Eligible EU/EEA, Swiss and UK students pay no tuition for a first undergraduate degree at a public institution in Ireland – only a Student Contribution of at most €2,500 a year (2026/27); non-EU fees are usually €9,850–25,500. Programmes are taught almost entirely in English at 7 universities, 5 technological universities and other public institutions. See how CAO applications work and what Dublin costs.
For the first year of a bachelor's programme you apply through the CAO (Central Applications Office) – one application for all institutions. The 2026 timetable was:
Check the 2027 dates on cao.ie – they are similar every year. Institutions (e.g. UCD) ask you to send certified copies of your certificates with an English translation within 10 days of applying. Send your final exam results as soon as possible – results that arrive after 1 August may be too late for the first round of offers.
If you are from outside the EU/EEA, Education in Ireland advises you to contact the international office of your chosen institution first – it will tell you how to apply. Do it early: you need a letter of acceptance and proof that you have paid your fees before you can apply for a visa, and a decision can take around 8 weeks (see: Residence and formalities).
For a master's programme you apply directly to the institution.
Sources: European Commission – Study in Europe (education.ec.europa.eu/study-in-europe), Eurostat, official national study and residence portals and authorities, Eurodesk, enic-naric.net, studentnews.eu. As of September 2026.
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