Universities in Ireland

Higher education in Ireland is taught in English, which makes it one of the few English-speaking options inside the European Union. According to Education in Ireland, the government's official study portal, the system consists of the university sector, institutes of technology and private independent colleges. The Higher Education Authority (HEA) funds and oversees the public institutions; other providers offer programmes validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the state's qualifications and quality-assurance body.

How it works

The public sector includes the long-established universities, such as Trinity College Dublin (created by royal charter in 1592), University College Dublin, University College Cork, the University of Galway, Maynooth University, the University of Limerick and Dublin City University, as well as RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Under the Technological Universities Act 2018, former institutes of technology have merged into five technological universities, established between January 2019 (Technological University Dublin) and May 2022 (South East Technological University). They focus on programmes at levels 6 to 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and on industry-focused research.

All Irish qualifications are placed on the NFQ, so you can compare them. The main degrees are:

• Ordinary bachelor's degree (NFQ level 7): usually three years
• Honours bachelor's degree (NFQ level 8): three or four years; engineering, agriculture and science generally take four, and medicine six
• Master's degree: in general one to two years
• Doctorate: generally three to four years

Our directory includes, among others, Trinity College Dublin; University College Cork, established in 1845, which now has more than 26,000 students; Dublin City University; the University of Limerick; TU Dublin; and Griffith College, founded in 1974 and Ireland's largest independent third-level institution. It also lists specialist units such as the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and the Hamilton Institute at Maynooth University.

Admission

Irish school leavers apply for undergraduate places through the Central Applications Office (CAO), mainly on the basis of their Leaving Certificate results; the 2027 CAO application opens on 5 November 2026. Students from outside the EU usually apply directly to the institution through its website, and each institution sets its own entry requirements based on national exam results and English. Applications for master's and doctoral programmes always go directly to the institution.

For the visa, your English certificate must have been issued within two years of the start of your course. Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa. Other students who come for more than three months apply online for a long-stay 'D' study visa (Stamp 2). They need a letter of acceptance for a full-time course with at least 15 hours of study a week, proof that the fees are paid, at least €10,000 in funds and private medical insurance. After arrival, they register for an Irish Residence Permit, which costs €300. Ireland is not in the Schengen area, so a Schengen visa is not valid there.

Costs and funding

Under the Free Fees Initiative, the state pays tuition for eligible full-time undergraduates who have lived in the EU, EEA, Switzerland or the UK for at least three of the five years before starting. These students still pay a student contribution of €2,500 a year (2025/26). Students from outside the EU pay full fees. According to Education in Ireland, undergraduate fees in 2025/26 range from €10,300 to €29,000 a year in business, €14,500 to €28,500 in engineering and science, and €50,135 to €62,500 in medicine. Postgraduate fees for non-EU students range from €14,000 to €40,000 in business. Many institutions offer their own scholarships, and students may work part-time during term.

How to choose

• Type of institution: research universities, technological universities with a practical focus, or private colleges with smaller classes and business-oriented programmes
• Qualification: check the programme's NFQ level (7 or 8 for a bachelor's degree) and whether it is awarded by the institution itself or validated by QQI
• Fees: confirm whether you qualify for EU fees or pay non-EU fees, and check the exact amount for your programme
• Location: Dublin has the most choice; Cork, Galway and Limerick are smaller university cities
• After graduation: students can apply for permission to stay in Ireland to work after their studies

Frequently asked questions

Is university free in Ireland?

Only for eligible EU, EEA, Swiss and UK students on full-time undergraduate courses, who still pay a student contribution of €2,500 a year (2025/26). Non-EU students pay full tuition fees.

How much does it cost for a non-EU student to study in Ireland?

According to Education in Ireland, undergraduate fees in 2025/26 range from about €10,300 to €29,000 a year in most fields and from €50,135 to €62,500 in medicine. You must also show at least €10,000 in funds for your visa.

Do I apply through the CAO?

Irish and EU school leavers apply for undergraduate courses through the CAO. Non-EU students usually apply directly to the institution, and all postgraduate applications go directly to the institution.

Can I work after graduating in Ireland?

Yes. Graduates can apply for post-graduate permission, which allows them to stay in Ireland to work for a period after their studies.