About the university
South East Technological University (SETU) was formed in 2022 from the merger of Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow. It is a public technological university with its main campuses in Waterford and Carlow and a campus in Wexford.
SETU focuses on practical, career-focused degrees with industry links and placements. Its postgraduate courses cover business, computing, engineering, science, law, media and design, and sport science, and both founding institutes have welcomed international students for decades.
For Indian students the attractions are lower fees and living costs than in Dublin. SETU's published international fee ranges for 2025/26 were €13,500–€14,500 a year for undergraduate courses and €14,000–€15,000 for postgraduate courses. Check the fee for your exact course with SETU before you apply.
Waterford is Ireland's oldest city, on the south-east coast. Carlow is a smaller town further north in the region. Both are quieter and cheaper than the capital.
- Founded
- 2022, when Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow merged
- Type
- Public technological university
- Campuses
- Waterford, Carlow and Wexford, with smaller sites elsewhere
- International students
- Students from more than 50 countries
- International fees (2025/26)
- Undergraduate €13,500–€14,500 a year; postgraduate €14,000–€15,000 a year
- Intakes
- September (autumn)
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
South East Technological University doesn't publish course-by-course fees for international students online. See the courses on the official website (opens in a new tab), or ask our counsellor for the current list and fees.
Scholarships
- Undergraduate and postgraduate
SETU Entry Award
Value: Fee reduction shown on your offer letter; amount varies
Eligibility: Non-EU applicants with an offer are considered automatically based on their application. No separate application.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate and postgraduate
SETU International Academic Excellence Scholarships
Value: Amount varies; you receive only the highest-value award if offered more than one
Eligibility: Applicants with an offer for their first-choice course apply through an online portal when competitions open in early spring. Some are only for self-funding students.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Postgraduate
SETU Global Advancement to Postgraduate Award
Value: Pay the EU postgraduate fee instead of the non-EU fee
Eligibility: Non-EU students who completed at least two years of undergraduate study at SETU in Ireland directly before their postgraduate course.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- A school-leaving certificate with strong results in Mathematics and a minimum average of 60% across at least five other subjects.
- You must be at least 17 by January of the year you start.
- Students with prior college study can ask about advanced entry to later years of some degrees.
Postgraduate
- For South Asian degrees, SETU asks for a final mark of at least 60%.
- Four-year degrees (such as BTech, BE or BPharm) and three-year professional degrees (such as BBA, BCA or BMS) can meet the entry requirement. Three-year BSc, BA and BCom degrees do not, although a related degree may lead to a Higher Diploma instead.
- A degree in a related subject leads to master's entry; an unrelated degree usually leads to a Higher Diploma.
- You must declare any backlogs and show they are cleared, through mark sheets for every attempt, a consolidated mark sheet or a backlog certificate.
Documents
- Valid passport
- Class 10 and Class 12 mark sheets
- All higher education transcripts and degree certificates
- Backlog evidence if you had any backlogs
- English test score issued within two years of the course start
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 | 6.0 for most entry; SETU's English page also lists 5.5 (no component below 5.0) for some entry. Check your course. |
| PTE Academic | 55 (or 50 on the lower table) |
| TOEFL iBT | 80 (or 70 with at least 15 in each component on the lower table) |
| Duolingo English Test | 100 (or 90 on the lower table) |
| Class 12 English | SETU's English page does not list a Class 12 English waiver |
Accommodation and living costs
SETU gives an estimated budget for living in the south east for the academic year (September to May). Accommodation is the biggest cost, and the figures are a rough guide.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| AccommodationSETU estimate | €500–700per month | ≈ ₹53,000 – ₹74,200 |
| FoodSETU estimate | €290per month | ≈ ₹30,740 |
| Total living costs, September to MaySETU estimate, excluding the €300 immigration registration fee | €10,935–12,735per academic year | ≈ ₹11.6 lakh – ₹13.5 lakh |
| Immigration registration fee | €300per year | ≈ ₹31,800 |
| Money you must show for living costs (visa)Minimum set by Irish immigration, on top of tuition | €10,000per year | ≈ ₹10.6 lakh |
Campus and location
SETU teaches across several campuses in the south east of Ireland, mainly in Waterford and Carlow, with a campus in Wexford.
- Main campuses in Waterford and Carlow.
- Career-focused courses with industry placements on many programmes.
- Partnerships with more than 100 universities in the EU, including Erasmus exchanges.
- The Carlow campus has supported international students for more than 50 years.
Careers and graduate outcomes
SETU's courses are built around industry links and placements. Non-EU graduates can apply to stay on in Ireland to look for work under the Third Level Graduate Programme; see our Ireland guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Ireland
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Ireland. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much are SETU's fees for Indian students?
SETU's published ranges for 2025/26 were €13,500–€14,500 a year for undergraduate courses and €14,000–€15,000 a year for postgraduate courses. Lab fees may be charged separately. Ask SETU for your exact course fee.
Does SETU accept a three-year Indian degree?
Three-year professional degrees such as BBA, BCA or BMS can meet the master's entry requirement. Three-year BSc, BA and BCom degrees do not, though they may give entry to a Higher Diploma.
What marks do I need?
At least 60% in your bachelor's degree for postgraduate entry, and a 60% average across five subjects plus good Maths results for undergraduate entry.
What IELTS score do I need?
Usually IELTS 6.0 overall. SETU also accepts PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo.
How much does it cost to live in Waterford or Carlow?
SETU estimates €10,935–€12,735 for September to May, including €500–€700 a month for accommodation.
Sources
- SETU: global (international) fees (opens in a new tab)
- SETU: non-EU students (opens in a new tab)
- SETU: postgraduate entry requirements (non-EU) (opens in a new tab)
- SETU: undergraduate entry requirements (non-EU) (opens in a new tab)
- SETU: English language requirements (opens in a new tab)
- SETU: guide to entry awards and scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- SETU: Global Advancement to Postgraduate Award (opens in a new tab)
- SETU: living costs for international students (opens in a new tab)
- SETU Global: study at SETU (opens in a new tab)
- Irish Immigration Service Delivery: student finance requirements (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.setu.ie (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details