Overview

The University of Limerick is a public research university located in Limerick, Ireland. It was established in 1972 and was the first institution established in the country after Irish independence, making it highly prestigious and of historical importance. It is affiliated with the European University Association (EUA), Atlantic University Alliance, and the Irish Universities Association (IUA). 

The University of Limerick (UL) is an independent, internationally focused university with over 15,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff. It is a young, energetic, and enterprising university with a proud record of innovation in education and excellence in research and scholarship. UL's mission is to promote and advance learning and knowledge through teaching, research and scholarship with a particular focus on the generation of knowledge relevant to the needs of Ireland's socio-economic development. 

UL emphasises cooperative education with mandatory work placements, strong industry links and research excellence. With over 19,000 students, including a significant international community from more than 100 countries, UL offers a modern, supportive environment blending academic rigour with practical skills development. UL's riverside campus spans 149 hectares, featuring modern buildings, green spaces and excellent sports amenities. Key facilities include the Glucksman Library, advanced research labs, the Health Sciences Building, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, and the UL Sport Arena with an Olympic-standard pool, gym and courts. 

UL's 16,300 students hail from every corner of the globe, with over 2,700 international students finding their academic home at the university. There are over 70 exceptional undergraduate programmes and 100+ postgraduate options across Education, Chemical Engineering, Law, and Literature, among others. The Kemmy Business School at the University of Limerick is triple crown accredited and among the top 1% in the world with accreditation awards from EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA. 

UL's campus on the banks of the River Shannon — one of the most beautiful university campuses in Ireland — sits just 20 km from Shannon International Airport. Notable alumni include former Tánaiste Dick Spring, fashion designer Louise Kennedy, rugby international Mike Sherry, and international entrepreneur and philanthropist JP McManus. The university has also hosted major events including the Special Olympics, reflecting its world-class sporting facilities.

Intakes

UL offers admission in both intakes, Spring and Autumn. Autumn intake admissions are typically open from October till August. Spring intake, also known as January intake, is the secondary intake. 

Autumn Intake (September) — Primary and main intake; open to all undergraduate and graduate programs.

• PG application deadline: rolling admissions; international students advised to apply by June 1 for September entry
• UG application deadline: via CAO (Central Applications Office) by 1 February (normal round); international UG direct: by July 1

Spring Intake (January) — Secondary intake; available for select postgraduate taught programs.

• Application deadline: November 1 of the preceding year

Important for Indian Students:

• Application fee: €50 (approximately ₹4,550) for postgraduate programs; deposit €600 upon acceptance
• Minimum average grade of 70% in Standard XII for Indian UG applicants; minimum IELTS 6.5 with no component below 6.0 
• Irish student visa (D Visa) required; proof of €10,000/year minimum in living funds
• Students may work up to 20 hours per week during term and 40 hours during holidays
• Post-Study Work Visa (Irish Graduate Scheme): 2 years; no employer sponsorship required
• Limerick is one of Ireland's most affordable student cities — significantly cheaper than Dublin or Cork

Note: Polygon Campus primarily assists with graduate-level admissions. Confirm specific deadlines on ul.ie.

Top Courses

Limerick University offers more than 70 UG and over 200 PG programs through its four faculties and one school: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Faculty of Education and Health Sciences; Kemmy Business School; Faculty of Science and Engineering; and the Graduate Entry Medical School. Key programs include: 

Kemmy Business School (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA Triple Crown — Top 1% Globally)

• BCom in Business Studies / Accounting / Finance / Marketing
• MSc in International Business
• MSc in Business Analytics — one of Ireland's most popular programs for Indian students
• MSc in Finance
• MSc in Marketing Practice
• MSc in Accounting
• MBA — Executive and full-time
• MSc in Supply Chain Management
• MSc in Entrepreneurship

Faculty of Science and Engineering

• BE in Computer Science / Electronic Engineering / Chemical Engineering / Civil Engineering / Mechanical Engineering
• MSc in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning — highly popular with Indian students
• MSc in Computer Science
• MSc in Data Science
• MSc in Cybersecurity
• MSc in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• MSc in Biomedical Engineering
• MSc in Environmental Engineering

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

• BA in Law / English / History / Politics / Sociology / Psychology
• LLB in Law
• LLM in International Trade Law
• MA in Languages and Cultural Diversity
• MSc in Psychological Science
• MA in Human Rights
• Irish World Academy of Music and Dance — unique nationally; BA / MA in Irish Music and Dance

Faculty of Education and Health Sciences

• BSc in Nursing Studies (Registered Nurse)
• BSc in Physiotherapy
• MSc in Sports Performance
• MSc in Sports, Exercise and Performance Psychology — scholarship-eligible
• MSc in Nursing Studies — scholarship-eligible
• MA in Psychology

Graduate Entry Medical School (GEMS)

• Doctor of Medicine (MD) — 4-year graduate entry program; one of very few graduate medicine entry points in Ireland
• MSc in Clinical Practice

Cost of Studying at University of Limerick

Tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from approximately €15,000 to €20,000 per year, depending on the program. The fee range for programs at University of Limerick is EUR 12,852 to EUR 23,302 for postgraduate courses. 

UL stands out for its cooperative education model, modern facilities, research opportunities and welcoming atmosphere in scenic Limerick. Affordable fees, mandatory placements, and strong support services ensure graduates are career-ready with global perspectives. Limerick is one of Ireland's most affordable student cities — accommodation and daily expenses are noticeably lower than Dublin, Cork, or Galway, making UL an outstanding value proposition. 

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 EUR = ₹91. Limerick is one of Ireland's most affordable student cities, making UL one of the best value propositions among Irish universities — particularly for Engineering, Business Analytics, and AI programs. Ireland requires non-EU student visa applicants to show €10,000/year minimum in living funds. Please refer to UL's official fees page (ul.ie/fees) for the most current 2026–27 fee schedule.

Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships for non-EU students include faculty-specific awards and reductions up to several thousand euros. Many are considered automatically upon application. Additional options like the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships are available.

Key funding opportunities include:

• UL International Merit Scholarship (Science & Engineering Faculty) — €2,000 per year offered by the International (Non-EU) merit-based scholarship in the Faculty of Science and Engineering; automatically considered upon application 
• Jim Kemmy India Scholarship — Specifically designed for outstanding Indian students applying to the Kemmy Business School; tuition fee reduction of €4,279 (students pay only €8,000 in tuition per year); requires 75% and above in Classes 10 and 12 including Mathematics and English; one of the most impactful India-specific scholarships at any Irish university 
• Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Merit Scholarship — A reduction in tuition fees for non-EU international students in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; dependent on academic merit; automatically considered 
• Psychology / Nursing Scholarship — €2,000 scholarship to Master's degree students pursuing MSc in Psychological Science, MA in Psychology, MSc in Sports Exercise and Performance, and BSc Nursing programs; automatically awarded to eligible international students 
• Judge Michael Reilly Scholarship — A 33% fee waiver for LLM and MA (Human Rights in Criminal Justice) programs; merit-based; named in honour of Ireland's Inspector of Prisons 
• Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES) — Prestigious Irish Government award covering full tuition plus €10,000 living stipend; available for one-year taught postgraduate programs at UL; apply through the Irish Embassy in India
• SFI and IRC Research Scholarships — Science Foundation Ireland and Irish Research Council fund PhD positions at UL; fully funded with annual stipend of approximately €18,000–€22,000; apply through specific research projects advertised on ul.ie/research
• Erasmus+ Mobility Grants — Available for exchange semesters at one of UL's 471 partner universities across 68 countries

Note: Indian students should immediately check eligibility for the Jim Kemmy India Scholarship when applying to any Kemmy Business School program — this is one of the most valuable India-specific scholarship at any Irish university and does not require a separate application.

Admissions

The University of Limerick's acceptance rate is 70% for students applying. Admissions follow a moderately selective policy. 

For Graduate (Master's / Doctoral) Programs:

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to an Irish Honours Bachelor's Degree with minimum Second Class Honours Grade II (2.2) or above; competitive programs (Business Analytics, AI, Cybersecurity) typically require 2.1 or above
• English Proficiency: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for most programs; TOEFL iBT 90+; PTE 65+; some nursing and clinical programs require IELTS 7.0
• Statement of Purpose / Motivation Letter
• CV / Résumé (including relevant professional experience)
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Official academic transcripts; Application fee: €50; Deposit: €600 upon acceptance

For Undergraduate Programs:

• Minimum average grade of 70% in Standard XII from CBSE/ICSE/State Boards; minimum IELTS 6.5 with no component below 6.0 
• Apply via CAO (Central Applications Office) as a non-EU applicant or through UL's international admissions portal
• Specific prerequisites for Engineering (Mathematics, Physics) and Health Sciences (Biology, Chemistry)

Indian students can check the University of Limerick's specific admission requirements for their chosen program directly through Polygon Campus.

Placements

The University of Limerick has a 95% placement rate, with an average starting salary for UL Master's graduates of €45,443. UL also offers a compulsory six- to eight-month Cooperative Education programme (for undergraduate placement), where over 3,000 students are placed annually by a network of 4,000 employers. 

The Cooperative Education programme at UL stands as the largest undergraduate placement program in Europe. Students get the opportunity to gain placement experience in countries like Spain, Luxembourg, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States. The average salary of a graduate from the University of Limerick is €58,000 (approximately ₹52.78L) per year. 

Jobs After Graduating from the University of Limerick

Note: All INR conversions calculated at 1 EUR = ₹91. UL's average Master's graduate starting salary of €45,443 and overall graduate salary of €58,000 rank among the highest of any Irish university, driven by mandatory work placements and strong industry links. Actual salaries vary by role, employer, location, and experience.

The University of Limerick's career support ecosystem includes:

• UL Careers Service — Comprehensive career support including job search tools, CV clinics, mock interviews, employer presentations, on-campus recruitment events, and the ULCareers online portal for internships and graduate jobs
• Largest Cooperative Education Programme in Europe — Each year, approximately 2,000 UL students across 56 degree programmes undertake a six- to eight-month placement as part of their undergraduate degree programme, one fifth of which are with international companies; graduates enter the job market with a full semester of professional experience 
• 4,000-Employer Recruitment Network — Direct partnerships with Dell, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Regeneron, Northern Trust, Analog Devices, Jaguar Land Rover, and leading Irish and multinational companies in Shannon's thriving industrial free zone
• Kemmy Business School Industry Network — Triple Crown AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA accreditation connects Business graduates to a global employer network; one of only a handful of Irish business schools with this distinction
• Irish World Academy of Music and Dance — Unique global reputation for Irish music and performing arts; direct industry pathways in arts management, cultural policy, and the creative industries
• UL Graduate Scheme — 2-Year Post-Study Work Visa — All UL international graduates qualify for a 2-year Irish Graduate Scheme stay-back visa; no employer sponsorship required; facilitates transition to permanent Irish and EU working rights
• UL Alumni Network (80,000+ Worldwide) — Engaged community spanning technology, engineering, business, healthcare, and the arts; active alumni events and mentorship programs connecting current students with industry professionals across Ireland and globally

For personalised guidance on University of Limerick admissions, connect with the experts at Polygon Campus today.