Study Abroad Programs in Dublin, Ireland

If you are looking for an unforgettable European study abroad experience without the language barrier, Dublin should be at the top of your list. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can call the city home -- you’ll be tapping your toes to a traditional Irish band in your local pub, a pint of Guinness in hand, in no time.

Ever since Ireland joined the E.U., Dublin has expanded into one of Europe’s coolest, most cosmopolitan cities. Cultural, vibrant, and historical, it offers the excitement of a city like London or Berlin with a more friendly, down-to-earth vibe, made possible by its friendly, down-to-earth locals. Read on to learn why and how you can study abroad in Dublin, Ireland.

As the cultural capital of Ireland, there is always something fun or interesting to do in Dublin outside of school hours. Meanwhile, its compact layout, welcoming locals, and extensive international community make it easy to settle in.

Culture & Immersion

You shouldn’t have any trouble immersing yourself into Dublin's culture in and outside the classroom. The city's international student community will welcome you with open arms, but so will the locals. Irish people pride themselves on their “craic” (pronounced “crack”) -- essentially, their sense of humor. They are fun, friendly, and welcoming, and well worth getting to know.

Make sure you make an active effort to look beyond the other international students when meeting new people while studying abroad -- making a couple of Irish friends in Dublin is the easiest way to start feeling at home.

Culture Shock & Support

Although Ireland is an English-speaking country with a globalized Western culture, you will probably still feel some sort of culture shock in Dublin. You might have some trouble understanding someone’s accent or slang or, as an American, you will have to suffer through the constant assumption that you’re a tourist. You will probably notice how things are done differently than back home, whether at grocery stores, at school administration offices, or during interactions with locals.

There are some differences between Irish and American culture, but they are subtle. For example, Irish people tend to be non-confrontational and are not always comfortable talking about their feelings. Learning to pick up on these cues will help you assimilate to your new environment faster.

Dublin has a huge community of ex-pats and overseas students. If you’re feeling homesick or need help settling in, it’s easy to find people from anywhere around the world. Your university is likely to have loads of support for international students and there are also plenty of meetups you can find online.

Lifestyle

Unlike most places in the U.S., almost no one drives in Dublin. You will most likely end up walking everywhere or taking public transport (it’s better for you and for the environment!).

The Irish do love a good pint and a trip to the pub, but getting visibly drunk is generally frowned upon. As with most countries around the world, this is slightly different in student communities. Know your limits and stay safe -- although chances are the eye-watering price of a pint will keep you from overindulging.

Insider Tips on Studying Abroad in Dublin

Avoid relying on the Dublin buses, as they are famously unreliable. They are often late (or don’t show up at all), and you have to pay full fare for every bus you take, even when you have to change buses. Don’t be intimidated by the weather and make walking your main form of transport.

Speaking of the weather, it’s more unpredictable than outright bad. It does rain often, but it’s usually for a short time, so don’t let the promise of rain discourage you from leaving the house. A great rainy day activity is enjoying one of Dublin’s museums, which are mostly free.

You are likely to get a lot of support from your university, and the lack of language barrier is definitely going to make things easier for you. Make sure you use all of the resources available to you to make the transition easier.

Study Abroad Course Types in Dublin

There are three ways you can enroll in an Irish university: direct enrollment (enrolling directly with the university), direct exchange (enrolling through an exchange program with your university, and third-party provider (paying a third-party organization to take care of application and enrollment). There are pros and cons to studying abroad through direct enrollment vs. a program provider.

Aside from this, pretty much any subject you could want to study will be offered in one of Dublin’s universities. These include Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, Dublin City University, and the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Many students choose to study subjects such as art, history, business, politics, and more while in Dublin. Since the city has been the home of great literary figures such as Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett, taking writing-related courses is also popular.

Housing in Dublin, Ireland

Most universities have their own student accommodation. You will have your own private room (sometimes en-suite, sometimes not), and share a kitchen with other students. Places are limited, but some universities give priority to arriving international students.

There are also several companies offering private student accommodation for those studying abroad in Dublin. The arrangement is pretty much the same as a university dorm but tends to be more expensive. However, these private dorms are often more modern and have nicer facilities.

Alternatively, you can look for a regular flat to rent. Many people prefer this since they can feel much more at home than in student housing. Housing in Dublin isn’t cheap, so it's likely that you're going to be sharing with flatmates. A one-bedroom apartment in Dublin's city center costs about 1,700 € per month.

Transportation

Dublin is relatively small, and you will rarely need to walk more than half an hour to get anywhere within the city center. The main forms of public transport are the bus, the DART (suburban commuter train), and LUAS (city tram).

It’s a relatively bike-friendly city, and cycle lanes are growing, but cyclists should be careful -- most Dublin drivers aren’t too used to sharing the road yet.

Ask anyone what they like least about living in Dublin, and chances are they will say the cost. That said, there are ways to keep the expenses down and still have fun while studying abroad in Dublin. After all, isn’t being at least a bit broke part of the student experience?

Cost of Living in Dublin

Eating and drinking out is expensive: that iconic pint of Guinness will set you back €5 to €8, and a cheap restaurant meal will cost around €15. Students studying abroad in Dublin usually money save by cooking at home and shopping in cheaper supermarkets like Lidl or Aldi.

Rent in the city pretty much matches the cost of living in other major European cities like London or Paris. A studio flat in a central area can easily cost upwards of €1,700 a month, but you can save money by sharing with flatmates or living in student accommodation.

Ireland Visas

After you are accepted at a university, you will need to apply for a long-term student visa to legally live and study in Dublin. This can be done online and can take up to 8 weeks to process, so make sure you give yourself enough time.

You will need to apply for a Single Entry visa (€60) to enter Ireland for the first time. Then, you can register with the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) as a resident as apply for a Re-Entry Visa so you can travel outside the country and come back.

EU and EEA Nationals do not need a visa to study in Dublin, Ireland.

Can You Work While Studying Abroad in Dublin?

EU and EEA Nationals can work freely in Ireland. For everyone else, your student visa entitles you to work up to 20 hours a week during term time and 40 hours a week during holidays. This means you can easily make some money to help you fund your studies.

Scholarships

There are plenty of study abroad scholarships and grants available to help students cover tuition and living costs in Dublin. Some of these are funded by the Government of Ireland, while most of them correspond to specific institutions in both Ireland and in countries around the world.

Several American colleges have connections with Irish universities, which is particularly useful for exchange students.