Ireland has several internationally recognized nursing schools, and several Irish institutions appear in global nursing subject rankings. In addition to offering high-quality nursing education, Irish programs that meet Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) standards prepare graduates for registration in Ireland. General-care nursing qualifications that meet EU professional-qualification rules may also support professional mobility within the European Union.
Europe’s aging population is increasing demand on health and care systems. In the EU, 22.0% of the population was aged 65 or older on January 1, 2025, and the WHO European Region expects the number of people age 80 and older to more than double by 2050. Studying nursing in Ireland can therefore provide a strong grounding for a respected health care career.
Here are some well-regarded nursing schools in Ireland.
Top Schools Offering Nursing Programs in Ireland
1. University of Galway
Founded in 1845 as Queen’s College Galway, the University of Galway is the current legal name of the institution formerly known as NUI Galway. The School of Nursing, Midwifery and Evidence Science aims to prepare “safe, skilled, competent and confident practitioners,” and to conduct research that improves care, quality of life, health, and well-being. The school is also ranked among the world’s top 100 nursing schools in the QS subject rankings.
The Bachelor of Nursing Science is offered in General Nursing and Mental Health Nursing. Both are taught over four years and lead to eligibility to apply for registration with the NMBI. General Nursing graduates apply to the General Division of the Nurses’ Register, while Mental Health Nursing graduates apply to the Psychiatric Division. Students complete clinical placements throughout the program, including a paid 36-week internship in Year 4.
2. Trinity College Dublin
The School of Nursing and Midwifery at Trinity College Dublin is ranked first in Ireland and in the European Union, and 10th worldwide, for Nursing in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. TCD itself was created by royal charter in 1592 and remains Ireland’s oldest university.
TCD’s School of Nursing and Midwifery offers undergraduate nursing programs, including General Nursing, Children’s and General Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Intellectual Disability Nursing, along with a range of postgraduate options.
The General Nursing degree lasts four years, integrates theory and practice, and is recognized by the NMBI. Current associated health service providers for General Nursing include St. James’s Hospital, Tallaght University Hospital, and Naas General Hospital.
Professional clinical practice is conducted alongside tuition throughout the program, culminating in a paid 36-week continuous placement during the fourth year.
3. RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, Master’s
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, formerly Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), is based in Dublin and was founded by royal charter in 1784. It is an independent health sciences university and is home to Ireland’s largest medical school, along with schools of pharmacy and biomolecular sciences, physiotherapy, population health, nursing and midwifery, postgraduate studies, and health care management.
As a leading provider of postgraduate nursing and midwifery education in Ireland, RCSI’s School of Nursing and Midwifery focuses on registered nurses and midwives who want to advance their knowledge and skills. Its nursing and midwifery programs are exclusively postgraduate and include postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, master’s-level, and advanced leadership pathways across many clinical specialties.
RCSI reports that its School of Nursing and Midwifery is the largest provider of postgraduate nursing and midwifery education in Ireland. The school enrolled more than 1,300 students in 2024/25 and offers NMBI-accredited programs across numerous specialties. It is also ranked in the global top 150 for Nursing in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.
4. University College Dublin
University College Dublin (UCD) is ranked among the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide and traces its roots to 1854. It is also Ireland’s largest university.
UCD’s School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems offers undergraduate, taught graduate, and research programs. The school is ranked among the world’s top 100 for Nursing by the QS World University Rankings and works with more than 100 clinical partner sites in Ireland’s leading hospitals and community-based practices.
The nursing program prepares students to work with people in care or seeking support for their health and well-being. It aims to develop nurses who are able to take into account patients’ physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual needs.
Taught over four years, the General Nursing undergraduate degree includes practice placements and a 36-week clinical internship. UCD’s clinical partners include the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, St. Vincent’s University Hospital, Children’s Health Ireland, HSE Community Healthcare East, Saint John of God Hospital, the National Maternity Hospital, and several other clinical sites.
5. University of Limerick
The University of Limerick, a well-regarded nursing school in Ireland, was established in 1972. Its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (General) is a full-time, four-year degree offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery in conjunction with HSE West (Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary North). The program prepares students to care for people with acute and long-term conditions in hospital and community settings and leads to eligibility to present for NMBI registration as a Registered General Nurse.
The curriculum combines theory and practice, with a minimum of 63 weeks of theory, 45 weeks of un-rostered clinical placement, and a 36-week internship. Practice placements take place throughout the Mid-West region. Students study areas such as nursing, caring, communication, health promotion, infection prevention and control, biological sciences, sociology, psychology, law and ethics, pharmacology, research, and evidence in health. At the time of checking, UL states that this course is not available to non-EU applicants.
At the same time, the University of Limerick provides a vibrant, active campus with many social, extracurricular, and athletic outlets, as well as a multicultural learning environment. Recent graduates of this program work as Registered General Nurses in hospitals, the community, and the private sector in Ireland, elsewhere in the EU, and outside the EU.
Nursing professionals remain in demand in many countries. Students considering nursing in Ireland should check each university’s official course page for current NMBI approval, application routes, clinical placement requirements, English-language requirements, fees, and whether the program is open to non-EU applicants before applying.
We hope this article on the best nursing schools in Ireland was helpful. To learn more, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students page.
