Dublin Business School: Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships Guide for International Students

Dublin Business School, usually called DBS, is a private third-level college in the centre of Dublin, at Aungier Street in Dublin 2. It teaches undergraduate, postgraduate, and professional programs in business, arts, law, and professional accountancy, including preparation for ACCA qualifications, and offers full-time, part-time, evening, and online study. This guide covers exactly what Dublin Business School international students need to know: accreditation, admissions requirements, tuition costs, campus life, and Ireland's post-study stay-back visa.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution type: Private college of higher education
• Location: Aungier Street, Dublin 2, in the city centre of Dublin, Ireland
• Subject areas: business, arts, law, and professional accountancy such as ACCA
• Study modes: full-time, part-time, evening, and online
• Accreditation: undergraduate and part-time degrees recognised by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
• Student groups served: non-EU international students, EU students, and US study-abroad participants
• Global ranking: not featured in QS or Times Higher Education tables

Rankings and reputation

DBS is a teaching-focused private college and does not appear in QS or Times Higher Education rankings, which measure research-intensive universities. Its credibility rests on accreditation: its programs are recognised within Ireland's national framework by Quality and Qualifications Ireland, the state body that oversees qualifications, and it also prepares students for professional accountancy exams. Applicants should verify the recognition and level of the specific qualification they will receive on the QQI register, since Irish qualifications sit at defined levels on a national framework and the level affects both progression and post-study visa eligibility.

Academics and signature programs

DBS offers degrees and postgraduate programs in business management, accounting and finance, marketing, human resource management, law, psychology, and arts subjects, alongside professional accountancy tuition. Class sizes are generally small, and the college's central location lets students combine study with part-time work or internships in Dublin's business district. All teaching is in English.

Admissions and international eligibility

DBS does not publish an acceptance rate, and admission is based on your prior qualifications and English proficiency. Non-EU applicants apply through the international admissions team, who guide them through the Irish student visa process and post-admission immigration requirements.

English language requirements

• IELTS Academic: minimum overall score of 6.0
• Duolingo English Test: 95 or an equivalent recognised score
• TOEFL and other recognised English tests are accepted at published equivalents
• Confirm the exact requirement for your program with admissions

Application checklist

Applicants typically submit certified transcripts, proof of English proficiency, a CV or statement where required, passport details, and financial evidence, then apply for an Irish study visa once they hold an offer. Standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT are not normally required.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

DBS publishes its non-EU fees in an official international fee sheet, which I was unable to read directly, so the figures below come from third-party sources and should be checked against DBS's own document. Third-party summaries indicate that a year of non-EU tuition is typically at least around €10,000 to €11,000, and cite an MBA first-year fee of about €13,500. Fees differ by program and year, so treat these as rough guides.

Estimated living costs in Dublin

• Dublin is Ireland's most expensive city for accommodation, and rent is the largest single cost
• Non-EU students must prove sufficient funds as part of the Irish student visa application
• DBS offers accommodation support through partner providers, including purpose-built student accommodation and homestay options
• The central Aungier Street location means many students can walk or use Dublin's public transport with a student Leap Card
• Private medical insurance is required for most non-EU students

Scholarships and financial support

DBS may offer scholarships or fee discounts, but I could not confirm current amounts or eligibility from DBS's own pages. Applicants should ask the international admissions team directly which awards apply to their nationality and program, and should treat advertised discounts from agents as unconfirmed until DBS states them in writing.

Campus life and student support

DBS occupies buildings in the heart of Dublin, close to Dublin Castle, Grafton Street, and St Stephen's Green, so students live and study in the city centre rather than on a self-contained campus. The college supports international students with visa guidance, orientation, and accommodation advice, and its mix of full-time and part-time learners creates a varied student body. Ireland is widely regarded as safe and welcoming, and English is the main language.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Dublin hosts European headquarters for many technology, finance, and pharmaceutical multinationals, and DBS's business, accounting, and finance programs are designed to connect with that market. The college also partners with other institutions, and degrees from DBS are among those awarded at EU Business School's Munich campus, which shows the college's role in transnational programs.

Ireland's stay-back visa for graduates

Non-EU/EEA graduates of an eligible Irish program can apply for the Third Level Graduate Scheme, commonly called the stay-back option, which typically gives 12 months after an honours bachelor's degree and 24 months after a master's or doctoral degree to look for work. Eligibility generally depends on the level of your qualification on the national framework, and lower-level qualifications may not qualify, so check the level of your specific program before relying on this route.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Most non-EU students need private medical insurance and must register with immigration authorities after arrival. Budget for the visa, insurance, flights, and accommodation deposits, and arrange housing early because Dublin's rental market is tight, especially near September. DBS's international team provides pre-arrival guidance.

A realistic budget

If tuition is around €10,000 to €13,500 for a year, as third-party sources suggest, then Dublin living costs and insurance will add several thousand euro per month-equivalent over the year, and total first-year costs can approach or exceed twice the tuition figure. Because DBS's own fee sheet is the authoritative source, get the exact number in writing and add a realistic allowance for rent, food, transport, and insurance.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What is the exact non-EU tuition for my program and year, and what does it include?
• What is the NFQ level of my qualification, and does it qualify for the stay-back scheme?
• Which awarding body issues my degree, and where can I verify it on the QQI register?
• What scholarships or discounts apply to my nationality, confirmed in writing?
• What accommodation help does DBS provide, and what does it cost?
• How do part-time or evening options affect my student visa conditions?

Who DBS suits best

DBS suits students who want a business, law, or accounting qualification in central Dublin at a private college with flexible study modes, and who plan to build experience in Dublin's business market. It may suit less well students who want a research university's global ranking or a traditional residential campus.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your program and check its NFQ level and accreditation.
2. Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply through the international admissions team with transcripts and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and pay any required deposit.
5. Apply for an Irish study visa and arrange private medical insurance.
6. Arrange accommodation and register with immigration authorities after arrival.

Planning your application timeline realistically

Irish student visa processing can be slow for some countries, so start early, and ask DBS for written confirmation of fees, program level, and start dates before you commit.

What to expect in your first months

Students in central Dublin usually spend the first weeks on orientation, registering with immigration authorities, setting up a bank account, and learning the bus and tram network. Because the college occupies city-centre buildings rather than a single campus, students should find where their classes are held, learn the routes between buildings, and use the student services team for help with immigration questions and academic support.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, an English test report, your passport, and financial evidence before applying, because the Irish visa process asks for proof of funds, insurance, and accommodation plans. Ask DBS for written confirmation of your program's fee, its NFQ level, and the awarding body, and keep copies of every document, since immigration appointments can require originals.

Choosing where to live

DBS supports accommodation through partner providers, including purpose-built student accommodation and homestay options. Dublin's rental market is tight and expensive, so compare halls, shared flats, and homestay on price, distance to Aungier Street, and contract terms, and never pay a deposit before you have seen a written agreement.

Weighing a private college against an Irish university

Private colleges such as DBS and public universities such as Trinity College Dublin or University College Dublin serve different needs. Public universities carry global rankings and research profiles, and admission is usually more competitive, while a private college can offer flexible start dates, evening and part-time modes, smaller classes, and a focus on business and professional qualifications. The trade-off is that a private college has no world ranking to point to, so your qualification's value depends on its accreditation level and on how employers view it. Compare programs by NFQ level, awarding body, total cost, and graduate outcomes rather than by name alone.

Working while you study

Non-EU students on a full-time degree programme in Ireland are generally permitted to work part-time within limits set by the immigration authorities, typically longer hours during official holiday periods than during term. Because those limits and the conditions attached to your permission can change, check the current rules on the Irish immigration service website and with DBS before you rely on work income, and do not assume that part-time earnings can cover tuition or rent.

Frequently asked questions