You may have been searching for the best tuition free universities in Ireland. We have put together some of the best free tuition universities in Ireland you will love.
Without much ado, let’s get started!
Ireland is located just off the coasts of the United Kingdom and Wales. Ranked among the top 20 countries in the world for studying abroad.
It has developed into a modern nation with a thriving entrepreneurial culture and a strong focus on research and development.
In truth, Irish universities are in the top 1% of research institutions worldwide in nineteen fields, thanks to robust government funding.
As a student, this means you can participate in research programs that are driving innovation and impacting lives all across the world.
Each year, the number of international students visiting Ireland grows, as students from all over the world take advantage of Ireland’s better educational standards as well as its distinct cultural experience.
Furthermore, in terms of educational excellence, affordable education, and lucrative career opportunities, Ireland is one of the most desirable countries in the world.
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Is Studying in Ireland Worth it?
In truth, studying in Ireland provides a wide range of opportunities for prospective or current students. Being able to participate in an extensive network of more than 35,000 international students across 161 nations is an excellent reason to come to Ireland.
Furthermore, students are given the top priority because they have access to the most effective educational system thanks to the many initiatives to enhance facilities and schools.
They are also given the freedom to choose from over 500 internationally-recognised qualifications in world-class institutions.
Additionally, students can reach their goals in Europe’s largest business-oriented nation. Ireland is alive with energy and creativity; 32,000 people launched new ventures in 2013. For a nation with 4.5 million people, it’s quite a bit of motivation!
Who would not want to live in one of the friendliest and safest nations on earth? Irish people are simply incredible, they are famous for their passion, humour and warmth.
What are Tuition-free Schools?
Basically, Tuition-free schools are those institutions that offer aspiring students the opportunity to receive a degree from their respective institutions without paying any sum of money for the lectures received at that school.
Furthermore, this kind of opportunity is provided by tuition-free universities for students who are successful in their academics but are unable to pay tuition fees for themselves.
Students in tuition-free universities are not charged for taking classes.
Finally, students are also not charged to enroll or to purchase books or other course materials.
Tuition-free universities in Ireland are open to all students (both domestic and international) from all over the world.
Are there Tuition Free Universities in Ireland?
In truth, tuition-free universities are available in Ireland for Irish nationals as well as international students. However, they are open under particular conditions.
To be eligible for tuition-free study in Ireland, you must be a student from an EU or EEA country.
Tuition costs must be paid by students from non-EU/EEA countries. These students can, however, apply for scholarships to help offset their tuition costs.
How Much is Tuition in Ireland for non-EU/EEA Students?
Tuition fees for non-EU/EEA students are given below:
- Undergraduate courses: 9,850 – 55,000 EUR/year
- Postgraduate Master’s and PhD courses: 9,950 – 35,000 EUR/year
All international students (both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA citizens) must pay a student contribution fee of up to 3,000 EUR per year for student services such as examination entry and club and social support.
The fee varies by university and is subject to change each year.
How can International Students Study Tuition-Free in Ireland?
Scholarships and Grants available to students from non-EU/EEA countries include:
Basically, Erasmus+ is a European Union program that supports education, training, youth, and sport.
It is one way through which international students can study tuition-free in Ireland, providing chances for people of all ages to acquire and share knowledge and experience at institutions and organizations across the globe.
In addition, the program emphasizes studying abroad, which has been proved to improve career opportunities in the future.
Also, Erasmus+ allows students to combine their studies with a traineeship. Students pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree have options.
The Walsh Scholarships Program has around 140 students pursuing PhD programs at any given moment. The program is funded with an annual budget of €3.2 million. Each year, up to 35 new places with a grant of €24,000 are available.
Furthermore, the program is named after Dr Tom Walsh, the first Director of both the Agricultural Research Institute and the National Advisory and Training Service, which were merged to establish Teagasc, and a key figure in the development of agricultural and food research in Ireland.
Ultimaltely, the Walsh Scholarships Program supports Scholars’ training and professional growth through partnerships with Irish and international universities.
The IRCHSS funds cutting-edge research in the humanities, social sciences, business, and law with the goal of developing new knowledge and expertise that will benefit Ireland’s economic, social, and cultural development.
In addition, the Research Council is devoted to integrating Irish research into European and international networks of expertise through its participation in the European Science Foundation.
Basically, this scholarship is only offered to American students pursuing a Master’s or PhD degree in Ireland.
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides extraordinary opportunities in all academic fields to motivated and accomplished graduating college seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds.
What are the Top 15 Tuition-Free Universities in Ireland?
Below are the Top Tuition-free Universities in Ireland:
- University College Dublin
- Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin
- National University of Ireland Galway
- Dublin City University
- Technological University Dublin
- University College Cork
- University of Limerick
- Letterkenny Institute of Technology
- Maynooth University
- Waterford Institute of Technology
- Dundalk Institute of Technology
- Technological University of Shannon – Athlone
- National College of Art and Design
- Ulster University
- Queen’s University Belfast.
Top 15 Tuition Free Universities in Ireland
#1. University College Dublin
Basically, University College Dublin (UCD) is a leading research-intensive university in Europe.
In the overall 2022 QS World University Rankings, UCD was ranked 173rd in the world, placing it in the top 1% of higher education institutions globally.
Finally, the institution, founded in 1854, has over 34,000 students, including over 8,500 international students from 130 countries.
#2. Trinity College Dublin, University of Dublin
The University of Dublin is an Irish university located in Dublin. This university was founded in 1592 and is known as Ireland’s oldest university.
Furthermore, Trinity College Dublin provides a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, short course, and online education options. Its faculties include the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Faculty, Engineering, Mathematics, and Science Faculty, and Health Science Faculty.
Finally, this highly-ranked instituiton has numerous specialized schools that fall under the three main faculties, such as a Business School, Confederal School of Religions, Peace Studies, and Theology, Creative Arts School (Drama, Film, and Music), Education School, English School, Histories and Humanities School, and so on.
#3. National University of Ireland Galway
The National Institution of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway; Irish) is an Irish public research university based in Galway.
In truth, it is a tertiary education and research institution with all five QS stars for excellence. According to the 2018 QS World University Rankings, it is placed among the top 1% of universities.
Furthermore, NUI Galway is Ireland’s most employable university, with over 98% of our graduates working or enrolled in further education within six months after graduation.
This university is one of Ireland’s most international, and Galway is the most diversified city in the country.
This excellent university has formed alliances with some of the region’s most important cultural organizations in order to improve arts education and research.
Finally, this free-tuition university is well-known for being a city where arts and culture are cherished, reinterpreted, and shared with the rest of the world, and it has been named the European Capital of Culture for 2020. The University will play an important role in this celebration of Galway’s unique creative energy and our shared European culture.
#4. Dublin City University
This Prestigious university has established a reputation as Ireland’s University of Enterprise through its strong, active relationships with academic, research, and industrial partners both at home and abroad.
According to the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings, Dublin City University is rated 19th in the world and first in Ireland for the graduate employment rate.
Furthermore, this institution includes five campuses and approximately 200 programs under its five main faculties, which are engineering and computing, business, science and health, humanities and social sciences, and education.
This university has received accreditation from prestigious organizations such as the Association of MBAs and AACSB.
#5. Technological University Dublin
The University of Dublin was Ireland’s first technological university. It was founded on January 1, 2019, and it builds on the history of its predecessors, Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, and Institute of Technology Tallaght.
Furthermore, TU Dublin is the university where the arts, sciences, business, and technology combine, with 29,000 students on campuses in the three biggest population centers of the greater Dublin region, offering courses to graduation ranging from apprenticeship to PhD.
Students learn in a practice-based atmosphere informed by the most recent research and enabled by technological breakthroughs.
Finally, TU Dublin is home to a strong research community dedicated to using creativity and technology to address the world’s most critical issues. They are passionately committed to working with our national and international academic colleagues, as well as our many networks in the industry and civic society, to produce novel learning experiences.
#6. University College Cork
The University College Cork, also known as UCC, was founded in 1845 and is one of Ireland’s top research institutes.
UCC was renamed the National University of Ireland, Cork under the Universities Act of 1997.
The fact that UCC was the first university in the world to be awarded the worldwide green flag for environmental friendliness is what gives it its legendary reputation.
In addition, this best-rated institution has over 96 million Euros in research funding due to its exceptional role as Ireland’s main research institute in the colleges of Arts and Celtic Studies, Commerce, Science, Engineering, Medicine, Law, Food Science and Technology.
Finally, According to the suggested strategy, UCC intends to establish a Center of Excellence to conduct world-class research in Nanoelectronics, Food and Health, and Environmental Science. In reality, according to papers issued in 2008 by its regulating body, UCC was the first institution in Ireland to perform research on Embryonic Stem Cells.
#7. University of Limerick
The University of Limerick (UL) is an independent university with approximately 11,000 students and 1,313 faculty and staff. The University has a long history of educational innovation as well as success in research and scholarship.
Furthermore, this prestigious university has 72 undergraduate programs and 103 taught postgraduate programs spread over four faculties: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Education and Health Sciences, Kemmy Business School, and Science and Engineering.
From undergraduate through postgraduate studies, UL maintains close ties with the industry. One of the largest cooperative education (internship) programs in the European Union is operated by the University. Cooperative education is offered as part of the academic program at UL.
Finally, The University of Limerick has a strong Student Support Network in place, with a dedicated foreign student help officer, a Buddy program, and free academic support centres. There are about 70 clubs and groups.
#8. Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LYIT) promotes one of Ireland’s most advanced learning environments, drawing a diverse student body of over 4,000 students from Ireland and 31 countries across the world. LYIT provides a wide range of courses, including Business, Engineering, Computer Science, and Medicine.
In addition, the non-profit public institute has agreements with over 60 universities across the world and offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral level courses.
The main campus is at Letterkenny, with another in Killybegs, Ireland’s busiest seaport. The modern campuses offer academic learning as well as practical experiences aimed at improving the economic prospects of the youth.
#9. Maynooth University
Maynooth Institution is Ireland’s fastest expanding university, with approximately 13,000 students.
At this institution, Students come First. MU stresses the student experience, both academically and socially, to guarantee that students graduate with the best set of abilities to help them thrive in life, no matter what they choose to pursue.
Undeniably, Maynooth is ranked 49th in the world by the Times Higher Education Young University Rankings, which ranks the best 50 universities under the age of 50.
Maynooth is Ireland’s only university town, located about 25 kilometres west of Dublin city centre and well served by bus and train services.
Furthermore, According to the StudyPortals International Student Satisfaction Award, Maynooth University has the happiest international students in Europe. There are over 100 clubs and organisations on campus, in addition to the Students’ Union, which provides the lifeblood of student activities.
Located adjacent to Ireland’s “Silicon Valley,” the university maintains strong ties with Intel, HP, Google, and over 50 other industry titans.
#10. Waterford Institute of Technology
In truth, Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) was founded in 1970 as a public institution. It is a government-funded institute in Waterford, Ireland.
Cork Road Campus (main campus), College Street Campus, Carriganore Campus, Applied Technology Building, and The Granary Campus are the institute’s six sites.
Furthermore, the institute provides courses in Business, Engineering, Education, Health Sciences, Humanities, and Sciences. It has worked with Teagasc to provide instructional programs.
Finally, It offers a joint degree with the Munich University of Applied Sciences as well as a joint B.Sc. degree with NUIST (Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology). A double degree in Business is also provided in collaboration with the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce Bretagne Brest.
#11. Dundalk Institute of Technology
Basically, this highly-ranked university was founded in 1971 and is one of Ireland’s top Institutes of Technology due to its high-quality teaching and innovative research programs.
DKIT is a government-funded Institute of Technology with around 5,000 students located on a cutting-edge campus. DKIT offers a comprehensive selection of bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs.
#12. Technological University of Shannon – Athlone
In 2018, the Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) was recognized as the 2018 Institute of Technology of the Year (The Sunday Times, Good University Guide 2018).
Furthermore, in terms of innovation, applied teaching, and student welfare, AIT leads the Institute of Technology sector. AIT’s expertise is in detecting skills shortages and collaborating with businesses to increase the ties between business and education.
6,000 students study a variety of subjects at the Institute, including business, hospitality, engineering, informatics, science, health, social science, and design.
In addition, more than 11% of full-time students are international, with 63 nationalities represented on campus, reflecting the college’s global nature.
The Institute’s global orientation is reflected in the 230 partnerships and agreements it has struck with other organizations.
#13. National College of Art and Design
In truth, the National College of Art and Design was founded in 1746 as Ireland’s first art school. The institution began as a drawing school before being taken over by the Dublin Society and transformed into what it is now.
This prestigious college has produced and raised notable artists and designers, and it continues to do so. Its efforts have advanced the study of art in Ireland.
Furthermore, the college is a non-profit organization that is accredited by Ireland’s Department of Education and Skills. In a variety of ways, the school is highly regarded.
Undeniably, It is placed among the top 100 best art colleges in the world by QS World University Rankings, a position it has held for several years.
#14. Ulster University
With approximately 25,000 students and 3,000 employees, Ulster University is a large, diversified, and contemporary school.
Moving on, the University has big ambitions for the future, including an expansion of the Belfast City campus, which will open in 2018 and house students and staff from Belfast and Jordanstown in a spectacular new structure.
Furthermore, in keeping with Belfast’s ambition of being a “Smart City,” the new improved Belfast campus will redefine higher education in the city, establishing dynamic teaching and learning settings with cutting-edge facilities.
Finally, this campus will be a world-class research and innovation hub that fosters creativity and technical innovation. Ulster University is strongly interwoven in every part of life and work in Northern Ireland, with four campuses.
#15. Queen’s University Belfast
This prestigious university is a member of the elite Russell Group of institutions and is located in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland.
Queen’s University was founded in 1845 and became a formal university in 1908. 24,000 students from over 80 countries are presently enrolled.
The University was recently placed 23rd on the Times Higher Education list of the world’s 100 most international universities.
Most importantly, the University has received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education five times, and it is a Top 50 UK employer for women, as well as a leader among UK institutions in addressing the unequal representation of women in science and engineering.
Furthermore, Queen’s University Belfast places a high emphasis on employability, including programs like Degree Plus that recognize extracurricular activities and job experience as part of a degree, as well as various career workshops with companies and alumni.
Finally, the University is proudly worldwide, and it is one of the top destinations for American Fulbright Scholars. Queen’s University Dublin has agreements with universities in India, Malaysia, and China, in addition to agreements with American universities.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Tuition-Free Universities in Ireland
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Conclusion
In conclusion, we’ve compiled a list of the most affordable Irish public universities. Before deciding where you wish to study, carefully review the websites of each of the colleges listed above.
This article also includes a list of the top scholarships and grants for international students to help them afford to study in Ireland.
Best wishes, Scholar!!