Ireland is a popular study-abroad destination, especially for students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies. Its universities offer an extensive choice of courses that are recognized at a global level by leading academic institutions. Ireland has comparatively a lower cost of tuition fees when compared to other countries. Apart from this, Ireland being a major tech hub, has universities that have strong ties with the top industries. This makes it easier for students to secure a job. As per the U21 Report for European Universities, Ireland is ranked 10th in the quality of Masters graduates in the workforce.
A Master’s degree in Ireland typically takes 1-2 years to complete. If you wish to study in Ireland, you must have a clear understanding of the types of master’s courses taught at Irish universities, their application procedures, and other essential admission details. To get the right guidance, regarding studying in Ireland, contact Contentholic , one of the best study abroad consultants. Through this blog, we aim to provide you an insight into the premier universities in Ireland known for their Masters programs.
Studying Masters at the Best Universities in Ireland
The top universities in Ireland are known for their high-quality education, experienced faculty, low student-teacher ratio, diverse academic programs, and extensive research and placement facilities. The best universities in Ireland for pursuing postgraduate studies are as follows:
Trinity College Dublin
University College Dublin
University of Galway
University College Cork
Dublin City University
University of Limerick
Dublin Business School
Maynooth University
Atlantic Technological University
South East Technological University
Now, we will have a look at each of these universities in Ireland.
1. Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Established in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is a perfect mix of ancient buildings and state-of-the-art technology, constructed in Gothic style. It is Ireland’s oldest and No.1 university. It has a famed personal tutor system, in which every student is assigned an individual tutor, who guides them throughout their studies. The best Master’s courses taught here are Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain Management, Digital Marketing Strategy, Finance, Marketing, and Psychology. Famous alumni include Bram Stroker, Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Sam Beckett, and Mairead Maguire.
As part of its Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarships , international students enrolled in a full-time PG course receive a reduction of tuition fees for their 1st year of study. This amount is valued between €2000-€5000. Students will be awarded this scholarship based on their academic achievement and need to submit their Trinity Offer Letter, CV , and a 200-word statement on “How I will contribute to our Trinity College Dublin community.” ( in Microsoft Word document or PDF format) to get this scholarship.
2. University College Dublin (UCD)
Ireland’s largest university and Europe’s most prestigious, the University College Dublin was built in 1854. It is placed among the top 9% of the universities, worldwide. Four former Prime Ministers and three former Presidents of Ireland have been students here. Most famous Master’s programs include Business Analytics, Marketing, Management, Finance, MBA, Psychology, Computer Science, Supply Chain Management, and Civil Engineering. UCD’s Smurfit Scholarships are awarded to students who are about to pursue an MBA or a Master’s at the university and have an exceptional academic record.
3. University of Galway
Founded in 1845, the University of Galway was earlier known as the Queen’s College, Galway, and as the National University of Ireland, Galway. It is a member of the Coimbra group, which consists of 40 long-established European universities. It has the most extensive research institute for developing Internet Technology.
It’s known for teaching Masters courses such as Nursing, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Business Analytics, Marketing, Computer and Information Systems. The J.E. Cairne School of Business and Economics at the University of Galway offers Merit scholarships to its students enrolled in their Business Taught Master’s programs , in which 50% of their tuition fees are covered.
4. University College Cork (UCC)
The University College Cork was formed in 1845. It holds the pride of being Ireland’s first five-star university with internationally recognized research in science, food, engineering, medicine, business, law, social sciences, and the humanities. Popular PG programs include Pharmaceutical Science, Nursing, Literature, Archaeology, Psychology, Engineering and Technology, Computer Science and Information Systems. A current PG student enrolled at UCC can avail of the Daniell O’Carrell Postgraduate Travel Awards in Plant Science , which is valued at €317.
5. Dublin City University (DCU)
Created in 1965, Dublin City University has introduced new approaches to the Irish education system. It is known as Ireland’s most innovative university. The main attraction of DCU is its leading research centers in areas like cellular biotechnology, neuro-therapeutics, chemical sensors, and biosensors, plasma technology, biomedical diagnostics, machine translation, telecommunications, adaptive information technology, etc.
It teaches Master’s courses such as Marketing, Communication, and media studies, Business and management studies, Accounting and Finance, Engineering and Technology, and Supply Chain Management. The DCU Business School offers the 30% Club Scholarship for part-time Postgraduate study to female students. It is worth €10,000. To apply for this scholarship, you need to write a 3-page CV , talking about your qualifications and work experience, and a letter of application (750 words) , highlighting why you should be considered for this scholarship.
6. University of Limerick (UL)
The University of Limerick was the 1st university to have been established since the Irish independence in 1922. It was built in 1972 and was formerly known as the National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick. It has the most digitally advanced library in the world. It is the only college in Ireland to receive a 5-star rating for its exceptional sports facilities. It was the 1st Irish university to place students in the industry for work experience under the Cooperative Education program.
Prominent PG programs taught here include Psychology, International Studies, International Tourism, International Management and Global Business, Journalism, Law (General), Irish Music and Dance Studies, and Sports-related subjects. UL’s Faculty of Education and Health Sciences grants various merit-based scholarships worth €2000, for foreign students. Only students of the following programs are eligible for this scholarship: MA in Psychology, MSc in Psychological Science, MSc in Sports Performance, MSc in Sports, Exercise and Performance Psychology, and the Master of Science in Mental Skills and Mental Health in Sports and Exercise.
7. Dublin Business School (DBS)
Created in 1975, the Dublin Business School is the largest private college in Ireland. As per the U.S. News and World Reports, it is placed at the 2nd position among universities in Ireland. It is known for offering part-time and full-time postgraduate courses in the fields of business, marketing, management, computing, law, accounting, IT, arts, creative media, psychotherapy, and psychology. Its courses are recognised by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). The Dublin Business School offers partial scholarships worth €500-€1000 to students enrolled in its Level 8 and 9 programs.
8. Maynooth University (MU)
Founded in 1975, the Maynooth University, County Kildare is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland. It offers a Master’s degree in the following subjects: Computer Science, Accounting, Business Analytics, Data Science, Digital Marketing, Finance, Nursing, Engineering, Language and Literature. It is ranked among the top 20% of business schools in the world for research. It has 2 Nobel Peace Prize winners among its alumni and staff. It offers scholarships worth €2,000 to its full-time Taught Masters students.
9. Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
The Atlantic Technological University was formed in 2022, after the merger of three existing technological institutes- Galway- Mayo IT, IT Sligo, and Letterkenny IT. It has Master’s programs such as Engineering Management, Gerontology practice, Healthcare Innovation and Technology, Advancing Health and Social Care, and Biopharmaceutical Science. It awards its non-EU students with postgraduate scholarships worth €14,000.
10. South East Technological University (SETU)
The South East Technological University was made in 2022, after the amalgamation of two technological institutes, Waterford IT and IT Carlow. SETU uses teaching methods such as group work, problem-based learning, and Collaborative Online International Learning. It offers a variety of postgraduate courses such as Construction Project Management, Electronic Engineering, Sustainable Energy Engineering, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Trust, and Sports Performance Analysis.
Admission Requirements for Studying MS In Ireland
Each university has a specific set of requirements based on the Master’s program you have applied for. However, the common application prerequisites include:
A bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3 or above from a prestigious academic institution.
A minimum score of at least 6.5 out of 9 in English language proficiency tests like the IELTS, or 570 marks (paper-based test) or 90 marks (web-based test) in TOEFL.
Proof of funds to show that you have sufficient finances to support yourself during your course of studies in Ireland.
Official transcripts and certificates from previously attended institutions.
Academic documents like an essay, resume, Cover Letter, SOP, and LOR , describe your interest in studying a particular course at a university in Ireland. These documents are needed while applying to a university, or availing of a scholarship. They form an integral part of the application process. Therefore, you must write it as per the prescribed format and guidelines. To refine your writing skills, seek help from renowned study abroad consultants having a team of experienced SOP and LOR writers.
A valid Student Visa, Health Insurance, and Passport , bearing essential information and correct details.
At times, based on the program you have applied for, you might be asked to appear for an interview.
Cost of Studying Masters in Ireland
The average tuition fee for studying Master’s in Ireland can be anywhere between €9,500 to €34,500 annually. Given below is a table of the average cost per year for Master’s courses in Ireland:
| Master’s Course | Fees (Indicative) |
| Medicine and Related Subjects | €42,500 – €57,000 |
| Engineering | €10,000 – €25,000 |
| Science and Technology | €36,000 – €71,000 |
| Arts and Humanities | €9900 – €34,000 |
| Business Analytics | €12,500 – €19,000 |
Conclusion
Fondly called the Emerald Isle , Ireland has emerged as one of the popular study-abroad destinations. Its rich cultural heritage, world-class universities, affordable tuition fees, and vibrant student life are the main reasons why students wish to study in Ireland. With English as the medium of instruction, international students find it easy to adapt to the Irish culture and educational environment. Ireland’s strategic location and strong industry networks, enhance career opportunities for students. When you think of studying in Ireland, you need to have a thorough understanding of the course and university you are planning to study, and its application procedure especially when it comes to writing academic documents like an essay, resumes, SOP, and LOR. To get the right guidance and support, reach out to study-abroad consultants like Contentholic , known for their expert career counseling, visa guidance , and SOP and LOR writing services. Do feel free to contact us.
