Ireland 2015/16 - student fees and grants

National student fee

For the first cycle, full-time EU students are exempt from full tuition fees if they are first-time undergraduates, hold inter alia EU/EEA/Swiss nationality in their own right, and have been ordinarily resident in an  EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. However, these students nevertheless pay a 'student contribution' of EUR 3 000 per academic year. Full-time EU students who do not meet the terms of the 'free fees' scheme must pay a consolidated fee covering both tuition fee and  student contribution – the average EU consolidated fee is EUR 6 000.

For the second cycle, the majority of students pay tuition fees that are set by higher education institutions, and that may reach EUR 30 000 per year.

Part-time fees are generally half of full tuition fees for full-time  programmes.

In both cycles, international student fees are generally two to three times higher than those of full EU fees and are set by the higher education institutions.

Student grants

Need-based grants are provided to full-time students by the Department of Education & Skills. Their amounts range from EUR 305 to 5 915 per academic year, depending on means, family size and distance from institutions. Students who qualify for grants also have the student contribution or tuition fees paid on their behalf.

The same department provides bursaries with a value of EUR 2 000 per academic year. The bursaries require qualification under both merit and need-based criteria.

Students need to satisfy specific conditions of residence, means, nationality and previous academic attainment to be eligible for grants. Students have to be enrolled full-time.

Loans

No loans or family allowances.

Tax benefit for student's parents

Tax relief is available for the expenses paid for tuition fees at a recognised higher education institution.

Family allowances

No loans or family allowances.