Summary
Trinity College Dublin’s fees are different for EU and international students.
At Trinity, Irish, other EU, and UK undergraduate students only pay a reduced ‘student contribution’ of €2,350 per year in 2027/28. The remainder of the fee is covered by the state. This amount ranges from €3,331 for most Arts courses to €6,021 for Medicine.
International students pay fees of around €23,000 per year for arts courses, €30,000 per year for STEM courses, and €60,000 per year for Medicine.
Students should also take into account living costs in Dublin, which may be €15,000 at the low end, up to €30,000+ at the high end.
This guide will walk you through Trinity College Dublin fees for undergraduate degrees in the 2027/28 academic year.
We’ll break down the costs for Irish/EU students versus international students, explain why they differ, and highlight how fees vary across different courses and faculties.
You may also be interested in our analysis of Trinity’s acceptance rate for domestic and international students.
Understanding Trinity’s Fee Structure
Trinity College Dublin’s tuition fees depend on two main factors:
Student status
Are you an Irish/EU student or a Non-EU (international) student? Irish and other EU students generally pay much lower fees, thanks to government subsidies, while non-EU students pay higher international fees.
NB: Although the UK is no longer in the EU, UK students also pay Irish/EU fees thanks to a post-Brexit agreement.
Course of study
Different courses at Trinity have different fee levels. Typically, humanities and classroom-based courses are less expensive, whereas science, engineering, and especially medical courses have higher fees.
Knowing which category you fall into and what you plan to study is crucial for understanding your fee obligations. Let’s look first at what Irish and EU students pay, and then at what international students pay. We’ll also see specific examples of fees for various undergraduate courses in 2027/28.
Trinity College Dublin Fees for Irish & EU Students (2027/28)
If you are an Irish or EU student (for fee purposes this usually includes EU/UK citizens or those with permanent residency in the EU/UK), you benefit from Ireland’s Free Fees Initiative. This means the Irish government covers a substantial portion of your tuition cost for your first undergraduate degree, and you are only required to pay the Student Contribution and some other minor charges.
Student Contribution
For the 2027/28 academic year, the student contribution fee is €2,350 per year. This fee applies to all EU undergraduate students and covers student services, exam costs, and other academic administration. It’s essentially the portion of the fee that Irish/EU students pay out-of-pocket annually.
Tuition Fee (covered by the State)
In addition to the student contribution, each course has an official tuition fee amount. Irish/EU students do not usually pay this tuition fee directly if they qualify for free fees; instead, the government pays it to the university.
The amount of this tuition fee varies by course. For example, an arts or business course might have an annual tuition of about €3,331, while a science course might have a tuition of €4,982, and a medicine course is €6,021. These differences reflect the cost of delivering the programme (lab and clinical programs cost more to run than lecture-based ones).
When you combine the tuition fee and the student contribution, you get the total fee per year for an Irish/EU student. Here are typical total annual fees for Irish/EU undergraduates in 2027/28 across different course types:
| Course / Faculty (Undergraduate) | Student Contribution | EU Tuition (additional fee, generally state-funded) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business | €2,350 | €3,331 |
| STEM (Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Computing) | €2,350 | €4,982 |
| Nursing & Midwifery | €2,350 | €4,756 |
| Medicine | €2,350 | €6,021 |
| Allied Health (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiation Therapy) | €2,350 | €6,021 |
| Creative Arts (standard Drama, Film, Music courses) | €2,350 | €3,331 |
Important: To qualify for the Irish/EU fee rates, you must meet certain residency and citizenship criteria. Generally, if you are an Irish citizen or an EU/UK citizen (or have permanent residency in an EU country / the UK) and you haven’t already completed an undergraduate degree, you are eligible for the subsidised fees.
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Trinity College Dublin Fees for International Students
International students (those who do not qualify as EU students) pay full tuition fees without government subsidy. These non-EU fees are significantly higher and vary by course. If you’re an international student planning to attend Trinity in 2027/28, here’s what to expect:
| Course / Faculty (Undergraduate) | Annual Fee – Irish/EU Student | Annual Fee – International Student |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business | €5,681 total (Irish/EU student pays €2,350) | €23,250 |
| STEM | €7,332 total (Irish/EU student pays €2,350) | €30,450 |
| Nursing & Midwifery | €7,106 total (Irish/EU student pays €2,350) | €26,220 |
| Medicine | €8,371 total (Irish/EU student pays €2,350) | Up to €62,000 |
| Allied Health | €8,371 total (Irish/EU student pays €2,350) | €27,680 |
| Creative Arts | €5,681 total (Irish/EU student pays €2,350) | €23,250 |
Note: Certain specialist Creative Arts courses, such as the Bachelor in Acting at The Lir Academy, have higher tuition fees.
It’s clear that international fees are a major financial commitment. Trinity and the Irish government do offer some scholarships for non-EU students (for instance, Global Excellence scholarships) that can offset part of the cost, so it’s worth exploring those if you’re an international applicant. Additionally, non-EU students are usually required to pay a deposit when accepting an offer, which later counts toward the tuition fee.
Other Costs to Consider
While Trinity College Dublin’s tuition fees are the main focus of this guide, it’s important to briefly mention other costs associated with studying at Trinity, as aspiring students should factor these in.
Student Levies and Charges
All Trinity students must pay an annual Student Levies and Charges (SLC) fee. This is separate from tuition. It covers things like the Sports Centre membership, student facilities, graduation fees, and (from 2025/26) an Irish language levy.
For a full-time undergraduate, this charge is €212.75 per year This is paid by both Irish/EU and international students.
Accommodation and Living Expenses
Dublin is known for its high cost of living. If you’re moving to Dublin for university, you should budget for rent, utilities, food, transport, and personal expenses. On average, living costs for a student in Dublin can range from €1,600 to €3,000 per month, depending on your lifestyle and accommodation choice. That comes to roughly €19,000–€36,000 for a full year.
Trinity College estimates around €15,000 per academic year for basic living expenses (not including tuition). Living in student accommodation or shared apartments, cooking at home, and using student discounts can help manage these costs.
Books and Materials
Depending on your course, you may need to buy textbooks, equipment, or other materials. Some courses (like art/design or certain science labs) have additional materials or lab coat costs. Budget a few hundred euro per year for books and supplies – possibly more for specialised equipment (e.g. a personal laptop if required, art supplies, etc.).
Health Insurance
Non-EU international students are required to have private health insurance in Ireland. This can cost anywhere from €200 up to €1000 per year depending on the plan. It’s an important factor for visa compliance and peace of mind. EU students can use an EHIC card for public health services, but additional insurance is often recommended.
Travel and Miscellaneous
If you’re an international student, consider visa fees and flights. Even for local students, budget for commuting in Dublin – student Leap travel cards for bus/DART can cost around €80-€100 per month if you use public transport regularly.
Plus, everyone should allow some money for social life and extracurricular activities – university is more than just tuition and rent!
Final Thoughts
Planning for university finances can seem daunting, but knowing the facts about Trinity College Dublin’s fees will help you prepare.
In summary, undergraduate tuition fees at Trinity vary by your residency status and your course. Irish and EU students benefit from subsidised fees and typically pay only a €2,350 contribution each year (with the government covering the rest of the tuition, which ranges from about €3,300 to €6,000 depending on the course).
International students pay the full cost of their courses, which can range from about €23k per year for most arts programs to €30k for sciences, and much higher for medicine.
Remember to always double-check the latest fees on Trinity’s official website or contact the Academic Registry, as universities can adjust fees annually. If you’re serious about Trinity, also look into scholarships or grants that might be available to you – every little helps!
Now that you have a handle on Trinity College Dublin’s fees for undergraduate students, you can budget accordingly and focus on the exciting prospects of college life. Good luck with your application and studies at Trinity College Dublin!
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FAQs
For Irish and EU students, Trinity College Dublin fees typically include a €2,350 student contribution plus a tuition fee paid by the government (ranging from about €3,000 to €6,000 depending on the course). Most eligible students only pay the €2,350 annually.
For international students, fees are significantly higher – from €23,000 per year for arts and humanities degrees to over €30,000 for science and engineering, and up to €60,000 for medicine in the later years.
In addition to tuition, all students must pay Student Levies and Charges (SLC) of around €212 per year. You should also budget for living expenses in Dublin, which can range from €15,000–€30,000 per year depending on lifestyle and accommodation. Other potential costs include textbooks, travel, and – for international students – private health insurance and visa-related fees.
No, Trinity College Dublin fees vary by course. Arts, social sciences, and business degrees are generally less expensive, while science, engineering, nursing, and health sciences cost more due to lab or clinical components. Specialised courses like acting at The Lir Academy also have their own fee structure.
International students should expect much greater variation, with medicine and allied health programmes being the most expensive.
Despite Brexit, UK students still pay Irish/EU tuition fees at Trinity College Dublin due to a bilateral agreement. That means UK undergraduates typically only pay the €2,350 student contribution each year, provided they meet residency and eligibility requirements.
Yes, Trinity offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships for international (non-EU) students, such as the Global Excellence Scholarship. These awards vary in amount and are competitive, but they can help offset the high cost of studying at Trinity. Students should check the university’s scholarship deadlines and criteria well in advance.
Eligibility depends on your citizenship, residency status, and educational history. Generally, you qualify if you are an Irish, UK, or EU/EEA citizen (or hold long-term residency in one of these areas) and have lived in the EU/EEA/UK for at least three of the five years before your course. You must also be pursuing your first undergraduate degree. Trinity College’s admissions office can confirm your exact fee status based on your application.