Dublin Universities: The Ultimate Guide to Picking Your BEST School
Picking the right university seems like the most daunting task as a soon-to-be fresh high school graduate. It’s the next FOUR years of your life! And aren’t your college years supposed to be some of the best? My college experience was definitely amazing and I wouldn’t change it for anything! But there are still a few things I wish I had considered… one of which would have been looking at international schools, and especially Dublin universities.
I studied abroad for a semester at Trinity College Dublin and had the BEST time!
After living in Ireland (and having talked to a good friend who went to school full time in Scotland), I wish I had known how easy it would have been to pick an international university. The quality of education felt on par with my American university, and it gave me a more well-rounded view of the world.
Dublin is one of those magical cities that, despite the size, makes you feel like you are a part of something. The people are some of the friendliest I have ever encountered, and the pace of life is much slower than in America.
The Irish appreciate the little things in life, and they definitely know how to appreciate a good time! But they also care about their education and how they interact in their communities.
If you have been considering going to university in Dublin, I highly recommend it! Even if you have narrowed down your location, picking your university is still daunting.
Here is my comprehensive guide to help you pick the best Dublin university to have your perfect college experience!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• 5 General Facts About Dublin Universities
• How Many Universities Are in Dublin?
• How Do Dublin Universities Rank?
• What Is the Most Prestigious University in Ireland?
• How Much Does It Cost to Study in Ireland?
• What Are the Tuition Fees for Non-EU/EEA Students?
• Are Scholarships Available?
• What Is the Cost of Living in Dublin?
• Is Dublin Good For International Students?
• So Should I Go to a Dublin University?
5 General Facts About Dublin Universities
1. The academic year in Ireland is September through June and usually consists of 2 semesters.
2. Your classes at Dublin universities will be taught in English, as that is the predominant language spoken. Despite being required to take it as kids, most Irish students actually don’t even know that much Irish!
3. You can study full-time or part-time at Dublin universities. It will take you about 3-4 years to finish your undergraduate degree as a full-time student. Ireland also has some programs offering master’s degrees in one year.
4. The grading scale in Ireland might be different than what you are used to (it definitely was a big shock to me coming from the U.S.!) You will be graded on a scale of 1-70 instead of 1-100, so don’t be shocked if you receive a much lower score than you are used to!
5. What are known as “clubs” at an American University are called “societies” in Ireland. I was almost overwhelmed with how much I could join!
I ended up in the Philosophical society (and was able to watch some very interesting debates), DU Dance, Trinity Hiking, and the Historical Society just to name a few.
How Many Universities Are in Dublin?
There are 5 public universities in Dublin.
1. Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Location: Located straight in the heart of Dublin’s city center, TCD is popular for its ease of access to the city. There are restaurants, pubs, shopping centers, and entertainment surrounding the campus.
Known for: Being the oldest university (1592) in Ireland, and some pretty credible alumni such as Oscar Wilde and Courtney Love.
If you have seen any photos of Irish Universities, it is probably this one. Between the beautiful library and its convenient location, it can be quite a tourist destination.
Out of all the universities, this probably fits the stereotype best for “posh” upscale European university, though it definitely goes beyond that as well.
Popular fields of study: Trinity College ranks in the top 50 for English Language and Literature, Classics and Ancient History, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, and Nursing.
Student life: There are over 170 societies and sports clubs. I personally found Trinity students to be very involved in activities and pretty well-balanced with their studies and staying physically active and socially engaged.
There was a little bit of something for everyone, and being involved in societies and groups seemed to be pretty popular. The campus is very welcoming and always bustling with friendly students!
2. University College Dublin (UCD)
Location: It is located about 6km south of Dublin’s city center, so there is a bit more of a laid-back feel to it. The campus boasts beautiful parklands that help it to feel a bit more rural than living in a big city.
Known for: Having the largest student population and strong support for international students from their Office of Global Engagement. UCD has a much more modern feel to the campus, and this is reflected in its popular fields of study.
Popular fields of study: Veterinary Science, sports-related subjects, Library & Information Management, and Petroleum Engineering.
Student life: With plenty of societies and sports clubs to choose from, student life is great here as well. Some say that it feels like many of the students stick with their high school mates.
This is actually somewhat typical of all Irish universities since Irish students tend to continue to live at home and commute.
However, there is a very active student union that creates plenty of opportunities to meet other students and get involved in activities.
3. Dublin City University (DCU)
Location: It is located about 7km north of Dublin’s city center. While it is still easy to get into the city, the campus is definitely much more surrounded by family houses.
Known for: Being the newest university in Ireland (1975), which makes the campus feel more modern here too.
Popular fields of study: Business and technology are some of the more popular fields, but there is a wide range of disciplines including the humanities, social sciences, health, engineering, and computing.
Student life: DCU is known for having a thriving campus. The students are often very involved in societies and enjoy a fair amount of good-natured inter-collegiate competitiveness.
There is definitely a fun rivalry between DCU and Trinity, which I found out while we were on their campus for a dance competition!
4. Technological University Dublin (TU)
Location: The main campus is just 3km north of the city center which is a great location for people who want to experience the city without actually fighting the tourists and center city traffic each day.
Though the three campuses are spread out they are accessible by public transportation.
Known for: This university takes a much more entrepreneurial and industry-focused approach. This school is best for people who know exactly what they want to do as a career and prefer a bit more hands-on practical experience such as community-based learning events.
Institutes offer diplomas and certification courses rather than universities that focus more on research.
Popular fields of study: As a multi-campus university there are plenty of options for fields of study. TU is made up of the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) which has a focus on engineering, science, marketing, pharmaceuticals, and journalism.
The Institute of Technology Blanchardstown (ITB) offers courses in a wide range of subjects and has awards from higher certificates to PhDs.
And the Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT) offers courses in advertising and marketing, accountancy and professional services, computing and IT, science and engineering, and the humanities.
Student life: There is a wide range of societies and sports clubs to join, and they place a high emphasis on international students with their dedicated international office staff.
Classes are small so you will probably have a better chance of connecting with students in your field/classes than at some of the larger universities.
5. Maynooth University (NUIM)
Location: This university is 25km west of Dublin’s city center but it is easily accessible by car, bus, or train. It is also Ireland’s only university town. If you are looking for a more traditional, university-centered experience then Maynooth might be a good choice for you.
Known for: Being an engaged university that is quickly growing. The nature of being a university town helps the students to engage with their community better.
Popular fields of study: Arts, Celtic Studies, Philosophy, Social Sciences, and Science and Engineering.
Student life: The university puts a strong emphasis on having well-rounded students, which is clear through their abundance of student life experiences and offerings.
The Irish, in general as a society, are well-rounded and appreciate the fun in life. Pretty much all of the Dublin universities will offer a range of societies and clubs to participate in.
It is more a matter of how much city life you want to throw into the mix in addition to your university’s offerings.
How Do Dublin Universities Rank?
Dublin Universities rank pretty highly overall, both out of Irish universities as well as international. With the highest concentration of universities across the country, you really can’t go wrong with picking a good Dublin university.
#1 Ireland / #101 international – Trinity College
#2 Ireland / #177 international – University College Dublin
#5 Ireland / #439 international – Dublin City University
#7 Ireland / #701 international – Maynooth University
#8 Ireland / #801 international – Technological University Dublin
*These rankings come from the QS World University Rankings, which surveys a large number of academic experts about the reputation of universities in addition to measuring the quality of teaching.
What Is the Most Prestigious University in Ireland?
Trinity College is the most prestigious and highest-ranked of the Dublin universities, and any university in Ireland.
I really had no idea how prestigious though, until I was there.
I would meet Irish students from other universities and their response when I said I was studying at Trinity would always be “Oh wow, you must be really smart.” But I would always feel like a bit of a fraud because I’m pretty sure it was just especially easy for me since I was a semester abroad student transferring from another university!
How Much Does It Cost to Study at Dublin Universities?
Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degrees are actually free for citizens from Ireland, EU/EEA countries, and Switzerland.
The costs are covered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), though sometimes not all costs are covered so always do your own research and check the official pages. As an American student paying thousands of dollars a year, this is so cool to me!
What Are the Tuition Fees at Dublin Universities for Non-EU/EEA Students?
Undergraduate courses range from about 9,850 – 55,000 EUR/year and postgraduate master’s and Ph.D. courses range from about 9,950 – 35,000 EUR/year.
All international students (both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA citizens) have to pay a student contribution fee of a maximum of 3,000 EUR/year for student services such as examination entries and club and society offerings. The fee varies from one university to another, and it can change every year.
According to GoOverseas, this is an example of tuition for a semester of direct enrollment (2020-2021) at Dublin universities, all depending on the area of study:
- Trinity College Dublin: $9,915 – $13,145
- University College Dublin: $5,770 – $32,210
- Maynooth University: $7,905 – $8,785
Are Scholarships Available at Dublin Universities?
Yes! Education in Ireland provides a list of scholarships and states there are hundreds available for international students.
There are plenty of other opportunities to find international student scholarships, such as this site.
Or, get creative by starting with your local community, school, church, etc. to see if they have any opportunities to help you fund your studies.
What Is the Cost of Living in Dublin?
The cost of living in Dublin can range from 1,100 – 2,500+ EUR/month with rent alone often in the 1,000-2,000 EUR range for a one-bedroom apartment.
I was pretty surprised to find that the cost of living was so high, but you have to keep in mind that it is still a fairly big European city.
Finding affordable housing in Dublin can be pretty tricky. If you want to read some of my tips for accommodation in Dublin, click here.
Students can often find discounts or deals in restaurants, pubs, etc., and can benefit from discounts for transportation if they use the Student Leap Card or the Bus Éireann services to travel around the country.
For more information on living in Dublin, read this guide for expats:
Is Dublin Good For International Students?
I found Dublin incredibly open and friendly towards international students.
~20% of students are international, and the universities typically have an international office that will help students moving to Dublin get set up and adjusted to life in Ireland.
People are just so friendly in Ireland too! Almost all Irish people I met were friendly and talkative and showed interest in where I was from and why I was living in Ireland.
In addition, it is pretty easy to fly out of Dublin. The airport is not very big or hard to navigate, and flights to European countries are cheap.
I was able to visit a handful of other countries on the weekends. I simply took the bus straight to the airport and would easily be back for class on Monday!
In my classes (especially as a Sociology major!) I found discussion sections incredibly interesting and insightful because there were just so many opinions from across the world being represented.
The section leader would open up a question and you would get opinions on how different countries view the topic from Irish students, American students, Chinese, Germans, Australians, and the list goes on.
So Should I Go to a Dublin University?
Absolutely! At least I think so. Studying for a semester at Trinity College was honestly some of the best few months of my time in college, and I actually wish I had gone there for longer.
I was never bored in Dublin! I was either running to a society event, finding an activity to do in the Trinity gym, watching live music, or visiting a pub with my new friends.
I constantly found myself in engaging conversations with people from around the world, and I genuinely felt like I learned and grew more in just a few months than I would have in a year back home.
Each university in Dublin has its own advantages, but all of them are quality schools with plenty of activities to get involved in. Whichever school you choose you will grow in your academic field, learn plenty about yourself and what you want out of life and a career, and you will have the time of your life!
☘️FAQs About Ireland☘️
✈️ Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to Ireland?
1. Scott’s Cheap Flights – FREE flight deals alert, works best if you can be flexible
2. Skyscanner – FREE search engine, great for budget flights + deal
❗Is Travel Insurance Required in Ireland?
No, it’s not.
However, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance any time you travel in case of injury, accident, lost luggage, missed flight, etc. The best and most affordable travel/expat insurance is Safety Wing.
>>>CLICK HERE FOR INFO
☔️ When Is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?
Summer (June-August) – is the warmest and rains the least but you will have the most crowds.
Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) – are cooler and have more rain but you will beat the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall).
🏠 Where Should You Stay in Ireland?
Hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and house sitting are all available in Ireland for accommodation. My top recommendations for each are:
• Booking.com
• Hostelworld
• Vrbo (usually better options than Airbnb in Ireland)
• Trusted Housesitters (watch a home/pets in return for a FREE place to stay)
☘️ Where Can You Find Tours?
I found incredible tours in Ireland >>>HERE for private and guided group tours of both the most popular attractions and ones that fit your specific interests.
🚘 Should You Rent a Car in Ireland?
I always tell my friends and family to rent a car in Ireland so that they don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and wonderful things to do in between the big cities! However, if you plan to stay only in the cities, then you should be fine getting by with buses and walking.
>>> What to know about driving in Ireland
>>> The best car rental in Ireland
🍻 Make sure to try out the pubs! Even if you don’t drink, the atmosphere, live music, and friendly people are very uniquely Irish.
This was a very insightful and encouraging post.
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