10 Cheapest Universities in Dublin for International Students

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In Dublin, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in Ireland without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Dublin, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 11 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Dublin, make sure to read more!

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Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Dublin for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Dublin ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Institute of Public Administration 3,200 Euros 78%
National College of Ireland 10,000 Euros 29%
Technological University Dublin 12,500 Euros - 21,900 Euros 11%
Dublin City University 12,600 Euros - 18,000 Euros 10%
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology 13,500 Euros 4%
National College of Art and Design 13,500 Euros - 16,500 Euros 4%
Marino Institute of Education 16,000 Euros -14%
University College Dublin 16,800 Euros - 26,400 Euros -20%
Royal Irish Academy of Music 20,600 Euros -47%
Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin 20,700 Euros - 27,000 Euros -47%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 14,000 Euros for universities in Dublin.

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1. Institute of Public Administration

The Institute of Public Administration was founded in 1957 and is located in Dublin, Ireland. It is a school and a public service agency that serves undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Training and development courses are also taught by professional specialists. These programs will be conducted in one of its departments, the Whitaker School of Government and Management. Consultation, research, and publishing services are other services that have their own departments.

2. National College of Ireland

The National College of Ireland is a distinguished third-level educational institution in Dublin, and the government mainly supports it. When it was established in 195 and was first known as the Catholic Workers Colleges, a collaborative effort between Irish Jesuits and Irish Trade Unions. It is now a stand-alone college that offers full-time and part-time courses at all academic levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate, in subjects like finance, psychology, computing, and business, among others. 

3. Technological University Dublin

The Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is the first technological university in Ireland. It has five campuses across the city, all fitted with cutting-edge facilities to support research activities. The university offers a wide range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and is home to over 20,000 students.

4. Dublin City University

Dublin City University is one of the most prominent universities on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. This university was founded in 1975 and was known as the National Institute for Higher Education; it welcomed its first students in 1980. Since that time, Dublin City University has been known for providing quality education for both domestic and international students. This university is distinguished for its wide range of programs that cover some of the most exhilarating subjects, such as education, business, engineering, and computing.

5. Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology

Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology was founded in 1997 and is located in Dublin, Ireland. It was formed when three schools were merged and became what it is today. The school specializes in digital, technology, and arts, with various undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered. Students in and out of Ireland can enroll in various programs, paying different tuition fees.

6. National College of Art and Design

The National College of Art and Design is a traditional public university offering great educational opportunities for domestic and international students. This university was founded in 1746 and has continued to lead the educational industry through progress with exceptional professors and innovative programs. The opportunities that are offered at this university are unique and can help an individual make a breakthrough in his academic career.

7. Marino Institute of Education

The Marino Institute of Education (MIE) is a private institution that specializes in teacher training. It offers programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as postgraduate diplomas. MIE is an associated college of Trinity College Dublin, a top university in Ireland. Its academic programs are assessed and validated by Trinity, ensuring that each student gets a high-quality education.

8. University College Dublin

University College Dublin welcomes the largest student population in Ireland, having over 35,000 students. It is also the most diverse university, being home to 9,500 international students. UCD is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the country and is consistently counted among the world’s top schools in reputable university rankings. A few Nobel Laureates are among the University’s staff.

9. Royal Irish Academy of Music

The Royal Irish Academy of Music was founded in 1848. It is in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. It is the country’s oldest musical teaching institution and received Irish royalty recognition 24 years after its establishment. RIAM offers diploma programs and degree programs in a variety of music disciplines.

10. Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin

Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It was founded in 1592 and is located in Dublin, Ireland. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, micro-credentials, and continuing professional development programs. Trinity College consistently makes it to the top 100 of reputable academic rankings, including the QS World University Ranking and Times Higher Education.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Dublin for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Dublin ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master's International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Dublin City University 2,825 Euros - 19,000 Euros 76%
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology 4,000 Euros 66%
Institute of Public Administration 5,200 Euros 56%
University College Dublin 10,300 Euros - 35,000 Euros 13%
Technological University Dublin 13,500 Euros - 21,800 Euros -15%
National College of Art and Design 13,500 Euros - 16,500 Euros -15%
National College of Ireland 15,000 Euros -27%
Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin 15,500 Euros - 23,700 Euros -32%
Marino Institute of Education 16,000 Euros -35%
Royal Irish Academy of Music 21,600 Euros -84%

* Average Master's International Tuition is 11,800 Euros for universities in Dublin.

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1. Dublin City University

Dublin City University is one of the most prominent universities on the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. This university was founded in 1975 and was known as the National Institute for Higher Education; it welcomed its first students in 1980. Since that time, Dublin City University has been known for providing quality education for both domestic and international students. This university is distinguished for its wide range of programs that cover some of the most exhilarating subjects, such as education, business, engineering, and computing.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Dublin City University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 2,825 Euros to 19,000 Euros annually for their master's degree.

2. Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology is 4,000 Euros.

Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design, and Technology was founded in 1997 and is located in Dublin, Ireland. It was formed when three schools were merged and became what it is today. The school specializes in digital, technology, and arts, with various undergraduate and postgraduate programs offered. Students in and out of Ireland can enroll in various programs, paying different tuition fees.

3. Institute of Public Administration

The Institute of Public Administration was founded in 1957 and is located in Dublin, Ireland. It is a school and a public service agency that serves undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Training and development courses are also taught by professional specialists. These programs will be conducted in one of its departments, the Whitaker School of Government and Management. Consultation, research, and publishing services are other services that have their own departments.

The tuition fee at Institute of Public Administration for incoming international master’s students is 5,200 Euros. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. University College Dublin

Another affordable university to consider in Dublin is University College Dublin.

University College Dublin welcomes the largest student population in Ireland, having over 35,000 students. It is also the most diverse university, being home to 9,500 international students. UCD is considered one of the most prestigious universities in the country and is consistently counted among the world’s top schools in reputable university rankings. A few Nobel Laureates are among the University’s staff.

The tuition fee in University College Dublin for master’s program for foreign students starts from 10,250 Euros.

5. Technological University Dublin

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, Technological University Dublin has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 13,500 Euros yearly.

The Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) is the first technological university in Ireland. It has five campuses across the city, all fitted with cutting-edge facilities to support research activities. The university offers a wide range of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and is home to over 20,000 students.

6. National College of Art and Design

The National College of Art and Design is a traditional public university offering great educational opportunities for domestic and international students. This university was founded in 1746 and has continued to lead the educational industry through progress with exceptional professors and innovative programs. The opportunities that are offered at this university are unique and can help an individual make a breakthrough in his academic career.

7. National College of Ireland

The National College of Ireland is a distinguished third-level educational institution in Dublin, and the government mainly supports it. When it was established in 195 and was first known as the Catholic Workers Colleges, a collaborative effort between Irish Jesuits and Irish Trade Unions. It is now a stand-alone college that offers full-time and part-time courses at all academic levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate, in subjects like finance, psychology, computing, and business, among others. 

8. Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin

Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It was founded in 1592 and is located in Dublin, Ireland. It offers undergraduate, postgraduate, micro-credentials, and continuing professional development programs. Trinity College consistently makes it to the top 100 of reputable academic rankings, including the QS World University Ranking and Times Higher Education.

9. Marino Institute of Education

The Marino Institute of Education (MIE) is a private institution that specializes in teacher training. It offers programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as postgraduate diplomas. MIE is an associated college of Trinity College Dublin, a top university in Ireland. Its academic programs are assessed and validated by Trinity, ensuring that each student gets a high-quality education.

10. Royal Irish Academy of Music

The Royal Irish Academy of Music was founded in 1848. It is in Dublin, the capital city of Ireland. It is the country’s oldest musical teaching institution and received Irish royalty recognition 24 years after its establishment. RIAM offers diploma programs and degree programs in a variety of music disciplines.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get admission to affordable universities in Dublin?

Applying to cheap universities in Dublin requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in Ireland for a more comprehensive guide!

2. What can I study at Best affordable universities in Dublin?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Dublin. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Dublin is the Dublin City University, which offers Chemistry with Artificial Intelligence , Psychology and Mathematics, and Bioprocessing to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the Dublin City University offers Education, Emergency Management, and Electronic Commerce.

It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Dublin, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Dublin as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on affordable institutions in Dublin for international students was helpful!