Universities in Ireland include the National University of Ireland, Trinity College, the University of Limerick and Dublin City University.

The National University of Ireland (NUI) is organised on a federal basis but the constituent colleges – University College Dublin, University College Cork and University College Galway – enjoy a large measure of autonomy. A further three colleges – St Patrick’s College Maynooth, the Royal College of Surgeons, and St Angela’s College of Education for Home Economics – are recognised colleges of the NUI

The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) is the biggest third level institution in Ireland with 22,000 students. It has six constituent colleges – two Colleges of Technology, the College of Catering, the College of Marketing & Design, the College of Commerce and the College of Music. The DIT awards its own degrees

Regional Technical Colleges (RTCs), which were introduced in the 1970s to provide for further technical educational needs have, over the years, become an integral part of the Irish third level system. There are eleven RTC’s throughout Ireland offering education and training, both fulltime and partime, for trade and industry over a broad spectrum of occupations and levels, in the areas of Business Studies, Engineering &Technology and Science & Paramedicine.

There are also a number of specialist colleges with programmes leading to Certificates, Diplomas and Degrees approved by the National Council for Education Awards (NCEA).

In Ireland the system of teacher training differs between primary and second level school teachers. Typically second level teachers complete a primary degree at university and then follow up with the Higher Diploma in Education at university. Primary school teachers complete a three year programme, leading to a Bachelor’s degree in Education (B.Ed.), at one of the five teacher training colleges.

In addition to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the Medical Schools in University Collcge Dublin, University College Cork, University College Galway and Trinity College have also developed a prestigious reputation in their field.

The Irish legal system is part of the Common Law tradition and therefore relevant to the legal training needs of many countries. There are excellent law faculties in most of the universities. There are also two professional law schools – the Incorporated Law Society, training solicitors, and the Kings Inns, training barristers.

In addition to formal fulltime academic and professional studies, Ireland has, over the past twenty years, become an increasingly popular location for English language training, attracting students of all ages and nationalities. Currently over 100,000 people visit Ireland annually to undertake language programmes.

Non EU Undergraduate Tuition CostsTuition costs vary considerably depending on the institution and the study programme. Tuition costs do not remain static, so it is important to double-check fees with the Institution(s) you are considering applying to.

Course average fees

English Language CoursesTuition costs for English language courses in Ireland will vary depending on the English language school and the type of programme you choose.

The figures given below provide a guideline for budgeting. Costs do not remain static, so it is important to double check fees with the English language centre(s) you are considering applying to.

A person who is successful in acquiring a job after completion of studies will be granted one non-renewable extension to their current student permission for a six-month period, starting from the day on which they received their exam results. This scheme allows the person to seek employment and gain a green card or work permit.