or
Looking to list your Masters courses? Log in here.
Ireland is a popular study abroad destination, welcoming over 24,000 students each year from overseas. But which Irish universities take the most global approach? We’ve listed the top five most international universities in Ireland, according to the 2023 Times Higher Education World Rankings.
The universities on this list scored most highly in terms of ‘international outlook’, which takes into account numbers of international students, staff and research collaborations.
Founded in 1784, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is a specialist university delivering courses in health science subjects including Medicine, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy.
RCSI offers over 70 postgraduate taught courses, allowing students to specialise in areas ranging from Nursing and Midwifery to Sports and Exercise Medicine.
University College Dublin is Ireland’s largest university, educating over 33,000 students across its 37 schools. It is also one of the country’s most international universities with almost a third of its student population coming from overseas!
UCD offers over 460 postgraduate taught and research programmes. It boasts many connections and partnerships with Irish government and industries, offering unique networking opportunities for students.
It also offers several generous funding opportunities specifically for international students, including the Global Excellence Scholarship, which covers up to 100% of tuition fees.
Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland, dating back to 1592. It has a long-standing reputation as one of Europe’s most prestigious universities and boasts Ireland’s largest research library and beautiful campus grounds in the heart of Dublin. It has a thriving international community of students from over 120 countries.
Graduates will join an esteemed group of alumni including Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and Johnathon Swift!
With a beautiful campus on the banks of the River Lee and over 200 postgraduate courses, University College Cork is a fantastic choice for Masters and PhD students!
UCC is home to almost 4,000 international students from over 100 countries, and has links to over 7,000 institutions worldwide. It also has representative offices in India, the USA and China.
The University of Limerick has a strong postgraduate focus (in fact it offers more postgraduate than undergraduate programmes!) and an outstanding reputation with international mobility, with 20% of students hailing from abroad and 30% taking part in overseas placements.
Here’s how the international ranking for each of the universities above compares with their international outlook score:
University | Overall world ranking | International outlook score |
---|---|---|
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences | 201-250 | 94.7 |
University College Dublin | 201-250 | 94.2 |
Trinity College Dublin | =161 | 93.7 |
University College Cork | 301-350 | 84.3 |
University of Limerick | 601-800 | 83.0 |
Find a course from the 1,300 + listings on our website and know more about applications, visas and the student experience in our comprehensive Study In Ireland guides.
Want to study a Masters in Ireland? We have all the information about how to apply for a Masters course including the required documents.
Read moreOur guide tells you exactly how much a Masters in Ireland costs and how you can find the right funding for it.
Read moreOur guide tells you exactly what kind of visa you need to study a Masters in Ireland and what you need to apply for it.
Read moreWhat's it like to live in Ireland as a Masters student? Read a detailed guide to postgraduate accommodation, living costs and working whilst studying.
Read more