Among European countries, Ireland ranks high among students looking to study abroad. The educational institutions there provide an excellent education in a classic but contemporary style. Students from all around the globe enrol in the thousands of study programs offered by more than twenty institutions.
University rankings throughout the globe have seen significant improvements in the last decade in Ireland, mirroring the country’s thriving economy.
Universities, technical institutions, and private, independent colleges make up Ireland’s academic system. Overseas candidates’ entrance criteria to universities vary from one school to the next but are often dependent on their success on national exams and their English proficiency.
Top 8 Universities in Ireland As Per QS Ranking 2024:
The following list consists of the top 8 universities in Ireland for domestic and international students. The list is extracted based on their QS ranking for 2024:
1. Trinity College Dublin
2. University College Dublin
3. University of Galway
4. University College Cork (UCC)
5. University of Limerick
6. Dublin City University (DCU)
7. Maynooth University
8. Technological University Dublin
1. Trinity College Dublin
Among the seven “ancient universities” in the realm of the United Kingdom and Ireland, Trinity College Dublin stands as the longest continuously running institution of higher learning in Ireland, having been founded in 1592.
Inspired by their counterparts at Oxford and Cambridge, this is the only Member College of Dublin College University. The university now holds the title of most prestigious university in Ireland and ranks 81 as per the global score.
There are more than 17,000 students enrolled in various programs at the institution. Engineering, Science, Arts and Humanities, Mathematics, Social Sciences, and Health Sciences all fall under this category. Worldwide students hail from 118 different countries. They represent almost every county in Ireland and represent every socioeconomic level, with more than half hailing from areas outside of Dublin.
A curriculum based on research provides the foundation for Trinity’s outstanding educational experience. There are a lot of different module alternatives in the courses. Above and beyond that, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity Long Room Hub (TLRH), Institute for International Integration Studies (IIIS), and Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) are the five research centres that make up the university.
An initiative launched by Trinity College Dublin, Career Pathways, focuses on careers after graduation. Individualised transition planning services are provided by Career Pathways to assist disabled students with impairments as they move from college to the workforce. Helping students become ready for life beyond high school is what Career Pathways is all about.
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2. University College Dublin
When it comes to research excellence, University College Dublin (UCD) ranks among the top institutions in Europe. Originally established as the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854, the university was later renamed as University College Dublin in 1908. The institute is headquartered in the vibrant Irish metropolis.
Students at UCD are granted degrees by the National Institution of Ireland (NUI), and the institution became independent in 1997 under the flexible federal framework of the NUI.
The institution has five colleges, thirty-four schools, and eighteen research institutes and centres, and it is home to almost 34,000 students.
James Joyce, Gabriel Byrne, and Neil Jordan, all of whom won Academy Awards for their work in film and television, are among its illustrious alums.
Attractive features of a UCD education include high-quality instruction and research, a diverse and comprehensive curriculum (UCD provides Ireland’s most comprehensive selection of programs that are highly regarded by both academic institutions and companies worldwide), and a well-rounded educational experience.
In addition, studies conducted at UCD take into account the possibilities and threats that are influencing Ireland and other countries’ future. Through its multidisciplinary programs grounded on scholarship and research, UCD is bridging the gap between the arts, sciences, engineering, the humanities, and business.
In order to meet national research goals and maximise their influence on Ireland’s social and economic growth, the programs work with over 250 firms, as well as with voluntary entities and the federal government.
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3. University of Galway
Since its founding in 1845, the University of Galway has been an important source of intellectual inspiration and effective research for students. Its history dates back over 175 years, to its founding in Ireland as one of three Queen’s Colleges.
There are around 50 sports groups and 110 active organizations at the institution. The Literary and Debating Society, which dates back to 1846, is the oldest of these groups.
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Over 19,000 students from 122 different nations make the institution an important part of Galway City’s and the West of Ireland’s vibrant and diverse student body. Over the previous several years, the postgraduate employment rate at the University of Galway has averaged 98%, making it the top university in Ireland for student volunteerism and job readiness for graduates.
The University of Galway’s long-term goal is to become one of the world’s preeminent research institutions. Prioritizing a set of research topics allows the university to make a relevant impact on an international, local, and regional level. Environment, Physical and Computational Sciences, Energy Informatics, Marine, Humanities, Biomedical Science & Engineering, and Applied Social Science and Public Policy are among them.
The university has a major impact on Galway’s economy, society, and culture being one of the biggest employers there.
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4. University College Cork (UCC)
University College Cork (UCC) became the official name in 1998 from its original name of the National University of Ireland. The top achievement of this university is that it earned five QS Stars for overall performance.
University College Cork made history in 2010 as the first university in the world to achieve the worldwide Green Flag for environmental sustainability. The university is situated in the southern Irish city of Cork.
When it comes to academic programs, UCC is in a league of its own. About more than 24,000 students enrol in its Bachelors and Masters programs, and its programs are well-recognized and have a great reputation across the world. Foreign students are part of a vibrant, diverse network of researchers, teachers, and professionals. Around 4,000 students from 130+ countries attend UCC because of its stellar reputation. Students from all around the world, including Ireland, flock to this institution for its research-driven curriculum.
Apart from its overall performance, UCC has shown exceptional progress toward each of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), placing in the top 30 globally for five of the seventeen SDGs. UCC is at the front of the pack when it comes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ranking first in Ireland for five of them (SDGs 2, 11, 14, 15, and 16).
More than any other Irish institution, UCC is in the top 30 for each of the SDGs. This is indeed a remarkable accomplishment. That takes a look at analytics and statistics, but it also looks at how the university is influencing the world outside in terms of social fairness, sustainability, and economic growth.
5. University of Limerick
In 1972 the University of Limerick was founded as a National Institute for Higher Education. It reflected the country’s recognition of the significance of higher education for both Irish and foreign students.
The Institute, which had been a part of the National University of Ireland for some time, decided to pursue university status on its own merits.
At the University of Limerick, one may find the Business, Science and Engineering School, the Health Science, and the Humanities School. The University’s highly trained and experienced professors give both academic and professional knowledge, contributing to the institution’s stellar reputation for teaching. In 2019, UL was ranked 51st in Europe for its exceptional teaching quality by Times Higher Education.
Under the undergraduate programs, around 2,000 students from 56 different degree programs at UL complete a six- to eight-month placement, with 20% of those students working for firms abroad. Therefore, students leave UL with not only the academic qualifications but also the practical experience necessary to launch successful careers.
Among 2019 UL grads, 97% found work in the first six months after receiving their degrees. These rates demonstrate the exceptional value that people place on a degree from UL, since they are unparalleled in Ireland.
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6. Dublin City University (DCU)
The founding year of Dublin City University was 1975. Still, it has quickly established itself as a formidable contender. There are roughly 17,000 students registered right now, with around 1,000 taking classes online.
Since its founding in 1989, Dublin City University (DCU) has gained acclaim worldwide for its innovative pedagogy, groundbreaking research, and commitment to community service.
At its core, DCU is an internationally renowned institution that strives to attain educational and managerial excellence in its pursuit of excellence and the cultivation of talent. DCU’s long-term goal is to be known as an International University of Enterprise and to provide students with the tools they need to succeed in the modern world.
Throughout its 3 main campuses, DCU offers on-campus housing for more than 1400 undergraduate and graduate students. Students interested in both short-term (one semester) and long-term (one year) housing options are accommodated on campus.
The institution, located in Dublin’s northern suburbs, has a plethora of excellent on-campus amenities, including The Helix, a massive arts complex with many performance venues of varying sizes.
Approximately 80 percent of undergraduates have the opportunity to participate in internships or overseas educational programs. Through this program, students have the chance to not only perform academically but also acquire skills that are relevant to the workforce.
The first Irish institution to be named an institution of Sanctuary was Dublin City University in 2017. It was a token of appreciation for the many services that Ireland has set up to help its immigrant and refugee population. Dublin City University became the world’s first “Autism Friendly University” in 2018.
7. Maynooth University
Maynooth University is one of the oldest and newest universities in Ireland. It was officially founded as an independent university in 1997, although its roots go back to 1795 when the Royal College of St. Patrick was founded.
Just 25 kilometres west of Dublin, Ireland, is Maynooth University, an esteemed school with a reputation on a global stage. The university is ranked in the world’s top 90 by Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings for 2024.
Maynooth University is a hub of vibrant contrasts in the contemporary world; at the same time, it is firmly rooted in its unique academic qualities and scholarly traditions while being a modern, dynamic, fast-growing, research-led, and committed institution.
A variety of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in engineering, business, social sciences, and law are available at Maynooth, which attracts over 15,000 students from over 100 countries. There are many foreign programs and collaborations offered by the university.
The worldwide reputation of Maynooth University has been greatly enhanced by the fact that more than one-third of its faculty members are foreign nationals, and several alumni and current students hold positions of prominence overseas. Maynooth students gain from an international perspective, and there is a support system in place for individuals who want to spend a semester or a year studying abroad as part of their degree. Students from Maynooth have attended Boston College for law, Beijing Foreign Studies University for Mandarin Chinese, and the University of Vienna for music as part of their degree programs.
8. Technological University Dublin
The Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, and Institute of Technology Tallaght were the founding organizations of the Technological University Dublin, which was founded on January 1st, 2019.
On its campuses located in the three major population centres of the metropolitan Dublin area, the university provides education to 29,000 students. TU Dublin is a university that offers routes from apprenticeship to PhD, bringing together the business, sciences, arts, and technology.
More than 120 faculty and students from research centres like CREST (Center for Research in Engineering Surface Technology), RESC (Radiation and Environmental Science), and IEO (Industrial and Engineering Optics) are supported administratively and technically by the Institute, which also occupies state-of-the-art core laboratory space.
The institution offers a broad range of specialized scientific facilities and equipment, with a major concentration on STEM courses. A wide range of departments and disciplines are available for both bachelor and master studies, including architecture, business, finance, science, and mathematics.
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| Top Universities in Ireland | QS Ranking (2024) |
| Trinity College Dublin | 81 |
| University College Dublin | 171 |
| University of Galway | 289 |
| University College Cork (UCC) | 292 |
| University of Limerick | 426 |
| Dublin City University (DCU) | 436 |
| Maynooth University | 801 |
| Technological University Dublin | 851 |
Conclusion
Irish universities are well-recognized and well-reputed in terms of academic and research excellence. The institutes in the above list excel in providing a cutting-edge education with a focus on research, technology, and sustainability. A great deal of overseas students are attracted to the educational system and universities/colleges of Ireland with cosmopolitan environments.
This variety enhances academic cooperation and personal development. Also, with the increasing rate of job opportunities for graduates in sectors like IT, finance, and tech, Ireland is becoming a top education destination. The top Ireland universities on the list develop future leaders and innovators with their rich cultural legacy and sophisticated academic approach.
FAQs
Which Is The Hardest University In Ireland To Get Admission?
University College Dublin (UCD) has an acceptance rate of 20%, making it one of the hardest institutions in Ireland for students to get admission.
Which 5 Subjects Are Best To Study In Ireland?
The top five subjects that can be beneficial for graduates later in their career development are engineering, life sciences, business analytics, business management and administration, and computer science.
Which Country Pays Better: UK Or Ireland?
Although job opportunities are more in the UK, companies in Ireland, on average, pay higher salaries as compared to the UK.
