Choose your Education
The higher education system in Ireland consists of the university sector, institutes of technology and private independent colleges. The entry requirements for international students to higher education are determined individually by each institution and are generally based on national examination performance and English language aptitude.
- Do you want to study in the city or in the country?
- Do you want to study at a small or large college or university?
- Is it important that you live somewhere warm or cold?
- What level qualification do you want? (certificate, diploma, degree etc). You will probably find that the course you want to study is offered at several places in Ireland.
- You will also need to consider the institution’s academic entrance requirements, as each college or university and each course has its own standards. If you don’t have enough English, you will need to think about English Language too.
Tuition Fee
Tuition costs vary considerably depending on the institution and the study programme. The costs may also change any time, so it is important to double check the fees with the institution you are considering applying to. Course average fees start from €9,000 per year.
Undergraduate Courses
| Program | Average Annual Fees |
| Medical and related | €45,000 – €54,135 |
| Engineering | €9,950 – €24,958 |
| Science and Technology | €9,750 – €24,958 |
| Art & Humanities | €9,750 – €22,000 |
| Business | €9,750 – €20,000 |
Postgraduate Courses
| Program | Average Annual Fees |
| Medical and related | €4,000 – €48,000 |
| Engineering | €9,250 – €24,000 |
| Science and Technology | €9,250 – €45,000 |
| Art & Humanities | €9,250 – €22,000 |
| Business | €9,250 – €35,000 |
English Language Courses
| Course Description | Average Annual Fees |
| General English Standard | €150 – €250 (per week) |
| One-to-One Tuition | €45- €60 (per hour) |
| Examination Preparation Programmes | €700 – €950 (4 weeks) |
| International Foundation Course | €6500 – €13,200 |
English Language
Education Providers
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- Maynooth University
- NUI Galway
- Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
- University College Cork (UCC)
- University College Dublin (UCD)
- University of Limerick
- Mary Immaculate College
- National College of Art & Design (NCAD)
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
- Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)
- Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)
- Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)
- Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT)
- Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT)
- Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT)
- Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB)
- Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow)
- Institute of Technology Sligo (IT Sligo)
- Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT Dublin)
- Institute of Technology Tralee (IT Tralee)
- Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT)
- Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT)
- Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT)
- CCT College Dublin
- Dublin Business School
- Griffith College
- Dorset College
- ICD Business School
- Independent College Dublin
- National College of Ireland
Length of Courses
The following is a guide only. Each course and each college or university may be slightly different:
Non-university level:
Higher technical and vocational education is offered by Institutes of Technology and specialized colleges. They offer two-year Certificate, three-year Diploma and four-year Degree programmes in the applied fields of Engineering, Science and Business Studies, as well as some postgraduate courses.
University level studies:
Bachelor’s Degree: The length of study usually varies between three and four years. The Bachelor’s Degree may be awarded as a General Degree, an Honours Degree and a BA (Special) Degree. In Veterinary Medicine, Architecture and Dentistry studies last for five years. Medicine takes six years.
Master’s Degree: These studies last for a minimum of one year after the award of the Bachelor’s Degree. Candidates who attend a course of study and/or present a thesis based on research are awarded a Master’s Degree.
Doctorate: A further two years’ study after the Master’s Degree are normally required for the PhD Degree.
Higher Doctorate: A Higher Doctorate may be awarded, after a minimum of five years (usually longer), following the award of the first Doctorate, for original work already published.
How to Apply
Make your Decision
Once you have read through the information on the Popular Education website, you must consider:
• What kind of course you would like to study.
• What level qualification you would like to study.
• In which Ireland’s city or town you would like to live and study.
Generally, in order to apply, you will need to provide details of your previous study, including copies of qualifications you already have. You may also need to have proof of your level of English (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL) as well as the name of the person responsible for paying your tuition fees.
Consult with Us
Contact us and send us information about your educational needs and goals.
• We will then give you free counselling via email and will advise you of your choices and opportunities in Ireland.
• When you have decided on a particular university, college or school, Popular Education will help you make an application. We will advise you of the academic and English language requirements as well as other documentation you need to provide with your application.
• When you are accepted into a course, Popular Education will advise you and send you a Letter of Offer from your school, college or university.
• You must read the Letter of Offer and understand any conditions such as upgrading your English language skills. You will be asked to pay the first semester tuition fees as well as the compulsory medical insurance fee (if applicable) to pay for any medical or hospital treatment which you may need during your stay in Ireland.
We Guide You All The Way!
• When we receive your fees, we will send you a Letter of Confirmation of Enrolment. You need the Letter of Offer, Confirmation of Enrolment and receipt for your first semester’s (or first year’s) tuition fees to apply for your student visa for Ireland.
• Popular Education will give you advice about how you make a visa application. You will be asked to have a medical examination in order to get your student visa, and your doctor will fill out information on special forms.
• After all this, you will be told if your visa application is successful. The length of your student visa will be the same length as your course in Ireland.
• Popular Education can assist you arrange homestay accommodation and we will tell you when you should arrive in Ireland to start your studies.
Student Visa
Popular Education will give you advice about how to apply for your visa. To be given your visa, you will need to show the following:
• Letter of Confirmation of Enrolment from the school, college or university
• Letter of Offer Receipt showing you have paid your tuition fees Valid passport
• Medical report showing your good health
• A signed letter of application which explains why you require the visa
You should be aware of the conditions of your visa:
• You must leave Ireland when your visa has expired
• Your visa is not valid for permanent residency of Ireland
• You must satisfy course requirements and continue your enrolment
• You can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and up to 40 hours a week in the holidays.
Insurance
In order to register with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration service (INIS), as all non-EU/EEA students are required to do, you must show proof of health insurance to cover any major medical care necessary during your stay. Please check with your insurance company at home that you are sufficiently insured for your period of study in Ireland. If a student chooses to use a health insurance policy from their home country please be aware that this will only be valid for the students first 12 months. It can be used for first registration with INIS, but not with second registration. Health insurance must be purchased from an Irish based insurance provider after your first year of study.
