Top Ranked Universities in Ireland 2024
Home to 28 world class universities, Ireland is a popular study abroad country for international students. The most popular university in Ireland is Trinity College Dublin, which is one of the top 100 universities in the world. According to QS World University Rankings, other top-ranking universities in Ireland include University College Dublin, University of Galway, Dublin City University and more.
All aspiring candidates are required to appear for English proficiency exams like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo English Test and other entrance exams such as GRE/GMAT and SAT.
At the moment there are over 32,000 international students pursuing their studies in Ireland, representing 100+ countries around the world. The top subjects/industries for international students in Ireland are Computer Science and Information Technology, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Hea
Home to 28 world class universities, Ireland is a popular study abroad country for international students. The most popular university in Ireland is Trinity College Dublin, which is one of the top 100 universities in the world. According to QS World University Rankings, other top-ranking universities in Ireland include University College Dublin, University of Galway, Dublin City University and more.
All aspiring candidates are required to appear for English proficiency exams like IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo English Test and other entrance exams such as GRE/GMAT and SAT.
At the moment there are over 32,000 international students pursuing their studies in Ireland, representing 100+ countries around the world. The top subjects/industries for international students in Ireland are Computer Science and Information Technology, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management and many more. Irish Universities are ranked in the top 3% of institutions worldwide with many research fields in the top 1% in the world.
Top Universities in Ireland: Highlights 2023
Usually, the duration of regular undergraduate courses in most of the top-ranked universities in Ireland is of 3-4 years and graduate as well as post-graduate courses is of 2 years. The applications for majority of the universities in Ireland open in October and accept responses till February. Typically, there are two major intake season in Irish universities: Spring(February) and Autumn (September).
| PARAMETERS |
STATISTICS |
| Number of universities in Ireland |
28 |
| Cost of courses in Ireland |
Annual tuition fee: INR 8.7 L – 44.9 L Annual living costs: INR 2.9 L – 90 L |
| Top subject areas |
Computer Science and Information Technology, Business and Management, Engineering and Technology, Medicine and Health Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management and more |
| Entrance exams required |
|
| English proficiency exams required |
|
| Work permit required for Ireland |
2 years |
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Top-ranked Universities in Ireland:
QS World University Rankings is a globally recognized top university ranking body that publishes annual rankings of universities on the basis of eight key indicators like Employability, ROI, Entrepreneurship and Alumni outcomes, Thought leadership, and Class & faculty diversity and new parameters like sustainability, employment outcomes and international research network. There are other renowned ranking bodies like US News and World Report that rank universities on Alumni giving rate average, Class size, Graduation rate performance and more. Given below is the list of top Universities in Ireland as mentioned in the prominent rankings.
| University |
QS Global Rankings 2024 |
U.S. News & World Report Rankings for 2023-24 |
| #81 |
#215 |
|
| #171 |
#236 |
|
| #289 |
#551 |
|
| #292 |
#397 |
|
| #426 |
#889 |
|
| #436 |
#917 |
|
| #801-850 |
#1254 |
|
| #851-900 |
NA |
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Top Universities in Ireland: QS World University Rankings
In the QS World University Rankings, it can be observed that Trinity College Dublin is consistently the top-ranking university in Ireland and a very popular study abroad option for international students.
| University |
QS World Rankings 2024 |
QS World Rankings 2023 |
QS World Rankings 2022 |
| #81 |
#98 |
#101 |
|
| #171 |
#181 |
#173 |
|
| #289 |
#270 |
#258 |
|
| #292 |
#303 |
#298 |
|
| #426 |
#501-500 |
#501-550 |
|
| #436 |
#471 |
#490 |
|
| #801-850 |
#801-1000 |
#751-800 |
|
| #851-900 |
#801-1000 |
#801-1000 |
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Top Universities in Ireland: Admission Requirements
The exact admission requirements for the universities in Ireland differ according to university of choice. However, there are some basic entry requirements for admission into best universities in Ireland.
Admission requirements for undergraduate courses in a top university in Ireland are:
- High school certificate
- Academic Transcripts
- Copy of valid passport
- English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic)
- CV/Resume
- Academic score of at least 60%
- Proof of fund
- Health Insurance
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of recommendation
- Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities
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Admission requirements for postgraduate courses in a top university in Ireland are:
- Bachelor’s degree (3-4 years)
- Academic Transcripts
- Copy of valid passport
- English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic)
- CV/Resume
- Academic score of at least 60%
- Proof of fund
- Health Insurance
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of recommendation
- Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities
- Work experience (if required)
Refer to the table below to have a general idea of the eligibility requirements required to study in Ireland.
| University |
English Language Proficiency Score |
Admission Requirements |
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 90.0 & Above PTE: 63.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5 TOEFL: 90.0 & Above PTE: 63.0 - 65.0 |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 – 7.5 TOEFL: 88.0 & Above PTE: 61.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 90.0 – 100.0 PTE: 63.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 90.0 & Above PTE: 61.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 92.0 & Above PTE: 63.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 92.0 & Above PTE: 58.0 – 62.0 |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 – 7.0 TOEFL: 80.0 – 92.0 PTE: 65.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS 6.5 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
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Top Universities in Ireland: Scholarships Offered:
Opting to study abroad is a major step that student take for their career and managing the expenses including the tuition fee and living costs play a deciding factor in this decision. Here is where scholarships dive in and help students study in their dream college by cutting down a portion of their expenses. Here are some scholarships offered by the top universities in Ireland that are available for international students:
- Narotam Sekhsaria’s Scholarships
- Hani Zeini Scholarship
- Unimoni Student Stars
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Scholarships
- C. Mahindra Scholarships for Post-Graduate Studies Abroad
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Top Universities in Ireland: Visa Requirements
All international students require an Ireland Student Visa in order to study in a university in Ireland. All candidates aiming to study in a university in Ireland must follow the proper application process to apply for an Irish Student Visa. Additionally, students are required to pay the visa application fee, as applicable.
Top Universities in Ireland: Acceptance Rate
Acceptance rate and average GPA play a very crucial role when it comes to university admissions and applicants must keep them in mind before applying in a university. Given below are the acceptance rate as well as the average GPA required for top universities in Ireland:
| University |
Acceptance Rate |
Average GPA |
| 34% |
3.88 GPA |
|
| 20% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 86% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 20% |
3.3 GPA |
|
| 70% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 20% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 73% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 46% |
2.6 GPA |
|
| 34% |
3.0 GPA |
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Is studying at Top Universities in Ireland expensive?
According to the table given below, the average annual tuition fee for UG courses in top Ireland universities is approximately 20 Lakh and for PG courses, it is 15 Lakh on an average. However, students must keep in mind the cost of living while calculating the overall expenses of studying in a top-ranked Irish university.
| University |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
Cost of living (approximate) |
| UG: INR 18.6 L - 34 L PG: INR 14.6 L - 44.9 L |
INR 53 L |
|
| UG: INR 18 L – 30.6 L PG: INR 8.7 L - 25.1 L |
INR 90 L |
|
| UG: INR 15.4 L – 21.8 L PG: INR 14.6 L - 44.9 L |
INR 2.9 L |
|
| UG: INR 14.8 L – 20.3 L PG: INR 13.7 L – 22.7 L |
INR 3.2 L |
|
| UG: INR 15.5 L – 27.7 L PG: INR 2.6 L - 16.9 L |
INR 8.1 L |
|
| UG: INR 10.2 L - 14 L PG: INR 9 L - 17.2 L |
INR 7.4 L |
|
| UG: INR 12.2 L – 13.6 L PG: INR 12.7 L - 15.4 L |
INR 4.5 L |
|
| UG: INR 11.3 L – 19.8 L PG: INR 9.9 L – 13.1 L |
NA |
|
| UG: INR 52.4 L |
INR 6 L |
Conversion used: 1 Euro = 88.62 INR
Top Universities in Ireland: Salary
The salary offered by any university determines the Return on Investment (ROI) that students get as a placement offer in return for investing some amount of money to attend a college and eventually, for the completion of a degree. Mentioned below are the average placement salary offered to students at the top universities in Ireland along with the first-year tuition fees.
| University |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
Average Salary |
| UG: INR 18.6 L - 34 L PG: INR 14.6 L - 44.9 L |
$91,000 |
|
| UG: INR 15.5 L – 27.7 L PG: INR 2.6 L - 16.9 L |
$61,200 |
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Top Universities in Ireland: Post-work Study Permit
Post-work study permit is one of the most crucial factors for students aiming to pursue higher studies in Ireland. Students can apply for a non-renewable extension of upto 2 years after course completion in Ireland. This extension is granted for the purpose of finding suitable employment. Later on, they can apply for a green card (renamed Critical Skills Employment Permit) or work permit (renamed General Employment Permit).
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Top Universities in Ireland: A Comparison
Check out a comprehensive comparison of the top universities in Ireland:
| University |
Current Year Ranking (QS Global MBA Rankings 2024) |
Acceptance Rate |
| Trinity College Dublin |
#81 |
34% |
| University College Dublin |
#171 |
20% |
| University of Galway |
#289 |
86% |
| University College Cork |
#292 |
20% |
| University of Limerick |
#426 |
70% |
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Top Ranked Universities in Ireland 2024
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FAQs
Q. How much does studying in Ireland cost for international students?
A. For an estimate of the annual tuition fee required as well as cost of living to study in Ireland, students can refer to the table below:
| University |
1st Year Tuition Fees |
Cost of living (approximate) |
| UG:Â INR 18.6 L - 34 L PG:Â INR 14.6 L - 44.9 L |
INR 53 L |
|
| UG: INR 18 L – 30.6 L PG: INR 8.7 L - 25.1 L |
INR 90 L |
|
| UG: INR 15.4 L – 21.8 L PG: INR 14.6 L - 44.9 L |
INR 2.9 L |
|
| UG: INR 14.8 L – 20.3 L PG: INR 13.7 L – 22.7 L |
INR 3.2 L |
|
| UG: INR 15.5 L – 27.7 L PG: INR 2.6 L - 16.9 L |
INR 8.1 L |
|
| UG:Â INR 10.2 L - 14 L PG:Â INR 9 L - 17.2 L |
INR 7.4 L |
|
| UG: INR 12.2 L – 13.6 L PG: INR 12.7 L - 15.4 L |
INR 4.5 L |
|
| UG: INR 11.3 L – 19.8 L PG: INR 9.9 L – 13.1 L |
NA |
|
| UG:Â INR 52.4 L |
INR 6 L |
Conversion used: 1 Euro = 88.62 INR
Q. What is the acceptance rate of top universities in Ireland?
A.
Acceptance rate and average GPA play a very crucial role when it comes to university admissions and applicants must keep them in mind before applying in a university. Given below are the acceptance rate as well as the average GPA required for top universities in Ireland:
| University |
Acceptance Rate |
Average GPA |
| 34% |
3.88 GPA |
|
| 20% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 86% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 20% |
3.3 GPA |
|
| 70% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 20% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 73% |
3.0 GPA |
|
| 46% |
2.6 GPA |
|
| 34% |
3.0 GPA |
Q. Can I work after pursuing my higher studies in Ireland?
A. Post-work study permit is one of the most crucial factors for students aiming to pursue higher studies in Ireland. Students can apply for a non-renewable extension of upto 2 years after course completion in Ireland. This extension is granted for the purpose of finding suitable employment. Later on, they can apply for a green card (renamed Critical Skills Employment Permit) or work permit (renamed General Employment Permit).
Q. Can I avail scholarships while studying at the top universities in Ireland?
A.
Opting to study abroad is a major step that student take for their career and managing the expenses including the tuition fee and living costs play a deciding factor in this decision. Here is where scholarships dive in and help students study in their dream college by cutting down a portion of their expenses. Here are some scholarships offered by the top universities in Ireland that are available for international students:
Q. What are the admission requirements of top universities in Ireland?
A.
The exact admission requirements for the universities in Ireland differ according to university of choice. However, there are some basic entry requirements for admission into best universities in Ireland.
Admission requirements for undergraduate courses in a top university in Ireland are:
- High school certificate
- Academic Transcripts
- Copy of valid passport
- English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic)
- CV/Resume
- Academic score of at least 60%
- Proof of fund
- Health Insurance
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of recommendation
- Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities
Â
Admission requirements for postgraduate courses in a top university in Ireland are:
- Bachelor’s degree (3-4 years)
- Academic Transcripts
- Copy of valid passport
- English proficiency exam scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic)
- CV/Resume
- Academic score of at least 60%
- Proof of fund
- Health Insurance
- Statement of Purpose
- Letter of recommendation
- Certificates/achievements at the state and national level and extracurricular activities
- Work experience (if required)
Refer to the table below to have a general idea of the eligibility requirements required to study in Ireland.
| University |
English Language Proficiency Score |
Admission Requirements |
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 90.0 & Above PTE: 63.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 - 7.5 TOEFL: 90.0 & Above PTE: 63.0 - 65.0 |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 – 7.5 TOEFL: 88.0 & Above PTE: 61.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 90.0 – 100.0 PTE: 63.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 90.0 & Above PTE: 61.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 92.0 & Above PTE: 63.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 & Above TOEFL: 92.0 & Above PTE: 58.0 – 62.0 |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS: 6.5 – 7.0 TOEFL: 80.0 – 92.0 PTE: 65.0 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
|
| IELTS 6.5 & Above |
GMAT: Accepted |
