Why Study in Ireland?
Ireland is a popular destination for international students, thanks to its world-class universities, vibrant culture, and friendly people. Here are some of the top reasons to study in Ireland:
- High-quality education: Ireland’s universities are consistently ranked among the best in the world. They offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, taught by world-renowned experts.
- Excellent research opportunities: Ireland is home to a number of leading research universities, which offer students the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research projects.
- Beautiful country: Ireland is a beautiful country with stunning scenery, from rolling hills to rugged coastlines. There’s also a rich cultural heritage, with plenty of historical sites and museums to explore.
- Friendly people: The Irish are known for their warm hospitality, and international students are sure to feel welcome in Ireland.
- Strong economy: Ireland has a strong economy, with low unemployment rates. This means that there are plenty of job opportunities for graduates after they finish their studies.
- The cost of living in Ireland is higher than in some other European countries, but it is still relatively affordable.
- The application process for studying in Ireland varies depending on the university or college you are applying to.
- The most popular student cities in Ireland include Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford.
How the university system works in Ireland
Ireland has a well-established system of higher education, with a wide range of universities, colleges, and institutes of technology.
Traditional universities in Ireland
The university sector in Ireland is made up of both state-funded and private universities.
The state-funded universities are generally autonomous. There are few private universities, such as the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).
The list of universities in Ireland are:
- National University of Ireland (NUI), which is the umbrella university covering University College Dublin (UCD), University of Galway, University College Cork, and National University of Ireland, Maynooth.
- University of Dublin, which is generally known as Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
- University of Limerick (UL)
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Technological sector
The technological sector in Ireland includes technological universities (TUs) and institutes of technology (ITs). The Technological Universities Act 2018 allows institutes of technology to apply to become a new type of higher education institution with technological university status. TUs and ITs provide programmes of education and training in areas such as business, science, engineering, linguistics and music to certificate, diploma and degree levels.
There are 5 technological universities in Ireland:
- Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) – formerly Dublin, Tallaght and Blanchardstown institutes of technology
- Munster Technological University MTU)) – formerly Cork and Tralee institutes of technology
- Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS) – formerly Limerick and Athlone institutes of technology
- Atlantic Technological University (ATU) – formerly Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny institutes of technology
- South East Technological University (SETU) – formerly Carlow and Waterford institutes of technology
There are also 2 institutes of technology in Ireland:
- Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), Dun Laoghaire
- Dundalk Institute of Technology
Other colleges
In addition to state-funded colleges, a number of fee-paying third-level educational institutions, or private colleges, offer courses, mainly in professional vocational training and business. Some of these colleges are linked to universities or professional associations and their qualifications may be accredited accordingly.
How to apply to universities in Ireland
The application process differs on whether you are an EU or a non-EU based student.
If you are EU based, you will likely apply via a centralized entity called the Central Applications Office (CAO).
CAO has a well laid out website. Applications are typically open from November and the closing date for late applications is 1 May. However, universities may have earlier deadlines and in most cases, applying early is advantageous.
CAO is not too dissimilar from UCAS in the UK or other centralized application entities. An interesting thing about CAO is that they allow you to change your mind between application and the time you receive an offer.
It may not always be smart to show you have changed courses, as it may highlight that you are not committed to a subject. However, it is a very flexible feature that students appreciate.
If you’re a non-EU student, you won’t be able to CAO and must apply directly to your program following the universities’ instructions. The requirements are similar, and includes uploading letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc., multiple times for each program.
Also, by not using CAO and applying to universities directly, you will not have centralized timelines and will need to liaise with each university directly.
Admission Intakes in Ireland
Universities in Ireland offer two intakes or semesters for admissions: autumn and spring. The intake that a student applies to depends on the university and course they are applying for.
Autumn Intake
The autumn intake is the main intake for most universities in Ireland. It takes place in September and continues until December. This is the most popular intake, and most courses are offered during this time.
Spring Intake
The spring intake is less popular than the autumn intake. It takes place in February and continues until May. Not all courses are offered during this intake, and the number of universities that offer spring admissions is also limited.
Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for the autumn and spring intakes vary depending on the university and course. However, most deadlines for the autumn intake are in January or February (latest deadline is May, but not available for all courses), and most deadlines for the spring intake are in September or October.
What are the top (traditional) universities in Ireland?
Trinity College Dublin
- Total number of students: 17,000
- University rankings: 101st in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2023
Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland, and one of the oldest in the English-speaking world. It is located in the heart of Dublin, and is home to a diverse student body of over 17,000 students. Trinity is a research-intensive university, and its most prestigious departments include Law, Medicine, and Classics. The university is also home to the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript that is one of the most important cultural treasures in Ireland.
University College Dublin
- Total number of students: 33,000
- University rankings: 150th in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2023
University College Dublin is the largest university in Ireland, and is located in Dublin. It is a public university, and is known for its strong academic reputation. UCD is also home to a number of world-renowned research centers, including the UCD Centre for Global Health.
National University of Ireland, Galway
- Total number of students: 25,000
- University rankings: 251-300th in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2023
The National University of Ireland, Galway is a public university located in Galway, Ireland. It is the third-largest university in Ireland, and is known for its strong academic reputation. NUIG is also home to a number of world-renowned research centers, including the Ryan Institute for Environmental Health.
University of Limerick
- Total number of students: 19,000
- University rankings: 351-400th in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2023
The University of Limerick is a public university located in Limerick, Ireland. It is the fourth-largest university in Ireland, and is known for its strong academic reputation. UL is also home to a number of world-renowned research centers, including the Insight Centre for Data Analytics.
Dublin City University
- Total number of students: 17,000
- University rankings: 401-450th in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2023
Dublin City University is a public university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the fifth-largest university in Ireland, and is known for its strong academic reputation. DCU is also home to a number of world-renowned research centers, including the Insight Centre for Data Analytics.
Maynooth University
- Total number of students: 15,000
- University rankings: 601-800th in the world by the QS World University Rankings 2023
Maynooth University is a public university located in Maynooth, Ireland. It is the sixth-largest university in Ireland, and is known for its strong academic reputation. MU is also home to a number of world-renowned research centers, including the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre.
University of Limerick Technological University
- Total number of students: 18,000
- University rankings: Not ranked
The University of Limerick Technological University is a public university located in Limerick, Ireland. It is the seventh-largest university in Ireland, and is known for its strong academic reputation. UL is also home to a number of world-renowned research centers.
Financial considerations for studying in Ireland
Here is a breakdown of the tuition costs for different types of institutions in Ireland:
- Universities: €10,000- €20,000 per year
- Institutes of Technology: €7,500- €15,000 per year
- Private colleges: €15,000- €30,000 per year
In addition to tuition, students in Ireland also need to factor in the cost of living, which can be relatively high. The average cost of living in Ireland is €1,200- €1,500 per month.
There are a number of scholarships and grants available to help students pay for college in Ireland. These scholarships are typically awarded based on academic merit, financial need, or extracurricular activities. However, most of those are only available to Irish or EU based students.
So, is Ireland right for you?
Ireland is an interesting option. Often overshadowed by the UK due to the prestige, and by many other countries in Europe due to being more affordable, it should still be considered.
Even if a degree is English taught in Amsterdam or Paris, many students enjoy the positive aspects of living in a society where English is the native language.
International students are present but they are not as popular as in other places. That may be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on your personal preference.
It is also worth highlighting that student accommodation in Ireland is limited, and students struggle to secure it, particularly in Dublin.
Overall, we would never recommend applying only to Ireland. Irish universities are somewhat unpredictable and inconsistent at giving out offers. Also, since it is a small country, the offer is more limited.
However, if you are convinced you want to study in Europe but are relatively open, applying to Irish universities as well as others abroad, is a very smart idea.
Having options is something that all students are happy about at the end of the school year!
If you would like to find out more about other popular student destinations, check out our country guides here.