List of Top Public Universities/Colleges in Ireland

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.

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.

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.

Now let us take a closer look at these universities and their most popular courses.

1. 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. 

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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.

• You must have completed a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university in a subject that is relevant to your master’s program.

• You must check the academic requirements of the courses of each university. The minimum grade requirements may vary with the degree program and institution. 

• 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.

• 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.

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.

• Register and create an account on the CAO portal.

• Scan and upload all the necessary documents on CAO.

• Submit your IELTS/TOEFL scores on the portal.

• Pay the application fee.

• Apply for your courses of choice at your desired universities.

Suggested: Benefits of Studying in Ireland

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.

• NUI Galway International Student Scholarships

• DCU International Student Scholarships

• Maynooth University Scholarships

• UCD Scholarships

• University of Limerick Scholarships

• Trinity College Dublin Postgraduate Scholarships

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!