Best Universities in Ireland for International Students

Highlights:

• Universities: Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway, University College Cork, and University of Limerick are some of the best universities in Ireland. Eight Irish universities are featured in the 2024 QS World University Rankings, with six in the top 500.
• Tuition fees: Undergraduate tuition fees start at 9,750 EUR and postgraduate tuition fees start at 12,000 EUR per year
• International students: Over 35,000 international students from 161 countries study in Ireland. As per recent reports from the Ministry of External Affairs, 5,000 Indian students are currently studying in Ireland.
• Admissions: Admission is based on previous academic records and English proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, or DET). Application fees range from 35 to 55 EUR in the majority of the top university in Ireland
• Popular programs: History, Computer Science, and Business at Trinity College Dublin; Engineering and Medicine at University College Dublin; and Business and Engineering at University of Limerick
• Job Outcomes: High-paying roles include Surgeons, Judges, Lawyers and Bank Managers. As per Statista, the overall employment rate in Ireland is 74%

Best Universities in Ireland include Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway, University College Cork, University of Limerick among others. In the QS 2024 ranking, 8 Irish Universities are regarded as good universities in Ireland, including the aforementioned. At the majority of the top universities in Ireland, undergraduate tuition fees start at 9,750 EUR per year. The tuition fees for masters programs range between 12,000 and 30,000 EUR per year depending on the university and chosen degree. The yearly estimated cost of living in Ireland comes to around 11,829 EUR. For admissions, Irish universities charge non-refundable application fees of around 35 to 55 EUR. Admission is based on past academics, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or DET scores. The top 5 universities in Ireland are as follows

Why Study in Ireland?

If you are an international applicant seeking to study in Ireland, some essential points that you might want to take into consideration are as follows

• According to US News and World Report, the Irish Education system is the world's 20th best education system.
• More than 35,000 international students from over 161 countries across the globe are studying in Ireland
• As per the recent employment reports, about 2.78 million people were employed in the country in the third quarter of 2023 with an overall employment rate of around 74%
• Top business schools in Ireland like Trinity Business School, Cranfield School of Management and others have low fee structures and are famous for their research facilities and opportunities. MBA tuition fees in Ireland range between 12,500 and 36,990 EUR
• Students with a Visa Stamp 2 may qualify for the Third Level Graduate Scheme. This scheme allows international students to remain in Ireland after their studies for a period of 12 months
• As an international student, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during the academic year and up to 40 hours a week on holidays (summer and winter holidays). This part-time work opportunity helps students to pay timely fees and bear the living expenses.
• According to QS Best Students Cities 2024 ranking, Dublin ranks #32 in the world. Galway, Cork, Maynooth, Limerick, and Waterford are some of the best student cities in Ireland.

Top Ranked Universities in Ireland

Ireland is home to 8 universities in the QS World University Rankings, six of which can be found in the top 500. Details of top-ranked universities in Ireland are tabulated below

Popular Programs in the Best Universities in Ireland

Ireland's renowned education system, marked by high academic standards and globally recognised universities, attracts students seeking quality education. But what are the top courses to study in Ireland? There are over 1,000 Master’s programs in Ireland, completely taught in English.

Note: 1 EUR= 90.53 INR as of May 20, 2024

Top Colleges in Ireland for STEM Programs

STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Here we have curated a few popular universities for these fields of study.

Top Universities in Ireland for Masters

The tuition fees for Masters in Ireland fall between 12,000 and 30,000 EUR per year depending on the university, excluding the living costs. Check out the below table to know about the university-popular programs and their cut-off scores.

Admission Requirements of the Top Universities in Ireland for MS

To be eligible for admission to the top universities in Ireland for MS, you need to have the following.

• GPA of 3.0 or above
• 3 to 4-year Bachelor's Degree in related areas of study or equivalent.
• An SOP of around 1,000 words is highly critical during admission interviews
• English proficiency scores like TOEFL or IELTS
• Scanned copies of official transcripts duly translated into English
• Work experience of 3 to 5 years
• GMAT score between 550 and 600 or an equivalent GRE score
• Updated resume or CV
• 2 or 3 LORs for Masters in Ireland
• Irish student visa

Top Colleges of Ireland for Undergraduate Programs

Some popular undergraduate programs at the top colleges in Ireland and their cut-off scores are presented below

Admission Requirements for Best Colleges in Ireland for Undergraduates

To be eligible for admission to undergraduate programs at the good colleges in Ireland, you need to have the following.

• Overall average of 80% - 85% in six subjects on Grade XII
• A language other than English, and Mathematics must be taken as a subject up to Grade X.
• High school diploma with SAT or ACT scores
• Irish student visa

Ireland Student Visa

If you are planning to study for more than 3 months, you will need to get a study visa to Ireland. You will have to provide English or Irish translations of documents that are in other languages. These documents are required to successfully obtain a visa:

• Filled out and signed application form
• Copy of current and previous passports
• Letter of application with contact details
• Letter of acceptance from the college
• Proof of educational history
• Proof of fee payment
• Language proficiency test score
• Financial statements
• Private Medical Insurance
• Birth certificate, if under 18 years
• Proof of consent from guardians, if under 18
• Proof of accommodation in Ireland, if under 18

Note: After receiving the acceptance letter from the university, you can apply for an Ireland Students Visa. The Student Visa Fee in Ireland is 100 EUR

Top Paying Professions After Studying at the Top Colleges of Ireland

Ireland is ranked as 3rd safest country in the world, by Global Peace Index. The country offers an average annual salary of 48,000 EUR. Here, we have listed a few popular jobs in Ireland that you can get after studying at the top 10 universities in Ireland.

Note: 1 EUR= 90.53 INR as of May 20, 2024

The best universities in Ireland for international students offer good returns as the tuition fees are comparatively less. You can also benefit from the Centenary Scholarship Program which waives complete one-year tuition fees. For popular programs, requirements and other details about the top universities in Ireland for international students, you can consider the above.

FAQs

Ques: Which are the top universities in Ireland?

Ques: What are the main criteria for international students to get admitted to Irish universities?

Ques: How much does it cost to study at an Irish university?

Ques: Are there scholarships available for international students in Ireland?

Ques: What are the accommodation options for students in Ireland?

Ques: What is the student visa process for Ireland?

Ques: What is the quality of life like for students in Ireland?

Ques: Can international students work while studying in Ireland?

Ques: What are the post-graduation opportunities for international students in Ireland?

Ques: How can students apply to Irish universities?