The higher education system in Ireland is broad in scope and encompasses the university sector, the institutes of technology, the colleges of education and private, independent colleges. The institutions which fall within the first three groupings are autonomous and self governing, but substantially state funded. The numbers in higher education in Ireland have increased significantly in recent decades with over 55 percent of students who complete second level now going on to higher education. Entry to third level education for Irish students is competitive and based upon performance in the final secondary school examination, the Leaving Certificate. The quality and standard of all Irish educational awards is fully recognized globally.
In addition to the programmes illustrated by the Framework diagram below, many higher education institutions run foundation programmes for international students. Successful completion of these programmes will lead directly into an award programme within the institution. The academic year typically runs from September to June and is divided into either two or three semesters with holidays in December (Christmas) and Spring (Easter).
There are seven universities in the Republic of Ireland and two in Northern Ireland.
Universities offer degrees at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels and undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas over a full range of disciplines. In addition research is undertaken in many areas and the universities are also involved in continuing and distance education programmes.
Teaching at undergraduate level is normally by way of a programme of lectures supplemented by tutorials and, where appropriate, practical demonstrations and laboratory work.Masters degrees are usually taken by coursework, research work or a combination of both.Doctoral degrees are awarded on the basis of research.
Universities award their own degrees using external examiners to ensure consistency of standards. There is also a Higher Education Authority (HEA) which oversees the work of the universities on behalf of the Department of Education and Science.
Trinity College founded in 1592 is the oldest university in Ireland. Trinity has the only copyright library in Ireland, an entitlement which stems from its old links with Oxford University. As a result the Trinity library has a copy of every book published in the U.K. and Ireland. It is also the repository for the celebrated Book of Kells.
The University has 12,500 students in five faculties: Arts Letters & Arts Humanities, Business, Economics & Social Studies, Engineering & System Science, Science, Health Science. Website: www.tcd.ie
The National University of Ireland, founded in 1908 is based on a federal model and has four constituent universities which are the teaching and research organs of the National University. Individually they enjoy a large degree of autonomy. The constituent universities are:
University College Dublin most richly diversified university. The University provides a broad range of Bachelors, Masters and PhD degrees in subjects grouped into 11 faculties (Agriculture, Arts, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Engineering & Architecture, Human Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Law, Medicine, Science, Veterinary Medicine). Unique in Ireland, UCD is among the few European universities that have the four Life Science Faculties of Agriculture, Medicine, Science and Veterinary Medicine.
UCD offers a lively campus community in which to live and study. The University has modern buildings and first-class academic and sporting facilities. It has a busy extracurricular life and students are encouraged to become actively involved in the wide range of social, cultural and sporting activities available. UCD also has comprehensive student support services, including a student health centre, student advisors, counselling, and careers advisory facilities. Student accommodation is available for 2000 students and assistance is provided by UCD's International Office to international students who seek off-campus accommodation. Website: www.ucd.ie
University College Cork is one of the oldest universities in Ireland. It combines a rich tradition of teaching, research and scholarship with a view to responding effectively to the needs of a global society. Occupying its historic site near the centre of Cork city, its wooded grounds form a splendid setting for its nineteenth century main gothic building around which a modern campus has emerged. The university's teaching and research programmes are offered across eight faculties namely: Arts, Celtic Studies, Commerce, Law, Science, Food Science & Technology, Engineering and Medicine & Health including Dentistry. Website: www.ucc.ie
National University of Ireland, Galway has established a distinguished record in research and scholarship. The University's seven Faculties; Arts, Celtic Studies, Medicine & Health Sciences, Commerce, Engineering, Law and Science, provide a comprehensive range of programmes, from primary to higher degree levels. Currently there are over 13,000 students attending the University, of whom 11,000 are full-time. 30 countries are represented among the 1,100 international students on campus. Website: www.nuigalway.ie
National University of Ireland, Maynooth is one of four constituent universities of the federal National University of Ireland. Tracing its origins directly to the foundation in 1795 of St Patrick's College, Maynooth, it is Ireland's second oldest university. Building on a 200-year tradition of excellence in education and research, NUI Maynooth is today a dynamic and innovative university of close to 6,000 students from throughout Ireland and overseas. Approximately one fifth of the student enrolment is for postgraduate degrees and diplomas.
NUI Maynooth is committed to the continued pursuit of excellence in teaching and research. The University has five faculties - Arts, Celtic Studies, Engineering, Philosophy and Science, which offer programmes from undergraduate, to doctorate levels in a range of disciplines including the traditional humanities, music, education, basic sciences, social sciences, computer and electronic engineering. Website: www.nuim.ie
University of Limerick (UL) is an independent university established by the Government of Ireland in 1972. It is located in Ireland's National Technological Park on the banks of the river Shannon near Limerick (population 80,000). UL offers a wide selection of opportunities at undergraduate and graduate level in the six colleges of the University: Business, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Informatics & Electronics and Science.
The University has excellent educational and cultural facilities, including a state of the art Library and Information Services Building, three residential student villages, a sports arena and 50-meter swimming pool. Website: www.ul.ie
Dublin City University. Located on an 85 acre campus close to Dublin's city centre, Dublin Airport and the M50 motorway, DCU is home to over 10,000 students engaged in a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate and research programmes. The International Office at DCU provides a comprehensive support service to international students. Detailed and relevant information is available on our website: www.dcu.ie/international/index.shtml
Queen's University Belfast. Queen's was originally established as a college in 1845. It was raised to university status in 1908. Today the University has some 13,000 students, including 2,000 graduate students, from all over the world. Courses are offered in six colleges: Humanities, Legal, Social & Educational Sciences, Engineering, Medicine & Health Sciences and Science & Agriculture. Website: www.qub.ac.uk
The University of Ulster is a modern, progressive and friendly place to study. It is located on four campuses in Northern Ireland; Belfast, Coleraine, where the administrative headquarters are situated, Jordanstown, which is seven miles outside Belfast, and Magee in Derry, Northern Ireland's second city. Particular strengths include Art and Design, Biomedical Sciences, Built Environment, Business Studies, Celtic Studies, Computing, Communication, Education, English Language and Literature, Finance, French, History, Hospitality, Law, Media Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, Rehabilitation Sciences, Social Policy and Administration and Sports Related subjects. Website: www.ulster.ac.uk
In addition to the universities, there are a number of specialist colleges which are recognized colleges of the National University of Ireland.
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
Website: www.rcsi.ie
National College of Art and Design
Website: www.ncad.ie
Shannon College of Hotel Management
Website: www.shannoncollege.com
Institute of Public Administration
Website: www.ipa.ie
St Angela's College
Website: www.stacs.edu.ie
The Department of Education and Science has overall responsibility for this sector which includes the formulation and review of policy. Full contact details for all the institutes and universities can be found on a Website: www.educationireland.ie.
