In this guide
Secondary fee range at a glance
Bands are 2026 estimates tied to our Dublin fees research. Secondary and sixth form tuition sits at the top of each private band; the IB Diploma years are the most expensive. Nord Anglia Dublin runs the full IB Diploma, and St Andrew's College offers both the Irish Leaving Certificate and the IB Diploma, so a family can reach the IB through either a fully international school or a selective Irish private school at a much lower fee.
Secondary fee table by tier
| Tier | Annual secondary tuition | Approx conversion | Illustrative schools |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private international | EUR 16,000 - 20,000 | USD 17,300 - 21,600 | Nord Anglia International School Dublin |
| Selective private with IB | EUR 7,000 - 12,000 | USD 7,600 - 13,000 | St Andrew's College, St Kilian's Deutsche Schule Dublin |
| Language schools and state | EUR 0 - 7,900 | USD 0 - 8,500 | Lycee Francais International Samuel Beckett, plus free state secondary |
School names indicate the fee tier and are illustrative, not a ranking. Bands are 2026 planning estimates; the IB Diploma and equivalent senior years sit at the top of each band. Confirm exact figures with each school.
Added and one-off costs
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application / registration | EUR 100 - 500 | Non refundable, paid per applicant |
| Enrolment fee | EUR 1,600 at Nord Anglia Dublin | Half deducted from the first invoice at Nord Anglia |
| Refundable deposit | About one term of fees | Held against the place, returned on departure subject to notice |
| Exam entries (IB, Leaving Cert) | EUR 0 - 1,200 in exam years | Leaving Certificate entries are modest; IB entries higher |
| School bus and lunch | EUR 1,000 - 3,000 a year | Distance based; optional but common at the private schools |
What drives the cost
The biggest driver at senior level in Dublin is whether a family uses the fully international route, a selective Irish private school or the free state system. Nord Anglia International School Dublin runs the IB Diploma with small senior classes, specialist teaching, university counselling and links to partners such as MIT and Juilliard, which it prices into an all inclusive fee at the top of the band. St Andrew's College and St Kilian's offer the IB or a dual national pathway at a materially lower selective fee, and the state secondary system is free for residents, so much of what families pay in Dublin buys a smaller school, an international peer group and inclusive co-curricular provision rather than the qualification alone. Property and staffing costs in the capital hold the private international fee toward the upper Irish range.
Compare secondary fees across cities
Put Dublin secondary fees next to other host cities side by side before you commit.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Headline tuition is only part of the Dublin bill at the private schools. The largest extras are a registration fee of EUR 100 to 500 per applicant, an enrolment fee of EUR 1,600 at Nord Anglia Dublin with half deducted from the first invoice, a refundable deposit of about one term, examination entries that are modest for the Leaving Certificate and higher for the IB Diploma, and school bus and lunch of EUR 1,000 to 3,000 a year. The free state secondary system removes tuition entirely, so the main saving for an eligible family is the headline fee itself. Add devices, trips and activity fees and budget a few thousand euro a year beyond tuition at the private schools.
For a full family budget that places these alongside housing and living costs, use our relocation cost calculator.
Compare secondary fees
Dublin private international secondary fees sit in the mid European band, below the premium Continental and Gulf schools, while selective Irish private schools offering the IB undercut them substantially and the state system is free. Use our compare fees tool to put Dublin next to other European host cities and curricula, then revisit the Dublin nursery and preschool fees for the earlier stages and the all in cost of a place.
FAQ
How much is secondary international school in Dublin?
A private international senior place runs roughly EUR 16,000 to 20,000 a year at the city's IB international school, while selective Irish private schools offering the IB sit from about EUR 7,000 and the state secondary system is free for residents. Nord Anglia Dublin publishes senior tuition up to about EUR 19,444.
Which Dublin schools offer the IB Diploma?
Nord Anglia International School Dublin runs the full IB Diploma as a dedicated international school, and St Andrew's College offers the IB Diploma alongside the Irish Leaving Certificate. St Kilian's Deutsche Schule offers a German and Irish dual pathway rather than the IB.
Can expat families use free state secondary in Dublin?
Yes. The Irish state secondary system is free for residents and teaches the Leaving Certificate, so many expat families on longer postings use it. The private international and selective routes are chosen mainly for the IB Diploma, smaller classes and an international peer group.
What are the hidden costs of secondary school in Dublin?
At the private schools, beyond tuition families add a registration fee of EUR 100 to 500, an enrolment fee of EUR 1,600 at Nord Anglia Dublin, a refundable deposit of about one term, IB examination entries, and school bus and lunch of EUR 1,000 to 3,000 a year. The free state system removes tuition entirely.
Is the IB Diploma the most expensive route in Dublin?
The fully international IB route at Nord Anglia Dublin is the most expensive, sitting at the top of the private band. The same IB Diploma is available far more cheaply at selective Irish private schools such as St Andrew's College, and the free state system offers the Leaving Certificate.