Ireland’s top universities have slipped slightly in a major world ranking system but the country still retains four in the top 300.

THREE out of four Irish universities have lost ground on their competitors in global rankings, with the exception being University College Cork, which has also become the country’s first five-star university.

MORE than 1,300 additional college places have been filled by the Central Applications Office in the latest phase of offers for this year’s highly competitive race for third level entry.