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Public Universities in Ireland for International Students: Application Process, Fees, Scholarships
Edited By Apoorva Singh | Updated on Jul 26, 2024 11:06 AM IST
One of the main reasons to study in Ireland is its world-class universities which offer a variety of courses. The universities in Ireland rank among the top 5% in different world university rankings. Among the top listed ones, public universities in Ireland occupy a major proportion. Ireland public universities are known for their contribution to research, innovation, and skill development. There are three types of universities in Ireland- public universities, private universities, and institutes of technology. Students can choose from any of these universities to study in Ireland.
This Story also Contains
- Top Ranking Public Universities in Ireland
- Eligibility to Study in Public Universities in Ireland
- Public Universities in Ireland for Masters
- Application Process for Ireland Public Universities
- Tuition Fees at Public Universities in Ireland
- Scholarships for International Students
- Student Visa to Study in Public Universities in Ireland
- Documents Required for Ireland Student Visa
- Top 10 Public Universities in Ireland For MBA
- Popular Courses Offered by Public Universities in Ireland
A few of the top universities in Ireland include Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. Public universities in Ireland are owned by the state and receive public funds from the government. Read this article to learn more about Ireland's public universities, their benefits, admission requirements, and unique features.
Top Ranking Public Universities in Ireland
Below is the list of the top Ireland public universities for international students as per the QS World University Ranking 2025. The given list helps you to find the best public universities in Ireland for master's degrees and for bachelors also.
Top 8 Public Universities in Ireland 2025
Name of University | QS Ranking 2025 |
87 | |
126 | |
273 | |
273 | |
421 | |
421 | |
801-850 | |
851-900 |
Eligibility to Study in Public Universities in Ireland
- International students must have a minimum score of 60% in the qualifying exam.
- They must have completed 18 years to apply for an undergraduate course.
- Those applying for a postgraduate program must have finished a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject.
Public Universities in Ireland for Masters
The top public universities in Ireland for master courses include:
- Dublin City University
- University of Limerick
- Maynooth University
- Technological University of Dublin
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- National University of Ireland Galway
- National College Cork
Application Process for Ireland Public Universities
To apply for courses in government universities in Ireland, international students must apply through the Central Applications Office(CAO) which is an online enrolment system for admission to public universities in Ireland. Here are the steps involved to study master's in Ireland:
Register at the CAO portal and create an account.
Scan and submit the required documents in the portal.
Submit your scores in the IELTS or TOEFL exam.
Pay the application fee.
Apply through the CAO for courses at your selected universities.
Get all the information about your application and different stages through this account.
However, you cannot apply to all public universities in Dublin through the CAO website which also includes public universities in Ireland for international students. So please check with the university before you make your application. You can go to the individual website of the university and check on the admission requirements.
Application fee: The application fee also varies for each university. The Ireland public universities fees depend on the college and the course you are applying for. Check the application fee amount on the university website. But there are some Ireland universities without application fees. Dublin City University and Dublin Institute of Technology are some of the universities in Ireland without an application fee. Students can also check some cheapest universities in Ireland offering affordable education to international students.
English language requirements: The English language requirements for public universities in Ireland are getting the required score in English language proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL as per the university. However, you can get an exemption from English language tests if you have done your previous education or bachelor's degree in an English medium institution even if your native language is not English in these Ireland public universities for international students.
It is possible to study in Ireland without IELTS or other English language tests even at Ireland public universities for international students. Trinity College Dublin is one of the public universities in Ireland for international students without IELTS.
Tuition Fees at Public Universities in Ireland
It is a popular misconception that students are exempted from paying tuition fees at Ireland public universities. The truth is there is no tuition fee for EU and EEA citizens in Ireland but citizens of other countries have to pay tuition fees. EU and EEA citizens are exempted from tuition fees only for undergraduate courses. Given below are the average tuition costs for different course levels at a public university in Ireland.
Average Tuition Fee in universities in Ireland
Study program | Average annual fee |
Undergraduate degree | Euros 9, 800 - 25,000 |
Postgraduate degree | Euros 9,550 - 34,500 |
Doctoral program | Euros 9,500 - 35,000 |
On average the Ireland public universities fees for international students ranges from Euros 5000 to 45,000 per year. The Ireland public universities fees will vary depending on the course and the university. You can choose the cheap public universities in Ireland for international students to reduce the education expenses in this country.
Scholarships for International Students
Public universities in Ireland also offer scholarships to international students. These are offered by the government or the public university in Ireland themselves. They can apply for these scholarships in Ireland after checking the eligibility criteria. Some of the scholarships offered by public universities include:
NUI Galway International Student Scholarships
DCU International Student Scholarships
Maynooth University Scholarships
UCC Excellence Scholarships
UCD Scholarships
UCD USA scholarships
UCD Global Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship- USA
UCD Sutherland School of Law
University of Limerick Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin Undergraduate Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Scholarships
Trinity College Dublin Study Abroad Scholarships
Student Visa to Study in Public Universities in Ireland
Once you have secured admission to a public university and paid a tuition fee for one year, you must apply for a student visa. There are two types of student visa for Ireland:
C study visa: You must apply for this visa if you plan to study in Ireland for less than three months. This short-stay visa is for training programs or courses that are of 90 days duration or less.
D study visa: You must apply for this visa if you enrol for a course that is longer than three months.
Documents Required for Ireland Student Visa
- Valid passport
- Two passport-size photos
- A letter stating your acceptance into a college
- Receipt as proof of payment of the registration and tuition fees
- Proof of having adequate funds
- Certificate proving proficiency in the English language such as IELTS or a similar test
- Medical insurance policy with a value of at least Euros 25,000
- Additional requirements as stated by the university
Top 10 Public Universities in Ireland For MBA
Ireland has a thriving academic scene, with many Master of Business Administration (MBA) programmes available at prestigious public universities. The top 10 Ireland public universities renowned for their rigorous MBA programmes are as follows:
Trinity College Dublin
University College Dublin
University of Limerick
Dublin City University
Technological University Dublin
University College Cork
Dublin Business School
Maynooth University
Griffith College Dublin Main Campus
UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
Popular Courses Offered by Public Universities in Ireland
Ireland has attracted thousands of international students by ensuring a top-tier education and diverse programme offerings. Many of the Ireland universities are among the top educational institutions worldwide according to the QS world rankings for providing a wide range of academic specialisations. Some of the popular courses offered by Ireland's public universities include Computer Science, Accounting and Finance, Data Science, Cyber Security, Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Business Analytics, Pharmaceuticals, and Digital Marketing.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Do public universities charge tuition fees?
Public universities in Ireland are not free and charge a tuition fee that ranges between 5000 to 45,000 Euros based on the course and university.
2. Which is the oldest public university in Ireland?
Trinity College Dublin is the oldest public university in Ireland.
3. Are public universities open to international students?
Yes, international students can apply to public universities in Ireland provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
4. Are public universities in Ireland free for international students?
There are no free public universities in Ireland for international students. Only Ireland citizens are eligible to seek free bachelor's courses offered by some of the public universities.
Articles
Nov 19, 2024
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Hy,
With an MSc in Toxicology, especially with a specialization in neurotoxicology from the National University of Ireland Galway, you may have various job opportunities globally.
You can look for job openings in toxicology on international job portals like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor etc.
Networking with professionals in the similar fields can lead you to job referrals and opportunities.
Many institutions in India and globally hire researchers and specialists with your qualifications of research work.
Many companies in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental consulting, and chemical industries sectors hire toxicologists for various roles.
Radhika Goyal 13 July,2024
Correct Answer: during
Solution : The correct choice is the first option.
The sentence implies that red kites were viewed as vermin in Britain and Ireland, specifically during the 16th century. The use of during emphasises the temporal relationship, indicating that this negative perception was prevalent in that particular historical period.
The meanings of the other options are as follows:
- Along means in the course of; over the length of.
- While means at the same time as; during the time that.
- Across means over the surface of; from one side to the other.
Therefore, the complete sentence is: "Red kites were considered vermin across Britain and Ireland during the 16th century."
Team Careers360 23 January,2024
Correct Answer: MLIDZB
Solution : Given:
ASIA is written as ZHRZ, and IRELAND is written as RIVOZMW.
Write the opposite pair of each letter of ASIA to obtain the required code –
A→Z; S→H; I→R; A→Z
Thus, ASIA is coded as ZHRZ.
And in, IRELAND is written as RIVOZMW –
I→R; R→I; E→V; L→O; A→Z; N→M; D→W
Thus, IRELAND is coded as RIVOZMW.
Similarly, follow the same pattern for NORWAY–
N→M; O→L; R→I; W→D; A→Z; Y→B
So, NORWAY is coded as MLIDZB. Hence, the second option is correct.
Team Careers360 22 January,2024
Correct Answer: controlled
Solution : The correct choice is the third option.
The phrase "and their numbers were rigorously controlled" indicates that deliberate measures were taken to manage or limit the population of red kites. The word controlled appropriately reflects the idea of active management or regulation, making it the most fitting choice.
The meanings of the other options are as follows:
- Changed means altered or modified.
- Choked means hindered or obstructed.
- Loosened means made less tight or strict; relaxed.
Therefore, the right word to fill in the blank is controlled.
Team Careers360 24 January,2024
Correct Answer: killed
Solution : The correct choice is the second option.
The sentence indicates that 20 red kites were confirmed to have been killed in the UK as a result of the actions of shooting, poisoning, and trapping mentioned earlier in the passage. The term killed signifies a fatal outcome caused by these harmful actions.
The meanings of the other options are as follows:
- Awakened means woken up from sleep or inactivity.
- Subjected means exposed to a particular experience or treatment.
- Rooted means fixed or established deeply.
Therefore, the complete sentence is: "In 2020 alone, 20 red kites were confirmed to have been killed this way in the UK."
Team Careers360 23 January,2024
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