Costs of Living in Ireland

Firstly, let’s have a look at all the top universities in Ireland, the average tuition fees each college has, and their rankings. The country mainly has five cities where all the top universities are located; these include Cork, Limerick, Maynooth, Dublin and Galway, which have the best ranking according to 2024 stats. The list consists of-

The average cost of living in Ireland for Indian students for an academic year is between €9000 and €12,000. This estimated amount covers all the necessities, electricity, food bills, rent, and medicine. The cost of living in Ireland is approximately 220% higher than that of India. Rent is the most significant contributor to the overall expense, as it is approximately 700% higher than that of India.

The average monthly cost of living in Ireland can be further divided into three major parts-

• Accommodation costs range between €420 and €500 if you opt for living off campus. If you plan to live off campus, the price is reduced to €300- €600 per month.

• If you are planning on sharing a living space, then the cost would be reduced to €350 per month. On the other hand, if you wish to have some luxury, then the rent can shoot up to €850 per month.

Below is a breakdown of costs according to the cities where the universities are situated, along with the living expenses. The major cities like Dublin, Galway and Cork will be covered-

Also Read :- Upcoming Intakes in Europe 2024

The cost of living in Ireland for Indian students can be divided into several parts, which include tuition fees, transport, food, utilities, and miscellaneous. This will give an approximate idea of what expenses would be in each section.

NOTE: The costs mentioned below are average costs, which will differ according to the living standards along with the choice of place you are living in; for example, living on a college campus would be cheaper than off the campus.

Ireland is known for offering various kinds of education, from undergraduate to postgraduate to doctorate levels. It is favourable for Indian students as the crime rate is very low, and the curriculum is updated and unique.

Therefore, the average tuition fee according to the program is-

• Undergraduate Programs are between €9,850 to €25,500 annually (INR 8,89,448- 23,02,632).

• Postgraduate Programs are between €9500 to €24500 annually (INR 8,57,843 -22,12,333).

• Doctoral Degrees are between €10000 to €35000 annually (INR 9,02,993- 31,60,475). 

Some of the top colleges that offer all the courses are 

1. Royal College of Surgeons

2. University College of Dublin

3. University College, Cork

4. Dublin City University

5. Maynooth University

6. National University of Ireland, Galway

Along with tuition and accommodation costs, food is an essential factor that cannot be neglected. Hence, Ireland is comparatively cheaper when it comes to groceries and food. The groceries are affordable; therefore, the average amount for the month comes between €250 and €350 (INR 22574- 31604).

Transport in Ireland consists of regional trains, buses, DART, local taxis and much more. An average expense for transportation would come up to  €140 (INR 12,641) per month. Although the students are advised to get a student travel card, this would reduce their travel expenses by 40%. Along with reduced prices, you, as a student, will also get quicker services even when you are far from your college.

If, as a student, you wish to travel to adjoining cities, you can travel through public transport, train, flights, or long-distance bus. There is a TFI leap card that helps you travel to other countries like Waterford, Galway, Sligo, Wexford, Cork, and others. Using a TFI Leap card makes the transactions easy and hassle-free. You can use leap cards in Bus Éireann, Irish Rail, Go Ahead, Dublin Bus and Luas as well as on commuter and rural bus services within the Transport for Ireland (TFI) public transport network.

Average monthly cost of living in Ireland for an Indian student differs from the average spending on clothing for both men and women, which ranges between €60 to €80 (INR 5417- 7223). On the other hand, if you prefer premium clothing, then the cost would increase up to €100 (INR 9029). Along with expenses on clothing, an average one- or two-bedroom apartment requires electricity for cooling garbage, which comes up to €180 (INR 16,253) per month.

With this, the average gas bill is €805 (INR 72690). The critical thing to know is that gas bills are lower in summer and higher in winter in Ireland.

Apart from the tuition fees, food, transport and utilities, there are some miscellaneous expenses that an Indian student has to incur as an international student in Ireland. Here is a list of all the miscellaneous costs which you cannot escape.

Read more :- Australia vs Ireland: Which is Better for Students? 

There are a few simple tricks to save money and live economically easily. As mentioned above, the cost of living in Ireland is higher than that of India; therefore, it is essential to consider certain things while going to Ireland and living there-

• Start with having a savings account and save some amount for emergencies.

• Lower your mobile use, which can be done by taking a prepaid number.

• Search for lenders that offer cashback or discounts; this will help lower the amount.

• Using zero percent interest credit cards would be beneficial in preventing trouble with credit scores and helping repay the debt.

It has been mentioned earlier that for a foreign student, you can decide your choice of living according to your needs and budget. Although both the facilities have their pros and cons, it depends on your priorities and preferences.

The major difference between living on-campus and off-campus is that the former is cheaper, and with better college timing, it would be helpful to go to your lectures and seminars, and you would be under security. The average cost of living on-campus would be around €4,000 (INR 3.4 lakhs) to €6,000 (INR 5 lakhs) per year and €500 (INR 42,000) on an average per month. This amount is exclusive of utilities, food, and other expenses.

Whereas living off-campus gives you the liberty to choose your living area with no restrictions, it would be more expensive as travelling costs will also be included in the same.

Read more - Prepare for IELTS

As an international student, scholarships play an important role when transferring to an entirely new country. Besides scholarships, part-time jobs also play a vital role when considering all the expenses. A part-time job allows you to pay for your expenses apart from the tuition fee.

Some of the scholarships and grants that are available in Ireland are as follows- 

• The Intel Scholarship

• The Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship

• Fulbright scholarships

• DIT Centenary Scholarship Program

• University of Cork Scholarships

• Global Excellence Graduate Scholarships

• Maynooth University Scholarships

• Caroline Walsh Bursary in Creative Writing

• Galway Mayo Institute of Technology scholarships

• V.Giri Global Excellence Scholarships

• Quercus Taught Masters Academic Scholarships

• Max Arthur Macauliffe Special Merit Scholarships

• Erasmus+

On the other hand, some of the part-time jobs you can take up as a student are- 

• Barista

• Call centres

• Tutor

• Store Assistant

• Housekeeping

• Community support worker

• Babysitter

• Parking agent

We hope you found this blog helpful in your search for universities and colleges in Ireland. In addition to the list of colleges, it provides information about the living costs in Ireland. As mentioned in the blog above, Ireland is expensive in terms of rent and other things compared to India, but the country has endless opportunities and educational courses with better citizenship programs for you to start your career ahead.

Hope you have obtained substantial information about the costs of living in Ireland for Indians. If you aim to study in Ireland or have any job-related queries, contact our expert counsellors at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC). You can also take free online counselling through our website. Our expert counsellors will provide you with the best support and guidance you need for admission and visa. In addition, they will help you shortlist the universities according to your profile. For more information or any queries, contact application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.

1. Will Indian students find Ireland expensive?

Yes, in comparison to the USA and the UK, living expenses are 220% higher than in India. This is mainly because of the country's rent and living conditions.

2. Is the tuition fee higher in Ireland as well?

Compared to the USA and the UK, tuition fees are lower in colleges in Ireland. The average tuition fees of studying at a university in Ireland will cost you somewhere between €5000 to €25000 per year. Along with the curriculum and study pattern to be unique. Ireland is one of the most prominent countries in terms of higher education. 

3. In comparison with England, is Ireland more expensive?

Studies have shown that the cost of living in Ireland is 13.97 per cent higher than the UK's. London is considered to be an expensive city, but accommodation is higher in Ireland.

4. What is the average cost of living in Ireland?

An academic year is nine months, and on average, an international student will pay around €12,000 per year. This includes rent, food, utilities, medicine, and miscellaneous expenses. 

5. Is the cost of living the same in Ireland?

No, the cost of living in Ireland also depends on the city and the university you attend. On average, accommodation is expensive in Ireland, but several factors need to be considered. 

6. What is the cost of living in Dublin for an international student?

The cost would differ according to the area of choice. However, on average, the cost of living in Dublin for a month would be €1539, which includes rent, travel, utilities, food, and miscellaneous expenses. 

7. What is the average monthly cost of living in Ireland?

Ireland comes up at 13th rank globally in terms of being an expensive place; hence, monthly living costs in Ireland are around €1200 to €2000. This excludes the monthly tuition fees that need to be paid to the university.

8. What is the average salary of a fresher in Ireland?

On course completion, a fresher in Ireland can earn up to €30,000 to €60,000 per annum. This is decent pay for a fresher to have a lifestyle and kickstart their global career.

9. Can I work part-time while studying in Ireland?

Yes, you can take up part-time jobs like a tutor, barista, store assistant, babysitting, parking agent and much more to help yourself financially and contribute to living in another country.

10. Are there scholarships available to study in Ireland?

Yes, many scholarships are available for international students who are considering Ireland as an option for higher studies. For more information about education in Ireland, you can contact our counsellors and experts at Meridean Overseas Education Consultants (MOEC) at application02@meridean.org or 1800-1230-00011.