TRThe language of instruction in Ireland is English, and a bachelor's degree usually takes 3 to 4 years. Applicants from outside the EU ask each university separately whether to apply through the CAO or directly to the school. The Free Fees Initiative, under which the state pays bachelor's tuition, is for citizens of the EU, the EEA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
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Students applying from Türkiye usually apply directly to the university for a bachelor's in Ireland, not through the CAO. Trinity College Dublin uses its own online application for non-EU applicants. At UCD, the student's fee status decides the route, and those with EU fee status go through the CAO. According to Trinity's 2027 guide, the High School Diploma is accepted for direct entry only from certain high schools.
Classes are taught in English and a bachelor's usually takes 3 to 4 years. The university year runs from September to May, and exams are held in December and May. For a bachelor's, Trinity asks for an overall IELTS score of 6.5 and at least 6 in each section.
The Free Fees Initiative, under which the state pays bachelor's tuition, is for citizens of the EU, the EEA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Turkish students pay the university's non-EU fee. For 2027/28 entry at Trinity, the annual fee for BESS (business, economic and social studies) and law is €23,250. At UCC, an Arts bachelor's costs €18,500 a year for 2026/27.
A student with Stamp 2 permission can work up to 20 hours a week during term time. During the holiday periods, between June and September and between 15 December and 15 January, the limit is 40 hours a week. According to UCD's April 2026 estimate, a student's mid-range monthly cost in Dublin is €2,445, of which €1,200 is rent.
After graduation you can get Stamp 1G permission under the Third Level Graduate Programme. Graduates with an honours bachelor's degree (level 8) get up to 12 months of extra permission. For master's and PhD graduates this goes up to 24 months and is given as 12 plus 12 months.
The universities are the country's top three schools according to the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Examples from current fees for international students, as published on the schools' own pages.
University College Dublin (UCD Global) estimate, Dublin, 2026
For university programs starting after 1 July 2023, a student who needs a visa shows immediate access to at least €10,000. €10,000 is also needed for each following year. For courses shorter than 8 months, for example a 25-week English program, €833 a month or €6,665 in total is asked, whichever is lower.
A month-by-month plan for 2027 entry. Official date Our suggestion
Choose the summer school. For example, the ISI Dublin 2027 summer program runs from 30 June to 4 August 2027.
Complete the registration and get the school's acceptance and payment documents. You need these for the visa file.
Prepare a C study visa application for courses of 90 days or less. The ISD recommends preparing the application 3 months before travel. The AVATS form is filled in first, then the documents are handed in to VFS Global.
For a student under 18, a parent or legal guardian makes the application, and the visa shows whether the student travels alone or with an adult.
A decision usually comes about 8 weeks after the documents are received.
The Embassy of Ireland recommends not buying a plane ticket before the visa decision is made.
The start date of the ISI Dublin summer program.
Applications for September 2027 entry at UCD are open. The application fee is €70.
For Trinity, ask study@tcd.ie whether your high school is on the direct entry list.
Take the IELTS exam. For a Trinity bachelor's, 6.5 overall and at least 6 in each section are required.
Apply directly to the universities you choose. If the school sends you to the CAO, the normal CAO application deadline is 1 February 2027, 5:00 pm.
UCD recommends that students who need a visa submit their applications before 1 July.
You apply for the long-stay (D) student visa up to 3 months before travel, and a decision takes about 8 weeks. Proof of €10,000 in living funds is required.
The academic year starts. The year usually ends in May.
Applications for September 2027 entry master's programs at UCD are open. You apply from each program's page.
Make your program list and prepare your transcript, diploma, CV and reference letters.
Take the IELTS or the language exam that the program accepts.
Send applications according to each program's own deadline, and check the date on each program's page too.
UCD recommends that students who need a visa submit their applications before 1 July.
You apply for the long-stay (D) student visa up to 3 months before travel, and a decision takes about 8 weeks.
Most taught master's programs at UCD start in September, and some start in January.
English programs that can be studied on a student permission must be on the ILEP list and last at least 25 weeks. The permission for these programs is given for 8 months. You can study a language for a total of two years with up to three permissions.
Last checked: October 2026. Rules and amounts can change. We check the current situation together before you apply.
English programs that can be studied on a student permission must be on the ILEP list and last at least 25 weeks. The permission given for these programs is 8 months, and you can study a language for a total of two years with up to three permissions.
Bachelor's programs usually take 3 to 4 years. Applicants who live or have lived outside the EU should ask each higher education institution's admissions office whether to apply through the CAO or directly to the institution. The normal CAO application deadline is 1 February 2027.
English is the main language of instruction in Ireland. Irish is taught in schools but is not required from international students.
The Free Fees Initiative, which pays tuition, covers only citizens of the EU, the EEA, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Tuition fees vary by program and university.
Full-time students stay in Ireland with a Stamp 2 student permission. Citizens of countries that need a visa must apply for a student visa before they arrive.
Immediate access to at least 10,000 EUR must be shown for academic programs starting after 1 July 2023. For each following year, 10,000 EUR and the tuition fee are required. For stays shorter than 8 months, 833 EUR a month or 6,665 EUR in total is asked, whichever is lower.
Students with Stamp 2 permission can work up to 20 hours a week during term time and up to 40 hours a week during holidays (between June and September, and between 15 December and 15 January). Students with Stamp 2A permission cannot work.
Under the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G), graduates at level 8 (honours bachelor's) can get up to 12 months of extra permission, and graduates at level 9 and above (master's and PhD) up to 24 months.
The university year usually runs from September to May, and exams are held in December and May.
Yes. Holders of Turkish passports, including green passports, need a visa to travel to Ireland. You first apply with the online AVATS form, and then hand in the documents to the VFS Global center in Türkiye.
It depends on the school. According to Trinity College Dublin's 2027 guide, the High School Diploma is accepted for direct entry only from certain high schools, and the list is requested at study@tcd.ie. For other students, Trinity has an International Foundation Programme option, and the IELTS requirement for this program is at least 5.0.
For courses of 90 days or less, you get a C study visa. For a student under 18, a parent or legal guardian makes the application. This visa has no fixed minimum funds requirement, but you are asked to show money to cover costs with a bank statement.
Yes, but the program must be on the ILEP list and last at least 25 weeks. The permission for this course is given for 8 months, and you can study a language for a total of two years with up to three permissions. €6,665 is asked to be shown in the visa application.
€300 is paid for the first-year residence permit (IRP). Health insurance goes up to €690 according to UCD and up to about €550 according to Trinity. UCD residences also charge a €750 rent deposit.
104 subjects, 7 schools. Programmes were checked on the schools’ own websites. Tap a subject to see what you study, what graduates do and the options in other countries.
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