Top 10 Universities in Ireland for International Students

Ireland is home to some of the best universities in the world. Eight universities from Ireland have made it to the QS World University Rankings 2025. This indicates that these universities demonstrate global recognition and competitiveness in higher education.  Want to know which universities these are? In this article, we will explore these eight universities and others, providing you with multiple options to choose from.

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Why Study in Ireland?

  • Top Research Facilities: Ireland’s universities are well-regarded for providing high-quality research facilities to students. Irish universities like Trinity and University College Dublin are recognized for contributing high-quality research, especially in engineering, science, and medicine.
  • Excellent Career Opportunities: Ireland has a thriving job market. Over 9,000 multinational companies are operating in Ireland, from Google to Pfizer. This allows international students to work with some of the sought-after companies in the world.
  • Higher Employment Rate: Did you know 93% of the graduates land job opportunities within 9 months of completing their degree in Ireland?. This means international students have a strong chance of securing a job immediately after graduation. 

Top 10 Universities in Ireland

Here is the list of the best universities in Ireland:

  • Picture
    University Name
    Courses
    University Details
     
  • Trinity College Dublin
    Trinity College Dublin
    Bachelor’s: BSc in Physics, BA in English Studies, and BSc in Computer Science
    Master’s: MBA, MSc in Data Science, and MSc in Computer Science
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    QS Rankings: 87
    Tuition Fees: EUR 13,000 to EUR 29,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 7%
    Placement Rate: 92%
  • University College Dublin
    Bachelor’s: BA in History, BE in Electrical Engineering, and BE in Mechanical Engineering
    Master’s: MBA, MSc in Civil Engineering, and MSc in Mechanical Engineering
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    QS Rankings: 126
    Tuition Fees: EUR 19,000 to EUR 25,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 20%
    Placement Rate: 81%
  • University College Cork
    Bachelor’s: BSc in Chemistry, BA in English, and Bachelor of Commerce
    Master’s: MA in History, MSc in Finance, and MSc in Management
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    QS Rankings: 273
    Tuition Fees: EUR 9,000 to EUR 50,000
    Acceptance Rate: 41%
    Placement Rate: 93%
  • University of Galway
    University of Galway
    Bachelor’s: BA in Psychology, BE in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and BE in Civil Engineering
    Master’s: MSc in Business Analytics, MSc in AI, and MSc in Environmental Science
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    QS Rankings: 273
    Tuition Fees: EUR 13,000 to EUR 24,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 86%
    Placement Rate: 91%
  • Dublin City University
    Dublin City University
    Bachelor’s: BSc in Computer Science, BEng in Electronic and Computer Engineering, and BSc in Biotechnology
    Master’s: MSc in Computing, MSc in Management, and MA in Journalism
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    QS Rankings: 421
    Tuition Fees: EUR 6,000 to EUR 35,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 40% to 52%
    Placement Rate: 96%
  • University of Limerick
    University of Limerick
    Bachelor’s: BEng in Mechanical, BEng in Electrical Engineering, and BSc in Computer Systems
    Master’s: MSc in Cybersecurity, MSc in Civil Engineering, and MA in Business Management
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    QS Rankings: 421
    Tuition Fees: EUR 12,000 to EUR 17,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 88%
    Placement Rate: 85%
  • Maynooth University
    Maynooth University
    Bachelor’s: BBS in International Business, BBS in Management, and BSc in Biotechnology
    Master’s: MSc in Digital Marketing, MSc in Supply Chain & Management, and MSc in Data Science and Analytics
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    QS Rankings: 801-850
    Tuition Fees: EUR 12,000 to EUR 20,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 73%
    Placement Rate: NA
  • Technological University Dublin
    Technological University Dublin
    Bachelor’s: Bachelor of Engineering (Honors) in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science (Honors) Computer Science, and Bachelor of Architecture
    Master’s: Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering, MSc in Finance, and MSc in Applied Cyber Security
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    QS Rankings: 851-900
    Tuition Fees: EUR 13,600 to EUR 21,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 46%
    Placement Rate: 93%
  • Munster Technological University
    Munster Technological University
    Bachelor’s: Bachelor of Business (Honors) Accounting, Bachelor of Science (Honors) Agricultural Engineering, and Bachelor of Science (Honors) Architectural Engineering
    Master’s: Master of Science Artificial Intelligence, Master of Science Cyber Security, and Master of Science International Business
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    Times Higher Education Rankings: 2388
    Tuition Fees: EUR 13,000 to EUR 15,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 60%
    Placement Rate: NA
  • South East Technological University
    South East Technological University
    Bachelor’s: BEng (Honors) in Aerospace Engineering, BEng (Honors) in Electrical Engineering, and Bachelor of Business (Hons)
    Master’s: MSc in Information Technology Management, MSc in Data Science, and MEng in Applied Materials
    Full-time/ Part-time
    Online/ On-campus
    UniRank: 11,968
    Tuition Fees: EUR 13,500 to EUR 15,000 per year
    Acceptance Rate: 66%
    Placement Rate: 95%

Eligibility Criteria for International Students

Here is the eligibility criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate studies at Irish universities:

Undergraduate Studies

  • International students must have completed a high school diploma.
  • The minimum GPA varies from university to university, but maintaining a score of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is generally recommended.

Postgraduate Studies

  • International students must complete a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
  • The students must at least score 60% in the Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent result from their respective countries.

Standardized Language Test Scores

The English language tests vary from university to university. That said, most Irish universities accept the following standardized language tests:

  • IELTS
  • TOEFL
  • PTE Academic
  • Duolingo English Test
  • Cambridge English

Documents

Here are some of the common documents required for admission to Irish universities:

  • Updated CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Portfolio
  • Valid Passport
  • Academic transcripts

What is the Cost of Living for International Students to Study in Ireland?

Here is an overview of the total cost of living for international students seeking to pursue higher education in Ireland:

CategoryAverage Cost/Month
RentEUR 400 – EUR 1000
TransportationEUR 100
FoodEUR 200 – EUR 300
Health InsuranceEUR 10

** The average cost of living in Ireland for international students can be from EUR 800 – EUR 1050 per month.

Conclusion

Ireland is more than just a tourist destination – it is a gateway to high-quality education and global careers. If you are looking for universities that offer top-notch education and strong career opportunities, these ten universities must be on your list. Moreover, Ireland ticks all the right boxes, offering a high employment rate and being home to some of the best MNCs in the world. So, what’s all the wait about? Choose the university that aligns with your career goals and take the first step towards building a successful future in Ireland.

FAQs:

Ireland offers high-quality education, strong employment opportunities, globally recognized degrees, and opportunities to work after studies. This puts Ireland on par with other leading study destinations.

Yes, international students can work while studying in Ireland. The students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and up to 40 hours per week during holidays.

Yes, Irish universities offer merit-based scholarships to international students. Some of the scholarships include UCD Global scholarships and Government of Ireland International Scholarships. 

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