10 Cheap Universities in Ireland for International Students

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Do the names U2, The Cranberries, Sinéad O’Connor, and Enya ring a bell? Aside from topping the music charts with their music, they all come from an island in the North Atlantic, Ireland.

Separated from mainland Europe by the North Channel, Ireland is a rather interesting country that has produced some of the best musicians in the world. Moreover, the country is known for its breathtaking sights and Irish castles.

But, there is more to Ireland than meets the eye. Ireland is home to some of the best universities in the world. While many international students go to Ireland for the sights and experience, they also become fully-qualified professionals after graduating.

Even as European universities are quite expensive, there are several options for international students to study in Ireland without breaking the bank. In this article, we will be looking at the cheapest universities in Ireland for international students.

Cost of Studying in Ireland

The cost of studying in Ireland will depend on the location of the university. Similar to other European countries, the cost of living in major cities is more expensive compared to smaller cities or towns. But, as a rule of thumb, international students can expect to spend between 7,000 EUR ($8,300 USD) and 12,000 EUR ($14,300 USD) on accommodations, food, and other expenses every year.

Are Universities Free in Ireland?

While students from the European Union (EU) countries have the privilege of studying for free in Ireland, there may be instances when they have to pay for some fees to enter some universities.

For international students, they can apply for scholarships offered by some universities and private organizations so they can study for free in Ireland. The tuition for international students in Ireland can start at around 9,650 EUR ($11,500 USD) per year.

What are the languages of instruction for universities in Ireland?

Irish is used as a medium of instruction in all levels of education in Irish-speaking regions of Ireland. In these regions, English is taught as a second language. On the other hand, English is used in universities in other areas of the country.

Cheapest Universities in Ireland

1. Technological University Dublin

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU students 3,250 EUR ($3,900 USD) to 4,450 EUR ($5,300 USD) per year
    • Non-EU students 9,650 EUR ($11,500 USD) to 12,500 EUR ($14,900 USD) per year
  • Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link

The Technological University Dublin is the first technological university in Ireland. Formally established in 2019, it was the result of the merger of the Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, and Institute of Technology Tallaght. The university has campuses in Blanchardstown, Grangegorman, and Tallaght. Moreover, it also has an online presence through its virtual campus. With the tuition fee of $3,900 a year, Technological University Dublin is the cheapest university in Ireland for international students.

The university offers a good variety of programs for local and international students through its different. Students can choose programs in Architecture, Built Environment, Business, Law, Art, Design, Music and Drama, Science, and Sports and Leisure.

The Technological University Dublin also promotes and provides different opportunities for its students to grow as a person. There are over 75 different societies in the university run by students for the students. Moreover, special events are also held on the campuses throughout the year for the students.

2. Dublin Business School

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students 5,895 EUR ($7,000 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 9,850 EUR ($11,700 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students 8,700 EUR ($10,400 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 12,500 EUR ($14,900 USD) to 13,500 EUR ($16,100 USD) per year
  • EU Students Tuition Fee Link
  • Non-EU Students Tuition Fee Link

Established in 1975, the Dublin Business School was originally called the Accountancy and Business College. This affordable university in Ireland initially helped students prepare for professional accounting examinations. Then, it started offering courses in Accounting, Banking, and Marketing. The school continued to expand its offering until it became one of the leading educational institutions in Ireland today.

The Dublin Business School offers a comprehensive range of courses in Business, Computing, Media, Law, and Psychology. Moreover, the school also offers part-time programs and professional diplomas in Digital Marketing, Project Management, Psychotherapy, and Fintech.

The school also promotes a culture where the well-being and success of its students are well taken care of. With this, the school provides advice and support to its students through the Student Services Department. Additionally, the school also facilitates and promotes the development of its students outside of the classroom.

3. Athlone Institute of Technology

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students 3,075 EUR ($3,700 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 10,000 EUR ($11,900 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students 3,500 EUR ($4,200 USD) to 10,000 EUR ($11,900 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 10,000 EUR ($11,900 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee Link

Next affordable university in Ireland is the Athlone Institute of Technology, which was established in 1970 by the Irish government and was originally called the Athlone Regional Technical College. It was initially managed by the Vocational Education Committee but gained more autonomy after the Regional Technical Colleges Act was enacted. The institution was later designated as a college of sanctuary in 2017.

The institute offers a good selection of programs for its students. These programs include Business and Management, Accounting and Business Computing, Civil Construction and Mineral Engineering, Nursing and Healthcare, and Social Science and Design.

The Athlone Institute of Technology also provides all the necessary services the students will need through its Student Resource Center. They provide counseling, fun activities promoting health, and career advice, among others.

4. Letterkenny Institute of Technology

Letterkenny Institute of Technology was established as the Regional Technical College, Letterkenny. It was meant to deal with the shortage of skilled technicians in the workforce. The institute got its present name in 1997 through a rebranding exercise.

This cheap university in Ireland offers several degree courses for students coming from both EU and non-EU countries. These courses include Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts in Animation, Bachelor of Business, and Bachelor of Science in General Nursing.

Students at the institute enjoy the use of state-of-the-art facilities to support their education. The institute also features sports and recreational facilities to cater to the needs of the students. Exercise classes are also available for free to students who want to stretch their muscles at the end of the week.

5. Institute of Technology Sligo

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students 3,250 EUR ($3,900 USD) to 4,450 EUR ($5,300 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 10,500 EUR ($12,500 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee Link

Established as a Regional Technical College in 1970, the Institute of Technology Sligo is among the leading third-level institutions in Ireland. The institute has committed to providing the best education to its students through modern campus facilities.

The institute offers 79 courses through its three schools: Science, Business and Social Science, and Engineering and Design. The courses offered at the institute include Health and Medical Information Science, Human Nutrition, Accounting, Finance and Investment, Mechatronics, and Mechanical Engineering, among others.

In addition to an impressive array of courses, the institute also gives the students the chance to sign up for clubs and organizations based on their interests. The institute has over 70 clubs and societies that organize different activities throughout the school year.

6. St. Patrick’s College Maynooth

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students 2,300 EUR ($2,700 USD) to 8,350 EUR ($10,000 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 11,500 EUR ($13,700 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students 4,150 EUR ($4,900 USD) to 8,350 EUR ($10,000 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 4,400 EUR ($5,200 USD) to 8,350 EUR ($10,000 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee Link

St. Patrick’s College Maynooth, an affordable university in Ireland, was established as the National Seminary for Ireland in 1795. Often referred to as Maynooth College, the school later became a Pontifical University in 1896.

The institution offers both undergraduate and postgraduate courses to anyone who meets the requirements. The undergraduate courses offered at the college include Theology and Arts, Philosophy, and Theology. On the other hand, its postgraduate program offers courses in Theological Studies and Theology.

St. Patrick’s College Maynooth also supports the extracurricular activities of its students through the different clubs and societies on the campus. Moreover, several student-run sports clubs that form the foundation of the sports and recreation program of the college.

7. Cork Institute of Technology

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students 3,250 EUR ($3,900 USD) to 4,450 EUR ($5,300 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 12,000 EUR ($14,300 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students 11,000 EUR ($13,100 USD) to 16,500 EUR ($19,700 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 12,000 EUR ($14,300 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee Link

Established in 1973, the Cork Institute of Technology was once known as the Regional Technical College, Cork. The institute developed from earlier institutions that provided training in science and engineering. It received its present name in 1997.

This cheap university in Ireland has two constituent faculties along with three constituent colleges. The faculties of the institute provide courses and research in Electronics, Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Applied Physics, Accounting and Information Systems, Marketing, and Applied Social Studies.

Similar to other educational institutions in Ireland, the Cork Institute of Technology also supports the extracurricular activities of the students. Societies cater to the different interests of the students. On the other hand, sports clubs provide the students with a venue to excel in their chosen sport.

8. University of Limerick

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students 5,650 EUR ($6,700 USD) to 15,454 EUR ($18,400 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 12,270 EUR ($14,600 USD) to 14,592 EUR ($56,700 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students 4,182 EUR ($5,000 USD) to 17,914 EUR ($21,300 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 8,273 EUR ($9,900 USD) to 17,914 EUR ($21,300 USD) per year`
  • Tuition Fee Link

The University of Limerick was established in 1972 and was formerly called the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick. It attained its university status in 1989 and is the first university to be established since Ireland attained its independence in 1922.

The university boasts of receiving five-star rankings for the employability of its graduates, teaching, internationalism, innovation and knowledge transfer, infrastructure, and engagement. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including Business Studies, Law and Accounting, Languages, and Psychology.

The sports facilities of the university earned it the title of Ireland’s Sporting Campus. It features the first altitude training center in Ireland, the National Strength and Conditioning Center, a Sports Arena, and an Olympic-size swimming pool.

9. University College Cork

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students 2,685 EUR ($3,200 USD) to 14,580 EUR ($17,400 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 12,400 EUR ($14,800 USD) to 48,750 EUR ($58,000 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students 3,500 EUR ($4,200 USD) to 15,577 EUR ($18,600 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 6,500 EUR ($7,700 USD) to 20,000 EUR ($23,800 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee Link

Next cheap university in Ireland is the University College Cork was established in 1845 and was originally known as Queen’s College, Cork. The Irish Universities Act of 1908 allowed it to become the University College, Cork. It is ranked among the top universities around the world and is the world’s first green campus.

The university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses for local and international students. It also offers adult continuing education and continuing professional education courses. Some of the courses offered at the university are Accounting, Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Public Health, and Marine Biology.

Students at the University College Cork also have the chance to join interest-based societies and attend a host of seminars and events. The students can also join any of the numerous sports clubs in the university.

10. University College Dublin

  • Tuition Fee For Undergraduate Programs:
    • EU Students 5,880 EUR ($7,000 USD) to 16,290 EUR ($19,400 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 12,800 EUR ($15,300 USD) to 30,685 EUR ($36,600 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs:
    • EU Students 1,825 EUR ($2,200 USD) to 10,780 EUR ($12,800 USD) per year
    • Non-EU Students 3,318 EUR ($4,000 USD) to 19,900 EUR ($23,700 USD) per year
  • Tuition Fee Link

Ending our list of cheapest universities in Ireland is the University College Dublin, which was established in 1854 and was originally called the Catholic University of Ireland. It later became the Royal University before getting its present name in 1908. It was a constituent college of the National University of Ireland before it gained its autonomy in 1997.

The university prides itself as being a part of the top one percent of higher education institutions in the whole world. Its colleges and schools offer a large selection of courses in different areas, including Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Architecture, Business, Agriculture, and Law.

The University College Dublin has a proud sporting tradition and competes in numerous national and international competitions. It also holds different events for its students, staff, and the community.

Studying in Ireland does not only give international students a world-class education, but they also have “a whale of a time” exploring the Emerald Isle.

 

I hope that this article on the cheapest universities in Ireland was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Cheap Tuition Category!