Dublin City University for Kenyan Students
Entry Requirements by Level
Academic Requirements
Foundation Year required via DCU Foundation Programme. KCSE accepted as O-level equivalent. Foundation route required for KCSE holders. DCU explicitly lists Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya as priority countries.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: €16,000–€22,000. Application deadline: Rolling — apply by March for September intake.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 2.75/4 (2:2 UK equivalent). Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: €14,000–€20,000. Application deadline: Rolling. Decision time: 3–6 weeks.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3/4. Master's degree required (or Bachelor's with First Class Honours for some programmes). Fully funded positions available.
Specific Requirements
Research proposal required. Identify and contact a potential supervisor before applying. References from two academic supervisors.
Deadline
Rolling
Documents Required
Available Scholarships
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES)
by Irish Government (HEA) · Masters, Phd
Learn more →DCU International Merit Award
by Dublin City University · Masters
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dublin City University accept KCSE?
KCSE (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education) is accepted as a secondary school qualification for undergraduate foundation entry at DCU. For Masters admission, a recognised Kenyan Bachelor's degree with minimum GPA of 2.75/4.0 (2:2 equivalent) is required — secondary school qualifications are not relevant at Masters level.
What GPA is needed for Masters at Dublin City University?
DCU requires a minimum GPA of 2.75/4.0 (UK 2:2 equivalent) for most Masters programmes. DCU explicitly names Kenya (alongside Nigeria and Ghana) as a priority country for its automatic scholarship programme — highly unusual among Irish universities.
Are there scholarships for Kenyan students at Dublin City University?
Yes. DCU explicitly names Kenya in its automatic scholarship programme — the DCU International Merit Award (€900–€5,900) is automatically considered for all Kenyan applicants with no separate application needed. The GOI-IES also provides full tuition waiver plus €10,000 stipend.
Tips for Applying to DCU
DCU stands out as one of Ireland's most Kenya-friendly universities — it explicitly names Kenya (alongside Nigeria and Ghana) in its automatic scholarship programme, removing a significant administrative barrier for applicants. Located in north Dublin with strong Computing and Technology programmes, DCU is an excellent choice for Kenyan tech graduates. The 24-month Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) after graduation gives ample time to find employment in Dublin's thriving technology sector, home to the European headquarters of Google, Meta, and many other multinationals.
Official source: Dublin City University ↗Cost of Living in Dublin
North Dublin near DCU is slightly more affordable than city centre.