Computer Science is one of the most sought-after undergraduate subjects at Trinity College Dublin, and for good reason. Trinity is Ireland's oldest university, sits in central Dublin, and draws a large share of its tech-focused applicants from outside the EU. For international students, the appeal is a well-known degree from a university with a strong research record, a city that hosts many technology employers, and a post-study work route (Stamp 1G) that lets graduates stay and look for work after they finish.
This guide covers what you need to evaluate Trinity Computer Science as a realistic option: how selective it is (and why no official number exists), what it costs, what the admission requirements look like, which English tests Trinity accepts, and how the Stamp 1G pathway works after graduation.
Acceptance Rate
Trinity does not publish an acceptance rate for its undergraduate Computer Science programme, and none of the official Trinity pages we could access gives a programme-level figure.
Third-party aggregators quote an overall Trinity undergraduate acceptance rate somewhere in the high teens to low 30s percent, but those figures disagree with each other, and none is an official Trinity statistic. Treat any single percentage for Computer Science as an estimate, not a published fact.
What is clear from how Trinity runs admissions: international undergraduates apply directly to the university rather than through the points-based CAO system used by Irish and EU applicants, and places are limited. Computer Science is a popular course, so a strong academic profile, a clear mathematics background, and a complete application matter more than they would at a less competitive course.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
Trinity's official fee schedule is published through its Academic Registry. The fee pages we could reach did not display the figures, so the numbers below are third-party estimates for 2026/27 non-EU undergraduate entry. Confirm the exact fee for your intake before you plan finances.
| Cost item | Estimate (third-party, 2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Non-EU tuition, Computer Science and Engineering | About €29,570 per year |
| Non-EU tuition, Arts, Business and Social Sciences (for comparison) | About €20,000 to €28,000 per year |
| Living costs in Dublin (shared accommodation) | About €1,330 to €2,090 per month, or roughly €16,000 to €25,000 per year |
The living cost range comes from a 2026 study-abroad agency estimate and covers rent, food, transport, utilities and personal spending. Accommodation is the largest single cost, and on-campus options are usually more expensive than shared private housing.
To qualify for an Irish Stamp 2 student visa, you must show access to at least €10,000 for living costs for each year of study, in addition to paying tuition. This is a third-party summary of the Irish Immigration Service requirement and should be checked against the official INIS guidance before you apply.
There is no scholarship or funding guarantee for international undergraduates in the sources we reviewed, so plan on paying full fees unless you have a specific award.
Admission Requirements
Trinity admits international undergraduates directly, and the core requirements are:
- Completed secondary education with transcripts that show strong results in mathematics and science subjects
- Mathematics: Computer Science is quantitative, so a strong maths background is expected. The exact maths entry threshold for non-EU applicants could not be confirmed on an official Trinity page in this review, so check the current course page before you apply
- English language proficiency (see the next section)
- Application documents such as certified transcripts, a passport copy and any references Trinity requests
Because the official Trinity course and admissions pages were not accessible during this review, check the current entry requirements for the exact programme on Trinity's website. Requirements can change between intakes.
How to Get Into Trinity's Computer Science Programme
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Lock in a strong maths and science record early. Computer Science admissions lean on quantitative ability, so consistently strong grades in maths and related subjects are the most important part of your academic profile.
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Use your personal statement to show a real interest in computing. Mention a specific project, coding practice, competition or course that shows you have worked on programming beyond the classroom. Generic statements about loving technology carry little weight.
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Apply directly and early. International applicants apply to Trinity itself, not through the CAO system, so check the application window and document list on Trinity's international admissions pages well before the deadline.
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Meet the English requirement comfortably rather than just barely. A score at the minimum leaves no room for error if your test date falls badly or a result is delayed.
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Keep your transcripts and certified translations ready. Missing or uncertified documents are one of the most common reasons applications stall, and a delayed file can cost you a place in a competitive course.
English Proficiency Requirement
Trinity's general English requirement for undergraduate entry is reported as IELTS Academic 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0. Third-party guides also list TOEFL iBT around 90, PTE Academic around 63 and Duolingo English Test around 120 as accepted equivalents. These are not confirmed on an official Trinity page in this review, so check the current English language requirements before you book a test.
For Trinity's wider undergraduate English policy and how it compares with other Irish universities, see our Trinity College Dublin guide.
Career Outcomes and Stamp 1G Relevance
Trinity does not publish graduate employment figures specific to Computer Science in the sources we could verify, so this guide does not quote a salary or employment percentage for the programme. The official national source for graduate outcomes in Ireland is the Higher Education Authority's Graduate Outcomes survey, which reports results by institution and by field. Check that survey for current Trinity figures before making a decision based on outcomes.
The most important post-study consideration for international students is Ireland's Stamp 1G, the Third Level Graduate Scheme. According to Trinity's international office, Level 8 (bachelor's) graduates can stay for up to 12 months on Stamp 1G, and Level 9 (master's) graduates for up to 24 months. The permission is granted as an initial 12-month period, with a possible second 12 months if you show you are looking for graduate-level work. The application fee is €300, you must apply within six months of Trinity notifying you that your programme is complete, and you must be physically in Ireland when you apply. You also need private health insurance bought in Ireland, since travel insurance is not accepted.
So for an undergraduate Computer Science graduate, the realistic Stamp 1G window is 12 months, not two years. For the full set of rules, see our Ireland Stamp 1G guide.
FAQ
Does Trinity publish an acceptance rate for Computer Science? No, not in the official sources reviewed for this guide. Third-party sites quote overall Trinity undergraduate rates that disagree with each other, so treat any Computer Science percentage as an unverified estimate.
How much does Trinity Computer Science cost for international students? Third-party estimates put non-EU tuition for Computer Science and Engineering at around €29,570 per year for 2026/27. Living costs in Dublin are estimated at roughly €16,000 to €25,000 per year. Confirm the exact fee on Trinity's Academic Registry pages before you plan your budget.
What IELTS score do I need for Trinity Computer Science? The general undergraduate standard is reported as IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0. Check the current requirement on Trinity's website, since it can change.
Can I accept TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo instead of IELTS? Third-party guides list TOEFL iBT around 90, PTE Academic around 63 and Duolingo around 120 as accepted alternatives. Confirm these on Trinity's official English requirements page before you book.
How long can I stay in Ireland after a Trinity Computer Science degree? A bachelor's graduate can apply for Stamp 1G, which allows up to 12 months of full-time work rights after graduation. Master's graduates can get up to 24 months.
Do I need to apply through the CAO? No. International undergraduates apply directly to Trinity rather than through the CAO system used by Irish and EU applicants.