Students worldwide prefer Ireland for higher education because of its world-class facilities and various courses. The Irish universities are amongst the top 5% in different world rankings. In these top lists, the public universities hold the most places. These public universities are known for their innovation, research, and skill development. In Ireland, you can find three kinds of universities – public, private, and institutes of technology and students can choose to study in the one they prefer the most. A few famous universities in Ireland are the University College of Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. The public universities are state-owned and receive funding from the government. Read this article to learn more about the list of universities in Ireland without application fees.
Study In Ireland – Highlights
| Particulars | Ireland |
| Region | North Europe |
| Official Language | English |
| Capital | Dublin |
| Currency | Euros |
| Top cities to study | Dublin, Belfast, Galway, Limerick, and Cork |
| Average cost of living (monthly) | €1,700 to €2,000 |
| Top Universities | Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway, University College Cork |
| Average undergraduate course fee | €12,800 to €27,720 |
| Average postgraduate course fee | €13,000 to €23,000 |
| Student visa type | Type C and D |
| Postgraduate work visa | Stay back option, postgraduate work permit, immigration pathways |
| Scholarships | €1,000 up to full tuition fee waiver |
| Part-time salary | €9 – €12/hour |
| Average starting salary | €40,000 |
| Part-time working hours | 20 hours a week |
Why Choose Ireland For Your Higher Studies?
Listed below are some reasons why Ireland makes a perfect choice for international students looking for a higher education:
Wide Range Of Courses
The different universities of Ireland offer an endless range of courses. Students can choose from science, arts, engineering, law, and many other degrees.
Rankings
The education system in Ireland is considered very prestigious. Ireland has been ranked #6 worldwide for its education system, making this a strong reason for international students choosing Ireland.
Work Opportunities
While attending university in Ireland, students can work up to 20 hours per week and full-time during school breaks. Despite this, there may be more job options than they appear. Ireland is also a leading host of companies, such as Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Facebook. After completing their master’s, students can avail of a two-year stay-back visa and look for a job in one of these companies.
Employability Rates
Ireland has one of the best employability rates, between 80-95%. Dublin City University has the highest employability rate of 97%. This indicates the quality of education and the job opportunities students can get after completing their education in Ireland.
Cost Of Living In Ireland
The cost of living in any country, including Ireland, depends on where the student decides to stay. Additionally, it depends on lifestyle and preferred food choices. Listed below is the cost of living in Dublin for your reference:
| Parameters | Monthly (in Euros) | Annually (in Euros) |
| Rent | €585 | €5265 |
| Utilities | €55 | €495 |
| Food | €220 | €1980 |
| Travel | €108 | €972 |
| Books and class material | €74 | €666 |
| Medical and clothes | €39 | €351 |
| Mobile | €50 | €450 |
| Miscellaneous and social life | €75 | €648 |
| Student charge | €333 | 3€000 |
| Total | €1539 | €13827 |
Note – The student charge varies from university to university but is capped at 3000 Euros. This is charged for student services, such as computing, library, exam entry fees, and clubs.
Tuition Fees In Ireland Universities
There are ten public universities, ten institutes of technology, and nine private universities in Ireland. The average tuition fee in each institution is mentioned below.
| Type of institution | Cost of studying per year |
| Public universities | 14,000 – 21,000 euros |
| Institutes of technology | 10,000 – 12,500 euros |
| Private colleges | 12,000 – 14,000 euros |
| Course | Average Fee (in Euros) |
| Undergraduate courses | €9850 – €2250 |
| Postgraduate courses | €9950 – €2250 |
| MBA | €20,000 – €35,000 |
| Masters | €4000 – €9000 |
| MBBS | €27106 – €40659 |
What Is The Free Fees Initiative In Ireland?
Under this initiative, the higher education authority of Ireland pays the tuition fee for the eligible student directly to the university. A student must meet the criteria below:
- You have been a resident of the United Kingdom, an EU, EEA, or Swiss state for at least three of the five years prior.
- You are attending an undergraduate course for the first time.
- The course is for at least two years and full-time.
- You meet one of the nationality requirements.
Top Public Universities In Ireland With Ranking And Application Fees
Below are the top public universities in Ireland and their QS rankings for 2024. The table also shows whether they accept the application fee.
| University name | QS rankings 2024 | Application fee |
| Trinity College of Dublin, University of Dublin | 81 | Yes |
| University College Dublin | 171 | Yes |
| University of Galway | 289 | Yes |
| University of College Cork | 292 | Yes |
| University of Limerick | 426 | Yes |
| Dublin City University | 436 | Yes |
| Maynooth University | 801-850 | Yes |
| Technological University Dublin | 851-900 | Yes |
Top Five Universities In Ireland
Students must shortlist only the best university that match their set of eligibility and budget. Listed below are the top five universities in Ireland:
| University Name | Average Fee | Application Deadline |
| National College of Ireland | INR 13 lakh/year | 21st November |
| Maynooth University | INR 16 lakh/year | 25th November |
| Trinity College Dublin | INR 18 lakh/year | 21st November |
| National University of Ireland | INR 12 lakh/year | 21st November |
| Griffith College | INR 14 lakh/year | 21st November |
List Of Universities With No Application Fees
Maynooth University has abolished the €15 application fee, but there is a minimum threshold of €101, below which no search, retrieval, and copying fees can be charged. IDP Malaysia offers an application fee waiver of up to €55 for international students applying to Irish institutions partnered with them.
List Of Universities With Low Application And Tuition Fees
There are only universities in Ireland with application fees for international students. However, there are universities with low tuition fees for international students, such as Dublin Business School, University of Limerick, Griffith College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, Cork Institute of Technology, and Maynooth University.
Additionally, there are scholarships available for international students, such as NUI Galway International Student Scholarships, DCU International Student Scholarships, Maynooth University Scholarships, UCC Excellence Scholarships, UCD Scholarships, UCD USA scholarships, UCD Global Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship- USA, UCD Sutherland School of Law University of Limerick Scholarships, and Trinity College Dublin Scholarships.
Popular Courses To Study In Ireland
Here are some popular courses to study in Ireland:
- Computer Science
- Public Health
- Business Administration
- Sports Science
- Engineering
- Psychology and Physiotherapy
- Medicine
- Digital Marketing
- Environmental Science
- Food Science
- Finance and Accounting
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Biotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cybersecurity
- Fintech
- MBA
- Business Analytics
- Data Science/Analytics
- Criminology
Eligibility Criteria For Admissions In Public Universities
Listed below are the eligibility criteria for admission to an Irish public university:
- International students need a minimum of 60% in the qualifying exam.
- They must be 18 years old to apply for an undergraduate course.
- For a postgraduate course, they must have completed a bachelor’s degree.
Eligibility Criteria For Admissions In Research Programmes
Many universities in Ireland offer research degree programmes, and the eligibility criteria are mentioned below. However, the criteria may change depending on the university and course.
- For the PhD, you must have an honours-level degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum of a 2H1 (second-class honours, grade 1).
- Must have an honours level degree (NFQ level 8) with a minimum of a 2H2 (second class honours, grade 2) for Masters by research.
- Check for comparisons of qualifications on the university website.
- English language proficiency test score.
Application Process For Irish Universities
The admission process differs for each university and may also differ with the course applied for. However, mentioned below is the typical process:
- You must register with the CAO (central application office) if applying to a public university in Ireland.
- Scan the documents and submit them directly to the CAO portal and university in case of a private university.
- Submit English proficiency test scores. You can take IELTS or TOEFL.
- Pay your application fee.
- Using the same platform (CAO), apply for the course at your selected university.
- You can track your application through this portal.
This portal is not for all the public universities. Hence, students must check with the university before using the CAO portal.
Acceptance Rate In Irish Universities
Students can understand the easy to difficult level of admissions with the help of acceptance rates. Here is the list of top universities with their acceptance rate:
| University Name | Acceptance Rate |
| Maynooth University | 73% |
| Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology | 86% |
| University of Limerick | 70% |
| Cork Institute of Technology | 47% |
| Dublin City University | 63% |
| Letterkenny Institute of Technology | 42% |
| Technological University Dublin | 61% |
| Institute Technology, Tralee | 83% |
| Athlone Institute of Technology | 72% |
| Waterford Institute of Technology | 66% |
Ireland Visa Fee
The visa fee in Ireland depends on the type of visa. Below is the processing fee for different types of Ireland visas:
| Visa type | Processing fee |
| Single entry | €80 |
| Multiple entry | €100 |
| Transit visa | €25 |
Intake Cycle In Ireland
The intake or admission cycle is when a student starts their course. Below is the intake cycle in Ireland:
| Intake | Course | Admission Cycle |
| Autumn | Undergraduate, postgraduate, and other degree courses | June – September |
| Spring | Undergraduate, postgraduate, and other degree courses | September – January |
It can be challenging for students to decide which intake to take. Hence, when deciding on the intake, consider the availability of your chosen course, admission test scores, academic records, job chances, acceptance rate, and, most importantly, whether you are ready to join the course. Indian students prefer to take the September or spring intake.
Can You Get PR After Completing Your Studies In Ireland?
Ireland is a beautiful country with fantastic weather all year long. Ireland is less populated than the rest of the countries, attracting people to its beauty. Students often think of PR or permanent residency after studying in a foreign country. If you want to apply for PR in Ireland, you must stay there for at least five years on an employment permit.
The Department of Trade, Enterprise, and Employment must issue this employment permit. In these five years, a student can study, work, and even do business in Ireland. The first step is to secure admission to an Irish university.
Some institutions in Ireland don’t charge a massive amount for applications, giving potential students an easy way to get started. Students can investigate options for higher education without worrying about paying high application fees by submitting applications to these universities.
International students and those applying to several colleges may find this extremely helpful. Considering institutions with lower application fees can be a calculated move to lower the price of college admissions and increase educational opportunities in Ireland.
FAQs
Which universities in Ireland are free?
Public universities in Ireland are free for citizens of Ireland, EU/EEA countries, and Switzerland for undergraduate courses.
Which is the cheapest university in Ireland?
The cheapest university in Ireland varies depending on the course and level of study. However, the tuition fees for international students range from €9,850 to €34,500 for undergraduate programmes and €9950 to €34,500 for postgraduate programmes.
What is the easiest university to get in Ireland?
The easiest university to get into in Ireland depends on various factors such as the course and level of study. However, the University of Galway is known for having a relatively high acceptance rate.
Can I go to Ireland without IELTS?
Ireland does not require IELTS for international students, but English proficiency is typically assessed through alternative means such as TOEFL or Cambridge English.
Is there no application fee in Ireland?
Yes, there is no application fee for international students in Ireland. SI-Ireland offers a free application service that helps students apply to Irish universities.
How much is the bank balance required for an Ireland student visa?
For an Ireland student visa, a minimum bank balance of €22,000 is typically required to cover living expenses and remaining fees.
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