Can my children attend Irish state schools for free?

Yes. Children of legal residents are entitled to free education in Irish state schools from age 4 (junior infants) through to the end of secondary school (age 17–18). 'Free' means no tuition fees, but schools charge voluntary contributions (typically €100–€250/year) and families must cover books, uniforms, and school transport. School places are not always available immediately in popular areas — register early. Secondary schools (secondary 'colleges') generally offer a choice of programmes including Leaving Certificate and Transition Year.

How do I get my child into a good primary school in Dublin?

Apply directly to the school — most have their own admissions policies. Popular schools have waiting lists, so apply as early as possible (ideally before or shortly after your arrival). Schools are legally required to publish their admissions policy and criteria. For Educate Together (multi-denominational) schools, proximity to the school is often the primary criterion. For Catholic-ethos schools, siblings of current pupils are typically prioritised, then children of the faith community, then proximity. Register with multiple schools simultaneously.

What are university fees for non-EU international students?

Non-EU international students pay full international tuition fees, which vary significantly by institution and programme. Ranges: undergraduate programmes €9,850–€25,000/year (arts, science, business); medicine and veterinary science up to €55,000/year (UCD). Postgraduate programmes typically €10,000–€25,000/year. EU-eligible students (EU/EEA citizens and qualifying non-EU students resident in the EU for 3 years) pay a much lower Student Contribution Charge of approximately €3,000/year. Scholarships and bursaries are available — check individual university websites and the GOI-IES programme.

Is childcare affordable in Ireland?

Irish childcare is expensive in absolute terms — full-time creche in Dublin costs €900–€1,500/month per child. However, two government schemes significantly reduce this: the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides income-tested subsidies (apply at ncs.gov.ie), and the ECCE free pre-school scheme gives 2 free years of 15-hour/week pre-school from age 2 years 8 months. A family with one child in Dublin paying €1,200/month gross creche fees might pay €700–€900 after NCS subsidy, depending on household income. Budget for this as a major expense until children reach school age.

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🇮🇪 Ireland

Education

Ireland's education system is well-regarded internationally, with Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin ranked in the global top 200. The state school system is free for resident children, with a mix of denominational (largely Catholic), multi-denominational (Educate Together), and Irish-language schools.

Free

State School Fees

For resident children; small ancillary costs apply

€3,000/yr

University (EU Students)

Student contribution charge; full fees for non-EU

€9,850–€55,000/yr

Non-EU University Fees

Varies by university and programme

Top 160 globally

Trinity College Ranking

QS World University Rankings 2025

€10,000–€25,000/yr

International Schools (Dublin)

IB and British curriculum schools

Last updated: March 2026

Overview🏙️Dublin 🌿Cork 🌊Galway

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Overview

Key Takeaways

Primary school (ages 4–12): free; largely English-medium but with a national curriculum covering Irish language, maths, science, arts, and social studies
Trinity College Dublin (TCD): oldest university in Ireland (1592); top 160 globally (QS 2025); strong in medicine, law, engineering, business, and humanities; 20,000+ students
St Kilian's Deutsche Schule (Dublin): German curriculum; popular with German and Austrian families and those with German-language background
Creche / daycare costs: €900–€1,500/month per child in Dublin for full-time care — among the most expensive in Europe before subsidies

State School System

Ireland's state education system is free for children residing in Ireland from primary (age 4–5) through secondary (age 12–18). The system has a strong Catholic character historically, though this is changing with the growth of multi-denominational options.

Primary school (ages 4–12): free; largely English-medium but with a national curriculum covering Irish language, maths, science, arts, and social studies
Gaelscoileanna (Irish-medium primary schools): children learn all subjects through Irish (Gaeilge) — popular and often academically very strong; long waiting lists in Dublin
Junior Certificate (ages 12–15): 3-year junior cycle assessed by combination of school-based assessment and state examination
Leaving Certificate (ages 15–18): Ireland's university entrance examination; points system (CAO points) determines university entry; most STEM subjects highly valued
Educate Together: multi-denominational, child-centred schools offering a secular alternative to Catholic-ethos schools — growing network, particularly in Dublin suburbs
School places can be scarce in desirable Dublin areas — register children as early as possible; some schools have very long waiting lists

Universities and Higher Education

Ireland's university sector is internationally respected. The five main universities — Trinity College Dublin (TCD), University College Dublin (UCD), University College Cork (UCC), University of Galway (NUIG), and Maynooth University — all have strong research profiles and international student communities.

Trinity College Dublin (TCD): oldest university in Ireland (1592); top 160 globally (QS 2025); strong in medicine, law, engineering, business, and humanities; 20,000+ students
University College Dublin (UCD): Ireland's largest university with 39,000+ students; 11,000+ international students from 150 countries; strong in veterinary science, business (Smurfit School), and engineering
University College Cork (UCC): strong in medicine, pharmacy, and food science; Cork's research and innovation ecosystem
University of Galway: medical school, engineering, and social sciences; excellent research environment; 18,000+ students
EU-eligible students: pay the Student Contribution Charge (~€3,000/year); full tuition is subsidised by the state
Non-EU international students: full tuition fees typically €9,850–€55,000/year depending on programme; postgraduate programmes typically €10,000–€25,000
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES): competitive full scholarships for outstanding non-EU students — covers fees and living stipend

International Schools for Expat Families

Several international schools in Dublin offer curricula familiar to English-speaking expat families — primarily the International Baccalaureate (IB) and British/Cambridge systems — for families who need continuity across international moves.

St Kilian's Deutsche Schule (Dublin): German curriculum; popular with German and Austrian families and those with German-language background
Lycée Français d'Irlande (Dublin): French curriculum; popular with French families; some international students
The International School of Dublin: IB Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma programmes — fully English-medium and internationally recognised
Annual fees: most international schools charge €10,000–€25,000/year; some multinational employers cover or subsidise school fees for senior expat hires — negotiate in your relocation package
Many expat families choose Irish state schools, particularly at primary level — Irish children are welcoming, English is the medium of instruction, and the academic standard is good
Third-level pathway: Leaving Certificate is well-recognised by international universities; IB Diploma (from international schools) is an alternative for students targeting UK, US, or other non-Irish universities

Childcare and Early Education

Childcare in Ireland is expensive relative to European peers, though government support schemes have significantly reduced costs for eligible families since 2022.

Creche / daycare costs: €900–€1,500/month per child in Dublin for full-time care — among the most expensive in Europe before subsidies
National Childcare Scheme (NCS): income-based subsidy for children from 6 months to school age — most expat families in professional employment receive some subsidy; apply via ncs.gov.ie
Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme: free 2 years of pre-school (approximately 15 hours/week, term-time) for children aged 2 years and 8 months to 5.5 years — significant saving
Au pair: a popular option for Dublin families; au pairs from EU countries are straightforward; non-EU au pairs require appropriate immigration permission
After-school clubs: most primary schools offer after-school care programmes (€150–€250/month); private after-school providers also available
Childminder sharing: informal childminder-sharing arrangements between two or three families can reduce costs significantly in areas where supply is tight

FAQs