Universities in Ireland ^New

Explore the uniRank League Table and University Ranking of 23 Universities in Ireland

The Republic of Ireland is divided into 26 counties, three city councils, and two city and county councils. The majority of higher education institutions that meet the uniRank selection criteria are located in the traditional County Dublin. The following uniRank sub-rankings and league tables consider all regions that include at least one Irish higher education institution meeting the uniRank selection criteria.

County Carlow (1)  
County Cork (2)  
County Donegal (1)  
County Dublin (12)  
County Galway (1)  
County Kildare (2)  
County Limerick (1)  
County Louth (1)  
County Waterford (1)  
County Westmeath (1)  

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Overview of Irish Universities

Ireland's higher education system comprises universities and technological universities, predominantly public and non-profit. Institutions blend historic academic traditions with modern innovation, offering English-taught programs. The system includes comprehensive universities with broad disciplines and specialized technological universities focused on applied fields. All universities engage in research, with traditional institutions emphasizing research intensity and technological universities prioritizing industry applications.

Top 10 Irish Universities

1. Trinity College Dublin (Coláiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath, Ollscoil Bhaile Átha Cliath) - TCD
   Ranked #1 in Ireland (#215 globally). Located in Dublin, County Dublin. Established 1592. Public, research-intensive comprehensive university. Fields: Arts, Humanities, STEM, Health Sciences, Business. Levels: Undergraduate to Doctoral.
2. University College Dublin (Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath) - UCD
   Ranked #2 in Ireland (#334 globally). Located in Dublin, County Dublin. Established 1854. Public, research-intensive comprehensive university. Fields: Agriculture, Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Medicine. Levels: Undergraduate to Doctoral.
3. University College Cork (Coláiste na hOllscoile, Corcaigh) - UCC
   Ranked #3 in Ireland (#406 globally). Located in Cork, County Cork. Established 1845. Public, research-intensive comprehensive university. Fields: Law, Medicine, Food Science, Celtic Studies. Levels: Undergraduate to Doctoral.
4. University of Galway (Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) - NUIG
   Ranked #4 in Ireland (#534 globally). Located in Galway, County Galway. Established 1845. Public, research-intensive comprehensive university. Fields: Human Rights, Data Science, Marine Science, Creative Arts. Levels: Undergraduate to Doctoral.
5. Dublin City University (Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath) - DCU
   Ranked #5 in Ireland (#588 globally). Located in Dublin, County Dublin. Established 1989. Public, research-intensive comprehensive university. Fields: Communications, Biotechnology, Business, Education. Levels: Undergraduate to Doctoral.
6. University of Limerick (Ollscoil Luimnigh) - UL
   Ranked #6 in Ireland (#610 globally). Located in Limerick, County Limerick. Established 1972. Public, research-intensive comprehensive university. Fields: Engineering, Health Sciences, Performing Arts, Robotics. Levels: Undergraduate to Doctoral.
7. Technological University Dublin (Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta Bhaile Átha Cliath) - TU Dublin
   Ranked #7 in Ireland (#717 globally). Located in Dublin, County Dublin. Established 2019. Public, applied-research specialized university. Fields: Digital Media, Sustainable Technology, Hospitality Management. Levels: Undergraduate to Doctoral.
8. Maynooth University (Ollscoil Mhá Nuad) - NUI Maynooth
   Ranked #8 in Ireland (#817 globally). Located in Maynooth, County Kildare. Established 1997. Public, research-intensive comprehensive university. Fields: Theoretical Physics, Social Sciences, FinTech. Levels: Undergraduate to Doctoral.
9. South East Technological University (Ollscoil Teicneolaíochta an Oirdheiscirt) - SETU
   Ranked #9 in Ireland (#1336 globally). Located in Waterford, County Waterford. Established 1970. Public, applied-research specialized university. Fields: Engineering Technology, Nursing, Business Computing. Levels: Undergraduate to Postgraduate.
10. Technological University of the Shannon - TUS
    Ranked #10 in Ireland (#1750 globally). Located in Athlone, County Westmeath. Established 1970. Public, applied-research specialized university. Fields: Polymer Technology, Software Design, Hospitality Innovation. Levels: Undergraduate to Postgraduate.

Analysis of University Types

Ireland has 23 higher education institutions. Public universities dominate the landscape, constituting 18 institutions (78.3% of the total). Private institutions comprise the remaining 5 (21.7%). The top-ranked universities are exclusively public, reflecting Ireland's state-funded higher education model.

Global Ranking and Standing

While no Irish universities currently rank in the global top 200, 8 institutions (34.8% of Ireland's total) feature in the top 1,000 worldwide. This demonstrates Ireland's competitive higher education sector, with all top-ranked universities maintaining international recognition for teaching and research quality.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many universities are in Ireland?
Ireland has 23 higher education institutions, including 7 traditional universities and 5 technological universities, alongside other specialized colleges.

What is Ireland's top-ranked university?
Trinity College Dublin consistently ranks as Ireland's #1 university (country rank 1, world rank 215), followed by University College Dublin and University College Cork.

Are Irish degrees internationally recognized?
Yes, Irish qualifications are globally respected under the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), with all universities regulated by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

What is the primary language of instruction?
English is the main language of instruction across all universities, though some institutions offer courses in Irish (Gaeilge).

How do technological universities differ from traditional universities?
Technological universities focus on career-oriented, industry-linked programs in applied fields, while traditional universities offer broader academic disciplines with stronger research emphasis.

Since 2005, UniRank provides original research, valuable information and resources to help you explore and make informed decisions about Irish universities and their online presence.

• Oldest Universities in Ireland
  Explore the most traditional and long-established Irish post-secondary institutions according to uniRank's original research.
• A-Z Universities in Ireland
  Search for Irish higher education institutions listed alphabetically from A to Z.
• Irish Universities by Town
  Look for tertiary institutions located in a particular Irish town or city.
• Top Public Universities in Ireland
  Discover Irish public higher education institutions with potentially lower tuition fees.
• Top Private Universities in Ireland
  Find out about Irish private higher education institutions.
• Top Non-Profit Universities in Ireland
  Explore Irish not-for-profit higher education institutions that may offer lower tuition fees.
• Top For-Profit Universities in Ireland
  Look for Irish for-profit higher education institutions.
• Top Irish Universities on Facebook
  See which tertiary institutions in Ireland have the most followers on Facebook, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Irish Universities on Twitter
  Discover the Universities in Ireland that are most followed on Twitter, based on uniRank's original research.
• Top Irish Universities on Instagram
  Find out which post-secondary institutions in Ireland are the most followed on Instagram, according to uniRank's original research.
• Top Irish Universities on YouTube
  Explore the Universities in Ireland with the most subscribed channels on YouTube, based on uniRank's original research.