Ireland is home to universities with strong Arts and Humanities offerings. Many Irish higher education institutions participate in Erasmus+ or exchange programs, giving students opportunities to study, train, or gain work experience abroad at partner institutions. These experiences can help students build intercultural and professional skills for the labor market.
Arts and Humanities programs at Irish universities often provide either an interdisciplinary or research-intensive approach to help students align their academic interests with their career goals. Graduates can seek employment after graduation or choose from many graduate and postgraduate programs for further study.
Some Irish universities also combine expertise in digital humanities, data literacy, and information technology with arts and humanities subjects, helping graduates prepare for careers in technology, culture, education, research, and related fields.
Below, we discuss some of the best humanities universities in Ireland.
Top Schools Offering Humanities Programs in Ireland
1. University College Dublin
University College Dublin (UCD) traces its roots to the Catholic University of Ireland. It later became University College Dublin in 1908 and became an autonomous university within the National University of Ireland structure in 1997. Today, UCD has more than 39,500 students, including 11,500 international students from 152 countries.
UCD’s Bachelor of Arts in Humanities is a four-year degree with 15 course options. Students choose one option and may apply in their third year for an internship or study abroad; in the final year, they may complete a dissertation research project. UCD also offers the three-year BA Joint Honours degree, which lets students build a joint honors degree from 26 subjects. BA Joint Honours students may apply to study abroad in their third year, extending the program to a four-year BA International.
UCD also has a wide range of graduate programs under the College of Arts and Humanities. Students can choose from seven schools: the School of Art History and Cultural Policy, School of Classics, School of English, Drama and Film, School of History, School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore, School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics, and School of Music.
2. Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin was created by royal charter in 1592, making it one of Ireland’s most historic universities. In the QS Subject Rankings 2026, Trinity lists English at joint 19th in the world and History at joint 50th, with Arts and Humanities in the global top 100. Other ranked humanities-related areas include Classics and Ancient History, Philosophy, Modern Languages, and Social Policy and Administration.
The School of Histories and Humanities at Trinity offers undergraduate study through departments and programs including Classics, History, History of Art and Architecture, Ancient and Medieval History and Culture, and European Studies. All undergraduate degrees in the school last four years. Students may pursue Single Honors or Joint Honors programs, and departments in the school also participate in Trinity’s Dual BA Program with Columbia University. In that program, students spend the first two years at Trinity and the final two years at Columbia, graduating with two honors bachelor’s degrees.
Master of Philosophy programs at Trinity provide in-depth study opportunities to BA graduates in one year for full-time students or two years for part-time students. Graduates interested in research may then pursue a postgraduate research program, such as an M.Litt. or Ph.D.; published research-degree durations vary by discipline.
3. University College Cork
University College Cork (UCC) traces its origins to Queen’s College Cork, which came into existence by royal charter in 1845 and opened to its first students in 1849. It became University College Cork in 1908. Today, UCC is a major Irish university with strong arts, humanities, and digital humanities offerings.
The BA in Digital Humanities and Information Technology at UCC combines arts and humanities study with information technology and digital media. Students can complete the program in three years, or choose a four-year International Pathway that includes a year at an approved university abroad. They may also choose a four-year Work Experience Pathway that includes a placement year.
UCC also has a one-year full-time Master of Arts in Digital Arts and Humanities, a 90-credit program using blended learning and face-to-face teaching. The Digital Arts and Humanities area also supports doctoral study for students who want to continue into research.
4. Dublin City University
Dublin City University (DCU) is a relatively young Irish university that became a university under the Dublin City University Act 1989. DCU has been welcoming students for 46 years and now has more than 20,000 students across five faculties and three academic campuses. The university reports that 93% of its recent graduates were in employment or further education nine months after graduation.
The Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours) in Humanities at DCU offers students the flexibility to choose two subjects from several subject groupings. Students may choose up to two subjects from English and Gaeilge, and one subject from each of the following pairings: Human Development or Philosophy, History or Music, and Geography or World Religions and Theology. Students can apply for a year abroad, which extends the degree to a four-year BA Joint Honours International, or for a year-long INTRA work placement; work placements are competitive and subject to availability.
Graduates of the program can benefit from career opportunities in Ireland and abroad. They may also pursue postgraduate study or research in areas related to the subjects they studied.
5. University of Limerick
The University of Limerick (UL) began as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, which admitted its first students in 1972. It was granted university status in 1989 and marked its 50th anniversary in 2022. UL is also known for its extensive sports facilities, including the UL Sport Arena, a 50-meter National Swimming Pool, and Ireland’s only indoor powered rowing tank.
Because study and living costs can vary by accommodation type, city, and year, prospective students should compare the current cost of studying and living in Ireland before applying.
The Bachelor of Arts degree at UL stands out because of its built-in work placement, cooperative education, and mandatory semester of study abroad at one of UL’s partner institutions overseas.
The university also has a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences program that uses an interdisciplinary approach, allowing students to combine three disciplines with data science, data literacy, and individual research. The program also includes a cooperative education placement and a semester of study abroad at a partner institution overseas.
Pursuing a humanities program at one of Ireland’s universities can be a strong option for many international students. Because Ireland is an English-speaking country and most degree programs are taught in English, students can study in a familiar global academic language while also learning about Irish culture and society. Begin your application today!
Hopefully, this guide to the Best Universities to Study Humanities in Ireland was informative and helpful. To learn more, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
