The cost of medical studies in Ireland is an important factor to consider for an international student planning to pursue medicine at Irish universities. The average annual tuition for most medical programs (especially Medicine) in Ireland is 55,000 USD.
Medicine is one of the most sought-after degrees among prospective study abroad aspirants. Universities in Ireland offer undergrad, postgrad, and various entry-level courses in the area of medicine and health sciences. Ireland provides opportunities to learn through a patient-centric curriculum, making you skilled doctors at the end of the course. Also, with the degree an applicant pursues, universities provide transformational and innovative research exposures in the fields of medicine, opening up new opportunities for future gems in the field of medicine.
A very important part of the degree pathway is the tuition fee and overall cost of living in Ireland. This article provides all the details regarding the student finances required for medical studies in Ireland.
Cost of Medical studies in Ireland: Highlights
| Undergraduate tuition fees (MBBS) | 34,653 to 55,978 USD* per year |
| Duration of MBBS | 5 to 6 years |
| Postgraduate tuition fees (MSc in medical specialty) | 17,493 to 23,733 USD* per year |
| Duration of MSc in medical specialty | 1 to 2 years |
| Overall cost of living in Ireland | 8,163 to 13,994 USD* per year |
Why study medicine in Ireland?
- Six-year course
- Consistently top-ranked universities
- Top-notch faculty teams
- Culturally rich country be it art, music, or literature
- Post-study opportunities provide a considerable jump to the student’s career
MBBS In Ireland: tuition fee and cost of living
In Ireland, a bachelor’s degree in medicine, often known as an M.B. or a B.Ch., takes roughly 5 to 6 years to complete. The course is interactive and is taught through problem-based learning (PBL) methods apart from the traditional courses.
Tuition fee
The government of Ireland spends an amount of over 1 billion USD (3 billion AED) each year on research and higher education. The country hosts 9 universities and around 15 institutes providing a home for 35,000 international students each year.
An approximate tuition fee for the undergrad and postgrad medicine programs has been mentioned below.
| Course | Yearly Tuition fee (USD*) | Yearly Tuition fee (AED*) |
| Undergraduate | 34,653-55,978 | 127,280-205,608 |
| Postgraduate | 17,493-23,733 | 64,252-87,171 |
Mentioned below are the top five universities in Ireland with tuition fees for studying medicine.
| University | QS Ranking 2021 | Yearly fee (USD*/AED*) |
| Trinity College, Dublin (TCD) | 105 | 50,647 USD/ 186,025 AED |
| University College Dublin (UCD) | 151-200 | 53,313 USD/ 195,816 AED |
| University College Cork (UCC) | 151-200 | 49,314 USD/ 181,129 AED |
| Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) | 201-250 | 55,978 USD/ 205,607 AED |
| National University of Ireland, Galway | 251-300 | 34,653 USD/ 127,280 AED |
Cost of living
The cost of living in Ireland might seem a bit higher. A student can expect to spend 8,163 to 13,994 USD per year (29,988 to 51,408 AED per year).
Depending on the city of stay, living cost estimates have been mentioned below.
| City | Expense per month (USD*) | Expense per month (AED*) |
| Dublin | 1,283- 2,099 | 4,708-7,704 |
| Cork | 1,003-1,633 | 3,681-5,992 |
| Galway and other smaller towns | 933-1,283 | 3,424-4,708 |
Cost of accommodation
The average student accommodation prices in Ireland are:
| Accommodation type and related utilities | Expense per month (USD*) | Expense per month (AED*) |
| Student residence halls | 233-350 | 856-1,284 |
| Students who live alone | 466-1,050 | 1,712-3,852 |
| Student living with partner/mates | 525-641 | 1,926-2,354 |
| Campus Students | 350-758 | 1,284-2,782 |
| Utilities | 35-58 | 128-214 |
| Internet | ~70 | ~257 |
Costs of food
Food costs are not that high for students pursuing medical studies in Ireland. The monthly average food costs 291- 408 USD (1,070-1,498 AED) per month (groceries). Dining options are also available by paying ~17 USD (64 AED) in a small restaurant.
Costs for transportation
Student Leap Card or the Bus Éireann services are a benefit, cutting the cost of transportation. Students in Ireland usually prefer public transport. Train journeys are as cheap as 41 USD (150 AED) for a three hours train journey from Dublin to Cork or Galway. Monthly passes are available as well with student discounts costing around 61 USD (225 AED) per month. Hiring a bicycle is also a great option, costing about 23 USD/day (86 AED/day).
Additional expenses
The additional expenses include health insurance which is a mandate for all international students in Ireland. Also, the Irish Government offers various medical insurance plans easily available for students at costs of 53 USD/month (193 AED/month).
Other utilities which might be necessary are books and stationary costing about 87 USD/month (321 AED/month). Other social and entertainment activities cost ~99 USD/month (364 AED/month).
*Note: The tuition fees and other costs are converted based on the current exchange rate, i.e., 1 Euro = 1 USD and 1 USD = 3.67 AED. Exchange rates are subject to periodic change.