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Ireland is a sought-after destination for international students seeking quality education abroad. The country’s appeal stems from its prestigious universities, high academic standards, attractive scholarship opportunities, and promising job prospects. According to a 2022 report by India’s Ministry of External Affairs, approximately 5,000 Indian students applied to Irish institutions, underscoring its growing popularity. Ireland offers a unique blend of cultural immersion and academic excellence as an English-speaking European nation. With about 30 top-tier universities, the country provides diverse higher education options.
Universities In Ireland For International Students: Highlights
| Parameter | Statistics |
| No. of universities in Ireland | 28 |
| Universities in Ireland Tuition fees | Up to INR 10 L: 22 universitiesUp to INR 40 L: 29 universities |
| Top 3 streams in Ireland | BE/BTech, BBA, and MS |
| English language exams required | IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo |
| Entrance exams required | GMAT, SAT, GRE, and OET |
| Total scholarships available | 147 (Up to INR 41.5 L) |
| Best students cities in Ireland | Dublin, Galway, Cork, etc. |
Best Universities In Ireland In 2025
Top universities in Ireland are available to offer excellent education, better facilities, a student-friendly environment, and better career opportunities for students. Dublin is among the best student cities in the QS Best Students Cities 2024 ranking. The city ranks 32 worldwide, making it the perfect place for international students to study abroad in Ireland.
| QS Rankings | University | Location |
| 87 | Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin | Dublin, Ireland |
| =126 | University College Dublin | Dublin, Ireland |
| =273 | University College Cork | Cork, Ireland |
| =421 | Dublin City University | Dublin, Ireland |
| =421 | The University of Limerick | Limerick, Ireland |
| 801-850 | Maynooth University | Maynooth, Ireland |
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin campus accommodates over 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with 28% being international. Students can choose from a broad range of courses offered across all major disciplines, delivered through 24 academic schools. The tuition fees for graduate programs range from 10,080 to 36,600 EUR. Trinity College Dublin is renowned for offering strong returns on investment, with graduates earning an average annual salary of 46,000 EUR.
| Particulars | Details |
| Application Portal | Online Application through university website |
| Application Fees | €55 |
| English Language Requirements | TOEFL iBT Score – 90, IELTS Score – 6.5 |
| GPA Requirement | Overall average of 80% – 85% in six subjects on Grade XII |
| Standardised Tests | SAT- 1290 | ACT- 28 |
The University Of Dublin
University College Dublin is a highly competitive institution with an acceptance rate of just 20%. To gain admission into undergraduate programmes, Indian students need a minimum score of 85% in standard XII, while postgraduate applicants must achieve 60-69% in a relevant field. UCD boasts an extensive alumni network of 288,000 graduates across 169 countries, many of whom hold prestigious roles in leading companies such as Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, EY, KPMG, Deloitte, and Google. Ranked #1 in Ireland and #78 globally for graduate employability by QS, UCD graduates are recruited by top companies with starting salaries ranging from EUR 30,000 to EUR 40,000 per year.
| Particulars | Details |
| Application Form | Common App |
| Application Fee | EUR 50 (~4,411 INR) |
| Academic Score | GPA 3.2 out of 4.0 |
| TOEFL Score | 90 |
| Admission Requirement | Academic Letter or Recommendation | Statement of Purpose |
| Standardised Testing | SAT: 1000 | ACT: 20 |
University College Cork
The University College Cork (UCC), established in 1845, is one of Ireland’s top institutions for higher education. It is ranked #3 among the Best Global Universities in Ireland and #190 in Europe. Additionally, UCC is listed in the top 100 of the QS rankings for 16 subject areas. UCC is internationally recognised for its excellence in research, innovation, and commercial partnerships. Nursing & Midwifery and Pharmacy & Pharmacology are among the most popular disciplines offered by the university.
| Particulars | Details |
| Application Portal | Central Application Office |
| Application Fees | 45 EUR |
| English Language Requirements | 6.5 |
| Standardised Test | ACT SAT |
| Additional Requirements | Academic Transcripts, SOP, ID Proofs |
Dublin City University
Dublin City University (DCU) stands out as the first university in Ireland to integrate work placements into its degree programmes and to award credits for extracurricular activities. The university is also proud of its USTART start-up accelerator, which provides students with funding and space to develop their business ideas. In addition to these innovative initiatives, DCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees across its four faculties. Each year, over 12,000 students enrol at DCU, with international students making up around 16% of the student body, representing over 116 countries.
| Particulars | Details |
| Application Portal | Online and offline both |
| Application Fees | 60 EUR (PG Programmes) |
| English Language Requirements | IELTS (Academic) – 6.5, Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) – 237 |
| Standardised Test | GMAT |
| Additional Requirements | Passport copy, Citizen ID card |
The University Of Limerick
The University of Limerick (UL), established in 1972, is the only university in Ireland to receive 5-star rankings from QS for graduate employability, teaching, and innovation. Ranked among the top 2% of universities worldwide, UL has a total student enrolment of 16,300, including 12,893 undergraduates and 2,608 postgraduates. Of these, around 2,700 students hail from non-EU countries, benefiting from a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships. UL offers over 70 undergraduate and 100 postgraduate programmes, with top-ranked subjects including Education, Chemical Engineering, Law, Literature, Business Management, Social Science, and Material Sciences. For Indian students, the annual cost of studying at UL is approximately ₹13 to ₹15 lakhs.
| Particulars | Details |
| Application Portal | Online official website |
| Application Fees | 35 EUR |
| English Language Requirements | IELTS, TOEFL |
| Standardised Test | ACT, SAT, GMAT |
| Additional Requirements | CV, Marksheets, etc |
Maynooth University
Maynooth University, established in 1997, is one of Ireland’s top-ranked universities, with over 15,000 students from more than 100 countries. It offers around 130 undergraduate courses and over 190 graduate programmes across 26 departments within three faculties. For undergraduate admissions, prospective students need a high school certificate with an aggregate of 75%, while graduate applicants must have a bachelor’s degree with at least 55-60% marks. The annual tuition fees range from €13,000 to €17,000 (₹11.65 to ₹15.24 lakhs). As one of Ireland’s top 5 universities, Maynooth boasts excellent return on investment, with graduates earning up to €115,000 (₹1.03 lakhs) monthly.
| Particulars | Details |
| Application Portal | Central Application Office (CAO) |
| Application Fees | 35 EUR (3,140 INR) |
| English Language Requirements | IELTS: 6.5 overall with 5.5 in each section | TOEFL iBT: 95 | PTE: 62 | Duolingo: 120 overall |
| Standardised Test | SAT: 1200 | ACT: 26 |
| Additional Requirements | 2 academic LORs | Detailed SOP | Passport |
Top Courses In The Tier 1 Universities In Ireland 2025
International students have many options for studying in Ireland, with top courses available across various levels, including degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Ireland’s universities offer diverse, highly regarded courses from cutting-edge technology programmes to innovative business studies and arts. The table below highlights some of the most sought-after courses and the universities that provide them:
| Top 10 Courses in Ireland | Count of Universities |
| BE/BTech | 24 |
| BBA | 23 |
| MS | 23 |
| BA | 22 |
| MIM | 21 |
| MA | 20 |
| BSc | 19 |
| BJMC | 15 |
| PG Diploma | 14 |
| LLB | 12 |
Documents Required To Study In The Best Ireland Universities
Applying to study at top universities in Ireland requires careful preparation and a few key documents to ensure your application stands out. Below are a few documents you need to have:
| Documents | Descriptions |
| Academic Transcripts | Mark sheets of Standard X, XII, and bachelor’s degree (if applicable) |
| English Language Test Scores | TOEFL or IELTS scores |
| Letters of Recommendation (LOR) | Two letters from employers/managers if applicable |
| Statement of Purpose (SOP) | Personal statement detailing your motivations and goals |
| Academic Resume | A resume highlighting your academic achievements and relevant experiences |
| Portfolio | Required for art, design, or architecture programmes |
| Additional Certificates/Achievements | Certificates of achievements at state and national levels and extracurricular activities |
| Proof of Funds | Evidence of financial capability to cover tuition and living expenses |
| Health Insurance | Proof of health insurance coverage |
| Passport Copy | A copy of your valid passport |
Top Job Sectors In Ireland
Cost Of Studying In Ireland 2025 By Programme
The cost of studying in Ireland varies depending on the programme and institution. Undergraduate and postgraduate tuition fees can range from €10,000 to €25,000 per year, with specialised courses like medicine being on the higher end. Additionally, international students should consider living expenses, which can add to the overall cost.
| Programme | Cost of Studying |
| Undergraduate Programmes | €9,850 – €55,000* annually (INR 8,62,062 – INR 48,13,545) |
| Postgraduate Programmes | €6,850 to €27,500* annually (INR 5,99,505 – INR 24,06,773) |
| Doctoral Degree | €8,500 to €35000* annually (INR 7,43,912 – INR 30,63,165) |
Cost Of Living In Ireland 2024
When planning to study in Ireland, it’s essential to consider the cost of living as it significantly impacts your budget. Expenses like accommodation, food, transportation, and utilities vary depending on the city, with places like Dublin being more expensive than smaller towns. Factoring in the cost of living ensures you’re fully prepared for everyday expenses, helping you manage your finances effectively while focusing on your studies.
| Particulars | Costs in Euros (€) |
| Off-campus Accommodation (Monthly) | 488 |
| On-campus Accommodation (Monthly) | 600 |
| Transportation Cost (Monthly) | 109 |
| Food Cost (Monthly) | 540 |
| Entertainment Cost (Monthly) | 48 |
| Markets (groceries) (Monthly) | 44 |
| Clothes (Monthly) | 88 |
| Total Cost of Living with Off-campus Accommodation (per month) | 1429 |
| Total Cost of Living with On-campus Accommodation (per month) | 1317 |
| AnnualCost Of Living | 15804 |
Scholarships To Study In Ireland 2024
Indian students can secure excellent scholarships in Ireland for undergraduate, postgraduate, or diploma courses. Given below are some scholarships one can consider applying for:
| Scholarship Name | Funding Amount (Validity Period*) | Applicable Courses |
| Government of Ireland Scholarship (GOI-IES) | €18,500 annual stipend + tuition fees + research expenses (1 year (Master’s) | Varies depending on eligible fields (typically Master’s) |
| Irish Research Council Scholarships | €25,000 annual stipend + tuition fees + research expenses (Up to 4 years (PhD)) | Varies depending on the research area |
| Walsh Fellowships | Full tuition fees + generous stipend + research support (Up to 4 years (PhD) | Specific research areas in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) |
| Trinity College Dublin – Entrance Scholarships | Full tuition fees (4 years (Undergraduate) | All undergraduate programmes |
| Trinity College Dublin – Global Excellence Scholarships | ||
| University College Cork – President’s Scholarships | Varies depending on programme (1 year (Master’s) | Selected Master’s programmes |
| University College Cork – Excellence Scholarships | ||
| Fulbright Scholarships (Ireland) | Varies depending on programme (Validity varies depending on programme) | Varies depending on programme |
| DAAD Scholarships (Ireland) |
Ireland is home to some of the best universities offering world-class education, a variety of courses, and excellent research opportunities. Whether you’re pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, or diploma programmes, Ireland’s universities provide a strong academic foundation and vibrant student life. With a blend of rich cultural experiences and outstanding career prospects, studying in Ireland can be a rewarding and enriching journey for international students.
FAQs
1. Is Ireland good for masters in 2024?
The Irish education system is renowned globally for its high teaching standards and exceptional research opportunities. Universities in Ireland provide a wide range of courses across multiple disciplines, making it an ideal destination for international students.
2. What are the top 3 universities in Dublin?
The top 3 universities in Dublin are Dublin City University, University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.
3. How many top universities are there in Ireland?
There are 8 top universities in Ireland which include Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University, The University of Limerick, Maynooth University, etc.
4. What is the No.1 university in Ireland?
Trinity College Dublin is the No.1 University in Ireland as of 2024.
5. Is Ireland expensive to study?
Studying in Ireland is affordable compared to other countries like UK, US, etc.The cost of an undergraduate programme ranges between €9850 to €55,000 and a graduate programme costs between €6,850 to €27,500.
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