Universities in Ireland

Ireland’s higher education system offers diverse and high-quality academic programs for international students of all ages. Most institutions in Ireland are government-funded.

Undergraduate programs are offered primarily by universities, institutes of technology, and colleges. Some institutions also provide Level 6-Level 8 vocational programs in fields such as Healthcare and Law.

I. Types of Higher Education Institutions in Ireland

1. Universities

There are 16 universities in Ireland, including 13 large multi-disciplinary institutions known as Universities and 3 smaller institutions known as Colleges. Among these, 8 universities are ranked in the Top 1000 universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2021).

Undergraduate and postgraduate programs cover a wide range of academic fields. Each university operates an international office dedicated to helping students integrate into academic life and participate in social and extracurricular activities.

a. List of the 13 Universities in Ireland:

b. List of the 3 Colleges in Ireland:

II. Institutes of Technology

Ireland has two Institutes of Technology, offering education and training programs in various fields such as business, science, engineering, languages, and music. Students may choose from certificate, diploma, and degree programs with a wide range of courses and entry requirements.

List of the 2 Institutes of Technology in Ireland:

III. Private, independent & non-profit Colleges

Private colleges in Ireland specialize in disciplines such as vocational studies, healthcare, law, business, and agriculture. Available study options include vocational qualifications, certificates, and undergraduate degrees.

List of the 8 Private Colleges in Ireland:

IV. Comparison between universities and institutes of Technology

Comparision	Institutes of Technology (IoT)	Universities
Qualification levels	From Level 6 – Level 10	From Level 7 – Level 10
Entry requirements	– Lower entry requirements than universities – Credit exemptions are assessed quickly and flexibly	– Higher entry requirements than IoTs – Very few universities accept Vietnamese students directly into Year 1 after completing high school
Total student Population	Much smaller than universities; many students study online	Larger student population; most students study on campus
Average tuition Fees	10,000 – 12,000 EUR	From 12,500 EUR upward
Class sizes	Smaller classes; even lecture halls are much smaller compared to universities	Larger class sizes
Academic scope	Focused on specific subject areas	Broad and diverse range of disciplines
Training orientation	Designed to meet workforce needs in the region; emphasis on practical and applied skills	Comprehensive academic and research-focused training; 90% of PhD students in Ireland are trained at universities
Support & industry links	Often have an Incubation Centre that partners with enterprises to support knowledge transfer, business experience, R&D, and student projects/startups	Usually have at least one Technology Centre, funded to support faculty leaders and students in carrying out strategic research projects requested by top industry leaders
Internships	Both IoTs and universities offer extensive internship opportunities. International students in Ireland may undertake internships lasting from a few weeks up to 12 months, not only within Ireland but also in other European countries or even Australia, the U.S., Canada… Most internships are paid.

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Date: Mar 27, 2026

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