Last Updated: May 2, 2026
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š” Prices shown are per person when sharing with 2-3 roommates
All international students MUST have health insurance in Ireland. Options include:
š” EXPERT INSIGHT
“Don’t let Dublin’s high costs discourage you. Cork and Galway have excellent universitiesāUCC and NUI Galway are globally rankedāat 25-30% lower living costs. Plus, the Indian community in these cities is growing rapidly. Many of our students prefer Cork for its balance of quality and affordability.”
ā Saumitra Rajput, Founder, Kadamb Overseas (15+ years experience)
š STUDENT SUCCESS STORY
Harshal from Gujarat chose UCC (Cork) over Dublin for his MSc in Data Science. “My monthly expenses are around ā¹75,000 in Cork vs ā¹1.1 lakh my friends pay in Dublin. I work part-time at a tech startup (ā¬14/hour) and cover almost all my living costs. The quality of education is the same, but I’m saving ā¹4-5 lakh over my 2-year program!”
Now interning at a Dublin tech company with return offer š¼
| Rent (shared) | ā¹60,000 |
| Food & Groceries | ā¹22,000 |
| Transport | ā¹8,000 |
| Utilities | ā¹9,000 |
| Phone/Internet | ā¹3,500 |
| Entertainment | ā¹6,000 |
| TOTAL | ā¹1,08,500 |
| Rent (shared) | ā¹42,000 |
| Food & Groceries | ā¹18,000 |
| Transport | ā¹5,000 |
| Utilities | ā¹7,000 |
| Phone/Internet | ā¹3,000 |
| Entertainment | ā¹5,000 |
| TOTAL | ā¹80,000 |
For an Ireland student visa, you must show ā¬10,000 (approximately ā¹9.3 lakh) as proof of funds for living expenses. This is in addition to your first year’s tuition fees. You’ll also need health insurance and accommodation proof. The funds should be in a bank account for at least 3-6 months before applying.
Dublin IS expensiveāexpect ā¹1-1.2 lakh/month. However, it’s justified if you’re targeting tech jobs (Google, Meta, Apple are there) or specific Dublin-only programs. If budget is a concern, Cork (UCC), Galway (NUI Galway), or Limerick (UL) offer 25-35% lower costs with excellent universities. Many students start in these cities and move to Dublin after graduation for jobs. Learn more about Ireland university options.
Yes, partially! At minimum wage (ā¬13.50/hour) working 20 hours/week, you can earn ā¹1 lakh/month. In Cork or Galway, this covers 100%+ of living costs. In Dublin, it covers about 80-90%. During holidays (40 hours allowed), you can earn ā¹2 lakh/month. However, don’t rely solely on part-time work for your first few monthsājobs take time to find.
Limerick is the most affordable major student city in Ireland, with monthly costs of ā¹65,000-80,000. The University of Limerick (UL) is well-ranked and has an excellent co-op program for internships. Galway and Cork are slightly more expensive but still 25-30% cheaper than Dublin.
Accommodation ranges from:
ā¢ Dublin: ā¬600-900/month shared (ā¹56-84K)
ā¢ Cork: ā¬400-550/month shared (ā¹37-51K)
ā¢ Galway: ā¬350-500/month shared (ā¹33-47K)
ā¢ Limerick: ā¬300-450/month shared (ā¹28-42K)
University dorms are slightly cheaper but limited. Start searching 3-4 months before arrival!
Yes! All major Irish cities have Asian supermarkets stocking Indian groceriesārice, dal, spices, snacks, and even frozen parathas. Dublin has the most options (Asia Market, Indian supermarkets in Parnell Street area). Cork and Galway also have good Asian stores. Many students cook Indian food at home to save money. Indian restaurants exist but are expensive (ā¬12-18 per meal).
Total 2-year cost estimate (tuition + living):
ā¢ Dublin: ā¹45-55 lakh (tuition ā¹18-25L + living ā¹25-30L)
ā¢ Cork/Galway: ā¹35-45 lakh (tuition ā¹15-22L + living ā¹18-22L)
ā¢ Limerick: ā¹32-40 lakh (tuition ā¹14-20L + living ā¹16-20L)
Part-time work can recover ā¹15-20 lakh of this over 2 years. Book a consultation for personalized estimates.
September 2026 applications are now open. Get expert guidance on university selection, realistic budget planning, and visa process.
š In Your Session:
š +91-9913333239 |
š¬ WhatsApp Us
š Kadamb Overseas, Shahabad, Ahmedabad | ā° Mon-Sat: 10AM – 7PM IST
Founder & European Education Expert
With 15+ years experience helping 500+ Indian students study abroad, Saumitra provides realistic budget guidance based on actual student experiences in Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, and other European countries.
Get free expert guidance from our experienced counselors
Saumitra Rajput
Saumitra Rajput is the founder and lead counsellor at Kadamb Overseas, India's trusted Europe education consultancy based in Ahmedabad. With 14+ years of hands-on experience, he has personally guided 500+ students to universities across Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Austria, and Spain. Saumitra has visited partner universities across Europe, holds deep expertise in European visa processes, scholarships, and student life, and has achieved a 97% visa success rate for his clients. He is the host of the YouTube channel "Europe with Saumitra", where he shares first-hand insights on studying and living in Europe. His mission: make Europe accessible to every Indian student, with zero consultancy fees.
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