to about 16% of total enrolments. If you want to experience Irish education and plan your budget, use the guide below as a starting point and always confirm current fees with your university before applying.
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Cost of Studying in Ireland
Ireland offers a wide range of institutions and programs. Tuition is usually one of the largest parts of an international student’s budget, and fees vary widely by institution, level, and subject.
As a general guide, postgraduate tuition for non-EU students in Ireland commonly ranges from about €12,000 to €40,000 per year, depending on the field. Business, engineering, science and technology, medicine, health sciences, and specialist professional programs often cost more than arts and humanities programs.
At University College Dublin, non-EU fees are published by program for each academic year. For 2026/27, UCD lists separate fee schedules for undergraduate, taught postgraduate, and research postgraduate programs, so students should check the exact course fee before applying. UCD’s non-EU graduate research exceptions include annual fees from €6,860 for some PhD routes to €34,440 for certain professional doctorate programs.
Maynooth University also publishes international tuition by program. For 2026/27, international undergraduate fees are generally €16,500 to €18,000 per year, while many full-time non-EU postgraduate taught programs range from about €14,000 to €25,000 per year, depending on the course.
Dublin Business School publishes fees for international non-EU students by course and level. Recent public fee summaries list non-EU bachelor’s, higher diploma, ordinary bachelor, and higher certificate programs at about €10,050 per year, while many master’s programs are listed at about €13,500 to €14,500 per year. Students should confirm the current DBS fee sheet before paying a deposit.
Munster Technological University Cork campuses, which include the former Cork Institute of Technology, list 2026/27 non-EU undergraduate tuition at €13,500 per year. Most non-EU postgraduate programs are also €13,500 per year, while the MSc Data Science and Analytics, MSc Cybersecurity, and MSc Artificial Intelligence are €15,000 per year. MTU scholarships may reduce fees by €1,500 to €3,000, depending on the program and application date.
If you want to enroll in specialist programs in Optometry, Tourism and Digital Marketing, and more, Technological University Dublin is one option to consider. TU Dublin’s 2026/27 international undergraduate information lists many undergraduate fees between €11,650 and €21,886 per year, depending on the course. Its postgraduate fees are program-specific, with many non-EU taught master’s programs around €13,500 to €21,750 and some programs costing more.
Cost of Living in Ireland
Living costs vary by city, housing type, exchange rates, and lifestyle. Accommodation is usually the largest expense, and the figures below are current estimates rather than fixed costs.
1. Cork
If you want to live in Cork, University College Cork’s current international student budget suggests planning for about €851 to €1,167 per month before accommodation. When accommodation is included, many students should budget roughly €1,551 to €2,367 per month, depending on whether they choose campus housing, a private complex, or a house share.
Accommodation in Cork commonly ranges from about €700 to €900 per month for campus accommodation or a house share, and about €700 to €1,200 for a private student complex. Utilities such as electricity, gas, and refuse are estimated at about €213 per month, while food is usually about €250 to €350 per month.
For transport, UCC lists a monthly bus ticket at about €68 to €184. Eligible students can also save with a Student or Young Adult TFI Leap Card, which provides 50% off many public transport fares. For example, Bus Éireann city fares in Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford are €0.75 for eligible young adults and students using a TFI Leap Card.
2. Dublin
For international students who plan to stay in Dublin, the budget is considerably higher than older estimates. UCD’s April 2026 cost guide estimates total monthly living costs at about €1,735 on the low end, €2,445 as a median estimate, and €4,035 on the high end.
UCD estimates Dublin accommodation alone at about €830 to €2,250 per month, with a median of €1,200. Other monthly estimates include €85 to €205 for utilities, €350 to €670 for food, and €60 to €120 for local travel using a Leap Card.
Dublin is compact enough for many students to walk or cycle for some trips, but public transport costs should still be included in your budget, especially if you live outside the city center or away from your campus.
3. Dundalk
Dundalk can be a more affordable alternative to Dublin, especially for students using Dundalk Institute of Technology-linked accommodation options, but prices vary and should be confirmed directly with providers.
DkIT’s 2025/26 international accommodation guide says the institute does not own student accommodation and acts as a facilitator between students and accommodation providers. Listed examples include Greenpark at €513 per month plus about €800 per academic year for utilities, Green Park/Rohe Park Houses at about €750 per month plus utilities, The Launchpad at €600 per month plus utilities and service charges, and homestays of about €140 to €250 per week.
DkIT estimates that students can expect average overall monthly expenses of about €900 including rent, with a minimum range of €500 to €700 and a maximum range of €1,200 to €1,500. Students renting privately should budget separately for utilities, food, phone, transport, and personal expenses.
4. Belfast
Belfast is Northern Ireland’s capital city, so most student costs are quoted in pounds sterling (£), not euros. Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University both point to Northern Ireland as one of the UK’s lower-cost student destinations.
If you want to stay in Belfast, build your budget in pounds. Ulster University’s international student cost guide lists Belfast rent at about £540 for a typical mid-range option, utilities at about £176 per month, and a monthly transport pass at about £63. Ulster also lists Belfast campus accommodation from £164 per week for a single ensuite room, with utilities included in that accommodation price.
Food and groceries are estimated at about £35 per week in Ulster’s guide. Since Belfast uses a different currency and transport system from the Republic of Ireland, students should check current university accommodation, Translink, and local student travel discounts before finalizing their budget.
5. Limerick
Limerick is a major Irish student city and home to the University of Limerick, Mary Immaculate College, and Technological University of the Shannon’s Limerick campuses. It can be less expensive than Dublin, but rent and utilities are still significant expenses.
For the 2026/27 academic year, University of Limerick accommodation fees for undergraduate full-year options range from about €5,230 to €8,012, depending on the village and room type. A current Education in Ireland guide says on-campus accommodation at UL is typically about €690 to €810 per month, while off-campus accommodation in Castletroy and surrounding areas is often about €650 to €900 per month.
For day-to-day expenses, plan for food, transport, utilities, phone, study materials, laundry, and personal costs in addition to rent. Education in Ireland suggests that budgeting around €1,000 to €1,200 per month, including rent, food, and transport, gives many students a realistic cushion in Limerick, although private accommodation or frequent dining out can increase costs.
We hope this article on the Cost of Studying and Living in Ireland for International Students was helpful. If you are interested, make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students in Europe!
