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College Funding Options

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Paying for a university education can be expensive and overwhelming, but there are options beyond bank loans and part-time jobs. There are many scholarships, grants, and bursaries available based on, among other things, where you live, the clubs you are a member of, your subject of study, and your own personal background.

Undergraduate Fees and The Free Fees Initiative

For undergraduate study, many first-time students qualify to have their core tuition fees covered by the State under the Free Fees Initiative. In order to qualify, the course must be full-time and of at least two years’ duration. You cannot already hold an equivalent qualification, and you cannot be repeating the year because of previously failing your exams. You must also be an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK national or meet specific residency requirements.

There is no separate application for the Free Fees Initiative; eligibility is assessed by your chosen institution based on the information you give when registering. However, the initiative does not cover everything. Students are still liable for the Student Contribution Charge. Following recent government budgets, the standard student contribution charge was permanently reduced and sits at €2,500 per year (as of the 2025/2026 academic year). Additionally, most colleges have minor extra charges, such as sports centre or student union levies.

Postgraduate Fees

For postgraduate study, there is much more variation among the different universities’ fees. Fees for research degrees typically average around €5,000 to €6,000 per year, while fees for taught Master’s degree programmes can range anywhere from €6,000 to over €15,000. Professional programmes cost significantly more—for example, the charge for an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) can reach €35,000 or higher. While the cost of tuition and living expenses can be daunting, try not to let this deter you. There are many funding opportunities offered by government agencies, the colleges themselves, and private organisations.

SUSI Grants (Student Universal Support Ireland)

If you need assistance with the Student Contribution Charge or living costs, you may qualify for funding if you satisfy the conditions of the national student grant scheme. Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. (This centralised system replaced the old grants administered through County Councils and VECs).

SUSI provides means-tested maintenance grants (to help with day-to-day living costs) and fee grants (to cover the Student Contribution Charge or postgraduate fees). Eligibility is based on your household’s reckonable income from the previous year, the distance you live from your college, and the level of the course you are attending. Applications are made online at susi.ie.

Scholarships and Bursaries

In searching for funding, you will encounter the terms fellowship, scholarship, and bursary. These terms are often used interchangeably. General scholarships may be awarded based on academic merit (such as achieving high Leaving Certificate points or maintaining a minimum college GPA), while bursaries are typically awarded based on financial need or to support under-represented groups.

Industry and Subject-Specific Scholarships

There are usually more opportunities to acquire funding when the subject studied is in high demand, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths). For example, the Intel Women in Technology Scholarship provides financial assistance and mentoring to female undergraduates studying computer science, engineering, or related fields. Professional bodies, such as the Irish Tax Institute, also occasionally offer third-level scholarship programmes for those interested in specific career paths.

Community and Area-Based Funding

Some Credit Unions award education grants or bursaries in their catchment areas for students studying at all levels of higher education. For example, many regional credit unions hold annual draws offering €1,000 to €3,000 bursaries to members entering third-level education for the first time. Sports groups, such as local GAA and Rugby clubs, frequently offer competitive educational bursaries to their members who excel both on the pitch and in the classroom.

Access Route Bursaries

Both scholarships and bursaries are often targeted to specific demographics, such as single parents, students with disabilities, or those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Notable schemes include:

  • The All Ireland Scholarship Scheme: Backed by JP McManus, this provides third-level education scholarships to top-performing Leaving Certificate students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • The 1916 Bursary Fund: This fund aims to encourage participation in higher education by people from sections of society that are significantly under-represented.
  • HEAR and DARE: While primarily alternative admissions routes (Higher Education Access Route and Disability Access Route to Education), students who enter via these pathways can often avail of the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) or targeted institutional bursaries once registered.

Fellowships and Research Grants

Fellowships are usually based on skill and qualifications to work in a certain field, as opposed to financial need. Often, Fellowships act as payment for some type of research work, fieldwork, or teaching at the college level while obtaining a Master’s degree or PhD. They are intended to support the student so they may focus on their study without needing external employment. These stipends can range from €18,000 to over €22,000 per year.

The primary state funder for this level of study is Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland (established in August 2024 following the amalgamation of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council). Research Ireland holds highly competitive annual calls—such as the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme—for students entering postgraduate research across all disciplines, from arts and humanities to biomedical science and zoology.

Erasmus+ Programme

The Erasmus+ programme allows registered undergraduate and postgraduate students to apply for financial support to spend between three and twelve months studying or working in another participating country. Eligible countries include all EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, and Turkey.

Where to Start

Colleges often provide funding themselves. The faculty and departmental websites of your chosen institution will detail the specific bursaries and academic prizes on offer. In addition, check each university’s Graduate Studies website for information about postgraduate funding.

Funding agencies encourage education as a vital investment in the community and the future. People who have the ambition and ability should be supported, so if you require funding for your education, do not hesitate to explore the options outlined above. Your college’s Access Office or Student Services team will usually be very helpful to prospective students.

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