̽»¨ÊÓƵ

Top three universities in Ireland 2025

Scroll down for the full list of best universities in Ireland

Despite a moderate population of roughlyÌýfive million, Ireland has a number of excellent higher learning institutions.ÌýThese are the best universities inÌýIreland based on theÌý̽»¨ÊÓƵ World University Rankings 2025.

Four of the country’s ranked universities are based in the greater area of Dublin, Ireland’s capital and largest city. Culturally, Dublin is well known for being the setting of the novels of James Joyce. Meanwhile, the Guinness brewery at St James’s Gate, foundedÌýin 1759, was the original location for the brewing of Ireland’s best-known stout and is now a popular tourist attraction.

The ancient language of Irish Gaelic is still spoken in places on the Emerald Isle and continues to be taught in schools. However, English is more commonly used by the majority of Irish residents and virtually every university course is taught in the language.

Top three universities in Ireland 2025

1.ÌýTrinityÌýCollegeÌýDublin

Established in 1592, TrinityÌýCollegeÌýDublin is the oldest university in the Republic of Ireland.

It was founded as an Irish equivalent to the University of Cambridge and retains its reputation as a research-centred university.

Develop the skills top employers want while you study and get a digital certificate to boost your CV!

Learn more

TrinityÌýCollegeÌýDublin is located in central Dublin near the River Liffey and is a stone’s throw away from the Irish Houses of Parliament. Although Trinity is not a collegiate structure like Oxbridge, the university offers a huge range of courses, from acting to zoology. Trinity also supports its students by assigning each student a personal tutor and providing a campus-based careers advisory service.

Among the university’s alumni is mathematician William Rowan Hamilton, who has a research institute at Trinity named in his honour. Bram Stoker, author of Dracula,Ìýand Nobel Peace Prize recipient Mairead Maguire are other well-known graduates.

2. University College DublinÌý

University College Dublin is also known as Ireland’s Global University because it hosts thousands of international students, exchange programmes with hundreds of universities worldwide and the Overseas Chapters programme, which hosts events throughout the year.

Notable graduates include author James Joyce, Amnesty InternationalÌýfounder Seán MacBride and comedian Dara Ó Briain.

While the university retains the Dublin name from its history of scattered campuses across the city, University College Dublin is now based in Belfield,Ìýabout four kilometres south of the capital. This consolidation of Ireland’s largest university allows for a genuine campus experience, especially for first-year students who can take advantage of accommodation on site.

The university has a reputation for excellence in research across the humanities and sciences.

3. RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

TheÌýRCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences has been a renowned surgical college since it was granted a royal charter in 1784, and now serves as Ireland’s largest medical school.Ìý

A private institution, RCSI offers a number of scholarships for both Irish and international students in PhD and master’s programmes.

There areÌýmultiple EU and non-EU student admission pathways for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.Ìý

RCSI has expanded to offer postgraduate courses in bereavement studies and healthcare technologies, as well as offering five-year undergraduate degree courses in pharmacy and four-year courses in physiotherapy. These are among many other science- and healthcare-related undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.Ìý

Many renowned figures from the worlds of surgical and medical development attended RCSI. One such example is Nada Haffadh, who became Bahrain’s first female cabinet minsterÌýwhen she was appointed health minister in 2004. Another is Lord Ara Darzi, a pioneer in the fields of surgical robotics and minimally invasive surgery.

Top universities in Ireland 2025

Click each institution to view its fullÌýWorld University Rankings 2025Ìýresults