How much is the non-refundable initial deposit for a master's program in Ireland or the UK, and can I pay it in two installments?

The existing figures understate both countries considerably; current 2026/27 deposits run much higher than the older 500 to 750 euro and 2,500 to 3,000 pound ranges often quoted, so it is worth planning around current university specific figures instead.

UK Deposits by University

• University of Manchester lists a minimum international tuition deposit of £2,500, recommended as a single payment.
• Queen Mary University of London charges £2,000 for overseas students requiring a Student visa.
• Bournemouth University requires a £5,000 non refundable deposit, but allows the remaining tuition to be split into two instalments.
• University of Lincoln lists an £8,000 deposit for 2026/27 postgraduate study.

Across these examples, the deposit itself is almost always paid as a single upfront amount, but the tuition remaining after the deposit is deducted can frequently be split into two or more instalments, so do not confuse a single payment deposit rule with an inability to spread your overall costs.

Ireland's Different Structure

Ireland does not set one universal deposit figure the way individual UK universities do. Instead, Irish immigration rules require that for a course costing more than 6,000 euros, you must have paid at least 6,000 euros before applying for your study visa; if the course costs less than that, the full fee must be paid upfront. A university can still require more than 6,000 euros as its own deposit, so this figure is a minimum immigration requirement, not necessarily the full amount your specific university will ask for.

My Advice

Ask your university directly for two separate numbers before you budget: the exact deposit required to accept your offer, and the instalment schedule for the remaining tuition. Treat the 6,000 euro figure for Ireland as a floor set by immigration rules rather than your university's actual deposit, since many programs require more.