Top Universities in Ireland for Indian Students
If getting a world-class degree from one of Europe’s top universities is your goal, Ireland may be the place for you. The top universities in Ireland for Indian students combine globally leading education with affordable program options, industry-focused learning opportunities, and much more.
Irish universities stand among the best 3% in the world. Unsurprisingly, international student numbers in Ireland are growing every year. Indians represent the biggest international student community in the country today! Let’s explore some of Ireland’s best universities to discover the right option for you.
Top Universities for Indian Students in Ireland
Ireland hosts some of the best universities in Europe, with 9 universities in Times Higher Education’s global university rankings. Each of the institutions in the Irish Universities Association is a world-ranking university, starting from one of Europe’s oldest institutions, Trinity College Dublin, to one of its youngest, Technological University Dublin.
While Ireland, as a small country, has a smaller number of universities than its neighbors, the academic standards of these universities make it a heavy hitter in higher education. Below, we take a closer look at our picks for the top universities in Ireland for Indian students.
| University | QS World University Ranking |
| Trinity College Dublin | =81 |
| University College Dublin | =171 |
| University of Galway | #289 |
| University College Cork | =292 |
| University of Limerick | #426 |
Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin ranks not only as the best university in Ireland in multiple rankings but also among the global 100 best universities. TCD has a long history of collaboration with India, tracing back the origins of this higher education partnership as far back as the 18th century.
In the present day, Indian students represent the second-highest non-EU international community at the university. TCD has been one of the top universities in Ireland for Indian students since the 19th century, which marks the first enrolment of students from the country.
TCD also collaborates and partners with several leading education institutions in India. These create diverse opportunities for internationalization of the university, along with strengthening the partnership of TCD with Indian students.
Entry requirements for Indian students to study at TCD are as follows:
Undergraduate
| Qualification Type | Entry Requirements |
| Higher Secondary Examination (HSC) | • 80-85% overall average for six best subjects • English and Math are compulsory pre-requisites (at Year 10) along with a second language |
| CBSE/AISSCE | |
| CISCE/ISC | |
| GCE A Levels | • Grade C or better in six subjects • English and Math are compulsory pre-requisites (for AS) along with a second language |
| SAT or ACT | SAT: 1250-1400/ACT: 27-32 |
English Proficiency Requirements
• An overall score of 6.5 (IELTS Academic), with no band below 6.0
• The overall band score for Dental programs and Clinical Speech and Language Studies is 7.0 (IELTS Academic)
Postgraduate
Applicants must hold at least a 2.1 honors degree or equivalent international qualification.
English Proficiency Requirements
An overall score of 6.5 (IELTS Academic)
University College Dublin
University College Dublin is proud of its identity as Ireland’s global university, hosting over 9,500 international students. Currently among the top 1% of universities worldwide, UCD hosts almost 1,000 Indian students at its Dublin campus. V.V. Giri, the fourth president of India, was a UCD graduate!
To enroll at UCD as an Indian student, you will need to meet the following requirements:
Undergraduate
| Qualification Type | Entry Requirements |
| Higher Secondary Examination (most state boards) | Assessment of average of best 5 recognized subjects |
| Intermediate Examination (some state boards) | |
| Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) | |
| Council for the Indian School Certificate (CISCE) | |
| GCE A Levels |
• Grade C or better in three subjects at A Level |
Postgraduate
Generally, the requirement for a graduate taught program is a bachelor’s degree with second class honors, a 2.1 honors degree, or equivalent.
English Language Requirements
English proficiency requirements for general admission include an 80% grade in English in CBSE/AISSCE/CUSCE/ISC exams.
An IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each or equivalent scores from other English proficiency tests fulfil this requirement as well.
University of Galway
The University of Galway is another of the top universities in Ireland. It is #1 in the country for Sustainable Development, according to Times Higher Education. It is also in the top 40 in the world (and top 10 in Europe) for its commitment to sustainability.
One of the world’s top 300 best universities, the University of Galway hosts a large community of postgraduate students from India. The university additionally has strong research relationships with India, particularly thanks to the partnerships between the university’s Network of Excellence of Functional Biomaterials and four leading Indian institutions.
Entry requirements for Indian applicants at the University of Galway are:
Undergraduate
| Equivalent Irish Leaving Certificate Points | 300 to 400 | 400 to 500 | 500 to 600 |
| Standard XII/Class XII from CBSE, CISC | 65% | 75% | 85% |
Postgraduate
Undergraduate Degree: 55% - 70% grades (52% to 65% for graduates of universities in Delhi, Mumbai, or Pune).
English Language Requirements
Overall score between 6.0 and 6.5 in the IELTS Academic for most programs – may vary depending on the program and study level.
University College Cork
The University College Cork was the first Irish university to receive a QS 5-star rating of excellence. It was also the first university in the world to receive the international green flag for environmental friendliness! If sustainability is an important concern for you, UCC is not only the right university but also the right platform for you to advocate and work towards a sustainable environmental-friendly future.
The university is a 3-time winner of the Sunday Times University of the Year and one of the global top 300 universities in the world. To study at UCC as an Indian student, you need to meet the following requirements:
Undergraduate
| Qualification Type |
Entry Requirements |
| Standard XII from CBSE/CISCE/State Board |
Average of 5 best, recognized subjects Minimum average between 75 to 95% *Minimum 85% in Math, for programs where Math is a compulsory pre-requisite |
|
All India Senior School Certificate
|
English Language Requirements
• An overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in each band (IELTS Academic)
• For Speech and Language Therapy only: An overall score of 7.0 with 6.5 in each band (IELTS Academic)
Postgraduate
Depending on the program, the entry requirements can vary. Below we break down the equivalent ranges for the typical entry requirement thresholds of Irish university programs.
| Entry Requirement | Equivalent for Indian Students |
| 1H | Grade of 75%+; GPA 3.7/4.0 or 8.5/10.0 (where the university awards first division at 60%) |
| 2H1 | Grade of 66-74%; GPA of 3.2/4.0 or 7.5/10.0 (where the university awards first division at 60%) |
| 2H2 | Grade of 60-65%; GPA of 2.7/4.0 or 7.0/10.0 (where the university awards first division at 60%) |
English Language Requirements
• An overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 for each band score (IELTS Academic)
University of Limerick
Another of the top universities in Ireland, the University of Limerick holds the QS 5-star rating for academic excellence. Along with the other entries on this list, the University of Limerick is among the top 2% of universities in the world, and certainly one of the best in Europe. The university’s Kemmy Business School also ranks among the top 1% of business schools in the world!
One of the reasons the University of Limerick is very popular among international students is its high graduate employability rates. More than 96% of its graduates are in employment or further study within a few months of graduating! Alongside its industry-led, research-driven programs, the University of Limerick is home to the country’s largest work placement program. It is also one of the largest of its kind in Europe!
Entry requirements for Indian students to study at the University of Limerick are as follows:
Undergraduate
GCE/GCSE Applicants – At least Grade C in two GCE A Level subjects or Grade C at GCSE Level in four subjects (including English, Mathematics, and a second language)
*There will be individual assessments for international student profiles, including Indian student profiles, holding other qualifications.
Postgraduate
In general, Indian students need to hold a four-year degree (or a three-year honors degree) in a relevant field from an Indian university. Grade boundaries include first division results with a minimum average of 60% overall.
These entry requirements may vary for different programs – our masters course search engine can help you filter through your options at the University of Limerick.
English Language Requirements
• An overall score of 6.5 with no band lower than 6.0 (IELTS Academic)
• Some programs may have a higher requirement for English proficiency
Cost of Studying in Ireland for Indian Students
Like other study abroad destinations, international student fees will be higher than domestic student fees in Ireland. However, Irish university fees are comparatively more affordable than its neighbors in the UK and elsewhere in Europe.
Tuition fees for international students typically range from €9,000 up to €55,000. The cost of studying in Ireland varies depending on the program you choose, your study level, the university, etc.
Nonetheless, one of the reasons Ireland is growing in popularity among international students is its relative affordability. For instance, in the UK, an undergraduate degree costs an average of €24,780 a year. In Ireland, this average is closer to €14,675 a year.
The tuition fees for undergraduate courses for Indian students range between:
| Subject | Range of Annual Tuition Fees |
| Business | €9,850 - €19,500 |
| Engineering | €9,850 - €25,500 |
| Science and Technology | €9,850 - €25,500 |
| Arts and Humanities | €9,850 - €19,500 |
| Medicine and Health Sciences | €39,500- €55,000 |
Cost of Living in Ireland
The cost of living is another important factor for Indian students to consider when looking at the top universities in Ireland. As is the case with tuition fees, Ireland is one of the more affordable destinations to live in among the European countries. Student visa requirements state a minimum of €10,000 per year for proof of funds to cover one year of living costs. Typically, you will need between €10,000 to €15,000 per year depending on where you live, your accommodation, daily expenses, and lifestyle.
A breakdown of cost of living estimates can look like this:
| Expenses | Range of Costs Per Month |
| On-campus housing | €600 - €900 |
| Private complex | €700 - €1,200 |
| Shared housing | €500 - €700 |
| Utilities (Electric/Gas/Refuse) | €30 - €50 |
| Food | €250 - €350 |
| Travel (Monthly Bus Ticket) | €65 - €85 |
| Textbook & Materials | €75 |
| Personal Expenses (Social/Sports) | €200 - €300 |
Scholarships for Indian Students
Affordability along with an excellent quality of education drive the booming popularity of Irish universities. Ireland also offers some attractive scholarship programs just for Indian students to make a world-class degree even more accessible for you.
Among your options are the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships and the scholarships universities reserve for their international students. Below are just a few of the options you can consider:
| University | Scholarship | Value |
| Trinity College Dublin | India Undergraduate Scholarship | €3000 to €5000 |
| Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship | €2,000 to €5,000 tuition fee reduction for first year | |
| University College Dublin | Smurfit School MSc Academic Excellence Scholarship | 25% to 50% off tuition fees |
| Global Excellence Undergraduate Scholarship | 50% or 100% waiver | |
| University College Cork | SEFS International Student Merit Based Scholarship (College of Science, Engineering, and Food Science applicants) | Up to 20% off for tuition fees |
| University of Galway | Global Achievement Scholarship (Undergraduate) | €2,000 |
| Excellence and Merit Scholarships (College of Science and Engineering applicants) |
Excellence Scholarship: €10,000 Merit Scholarship: €7,640 |
|
| Business Postgraduate Merit Scholarships | Up to 50% off tuition fees | |
| University of Limerick | Kemmy Business School Scholarships | €4,279 per year for four-year degree students |
Rounding Up
There is good reason that Indian students represent the second-largest community of international students in Ireland. The appeal of the top universities in Ireland lies partly in how they bring together world-class education with more affordable opportunities to study abroad. Our quick overview of some of the country’s best universities only scratches the surface of the academic opportunities awaiting you in Ireland. This is all the more the case thanks to the keen industry focus of the country’s higher education, staying responsive to its rapidly growing economy and boasting high graduate employability rates.