There is a thriving student scene in聽Dublin. There are four different聽universities in the city,聽as well as a number of other higher education institutions. It is an ideal city to live in as a student, as it is well-connected with public transport and it is not too big. Here is what you need to know about living in Dublin as an international student.
Universities in Dublin
Dublin聽is home to many universities. This is natural, being the capital city of Ireland, and each of them has its own distinct history and specialities. A lot of people will have heard about the world-renowned due to its role as a historical site. However, there are three other universities in the city that also hold significant influence.
University College Dublin (UCD)
聽was initially established back in 1854, and it is the most prominent university in all of Ireland. There are over 382,000 students enrolled, as well as almost over 12,500 faculty members. It is known as one of the leading universities in Europe, and there are five Nobel Laureates from the alumni and staff of the university. They also have a separate business school called the .
UCD offers a world-class MBA program, as well as master's programs for both business and non-business graduates. They also have a PhD program on offer. It has been around since 1908, and it was the first European school to offer an MBA program. As per the Financial Times rankings 2025, this is the number one business school in Ireland and is among the top 30 business schools in Europe.
Dublin City University
聽is located on the north side of the city, and its first students enrolled in 1980. It was in 1989 that it was given university status, previously being called the National Institute for Higher Education.
It has about 17,000 students, and it also incorporates three smaller educational institutes in Dublin. These are St Patrick's College, the Mater Dei Institute of Education and the Church of Ireland College of Education. They have a reputation for being a particularly strong sporting college.
Technological University Dublin
罢丑别听聽was previously known as the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT). This change came into effect on January 1, 2019, and they have a brand new campus as part of this rebrand. TUD is well known for its degrees in the likes of business, engineering, architecture, and construction. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate options.
Trinity College Dublin
聽dates back all the way to 1592, when it was founded by Queen Elizabeth I. It was initially modelled after the likes of Cambridge and Oxford. It is the oldest university in the country, and it is well known for its historical background. It is known as one of the most elite universities in Europe. TCD is located right in the centre of the city on College Green.
Its library hosts the world-famous Book of Kells, which makes it a very popular spot for tourists to visit. There are also more than 6.2 million other printed volumes at this library. There are 245 separate schools as part of its offering, with diploma and degree courses on offer for undergraduate and postgraduate levels. TCD has a beautiful campus and is well worth a walk around if and when you are in Dublin.
Enrolling and tuition fees in Dublin
If you want to enrol at one of the universities in Dublin, you need to first decide what type of course you want to do. You can look through the courses on offer on the websites of the respective universities. There will be a specific application process depending on whether you are enrolling for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate degree. There will be certain standards you will have to meet, usually based on a previous degree or standardised test you have taken.
In terms of fees, they vary depending on the course you are looking to do. These usually range from 鈧�10,000 up to 鈧�55,000 per year for undergraduate degrees. For postgraduate degrees, fees will be between 鈧�10,000 and 鈧�35,000 a year.
Student life in Dublin
Student accommodation
Finding accommodation聽is perhaps the main issue with being an international student in Dublin. Rent prices are at all-time highs in Dublin, and they don't look like dropping much anytime soon. Your best bet if you are coming to Dublin as a student is to see if there are any affordable options on campus.
There are usually only a certain number of these places available, so you will need to act fast. Otherwise, your next best option is usually sharing a house with other people, whether they are students or young professionals. House sharing is widespread in the city for those trying to afford the rent and is particularly popular among students. There are lots of Facebook groups that you can join to help you find house-sharing in the city. Search for 鈥渁ccommodation Dublin鈥�, or 鈥淒ublin Rent a Room鈥� on Facebook, and a whole range of groups will appear. Rooms in private student accommodation complexes can cost in excess of 鈧�1,000 per month.
There are also dedicated sites for finding rental accommodation in Dublin, which are a great starting point, and the most popular are , , and , which allow you to filter properties by location, price, and type.
The cost of living for students
罢丑别听聽is generally higher than in most other European cities. In fact, it is the fifth most expensive capital in Europe for living costs.
Dublin ranks among the world's top 50 most expensive cities in terms of living costs. On average, students will need around 鈧�2,500 per month to cover basic living expenses such as rent, food, transport, and entertainment.
A lot of students attempt to cut their costs as much as possible by walking or cycling to college from their home if possible. They will also bulk-make meals for the week at home rather than eating out and bring flasks of coffee instead of going to coffee shops. All of these savings add up throughout your time as a student in Dublin.
Leisure activities
As Dublin is the capital city of Ireland, you have聽countless activities to enjoy聽as an international student. On campus, you will have access to the usual types of facilities, such as a gym, swimming pool, sports, societies, arts, and so on. There will also be regular events and festivals for students taking place. The nightlife is one of the big draws for students coming to Dublin, with many innovative themes for nights being on offer.
Student discounts
When you are a student in Dublin, you will instantly be able to avail of a wide range of discounts. Some shops and restaurants will offer discounts when you present your college student card, so it is always worth asking if there is a student discount. If you buy an (ISIC), it can be used more widely, and you will receive a list of places that offer reductions for students. Clubs and bars often run Student Nights 鈥� usually midweek. You may also be able to secure additional offers when you sign up for societies at the start of the year. These discounts can prove to be very useful, saving you anywhere between 10% and 20%.
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