About the university
American College Dublin (ACD) was founded in 1993 by Lynn University, a liberal arts university in Boca Raton, Florida. It is now a constituent college of Irish American University, which is accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and licensed in Delaware to award degrees.
ACD runs a mix of American-style degrees and Irish QQI awards. Its QQI programmes are the BA (Hons) in International Business and BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts (Level 8) and the Master of Business in International Business (Level 9). Its other programmes, such as the MBA, hospitality and event management degrees, and performing arts and creative writing degrees, are US degrees.
For Indian students the attractions are a one-year business master's at €10,000, small classes and a historic Georgian building on Merrion Square in central Dublin. ACD has an India admissions office (indiaoffice@iamu.edu).
Check the type of award carefully before you apply. Ireland's Stamp 1G stay-back permission is for awards from recognised Irish awarding bodies such as QQI, so a QQI master's or honours degree is the safer choice if you plan to work in Ireland after graduating.
- Founded
- 1993, by Lynn University (Florida) as a not-for-profit educational trust
- Type
- Private college; a constituent college of Irish American University
- Accreditation
- US degrees through Irish American University (MSCHE accredited); three programmes are QQI awards (Level 8 and Level 9)
- International students
- About 60% of students come from outside Ireland (ACD website)
- Class size
- Generally no more than 30 students
- Campus
- 1 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2
- Intakes
- September and January
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
Master of Business in International Business
- Fee / year
- €10,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time); QQI Level 9
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 79 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration (MBA in International Business)
- Fee / year
- €10,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 79 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
Master of Business Administration in Energy Management
- Fee / year
- €10,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 79 or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Design
- Fee / year
- €12,000
- Duration
- 1 year (full time) on the course details; check, as the page also says two years
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0), PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 79 or Duolingo 120
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Business
- Fee / year
- €9,500
- Duration
- 3 years (full time); QQI Level 8
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), PTE 50, TOEFL iBT 60 or Duolingo 105
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management
- Fee / year
- €9,500
- Duration
- 4 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), PTE 50, TOEFL iBT 60 or Duolingo 105
- Undergraduate
Bachelor of Arts in Event Management
- Fee / year
- €9,500
- Duration
- 4 years (full time)
- Intakes
- September; January
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.5), PTE 50, TOEFL iBT 60 or Duolingo 105
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Business in International Business | 1 year (full time); QQI Level 9 | €10,000 | ≈ ₹10.6 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration (MBA in International Business) | 1 year (full time) | €10,000 | ≈ ₹10.6 lakh |
| Master of Business Administration in Energy Management | 1 year (full time) | €10,000 | ≈ ₹10.6 lakh |
| Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Design | 1 year (full time) on the course details; check, as the page also says two years | €12,000 | ≈ ₹12.7 lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in International Business | 3 years (full time); QQI Level 8 | €9,500 | ≈ ₹10.1 lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Management | 4 years (full time) | €9,500 | ≈ ₹10.1 lakh |
| Bachelor of Arts in Event Management | 4 years (full time) | €9,500 | ≈ ₹10.1 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at American College Dublin with similar universities in Ireland.
Scholarships
- Incoming students
ACD Charity/Service Scholarship
Value: One-time partial award, up to the first-year tuition fee
Eligibility: Applicants submit a one-page statement on their charity or service work and a reference from the registered charity; a panel decides. The page does not say whether non-EU students are eligible, so ask admissions.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- School results from outside Ireland, including Indian Class 12, are assessed for equivalence to the Irish Leaving Certificate using NARIC Ireland.
- Students still in their final school year can receive a conditional offer if their transcripts show good grades.
Postgraduate
- The business master's programmes expect a degree comparable to an Irish Level 8 honours bachelor's in a related subject.
- A degree in another subject can be considered with three years of relevant managerial experience; applicants who do not qualify directly may be offered a bridging year.
- Full tuition must be paid before registration. If your visa is refused, fees are refunded minus a €200 administration fee.
Documents
- Transcripts (final or current) and degree certificate
- References
- CV or resume
- Personal statement
- English test result issued within two years of the course start
- €35 application fee
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Master's: 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0. Bachelor's: 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5. Creative writing degrees ask for more (MFA: 7.0 with 6.5 in writing). |
| PTE Academic | Master's: 58 (all parts 50+). Bachelor's: 50 (all parts 45+). |
| TOEFL iBT | Master's: 79 (writing 21, others 17+). Bachelor's: 60 (writing 18, others 12+). |
| Duolingo English Test | Master's: 120 (all parts 105+). Bachelor's: 105 (all parts 95+). |
Accommodation and living costs
ACD has no halls of its own. Its housing page lists partner and recommended providers, from purpose-built student residences to host families and private rentals. Residence contracts usually run 39 to 51 weeks, longer than ACD's 36-week academic year. ACD estimates €11,000 to €16,000 for two semesters of living costs, including accommodation, books and the visa.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Student residence (purpose-built)ACD housing page estimate | €650–1,200per month | ≈ ₹68,900 – ₹1.3 lakh |
| Private shared apartment or roomACD housing page estimate | €600–1,200per month | ≈ ₹63,600 – ₹1.3 lakh |
| Private studio or one-bedroom flatACD housing page estimate, central areas | €1,400–2,000per month | ≈ ₹1.5 lakh – ₹2.1 lakh |
| Living costs for two semestersACD estimate including accommodation, books and visa | €11,000–16,000per academic year | ≈ ₹11.7 lakh – ₹17 lakh |
Campus and location
ACD is based in a Georgian building at 1 Merrion Square North, Dublin 2, in the city's museum and government quarter, close to Trinity College and Grafton Street.
- Small classes, generally no more than 30 students.
- About 60% of students come from outside Ireland.
- Strong performing arts and creative writing departments alongside business and hospitality.
- Some MFA programmes are taught at a site in Sofia, Bulgaria, with their own fees.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Graduates of QQI Level 9 and Level 8 awards can usually apply for Irish Stamp 1G (up to 24 months after a Level 9 master's, 12 months after a Level 8 honours degree). The Stamp 1G page lists QQI among recognised Irish awarding bodies; ACD's US degrees are not QQI awards, so confirm eligibility before you choose a course. See our Ireland guide for the rules.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Stay-back after a QQI Level 9 master's (Stamp 1G) | Up to 24 months (12 months, renewable once) | Irish Immigration Service Delivery |
Studying in Ireland
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Ireland. Our country guide covers them in detail:
Other universities in Ireland
Photo: Imelda Casey, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Law, Life Sciences
Photo: Leandro Neumann Ciuffo, CC BY 2.0 PublicOften chosen for Business & Management, Engineering, Finance & Accounting
Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicUniversity of Galway (official website, opens in a new tab)
Galway, IrelandOften chosen for Life Sciences, Medicine & Health Sciences, Engineering
Photo: SSCOhA, CC BY-SA 4.0 PublicOften chosen for Computer Science & IT, Business & Management, Arts, Design & Media
Photo: William Murphy, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicOften chosen for Life Sciences, Business & Management, Computer Science & IT
Photo: William Murphy from Dublin, Ireland, CC BY-SA 2.0 PublicUniversity of Limerick (official website, opens in a new tab)
Limerick, IrelandOften chosen for Engineering, Computer Science & IT, Nursing & Allied Health
FAQs
How much is a master's at American College Dublin?
ACD's fees page lists €10,000 a year for most postgraduate programmes, including the Master of Business in International Business and the MBA, and €12,000 for the MFA in Fashion Design. Undergraduate programmes are €9,500 a year for non-EU students.
Which ACD programmes are QQI awards?
The Master of Business in International Business (Level 9) and the BA (Hons) in International Business and BA (Hons) in Liberal Arts (Level 8). Most other programmes are US degrees from Irish American University.
Can I start in January?
Yes. The business master's and bachelor's programmes list September and January starts.
What IELTS score do I need?
IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0 for master's, and 6.0 with no band below 5.5 for bachelor's. PTE, TOEFL iBT and Duolingo are also accepted.
Is ACD an American university?
ACD is an Irish-based private college and a constituent college of Irish American University, which is accredited by the US Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It was founded by Lynn University in 1993.
Sources
- American College Dublin: tuition and fees (opens in a new tab)
- American College Dublin: all courses (opens in a new tab)
- American College Dublin: Master of Business in International Business (opens in a new tab)
- American College Dublin: BA (Hons) in International Business (opens in a new tab)
- American College Dublin: admissions and English language policy (opens in a new tab)
- American College Dublin: accreditation (opens in a new tab)
- American College Dublin: about (opens in a new tab)
- American College Dublin: scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- American College Dublin: accommodation and housing (opens in a new tab)
- Irish Immigration Service Delivery: Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) (opens in a new tab)
Official website: acd.iamu.edu (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details