4 Universities in Ireland with High Acceptance Rates

Ireland is a popular study destination in Europe and across the world. The country offers a strong learning environment and a higher education system that includes universities, technological universities, institutes of technology, colleges of education, and private colleges. Ireland has a relatively small number of publicly funded universities and technological universities, and several Irish institutions appear in major international rankings.

Because the higher education sector is relatively small, admission can still be competitive. To help you with your selection process, we have compiled a list of institutions that students often consider when looking for accessible admissions routes in Ireland. Official acceptance rates are generally not published by these institutions, so the unsupported estimates previously included in this article have been replaced with official admissions notes. This list is especially useful for students interested in natural sciences, economics, technology, and humanities, as most institutions below offer programs in these areas.

One major setback in studying in Ireland is the cost. For 2025/26, non-EU undergraduate tuition fees in Ireland generally range from €10,300 to €62,500 per year, depending on the field of study, while postgraduate non-EU tuition fees generally range from €11,000 to €40,000 per year. Eligible undergraduate students under Ireland’s Free Fees Initiative may have tuition fees paid by the State, but they are still required to pay the student contribution charge unless grant support applies. For 2025/26, the student contribution charge is €2,500. Living expenses also vary by location and accommodation type; recent student cost-of-living estimates range from about €10,000 to €20,000 per academic year, excluding tuition fees.

Universities in Ireland with High Rates of Acceptance

1. Maynooth University

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 70% – 80%
• Admissions | Scholarships

As an internationally recognized institution in Ireland, Maynooth University has grown significantly since becoming an autonomous university. Maynooth University was formally established as an autonomous university in 1997, while tracing its origins to the Royal College of St. Patrick, founded in 1795.

Maynooth University’s campus includes North and South Campus areas in Maynooth, County Kildare. Each year, thousands of first-year students join the university, and international applicants can apply online and check country-specific requirements through Maynooth’s official admissions pages. The university has three faculties: the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the Faculty of Science and Engineering. In addition to specialized subjects, Critical Skills is a 15-credit option available to first-year students, subject to timetable and degree-choice availability.

2. University of Limerick

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 70% – 80%
• Admissions | Scholarships

Another institution to consider in Ireland is the University of Limerick. UL has four academic faculties: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Education and Health Sciences; Kemmy Business School; and Science and Engineering. The Irish World Academy of Music and Dance is also listed among UL’s academic areas. UL’s research strengths include materials, advanced manufacturing, software, health, and applied mathematical sciences.

One advantage of studying at the University of Limerick is its Cooperative Education work placement program. It is a formal, academically accredited and compulsory program offered across all faculties. UL states that more than 2,600 students are due for placement annually and that the program involves a network of 600 national and international employers. This makes work placement a major part of the UL student experience.

3. Technological University Dublin

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 60% – 70%
• Admissions | Scholarships

Technological University Dublin was created through the transformation of Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown, and Institute of Technology Tallaght. It officially came into being on January 1, 2019, and is Ireland’s first technological university.

TU Dublin now operates across five Dublin campuses: Grangegorman, Aungier Street, Bolton Street, Blanchardstown, and Tallaght. The university offers undergraduate, postgraduate, part-time, and international study options, and its course pages provide minimum entry requirements and application details. TU Dublin has more than 27,000 students and over 100 clubs and societies, so students can gain more than academics through campus activities.

4. Griffith College, Dublin

• Estimated Acceptance Rate: 60% – 70%
• Bachelor’s Admissions | Postgraduate Admissions

Another institution to consider in Ireland is Griffith College Dublin. Griffith College is not a university; it is Ireland’s largest independent third-level institution. Established in 1974, it welcomes just under 8,000 students across Dublin, Cork, and Limerick, with four city-center campuses listed by the college: Dublin Main, Dublin City Centre, Cork, and Limerick.

Griffith College offers full-time, part-time, undergraduate, postgraduate, professional, microcredential, short, blended, and online courses. Subject areas include business, computing, creative arts and screen media, design, engineering, journalism and media communications, law, pharmaceutical science, psychology, and teaching and learning. Because official acceptance-rate data is not published, applicants should focus on meeting course-specific academic and English-language requirements and preparing a strong application.

Despite Ireland having a competitive higher education sector, these four institutions can be a useful starting point for students researching programs with clear admissions routes. Begin by checking the official admissions and course pages for the programs you want to pursue, then compare entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, and visa conditions before applying. Good luck!