Universities in Dublin, Ireland

Dublin is Ireland's capital and the place where most international students who choose an English-speaking university in the European Union end up. Several of the country's largest universities are in the city or its suburbs, so students can pick between a historic city-centre campus, a modern suburban one and a technological university spread over several sites. Teaching is in English throughout.

According to Education in Ireland, the government's study portal, Irish higher education is made up of universities, institutes of technology and private independent colleges. Each institution sets its own entry requirements for international students, generally based on school-leaving results and English.

What the universities offer

Our directory lists seven universities and colleges in Dublin. Examples:

• Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin, was created by royal charter in 1592. Its city-centre campus is home to 22,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the arts and humanities, business, law, engineering, science and health sciences.
• University College Dublin (UCD) is a public university; our directory lists its Drama Studies Centre.
• Dublin City University (DCU), in the north of the city, teaches through DCU Business School, the DCU Institute of Education and faculties of Engineering and Computing, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health.
• Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is Ireland's first technological university, with 28,500 students on five campuses: Grangegorman, Blanchardstown, Tallaght, Bolton Street and Aungier Street. Programmes are built with industry partners and include live projects, internships and apprenticeships.
• Griffith College, founded in 1974, describes itself as Ireland's largest independent third-level institution. Just under 8,000 students study there, and it is a designated institution of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

Two entries are more specialised: Warnborough College (Ireland) teaches entirely online with one-to-one academic mentors, and courses can start on the 1st of any month; Export Edge Business College runs short professional courses in international trade and customs.

Admission and costs

School leavers in Ireland apply for undergraduate courses through the Central Applications Office (CAO); the CAO application for 2027 entry opens on 5 November 2026. Education in Ireland notes that most institutions ask international students to apply directly through their own website.

Fees depend on the subject and the institution. Education in Ireland gives these undergraduate tuition ranges for 2025-26:

• Business: €10,300 to €29,000 a year
• Engineering, and Science and Technology: €14,500 to €28,500
• Arts and Humanities: €13,500 to €28,200
• Medicine and Health Sciences: €50,135 to €62,500

For non-EU postgraduate students, fees in business range from €14,000 to €40,000 in 2025-26. Always check the current fee on the university's own page.

Practical tips

• Visa: Ireland is not part of the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa is not valid there. Students from visa-required countries need a long-stay 'D' study visa; the application asks, among other things, for proof of €10,000 in funds and private medical insurance. After arrival, registering the immigration permission costs €300.
• Work: non-EU students with Stamp 2 permission may work up to 20 hours a week in term time and up to 40 hours in the holidays. After graduating, the Third Level Graduate Programme allows up to 40 hours a week for 12 months.
• Transport: with a Student TFI Leap Card, a 90-minute fare on Dublin Bus, Luas and DART in zone 1 costs €1.00, and spending is capped at €3.00 a day and €12.00 a week.
• Housing: every university and college has an accommodation officer. Places are limited, so apply for a residence or homestay as soon as you accept your place.

Frequently asked questions

Are university courses in Dublin taught in English?

Yes. All the universities in our list teach in English, and international applicants who are not native speakers must show their English level.

How much does a degree in Dublin cost for an international student?

According to Education in Ireland, undergraduate fees in 2025-26 range from €10,300 to €29,000 a year in business and up to €62,500 in medicine and health sciences. Living costs come on top.

Can I work while studying in Dublin?

Non-EU students with Stamp 2 permission may work up to 20 hours a week during term and up to 40 hours a week in the official holiday periods.

Do I need a visa to study at a university in Dublin?

EU, EEA, Swiss and UK citizens do not. Students from visa-required countries apply online for a long-stay 'D' study visa before travelling and register their permission after arrival.