The University of Limerick is a university in Limerick, Ireland. Founded in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, it became a university in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989. It was the first university established since Irish independence in 1922, and was followed by the establishment of Dublin City University later the same day in 1989.  The University of Limerick (UL), is located on the west coast of Ireland along the picturesque River Shannon and enjoys an unspoiled natural environment blended with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities.

UL was awarded prestigious 5-star rankings for graduate employability, innovation and knowledge transfer, teaching, engagement, internationalisation and infrastructure by QS Stars independent assessors.

With close to 16,500 students, including more than 2,000 international students each year, UL is a young and enterprising university with a proud record of innovation in education and scholarship.  A survey of Irish students recently voted UL Ireland’s most popular university with a satisfaction rating of 85%.

With strong links to business and industry, UL excels at translational research which aims to accelerate the practical application of academic research to benefit society. UL houses some of the most innovative and successful research centres in Ireland.  The Nexus Innovation Centre is a growing community of international researchers and entrepreneurs which supports new businesses and the creation of jobs.

Known as ‘Ireland’s Sporting Campus’, UL boasts Ireland’s first altitude training centre, an Olympic-sized swimming pool and the National Strength and Conditioning Centre. The new 3G pitches are the largest artificial grass development in Europe and the Sports Arena attracts more than 600,000 visitors each year.