The University of Limerick (UL) is a public university on a 130-hectare campus beside the River Shannon, with over 19,000 students, among them more than 3,300 international students each year.[1] It is ranked 388th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from joint 401st.[2]
For 2026/27 the full-time non-EU tuition, including the €104 student levy, is €17,500 for most arts, business and law programmes and €22,700 for most engineering, science and computing programmes; health programmes cost €26,300 to €29,000 and Medicine €56,600.[3] Non-EU applicants apply directly to UL; EU school leavers use the CAO.[4] UL asks for IELTS Academic 6.5 with no component below 6.0.[5]
Key facts
| Official name | University of Limerick (Ollscoil Luimnigh) |
| Location | Limerick, Ireland; 130-hectare riverside campus on the River Shannon (Eircode V94 T9PX)[1] |
| Type | Public university[6] |
| Founded | 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick; university status in September 1989 under the University of Limerick Act 1989[6] |
| Students | Over 19,000, including more than 3,300 international students each year[1] |
| Faculties | Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Education and Health Sciences; Kemmy Business School; Science and Engineering; Irish World Academy of Music and Dance[1] |
| Research | 35 research institutes and centres; top 50% globally in 175 research topics (UL’s own statement)[1] |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | 388th (2026: joint 401st)[2] |
| THE Impact Rankings 2025 | 76th overall (UL’s own statement)[1] |
| Tuition 2026/27, non-EU full-time bachelor’s (incl. €104 levy) | €17,500 (e.g. Business Studies) · €22,700 (e.g. Engineering) · €26,300–€29,000 (health) · €56,600 (Medicine)[3] |
| Student contribution (EU, Free Fees) | €2,500 on UL’s fee pages; the levy is €104[7] |
| English requirement | IELTS Academic 6.5, no component below 6.0 (some programmes higher)[5] |
| Official website | ul.ie |
Checked against the sources listed at the bottom of this page on 5 November 2026.
About the University of Limerick
UL began in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, and became the University of Limerick in September 1989.[6] The campus sits on both banks of the River Shannon, a few kilometres outside the city centre.[6]
UL describes itself as home to over 19,000 students and reports more than 2,000 students in paid or semi-paid placements each year, 35 research institutes and centres, and the Nexus Innovation Centre on campus.[1] Its academic units are the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, the Kemmy Business School, the Faculty of Science and Engineering and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance.[1]
How is UL ranked?
In the QS World University Rankings 2027, published on 18 June 2026, UL is 388th, up from joint 401st in the 2026 edition.[2] UL’s own page also states 76th overall in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, and 20th and 24th for the goals “Reduced Inequalities” and “Decent Work and Economic Growth”.[1] These are sustainability results, not overall world rankings.
Rankings differ by publisher, year and subject, so treat one position as one view. How we compile rankings.
What can you study at UL?
UL’s 2026/27 fee schedule lists full-time bachelor’s programmes across the faculties, for example:[3]
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: Arts, Applied Languages, Criminal Justice, Global Politics, Journalism and Digital Communication, Law (LLB), Social Sciences, and Music and Irish Dance degrees.
- Kemmy Business School: Business Studies (also with French, German, Japanese or Spanish) and International Business.
- Science and Engineering: Engineering (for example Mechanical Engineering, entered through common entry), Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics and other science degrees.
- Education and Health Sciences: Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Paramedic Studies, Exercise and Health Fitness Management and the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.
Postgraduate taught and research programmes are grouped by faculty on UL’s postgraduate pages.[8]
How much does UL cost in 2026/27?
UL’s 2026/27 schedule lists an EU fee and a non-EU fee for each programme. The amounts cover, where applicable, tuition, the student contribution and the €104 student levy, and UL says they are subject to annual review.[3]
| Programme (example) | Non-EU per year | EU fee per year |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts, Business Studies, Law (LLB) | €17,500 | €5,662 |
| Bachelor of Engineering, science and computing programmes | €22,700 | €7,366 |
| Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy | €26,300 | €8,470 |
| Nursing and Midwifery | €29,000 | €7,210 |
| Medicine (MB BCh) | €56,600 | €15,924 |
The “EU fee” is what an EU student pays when not on Free Fees; for Free Fees students the State pays the tuition part. As UL’s Mechanical Engineering page shows, the EU total of €7,366 consists of €4,762 tuition, a €2,500 student contribution and the €104 levy; non-EU students pay tuition (€22,596 there) plus the levy and no student contribution.[7] The levy is not covered by the SUSI grant.[7]
Student contribution in 2026/27
UL’s fee pages give the student contribution as €2,500.[7][9] The Maynooth University fees office reports that Budget 2027 (announced 6 October 2026) cut the contribution from €2,500 to €2,350, so check the final amount with UL’s fees office.[10]
Postgraduate and other costs
We did not review UL’s postgraduate fee tables; they are listed per programme. For rent and living costs in Limerick, see our Ireland guide.
How do you apply to UL?
- Undergraduate, through the CAO: UL lists the Central Applications Office (CAO, the national application system) for Leaving Certificate students, A-Level students, EU applicants, graduate entry into Medicine and mature applicants.[4]
- Undergraduate, direct to UL: non-EU applicants, and a few programmes such as Law (Graduate Entry), the Certificate in Music and Dance and Paramedic Studies (Practitioner Entry).[4] International applicants start with UL’s online application portal and, once an offer is made, accept it by paying a deposit that is deducted from tuition.[11]
- Postgraduate: the process depends on the programme type (taught, flexible, micro-credential or apprenticeship). Non-EU applicants who need a visa have an earlier deadline than other applicants.[8]
We give no deadlines because they change every year; check the programme page.
Which language level do you need?
Applicants whose first language is not English must include an English language certificate. UL’s English-language page lists, among others:[5]
- IELTS Academic: 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any component (some programmes need more; General IELTS is not accepted).
- TOEFL: 90 (internet-based) or 580 (paper-based).
- Pearson PTE Academic: 61 with no section below 59.
- Duolingo: 120 with no component below 110.
Offer holders who do not meet the requirement can take pre-sessional English classes at the UL Language Centre on campus.[5] The page is headed for postgraduate and research programmes, so confirm the undergraduate level with your programme.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the University of Limerick cost for international students?
For 2026/27 the non-EU fee, including the €104 levy, is €17,500 for most arts, business and law programmes, €22,700 for most engineering, science and computing programmes, €26,300 to €29,000 for health programmes and €56,600 for Medicine.[3]
How is the University of Limerick ranked?
388th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, up from joint 401st.[2]
Do EU students pay at UL?
What IELTS score does UL require?
6.5 overall with no component below 6.0, Academic IELTS only.[5]
Do I apply to UL through the CAO?
EU and Leaving Certificate applicants do; non-EU applicants apply directly to UL.[4]
More about studying in Ireland
- Ireland: best universities
- Cost of Studying Abroad
- International Student Scholarships
- University Ranking Methodology
More university profiles in Ireland
- Atlantic Technological University (ATU)
- Dublin City University (DCU)
- Maynooth University
- Munster Technological University (MTU)
- National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
- RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM)
- South East Technological University (SETU)
- Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin)
- Technological University of the Shannon (TUS)
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Cork
- University College Dublin
- University of Galway
Sources
[1] University of Limerick: About UL (page without a date; copyright 2026)
[2] TheJournal.ie: Six Irish universities rise in global rankings (QS World University Rankings 2027; QS publishes the ranking at topuniversities.com, which blocks automated access) (article of 18 Jun 2026)
[3] University of Limerick: Undergraduate fees 2026-2027 (page without a date; fees for academic year 2026/27)
[4] University of Limerick: How to apply (undergraduate) (page without a date)
[5] University of Limerick: English language requirements (page without a date)
[6] Wikipedia: University of Limerick (history and campus)
[7] University of Limerick: Mechanical Engineering, fees and funding (page without a date; worked fee example)
[8] University of Limerick: Postgraduate, applying (page names the deadline for autumn 2026; no later date)
[9] University of Limerick: Student fees FAQs (page without a date; the contribution it gives is stated as for academic year 2025/26)
[10] Maynooth University: Student Fees and Grants (Budget 2027 notice) (notice dated 6 Oct 2026)
[11] University of Limerick: International students, accepting your offer (page without a date)
Figures may change; check official sources before you decide. How we compile our data · Found an error? Tell us.