Cost of Studying in Ireland: Fees & Living Expenses

The cost of studying in Ireland is about EUR 25,000-60,960 (approximately INR 27.14-66.18 lakh) per annum, including tuition fees for education, food, accommodation, travel, and other expenses.

For Indian students, the budget also comprises EUR 60-100 (INR 6,513-10,855) for a student visa, EUR 300 (INR 32,565) for immigration registration, EUR 150-600 (INR 16,283-65,130) for health insurance, and EUR 400-800 (INR 43,420-86,840) for a flight ticket.

This article gives you an overview of the cost of studying in Ireland for Indian students, comprising education fees, the cost of food and accommodation, and scholarships available. It also goes into detail about every possible way to cut costs and lower the cost of living in Ireland.

Tuition Fees in Ireland for International Students

Tuition fees are one of the biggest parts of the cost of studying in Ireland for international students. The fee changes based on the university and course. Medicine, health sciences, and some professional courses usually cost more than subjects such as arts or business.

The following are tuition ranges in Ireland for non-EU students according to the study level.

Study Level	Approximate Annual Tuition Fee (EUR/INR)
Bachelors in Ireland (Undergraduate)	EUR 10,000-25,000 (INR 10.86-27.14 lakh)
Masters in Ireland (Postgraduate)	EUR 10,000-30,000 (INR 10.86-32.57 lakh)
MBA	EUR 20,000-35,000+ (INR 21.71-37.99 lakh+)
PhD (Doctoral)	EUR 10,000-22,000 (INR 10.86-23.88 lakh)

Note: This fee may vary from course to course. Always check the most up-to-date fee information from the university website before applying.

If these costs feel high, an education loan for MS in Ireland can help you cover tuition and living expenses without straining your savings.

Check Out: Cost of Study in France for Indian Students

Tuition Fees by Popular Courses in Ireland

For the cost of studying in Ireland for Indian students, the subject you select may be the key. Education Ireland provides the following ranges with regard to international students. 

Course Area	Approximate Annual Undergraduate Fee (EUR/INR)	Approximate Annual Postgraduate Fee (EUR/INR)
Business & Management	EUR 10,300-29,000 (INR 11.18-31.48 lakh)	EUR 14,000-40,000 (INR 15.20-43.42 lakh)
Engineering	EUR 14,500-28,500 (INR 15.74-30.93 lakh)	EUR 15,000-30,000 (INR 16.28-32.57 lakh)
Science & Technology	EUR 14,500-28,500 (INR 15.74-30.93 lakh)	EUR 15,000-31,000 (INR 16.28-33.65 lakh)
Arts & Humanities	EUR 13,500-28,200 (INR 14.65-30.61 lakh)	EUR 12,000-23,000 (INR 13.03-24.97 lakh)
Medicine & Health Sciences	EUR 50,135-62,500 (INR 54.43-67.84 lakh)	EUR 11,000-30,000 (INR 11.94-32.57 lakh)

Read about some of the best courses to study in Ireland.

Cost of Living in Ireland for International Students

The fees are just part of the cost of living and studying in Ireland. A student needs to manage/ pay rent, food and travel, phone bills, study materials, personal needs, etc.

Here is the basic monthly budget to calculate the cost of studies in Ireland:

Expense	Approximate Monthly Cost (EUR/INR)
Accommodation	EUR 700-1,500+ (INR 76,000-1.63 lakh+)
Food & groceries	EUR 250-450 (INR 27,138-48,848)
Transportation	EUR 50-100 (INR 5,428-10,855)
Utilities	EUR 80-170 (INR 8,684-18,454)
Mobile & internet	EUR 20-60 (INR 2,171-6,513)
Personal expenses	EUR 150-300 (INR 16,283-32,565)

Accommodation Costs in Ireland for Students

Residence is usually one of the biggest parts of the cost of living and studying in Ireland.

Students can choose from various accommodation options, helping them manage the cost of living in Ireland effectively.

Accommodation Type	Approximate Monthly Cost (EUR/INR)
On-campus accommodation	EUR 450-1,000+ (INR 48,848-1.09 lakh+)
Purpose-built student accommodation	EUR 700-1,500+ (INR 76,000-1.63 lakh+)
Shared/private accommodation	EUR 400-1,100 (INR 43,420-1.19 lakh)

Cost of Studying in Ireland by City

The estimated cost of studies in Ireland may vary from city to city, since rent and other living costs may change.

International students may find that there are other cheaper alternatives, which include Cork, Galway and Limerick, as their student accommodation may be lower than Dublin. That's why it's important to consider tuition plus rent costs when investigating the cost of studying in Ireland for Indian students.

You can check the estimated tuition fees and living costs for these cities in the table below. 

City	Approximate Annual Tuition Fee (EUR/INR)	Approximate Annual Living Cost (EUR/INR)
Dublin	EUR 11,000-37,000+ (INR 11.94-40.16 lakh+)	EUR 18,000-27,000+ (INR 19.54-29.31 lakh+)
Cork	EUR 11,000-25,000 (INR 11.94-27.14 lakh)	EUR 13,000-18,000 (INR 14.11-19.54 lakh)
Galway	EUR 10,500-26,000 (INR 11.40-28.22 lakh)	EUR 11,000-15,000 (INR 11.94-16.28 lakh)
Limerick	EUR 10,000-26,800 (INR 10.86-29.09 lakh)	EUR 10,000-14,000 (INR 10.86-15.20 lakh)

Note: Costs may change based on the room, location, and lifestyle.

Read More: Cost of Living in Dublin

Other Costs of Studying in Ireland

Apart from the above-mentioned expenses, one should also maintain some funds to meet other possible expenses that might arise. Keeping a backup fund can enable students to deal with their finances more conveniently.

Here's a table showing additional expenses with their estimated cost for international students in Ireland.

Expense Category	Approximate Cost (EUR/INR)	Payment Frequency
Student Visa Fee	Single Entry: EUR 60 (INR 6,513)  Multi-Entry: EUR 100 (INR 10,855)	One-time (Pre-arrival)
Immigration Registration (IRP Card)	EUR 300 (INR 32,565)	Annually (Paid after arrival)
Private Health Insurance	EUR 150-600 (INR 16,283-65,130)	Annually
English-Language Test	EUR 175-240 (INR 18,996-26,052)	One-time (Pre-arrival)
University Application Fee	EUR 30-50 per university (INR 3,257-5,428)	One-time (Per application)
Flight Tickets	EUR 400-800 (INR 43,420-86,840)	One-way ticket
Study Materials & Books	EUR 500-1,000 (INR 54,275-1.09 lakh)	Annually (Varies by course and study level)
Accommodation Deposit	EUR 500-1,500+ (INR 54,275-1.63 lakh+)	Refundable deposit
Initial Setup Expenses	EUR 300-600 (INR 32,565-65,130)	One-time (First month)

Non-EEA students who come to Ireland for more than 90 days also need to register their immigration permission, which costs EUR 300 (about INR 32,565).

Additionally, non-EEA students must have health insurance coverage. Final pricing is dependent upon the insurance plan chosen. 

Scholarships to Reduce the Cost of Studying in Ireland

Funding may be used to help cover the tuition and/or living expenses. There are some options available through the Irish government, and others are available directly from universities. One can apply for a scholarship depending on their course and the study level they choose. 

Government Scholarships

Scholarships are available to international students from the Irish government to lessen the cost of tuition and living expenses. These scholarships can be for tuition, living expenses, travel, and other expenses associated with the study. 

Several popular scholarships are offered to international students in Ireland that you can find in the following table: 

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria	Coverage Offered
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)	Selection is based on academic merit and references.	100% tuition fee waiver for 1 year + EUR 10,000 (approximately INR 10.86 lakh) stipend
Ireland Fellows Programme Scholarship	1-year Masters program; work experience may be required.	Full tuition + return flights + health insurance + accommodation + living allowance
Irish Research Council Postgraduate Fellowship	Eligible research-based Masters or PhD programs	EUR 22,000 (INR 23.88 lakh) stipend plus a fee waiver and additional funds for research costs.
Teagasc Walsh Scholars Programme Scholarship	Master's or PhD research in agriculture, food, environment or climate science.	EUR 25,000 (approximately INR 27.14 lakh) per year + tuition fees for up to 4 years

University Scholarships

Many Irish universities offer scholarships to international students based on academic performance. These awards usually provide tuition fee discounts or partial fee waivers. 

Examples include:

Scholarship Name	Eligibility Criteria	Coverage Offered
UCD Global Excellence Scholarship	Eligible for undergraduate or postgraduate programs at University College Dublin (UCD).	50% or 100% tuition fee waiver
Trinity College Dublin Global Scholarships	A full-time program at Trinity College Dublin.	EUR 2,000-5,000 (approximately INR 2.17-5.43 lakh) tuition fee reduction
University of Galway Merit Scholarships	Undergraduate or postgraduate programs with strong academic records.	EUR 2,000-4,000 (approximately INR 2.17-4.34 lakh) tuition fee reduction
DCU International Merit Scholarship	Eligible course offer from Dublin City University.	Up to EUR 2,000 (approximately INR 2.17 lakh) tuition fee waiver

If you want to understand more about scholarships in Ireland in detail, have a look at:

• Fully Funded Scholarships in Ireland
• Fully & Partially-Funded Scholarships to Study in Ireland

How to Reduce the Cost of Studying in Ireland?

Picking the right place to live, the right vehicle for the journey, the right items to shop for, and the right scholarships to study in Ireland for Indian students can help a lot in saving costs.

Here are some easy tips on how to save money:

• Spend less on accommodation: Shared housing, host families (digs) and University accommodation are cheaper than private student houses.
• Don't forget to look at places away from Dublin: Many cities besides Dublin will have lower living costs, such as Limerick, Galway and Cork.
• Strategically seek out scholarships: There are scholarships from the government and University that can help with educational costs and living expenses.
• Use a Student Leap Card: A card that enables students to travel by bus, tram, and train and avail discounted fares across Ireland.
• Save money on groceries: Shop at budget supermarkets like Lidl or Aldi.
• Cook at home: If you know how to cook at home, you'll save money when you eat at home.
• Purchase inexpensive health insurance: Health insurance plans offered by the university may be less expensive than individual plans.
• Use University libraries: Borrow books from University libraries rather than purchasing expensive books.
• Book accommodations in advance: Getting a place to stay before one's arrival can help students secure the best options and help keep the cost of housing down.

Small savings in accommodation, transport and daily expenses can make a big difference to the overall cost of studying in Ireland for international students.

Know more about some other ways to study in Ireland for free.

Conclusion

The cost of studying in Ireland depends on the course you study, the university, and the city where you are studying. International students can expect tuition fees of around EUR 10,000-62,500+ (INR 10.86-67.84 lakh+) per year, while living expenses may range from EUR 10,000-29,000 (INR 10.86-31.49 lakh). The capital city of Dublin tends to have more expensive housing (apartments), whereas Cork, Galway and Limerick tend to be cheaper.

Whether to become a student in Ireland from India, it is essential for students to plan your budget. Several ways of saving money for tuition, including scholarships, and other methods of living in a dormitory, such as shared rooms, student travel discounts, cooking at home, and not to mention selecting a less expensive city, can help control the ongoing budget. The student also needs to have additional funds for expenses including visa, health insurance, flights, deposits, and other initial costs. 

If you need help comparing costs, finding suitable funding, or planning your study abroad journey, you can book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad's study abroad experts today!