If you wish to study abroad, Ireland is one of the best choices you can make. Irish universities rank among the top 15% in the world in several global university rankings. Among these universities, public institutions are some of the highest-ranked for various disciplines. In this blog, we will discuss the top 10 public universities in Ireland, their most reputed courses, and other details.
Highlights:
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Top Public Universities in Ireland: Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Galway
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Average Annual Tuition Fees of Top Public Universities in Ireland: INR 12-20 lakhs
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Popular MS Programs at Public Universities in Ireland: Business Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science
If you’re interested in pursuing your master’s abroad, you’ve come to the right place! Yocket Premium offers student services catering to all your study abroad needs, from university shortlisting and application help to scholarship assistance and much more. Become a Premium Yocketer today to access our exclusive services!
Are Public Universities in Ireland Free for International Students?
No, Public universities in Ireland are not free, but their annual tuition fees are much more subsidized than private universities and they also offer numerous scholarships and financial aid opportunities. This is why, even if you do not have the option of free tuition in Ireland’s public universities, you have a chance to avail of a scholarship that waives a significant amount of your tuition fees.
Public vs Private Universities in Ireland
Are you confused about the basic difference between public and private universities in Ireland? Don’t worry, this comprehensive table below will help you make a comparison.
|
Public Universities |
Private Universities |
|---|---|
|
Funded by the Irish government |
Funded by private organizations |
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Wide range of programs in STEM, Humanities, Law, etc. |
Usually more specialized programs- vary with the university |
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Larger class strengths |
More limited class strengths due to specialized courses |
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More competitive and selective admission requirements |
More flexible academic requirements (usually) |
|
Extensive research infrastructure |
Some have good research facilities while others may not |
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Generally lower tuition fees with scholarships |
Generally more expensive tuition |
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Extensive internship opportunities that lead to lucrative career roles |
More focus on industry partnerships and training |
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Usually very well-reputed globally, with high international rankings |
Ranking and reputation vary by university, but generally less globally reputed |
Suggested: Top Scholarships in Ireland for International Students
Top Public Universities in Ireland
Ireland has an impressive list of globally acclaimed public universities that are renowned for their academic excellence, research facilities, and career scope. Here is a list of the top public institutions in Ireland.
|
Public Universities |
QS World University Rankings 2025 |
Average Tuition Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
87 |
INR 20L |
|
|
126 |
INR 18L |
|
|
273 |
INR 17L |
|
|
273 |
INR 17L |
|
|
421 |
INR 17.5L |
|
|
421 |
INR 16L |
|
|
801-850 |
INR 14L |
|
|
851-900 |
INR 12L |
Now let us take a closer look at these universities and their most popular courses.
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Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It offers around 153 postgraduate programs in diverse fields and nearly 60 scholarship opportunities. Here are more details about this university.
|
Location |
Dublin |
|
QS World University Rank 2025 |
87 |
|
Popular MS Courses |
Computer Science, Data Science, Business Analytics |
|
Annual Tuition Fees |
INR 20L |
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University College Dublin
University College Dublin is one of the country’s leaders in graduate studies, with over 12,000 students pursuing master’s and PhD programs in different disciplines at this institution. Here are some details about this university.
|
Location |
Dublin |
|
QS World University Rank 2025 |
126 |
|
Popular MS Courses |
Information Systems, Animal Science, Business Analytics |
|
Annual Tuition Fees |
INR 18L |
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University of Galway
The University of Galway was established in 1845 as a public research university. It has almost 20,000 students enrolled in various prestigious undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Here are some more details about this institution.
|
Location |
Galway |
|
QS World University Rank 2025 |
273 |
|
Popular MS Courses |
Health Sciences, Clinical Neuroscience, Computer Science |
|
Annual Tuition Fees |
INR 17L |
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University College Cork
This institution was established in 1845 and is part of the National University of Ireland. Over 21,000 students are enrolled at this prestigious university and it offers various excellent academic programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Below you can find more information about this university.
|
Location |
Cork |
|
QS World University Rank 2025 |
273 |
|
Popular MS Courses |
Computer Science, Data Science & Analytics, Chemistry |
|
Annual Tuition Fees |
INR 17L |
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University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a public research university founded in 1972 in Limerick, Ireland. It offers enterprising courses at the highest level and is one of the top-ranked universities in the country. Below is more information about this institution.
|
Location |
Limerick |
|
QS World University Rank 2025 |
421 |
|
Popular MS Courses |
Art & Technology, Applied Physics, Aeronautical Engineering |
|
Annual Tuition Fees |
INR 17.5L |
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Dublin City University
Dublin City University was founded in 1975 in the northern side of Dublin, Ireland. It currently has 16,000 students enrolled in various elite undergraduate and postgraduate courses with good research facilities. Here are some more details.
|
Location |
Dublin |
|
QS World University Rank 2025 |
421 |
|
Popular MS Courses |
Business Administration, Human Resource Management |
|
Annual Tuition Fees |
INR 16L |
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Maynooth University
The National University of Ireland, Maynooth, known popularly as Maynooth University, is a public research university established in 1997. It offers outstanding UG and PG courses under experienced faculty and researchers. Below is more course information.
|
Location |
Maynooth |
|
QS World University Rank 2025 |
801-850 |
|
Popular MS Courses |
Business, Environmental Psychology, Theoretical Physics and Mathematics |
|
Annual Tuition Fees |
INR 14L |
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Technological University Dublin
This institute is Ireland’s first technological university, established recently in 2019. Currently over 30,000 students are enrolled at various levels of undergraduate and graduate programs led by renowned research faculty. Below are more details about this university.
|
Location |
Dublin |
|
QS World University Rank 2025 |
851-900 |
|
Popular MS Courses |
Accounting, Advertising & Creativity, Business Analytics |
|
Annual Tuition Fees |
INR 12L |
Suggested: Top Courses in Ireland for International Students
Things to Know Before Applying to Public Universities in Ireland
As an international student, you must know that public universities in Ireland are some of the most reputed in the world, with prestigious programs and competitive acceptance rates. To be admitted to a master’s program, you must meet certain eligibility criteria. Here are some of these requirements that are universal across most public universities.
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You must have completed a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in a subject that is relevant to your master’s program.
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You must check the academic requirements of the courses of each university. The minimum grade requirements may vary with the degree program and institution.
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Every university has English language requirements. You must show proof of your English proficiency with either IELTS or TOEFL scores. For IELTS, the minimum acceptable score is 6.5 out of 9 while for TOEFL it is 79 out of 120.
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Most public universities in Ireland also require an application fee that varies with the university. Check the respective university’s page to know their application fee. Some schools offer free applications, like Dublin City University and Dublin Institute of Technology.
How Do I Apply to Public Universities in Ireland?
If you wish to apply to a public university in Ireland, you must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) which is an online portal for applications to public universities in the country. Here’s how to apply.
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Register and create an account on the CAO portal.
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Scan and upload all the necessary documents on CAO.
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Submit your IELTS/TOEFL scores on the portal.
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Pay the application fee.
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Apply for your courses of choice at your desired universities.
Suggested: Benefits of Studying in Ireland
Scholarships and Financial Aid
As an international student at a public university in Ireland, you have access to various scholarships and grants at most public universities. Some of these scholarships and financial aid options are listed below.
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NUI Galway International Student Scholarships
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DCU International Student Scholarships
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Maynooth University Scholarships
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UCD Scholarships
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University of Limerick Scholarships
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Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Scholarships
From the Desk of Yocket
Studying in Ireland offers great academic and research opportunities to you as an international student. Public universities in Ireland are some of the top-ranked universities in the world and offer various benefits like lower tuition fees than private universities, more scholarship opportunities, and diverse study programs.
If you are convinced that you should study in Ireland, Yocket’s got your back! Our counselors are always ready to resolve all your queries and help you navigate your study abroad journey. Schedule a FREE call with us today!
