Maynooth Campus Competitors

University College Dublin is one of Europe's leading research-intensive universities; an environment where undergraduate education, masters and PhD training, research, innovation and community engagement form a dynamic spectrum of activity. With over 33,000 students drawn from 144 countries, including almost 4,000 students based on overseas campuses, UCD is not only Ireland's largest university but also its most globally engaged. UCD is ranked 118 in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings It is the 'university of destination' for international students coming to Ireland; UCD's international students make up 25% of its student body, while international academics make up 32% of faculty. The international standing of UCD has grown in recent years too; it is currently ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions world-wide. UCD is Ireland's leader in graduate education with over 9,900 graduate students; almost 20% of whom are graduate research students. Over 1,660 PhD students benefit from the University's structured PhD programmes, as well as its research-led education culture. The UCD Horizons scheme of modern, modularised education based on learning outcomes sees 50% of students take modules outside their subject areas. As Ireland's largest university, with its great strength and diversity of disciplines, UCD embraces its role to contribute to the flourishing of Ireland through the study of people, society, business, economy, culture, languages and the creative arts, as well as through research and innovation. Updated - May 2021

DCU is a young, dynamic and ambitious university with a distinctive mission to transform lives and societies through education, research and innovation. Since admitting its first students in 1980, DCU has grown in both student numbers and size and is now a multi campus environment Glasnevin, located just north of Dublin city. In the last nine years, DCU has twice been named Sunday Times ‘University of the Year’. DCU is recognised nationally and internationally as a centre of academic excellence with over 16000 students. Over 50,000 students have graduated from DCU and are now playing significant roles in enterprise and business globally. DCU is Ireland’s most innovative university, and in 2016 will deliver more than 200 programmes to over 16,000 students across its five faculties – Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Health, Engineering and Computing, DCU Business School and the DCU Institute of Education. DCU’s excellence is recognised internationally and it is regularly featured among the world’s top young universities. In the 2016 QS Top 50 Under 50 league table of the top young universities in the world, DCU’s ranking moved up two places to 44th in the world. It is the only Irish university to feature in these rankings which are designed to emphasise the potential and excellence of universities without decades or centuries of established reputation.

About UL The University of Limerick (UL), is located on the west coast of Ireland along the picturesque River Shannon and enjoys an unspoiled natural environment blended with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. UL is ranked 426th in the QS World University Rankings, which ranks the world’s top 1,503 universities. We are also ranked 175th in the World University Rankings for sustainability. We’re incredibly proud of our stunning campus, which was awarded Best Student Campus at the Education Awards 2025. Students UL has close to 18,000 students, including more than 3,300 international students each year. Our Cooperative Education programme is one of the largest in Europe, with more than 2,000 students in paid and semi-paid work experience in their chosen industry around the world. We also offer the largest Erasmus+ programme in Ireland, and the opportunities that we offer to students has led us to having an 85% satisfaction rating – the highest in Ireland. Research With strong links to business and industry, UL excels at translational research which aims to accelerate the practical application of academic research to benefit society. UL houses some of the most innovative and successful research centres in Ireland. Alumni The UL graduate community is over 125,000 members, spread across more than 100 countries. Through dedicated alumni-focused activities, UL provides graduates with a vibrant network through which to stay connected to each other and their alma mater. RCN: CHY20009274