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Best universities in Ireland 2025
One of the safest and most tolerant countries in the world, Ireland has increasingly become a popular destination with many international students.
When you study in Ireland, learning extends beyond your university, immersing you in a rich cultural heritage while providing a solid foundation for future success. Its vibrant and inclusive communities, range of breathtaking scenic attractions as well as multiple world-class higher education institutions are some of the factors that have charmed both students and parents alike.
Aside from having some of the top universities that provide some of the most popular courses and the best scholarship opportunities, Ireland also offers promising career prospects for graduates along with a generous post-study work visa, allowing eligible graduates to remain in the country and seek employment. This provides a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience and potentially establish a long-term career in Ireland.
As of the second quarter of 2024, there were approximately 26,400 job vacancies in the Republic of Ireland, compared to 17,900 in Q1 2008. This shows a growing economy with ample opportunities for highly skilled professionals.
Additionally, various sectors are experiencing significant growth, including IT and tech, data analytics, food and beverage, finance and accounting, web development, education, business, and many more. This presents exciting opportunities for graduates to launch their careers in dynamic and innovative industries.
But it's not just about the jobs; Ireland boasts an exceptional quality of life. The UN Human Development Index consistently ranks Ireland very highly, with scores reflecting excellent healthcare, high levels of education, and strong social progress. This creates an environment where you can pursue your professional goals while enjoying a balanced lifestyle with ample opportunities for personal growth and well-being.
Starting an academic journey in Ireland
Whether you’re looking to study in Dublin or study in Cork, you'll find yourself surrounded by a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
With a diverse population and a welcoming atmosphere, Ireland embraces students from all walks of life, fostering a global perspective and enriching the learning experience. And with its strategic location in Europe, studying at one of the top universities in Ireland offers easy access to a multitude of travel destinations, allowing you to explore the continent and broaden your horizons during your studies.
Globally recognised ranking system
Whether you are seeking to pursue your foundation, undergraduate or postgraduate pathways in Ireland, university rankings can provide a sense of whether the institution is right for you.
Ranking providers like the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings and Times Higher Education World (THE) University Rankings are globally recognised and often used by students as part of their research before applying to study abroad.
Each ranking system uses a unique methodology to assess the quality of universities around the world. These methodologies typically consider factors like academic reputation, research output, faculty-student ratio, internationalisation, and employer reputation to provide a unique perspective on academic excellence and institutional excellence.
With that, we’ve compiled a list of the top universities in Ireland for 2025 below, with data from the latest QS World University Rankings and THE World University Rankings. To find out how to use these rankings to your advantage, let an education advisor guide you in your study abroad journey for free.
QS top universities in Ireland 2025
The QS World University Rankings is an annual report of university rankings by Quacquarelli Symonds. It's one of the most widely recognised and influential global university rankings, assessing Irish and international universities based on academic and employer reputation, faculty/student ratio and citations per faculty.
Rank | University | Global rank |
1 | Trinity College Dublin | 87 |
2 | University College Dublin | 126 |
=3 | University College Cork | =273 |
=3 | University of Galway (previously National University of Ireland Galway) | =273 |
=5 | Dublin City University | =421 |
=5 | University of Limerick | =421 |
7 | Maynooth University | 801-850 |
8 | Technological University Dublin | 851-900 |
THE top universities in Ireland 2025
THE rankings have been providing performance data on universities for students, academics, university leaders, governments and industries since 2004. This university ranking assesses university performance in Ireland and beyond, allowing you to understand the different missions and successes of various institutions.
Rank | University | Global rank |
1 | Trinity College Dublin | 139 |
2 | University College Dublin | 201-250 |
3 | RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences | 251-300 |
4 | Dublin City University | 351-400 |
5 | University College Cork | 351-400 |
6 | University of Galway (previously National University of Ireland Galway) | 351-400 |
7 | Maynooth University | 501-600 |
8 | University of Limerick | 501-600 |
9 | Technological University Dublin | 1001-1200 |
If you’re ready to chase your goals, tap the button below for a free counselling session and we’ll help you get to a top institution.