Griffith College, Dublin: Fees, Scholarships & IELTS Waiver Guide for International Students

Griffith College is a private third-level college with its main campus in Dublin, alongside further colleges in Cork and Limerick, offering programmes in business, law, journalism and media, design, and computing with a genuinely notable feature: a 50% Griffith Global Excellence Scholarship for students with excellent grades in both academic studies and English language proficiency. Griffith College does not appear in the QS World University Rankings; a third-party figure of #300 in 2023 appears to belong to Griffith University in Australia, a separate institution. This guide covers what Griffith College Dublin international students should know: the fee structure with its additional mandatory charges, the notable 50% scholarship and other awards, an IELTS waiver option for strong Class 12 English results, and Ireland's Stamp 1G stay-back scheme.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Griffith College, a private third-level college with its main campus in Dublin, alongside colleges in Cork and Limerick
• Non-EU tuition: €13,500 to €17,500, with international Master's tuition at approximately €16,000 before scholarships
• Additional mandatory charges: an Academic Administration Fee of €250 and a 2% P.E.L. fee charged at the start of the academic year in September, plus International Student Support Fees and, for QQI-accredited programmes, a QQI Award Fee in the final year
• IELTS requirement: a minimum score of 6.0 with no sub-score less than 5.0, with a waiver available for students with strong Class 12 English board exam results (minimum 65%)
• Scholarships: the Griffith Global Excellence Scholarship (GGES) offers a limited number of students with excellent academic and English results a 50% tuition fees scholarship, alongside the Griffith College Bursary (awarded to all eligible international applicants) and the Academic Merit Scholarship (AMS) offered in three levels
• Sibling discount: a 10% discount on net tuition fees for second or subsequent siblings enrolling
• QS ranking: Griffith College does not appear in the QS World University Rankings; a third-party '#300 in 2023' figure appears to refer to Griffith University in Australia, a separate institution

Rankings and reputation

Griffith College is a private college and does not appear in the QS World University Rankings. Some third-party sites list a QS position of #300 for 2023, but that figure appears to belong to Griffith University in Australia, which is a different institution. Judge Griffith College instead on the recognition of its awards, many of which are validated by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), on its scholarship structure, and on graduate outcomes for your programme.

Academics and signature programs

Griffith College teaches primarily in business, law, journalism and media, design, and computing, with QQI accreditation applying to many of its programmes, which carries a specific QQI Award Fee in your final year that you should factor into your total cost planning. Ask Griffith College which specific programmes carry QQI accreditation, since this Irish quality assurance recognition matters for how your qualification is regarded both within Ireland and internationally.

Admissions and international eligibility

Griffith College assesses academic results and English ability for admission, with a clearly stated IELTS minimum of 6.0 with no sub-score below 5.0, and a genuinely useful waiver option available for students who scored a minimum of 65% in their Class 12 English board exam, removing the need for a separate English test for many applicants who qualify. Ask Griffith College to confirm whether your specific Class 12 board and score qualify for this waiver before you commit to booking an IELTS test.

English language requirements

• A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with no sub-score less than 5.0 is required
• An IELTS waiver is available for students who scored a minimum of 65% in Class 12 English board exams, a genuinely useful and clearly stated exemption
• Confirm with Griffith College whether your specific school board and exam results qualify for this waiver
• Other English tests may be accepted as alternatives, so confirm current options directly with Griffith College

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, IELTS results or evidence for the Class 12 waiver, and passport details. Because Griffith College charges several additional mandatory fees beyond tuition, including the €250 Academic Administration Fee, a 2% P.E.L. fee, International Student Support Fees, and a final-year QQI Award Fee for QQI-accredited programmes, ask for a complete, written breakdown of all charges you will face across your entire programme, not just the headline tuition figure.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Griffith College states non-EU tuition of €13,500 to €17,500, with international Master's tuition at approximately €16,000 before scholarships, but this headline figure does not include several additional mandatory charges: a €250 Academic Administration Fee and a 2% P.E.L. fee charged at the start of the academic year in September, plus International Student Support Fees, and for QQI-accredited programmes specifically, a QQI Award Fee applicable in your final year. Request a complete, itemised written cost breakdown covering every one of these charges across your entire programme duration before committing.

Estimated living costs

• Third-party estimates for Irish student living costs are often between about €12,000 and €17,000 a year, depending on housing
• Non-EU students must register for an Irish Residence Permit and carry private medical insurance
• Student visa holders can work limited hours in term under current Irish rules
• Student accommodation is scarce in most Irish cities, so start looking early
• Public transport and cycling are the main ways to get around

Scholarships

Griffith College's scholarship structure is genuinely notable and worth understanding in detail: the Griffith Global Excellence Scholarship (GGES) offers a limited number of students with excellent academic and English proficiency results a full 50% tuition fees scholarship, a substantial award if you qualify given the competitive, limited number of places. Beyond this, the Griffith College Bursary is awarded to all eligible international applicants, meaning most students receive some level of support, and the Academic Merit Scholarship (AMS) offers three separate levels based on academic performance. A 10% sibling discount also applies to second or subsequent siblings. Ask Griffith College specifically what grades and English scores are needed to compete for the 50% GGES award, given its limited, competitive nature.

Campus life and student support

Griffith College's main Dublin campus, alongside its colleges in Cork and Limerick, gives it a genuinely wider Irish footprint than many private colleges, letting students choose between the capital and two other Irish cities depending on their programme and cost preferences. Ask specifically which campus, Dublin, Cork, or Limerick, delivers your intended programme, since living costs and the local student community differ meaningfully between Ireland's capital and its other cities.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Griffith College's business, law, journalism and media, design, and computing programmes connect to Dublin's professional services, media, and growing technology sectors, particularly relevant given the college's main Dublin campus location. Ask Griffith College for placement rates and graduate outcomes specific to your programme and chosen campus, whether Dublin, Cork, or Limerick, since career opportunities likely differ between these three Irish cities.

Ireland's Stamp 1G stay-back scheme

Ireland's Third Level Graduate Programme, known as Stamp 1G, lets eligible non-EU graduates stay to look for work or work full-time after their degree. At the time of writing the period is generally 12 months after a bachelor's-level degree and 24 months after a master's or doctoral-level degree, based on the qualification's level on the National Framework of Qualifications. Rules change, so confirm the current conditions with the Irish immigration service.

Don't confuse Griffith College with Griffith University

Griffith College in Ireland and Griffith University in Australia share a name but are unrelated. Griffith University is a public Australian university that appears in the QS rankings, while Griffith College is a private Irish college that does not. When you research rankings, reviews, or scholarships, check that the source is about Griffith College Dublin.

Calculating your true total cost beyond headline tuition

Griffith College's additional mandatory charges, the €250 Academic Administration Fee, the 2% P.E.L. fee, International Student Support Fees, and a final-year QQI Award Fee for QQI-accredited programmes, mean your actual total cost will be meaningfully higher than the headline €13,500 to €17,500 tuition figure alone suggests. Request a complete, written, itemised breakdown of every charge across your full programme duration before finalising your budget.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Non-EU students need private medical insurance as a condition of their residence permit. Budget for the first payment, the residence permit, flights, and a housing deposit, and arrange accommodation early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, registration, and settling into the local housing market. Teaching combines lectures, tutorials, and independent study, and students who arrive with reliable housing and a clear study routine tend to adapt faster.

A realistic budget

At €15,000 a year toward the middle of Griffith College's fee range, a three-year degree costs about €45,000 in tuition before the additional Academic Administration Fee, P.E.L. fee, International Student Support Fees, and any final-year QQI Award Fee, plus living costs of €12,000 to €17,000 a year, so the true total is meaningfully higher than the headline tuition figure alone suggests. A 50% GGES scholarship, if awarded, would substantially reduce this, while the more widely available Griffith College Bursary provides more modest but broader relief.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• How are Griffith College's awards recognised by employers and universities in my home country?
• What is the complete, itemised cost including the Academic Administration Fee, P.E.L. fee, International Student Support Fees, and any final-year QQI Award Fee, not just headline tuition?
• Do my Class 12 English board results meet the threshold to qualify for the IELTS waiver?
• What grades and English scores are needed to realistically compete for the 50% Griffith Global Excellence Scholarship?
• Which campus, Dublin, Cork, or Limerick, delivers my specific programme?
• Is my programme QQI-accredited, and how is this recognised internationally?

Who Griffith College Dublin suits best

Griffith College Dublin suits students who want a private Irish college with a genuinely structured, multi-tiered scholarship system including a substantial 50% award for top performers, and who may benefit from the clearly stated IELTS waiver for strong Class 12 English results. It may suit less well students who want an institution with a global university ranking, or those seeking Ireland's largest public universities.

Griffith College compared with Ireland's public universities

Ireland's public universities and technological universities appear in global rankings and typically lower published fees before Griffith College's additional charges, while Griffith College offers a genuinely notable scholarship structure, including the 50% GGES award, and a useful IELTS waiver option. Compare the complete cost including all additional fees, the scholarship you might realistically achieve, and how your award is recognised before choosing.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your course and check the entry requirements for your qualification.
2. Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with results, references, and passport details.
4. Accept your offer and pay the required fee.
5. Apply for any visa needed, then register for your residence permit on arrival.
6. Book accommodation and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, English results, and proof of funds early, and ask the institution for written confirmation of fees, instalment dates, and refund terms.

Frequently asked questions