GCAS (The Global Center for Advanced Studies) College Dublin is the world’s first debt-free college offering EU-accredited degrees that is co-owned by faculty, staff, and graduates. Founded in 2013, we offer accredited BA, MA, LL.M., and PhD programs through our partnership with Woolf.

Unlike traditional universities, GCAS operates as a cooperative. Tuition is significantly lower than comparable institutions (you could save up to 100,000€ through a degree with GCAS), and all accepted students receive further tuition-reduction scholarships based on their application merits. We also offer sliding-scale fees based on your country of residence and income. Our goal is for every student to graduate without educational debt.

When you graduate from GCAS, you become a co-owner of the institution alongside faculty and staff. This means you have a voice in the institution’s governance, lifetime access to our community, and a stake in GCAS’s future. We believe education should be a collaborative endeavor, not a commodity.

Yes. GCAS is a full member college of Woolf, an accredited, degree-granting Higher Education Institution recognized within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Our degrees are compliant with European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) and use the ECTS credit system.

Yes. Our degrees are recognized across Europe and internationally, equivalent to degrees from traditional European universities. They follow the Bologna Process standards and carry ECTS credits for international transferability.

We offer: BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (3 years), MA in Philosophy, MA in Psychoanalysis, MA in Theology, MA in Politics, Master of Laws (LL.M.), PhD in Humanities & Social Sciences, and PhD in Natural Sciences. Visit our Accreditation page for details.

All courses are delivered 100% online through live virtual seminars—not pre-recorded lectures. You’ll engage in real-time discussions with faculty and peers from around the world. Classes are typically held on weekends to accommodate working professionals across time zones. We also host optional in-person residencies in locations like Florence and Paris.

Yes. We offer flexible scheduling for students balancing work, family, or other commitments. You can complete most programs at your own pace within a reasonable timeframe.

Requirements vary by program. For the BA, you need a high school diploma or equivalent. For Master’s programs, a Bachelor’s degree is required. For PhD programs, you need a Master’s degree. Standardized tests (SAT, ACT, GRE) are NOT required. All applicants submit a personal statement and may be invited for an interview.

No. Applications are open year-round with rolling admissions. You can apply and begin your studies at any time.

Yes, we evaluate transfer credits on a case-by-case basis. For the one year MA programs we generally don’t accept transfer credit as the program is so short. Contact our admissions team with your transcripts for an assessment.

No. Since all programs are 100% online, no student visa or relocation is required. You can study from anywhere in the world.

Tuition varies by program and is significantly lower than comparable traditional institutions. All accepted students receive tuition-reduction scholarships. Visit our Financial Aid page or contact us for specific program costs.

Yes. Financial aid is available to all accepted applicants. We offer merit-based scholarships, sliding-scale fees based on country of residence, and flexible payment options. Our goal is to ensure finances never prevent qualified students from pursuing their education.