UCD Research Competitors

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.

Trinity College Dublin is recognised internationally as Ireland's premier university and is ranked joint 75th in the world (QS World University Rankings, 2024). In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, Trinity is ranked 134th globally.

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