University of Limerick
Overview
Ranked among the top 100 Young Universities in the World, as well as 35th globally for Research Impact by the Times Higher Education, the University of Limerick (UL) has grown over the years to become one of Ireland’s best universities.
The university, which was founded in 1972, has a diverse student body of 15,000 students, including 2,500 international students. It consists of four faculties, the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Kemmy Business School, Education and Health Science and Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
The university was ranked 51st in Europe for its quality of teaching in the 2019 Times Higher Education rankings. Students will benefit from small class sizes, a focus on relevant industry related projects, as well as the university’s approachable faculty. Students are encouraged to participate in various activities, which are organised by over 90 clubs and societies on the university’s campus.
Ireland is constantly ranked among the world’s top ten safest nations. The university is situated on a huge parkland campus and has 24-hour on-site campus security. In addition,Limerick is an affordable and accessible place for students, with a low cost of living.There are also funding opportunities forinternational students who pursue postgraduate programmes at the university, with scholarships of up to EUR 4,000 available.
UL has Ireland’s highest graduate employment rate, with 97% of students having found work within six months of their graduation in 2018. It also has the largest work placement programme when compared with all other universities in Ireland, as well as the biggest international exchange programme.
What's new
New Courses
The University of Limerick is constantly updating its course catalogue to meet student demands. New courses added recently include master’s degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Public Health, Public Administration and Sports Journalism.
These additions demonstrate the dynamic nature of the University of Limerick, constantly reacting to emerging technologies and educating students in cutting edge subjects.
University of the Year
The University of Limerick was named 2019 Irish University of the Year by the Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times Good University Guide, said, “A second success in five years for our University of the Year is well deserved. The university is at the economic heart of this mid-west city and the wider region, attracting brains and resources in equal measure. Its graduates are among the most employable in Ireland, prepared for work by practical courses and a work placement and internship programme second to none, which spans 1,600 employers at home and overseas.”
McCall added, "The University of Limerick's excellent results in the annual Irish Survey of Student Engagement suggest its students appreciate their good fortune to be studying at an institution with both an excellent academic reputation and an eye firmly on the working world, for which it prepares its students so well."
Teaching quality
The University of Limerick is known to provide outstanding teaching quality, with highly qualified and experienced faculty offering academic and industry expertise.
The 2019 Times Higher Education rankings placed UL 51st in Europe for its excellent quality of teaching.
The university is known to provide small class sizes, giving all students the individual attention, they need to develop. It also features approachable and friendly faculty, whilst there is a focus on industry-relevant projects which contribute to the outstanding employability of students when they graduate.
These were all listed by students as major positive factors in the teaching quality they receive, leading to its position in the rankings and underlining why the student experience is so highly regarded at the University of Limerick.
Graduate outcomes
The University of Limerick is known to provide an education looked upon favourably by employers. The graduate employment rate of UL graduates in 2018 sat at a remarkably high 97% within six months of graduation. These rates are unrivalled in Ireland and show the high regard in which a UL degree is held.
UL was also ranked 3rd in Europe in both Career Preparation and Graduate Employability by Times Higher Education in 2018. The university strives to provide industry links and job placement opportunities which open doors to enter the workplace in a strong position. It places a focus on encouraging students to undertake industry-relevant projects and keep one eye on the future
University of Limerick alumni have gone on to work in leading positions locally, nationally and internationally across a range of fields and take the skills they develop at the institution to make a real impact.
Department structure
The University of Limerick is made up of four specialist faculties providing expert education across their relevant fields. These are:
Faculty of Science and Engineering:
Well regarded education with exciting opportunities with the following departments:
-
Computer Science & Information Systems
- Electronic & Computer Engineering
- Mathematics & Statistics
- School of Engineering
- School of Design
- School of Natural Sciences
Arts, Humanities and Social Studies:
A vibrant centre of critical thinking and creativity housing the following departments:
- History
- Irish World Academy of Music & Dance
- Law
- Politics & Public Administration
- School of Modern Languages & Applied Linguistics
- School of English, Irish, and Communication
- Sociology
Faculty of Education and Health Sciences:
Unique national grouping of six departments known for high teaching quality:
- Graduate Entry Medical School
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Physical Education and Sport Sciences
- School of Education
- School of Allied Health
- Psychology
Kemmy Business School:
Dynamic and innovative school with a developed reputation, with the following departments:
- Accounting & Finance
- Economics
- Management & Marketing
- Work and Employment Studies
Each faculty offers programs at bachelor, masters and PhD level, and also has a Common Entry undergraduate programme. This serves as a general first year of undergraduate education, where students get the basics of subjects involved in their faculty before choosing a major at the end of their first year.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements to the University of Limerick vary by country, and prospective students should therefore make sure to check specific requirements.
For students from non-English-speaking countries, proof of English language proficiency must be provided. Proficiency can proved by achieving certain scores in a number of tests, including:
- TOEFL - 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based)
- Academic IELTS - Minimum score of 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) - Minimum score of 61 with at least 59 in each element
Some programmes may have higher English language requirements and a number of other tests may be accepted so students should check specific requirements.
Students not meeting these English language requirements but holding offers from the University of Limerick may take pre-sessional English classes at the UL Language Centre located on campus.
Scholarships & funding
The University of Limerick offers a wide range of scholarships to students from around the globe. These are mostly merit-based and available to be awarded to students who display academic excellence.
Scholarships are available for a variety of amounts, from EUR 1,500 to EUR 4,000 per year. The amount and award depend on the programme applied for as well as the grades of the student applying.
For international students, there are also awards of up to EUR 4,000 for non-EU students taking on postgraduate courses.
The University of Limerick is also known to be an affordable option with the city known for low costs of living, making it an accessible place for students to live and study. Scholarship and funding options are awarded generously to help make sure students are supported as much as possible financially during their studies.