Ireland is a sought-after study abroad destination for higher education. Popularly known as the “Emerald Isle,” Ireland’s universities provide cutting-edge education with promising career prospects. Irish universities welcomed around 35,140 international students in 2023, offering exciting academic life. Let’s take a closer look at the leading public universities in Ireland.
Table of Contents
- 5 Benefits of Studying in Public Universities in Ireland
- Top Public Universities in Ireland
- Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Ireland
- Courses Offered by Public Universities in Ireland
- Top Public Universities in Ireland for Masters
- Top 10 Public Universities in Ireland For MBA
- Top Public Universities in Ireland for Masters
- Top 10 Public Universities in Ireland For MBA
- Intakes for Public University in Ireland
- Application Process
- Documents Required
- Scholarships for International Students
5 Benefits of Studying in Public Universities in Ireland
Here are some of the key advantages of choosing Ireland’s public universities for your higher education:
- Reputed Universities- Several public universities in Ireland have achieved international acclaim because of their seasoned faculty, top-notch curricula, and impressive alumni. Eight of them have also made it to the QS World University Rankings 2024. Studying at these public universities provides students with ample opportunities to gain valuable skills and build long-lasting professional networks.
- Work After Studying- Ireland allows graduates to remain in the country to pursue employment opportunities after completing their studies. Under the Third Level Graduate Scheme, students can stay back for one or two years after completing their studies, depending on their qualifications. However, the student must have obtained their degrees from reputed public or private institutions and can work only for 40 hrs/week.
- Quality of Life- Ireland offers a high quality of life with its progressive culture and welcoming communities. It is known for its lovely mountains, coastal destinations, and vibrant city life, rich with art galleries, museums, pubs, music venues, and gourmet food. The country is ranked #3 on the Global Peace Index and #14 on the World Happiness Index.
- Major Corporate Hub- The country is also home to leading companies like Accenture, Amazon, Deloitte, McDonald’s, EY and Google, to name a few. This ensures higher employment opportunities for students. It is estimated that the country will employ
2.64 million people by the end of 2024, as per Statista. Thus, upon graduating from Ireland’s public universities, students can find several lucrative jobs. - Safety- Ireland secured the 13th spot in the U.S.News & World Report Rankings 2023 for the safest countries in the world. Public universities in the country prioritize the safety of international students. Several of them have campus watch services to safeguard the well-being of students.
Top Public Universities in Ireland
Here are the top public universities in Ireland for International students:
University Name |
QS World University Rankings 2025 |
Trinity College Dublin |
87 |
University College Dublin |
126 |
University of Galway |
273 |
University College Cork |
273 |
University of Limerick |
421 |
Dublin City University |
421 |
Maynooth University |
801–850 |
Technological University Dublin |
851–900 |
Source: QS World University Rankings 2025
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Ireland
The costs of studying at Ireland’s public universities may vary, depending on the institution, level of study, and other factors. Here is the general cost of studies for various courses in the country:
Level of Study |
Average Annual Fees(in €) |
Undergraduate |
€17,640–€35,225 |
Postgraduate |
€11,620–€36,600 |
Doctoral |
€11,620–€15,850 |
Source: Official university websites
Courses Offered by Public Universities in Ireland
Here are some of the courses offered by leading public universities in Ireland:
- Bioengineering
- Energy Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Applied Psychology
- Business Administration
- Finance
- Environmental Engineering
- Immunotherapeutics
- Electronic Information Engineering
- Global Health
- Genomic Medicine
- Clinical Exercise
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
Top Public Universities in Ireland for Masters
Publicly funded universities in Ireland offer Master's programs in various fields like Arts, Sciences, Medicine, and Business Management, to name a few.
University |
Global Ranking |
Top Programs Offered |
Non-EU Fees |
Trinity College Dublin |
#87 |
Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Visual and Performing Arts |
|
University College Dublin |
#=126 |
Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law, Education, Computer Science |
|
University College Cork |
#=273 |
Microbiology, Agricultural Sciences, Food Science and Technology, Neuroscience and Behavior, Biology and Biochemistry |
€9,600 - €21,300 per year as per program |
University of Galway |
#=273 |
Performing Arts, Nursing, English, Hospitality & Leisure Management, Law, Medicine |
€3,750 - €23,300 per year as per program |
Dublin City University |
#=421 |
Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Economics and Business |
€7,600 - €19,908 per year as per program |
University of Limerick |
#=421 |
Education, Chemistry, Psychology/Psychiatry, Clinical Medicine |
€6,900 - €21,000 per year as per program |
Maynooth University |
#801-850 |
Social Sciences and Public Health |
€16,000 - €18,000 per year as per program |
Technological University Dublin |
#851-900 |
Hospitality & Leisure Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering |
€13,500 - €27,000 per year as per program |
Top 10 Public Universities in Ireland For MBA
University |
Programs Offered |
Non-EU Fees |
Trinity College Dublin |
Full-time, Executive & Blended Learning |
€36,600 (Full-time) €18,300 per year (Executive & Blended Learning) |
University College Dublin |
Full-time & Executive |
€36,990 (Full-time) €18,490 per year (Executive) |
University College Cork |
Part-time |
|
University of Galway |
Part-time |
€17,250 per year |
Dublin City University |
Executive/Part-time |
€13,200 per year as per program |
University of Limerick |
Executive |
€16,728 per year |
Maynooth University |
Full-time, Part-time |
€18,000 per year |
South East Technological University |
€13,500 per year |
|
Munster Technological University |
€12,500 per year |
|
Atlantic Technological University |
Part-time |
€12,000 per year |
Top Public Universities in Ireland for Masters
Publicly funded universities in Ireland offer Master's programs in various fields like Arts, Sciences, Medicine, and Business Management, to name a few.
University |
Global Ranking |
Top Programs Offered |
Non-EU Fees |
Trinity College Dublin |
#87 |
Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, Visual and Performing Arts |
€10,820 - €36,600 per year as per program |
University College Dublin |
#=126 |
Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology, Law, Education, Computer Science |
€9,200 - €15,440 per year as per program |
University College Cork |
#=273 |
Microbiology, Agricultural Sciences, Food Science and Technology, Neuroscience and Behavior, Biology and Biochemistry |
€9,600 - €21,300 per year as per program |
University of Galway |
#=273 |
Performing Arts, Nursing, English, Hospitality & Leisure Management, Law, Medicine |
€3,750 - €23,300 per year as per program |
Dublin City University |
#=421 |
Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, Economics and Business |
€7,600 - €19,908 per year as per program |
University of Limerick |
#=421 |
Education, Chemistry, Psychology/Psychiatry, Clinical Medicine |
€6,900 - €21,000 per year as per program |
Maynooth University |
#801-850 |
Social Sciences and Public Health |
€16,000 - €18,000 per year as per program |
Technological University Dublin |
#851-900 |
Hospitality & Leisure Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering |
€13,500 - €27,000 per year as per program |
Top 10 Public Universities in Ireland For MBA
University |
Programs Offered |
Non-EU Fees |
Trinity College Dublin |
Full-time, Executive & Blended Learning |
€36,600 (Full-time) €18,300 per year (Executive & Blended Learning) |
University College Dublin |
Full-time & Executive |
€36,990 (Full-time) €18,490 per year (Executive) |
University College Cork |
Part-time |
€13,630 per year |
University of Galway |
Part-time |
€17,250 per year |
Dublin City University |
Executive/Part-time |
€13,200 per year as per program |
University of Limerick |
Executive |
€16,728 per year |
Maynooth University |
Full-time, Part-time |
€18,000 per year |
South East Technological University |
Part-time |
€13,500 per year |
Munster Technological University |
Part-time |
€12,500 per year |
Atlantic Technological University |
Part-time |
€12,000 per year |
Intakes for Public University in Ireland
Most institutions in Ireland usually have January and September intakes.
To Know More About Intakes in Ireland: Intakes in Ireland
Application Process
The admission process at top public universities in Ireland is highly competitive, and students need to carefully check the eligibility criteria at each university before applying. The general application process is given below:
- For most universities, you will need to apply directly on the website.
- After carefully selecting your course, you must ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria set by the university:
- For undergraduate courses, you must hold a recognized high-school qualification, such as the A-levels, International Baccalaureate or Senior School Certificate awarded by CBSE/ ICSE/ state boards.
- For postgraduate courses, applicants must have secured a minimum of 60% in their undergraduate.
- IELTS score of minimum 6.5 and a TOEFL score of 570.
- During the application process, you will be asked to submit personal details, information about academic qualifications, and professional experience and upload supporting documents.
- After filling in all the requested details and paying the application fee, your application will be successfully submitted and considered for admission.
Documents Required
Students must keep the following documents handy while applying for programs at Ireland’s public universities:
- High school/Bachelor’s degree certificates and academic transcripts.
- English language proficiency certificates (TOEFL/IELTS/University of Cambridge Proficiency/Advanced/First Certificate, UCLES, ETAPP English Test, Trinity ISE, PTE, Oxford Test of English, Duolingo English Test).
- Passport copy/identity proof.
- Statement of Purpose(SOP)
- Resumes, mostly required in the case of MBA programs.
- Proof of funds
- Academic references
From short-term courses to specialized graduate education, public universities in Ireland promise cutting-edge infrastructure and top-notch learning experiences for every student. Maximize your potential by studying at public universities in Ireland.
Disclaimer: All fees mentioned are subject to change
Scholarships for International Students
Scholarship Names |
Eligibility Criteria |
Awarded Scholarship Amount (EUR) |
Academic excellence, leadership skills |
10,000 |
|
High academic achievement, personal statement |
50-100% tuition fee |
|
High academic performance, financial need |
2,000 - 5,000 |
|
Academic excellence, extracurricular involvement |
2,000 - 5,000 |
|
Academic excellence, leadership potential, Personal Statement, Personal achievements, Program acceptance letter |
27,260 |
Read More to Study in Ireland:
FAQs
Is IELTS required for Ireland?
Yes, most universities in Ireland ask international students to submit proof of English language proficiency. Thus, IELTS is often required to gain admission into various degree programs in Ireland.
How do I get PR in Ireland?
International students in Ireland can take advantage of the Third Level Graduate scheme, which allows them to remain in the country to find or pursue employment after graduation. You can stay in Ireland for up to 24 months under this scheme and apply for an employment permit. Once you have stayed in Ireland for five years while holding employment permits, you can apply for permanent residency.
How can I study in Ireland for free?
Though there are no institutions in Ireland offering free education to international students, you can consider applying for scholarships that cover your tuition costs. However, these are limited in number. The Government of Ireland has established the International Education Scholarship to support 60 meritorious students pursuing master’s or PhD programs in the country. This offers a stipend for one year of study with host institutions providing a full fee waiver to candidates accordingly.
How much bank balance is required for an Ireland student visa?
For an Ireland student visa, you typically need to show proof of having at least €10,000 in your bank account. This amount is considered sufficient to cover the cost of living for the first year. Additionally, you need to show evidence of funds for the remainder of your course fees and living expenses.
Are public universities in Ireland free?
No, public universities in Ireland are not free for international students. Tuition fees vary depending on the course and the university, but scholarships and financial aid options are available to help offset costs.
How many public universities are there in Ireland?
According to the Government of Ireland’s information and database, there are a total of 12 public universities in Ireland.
Is Ireland expensive to live in?
Yes, Ireland is considered relatively expensive to live in. The cost of living varies depending on the city, with Dublin being the most expensive. Costs include accommodation, food, transportation, and other personal expenses. On average, a student might need between €10,000 to €15,000 annually for living expenses.
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