Third-level system slips further in latest world rankings

Ireland’s third-level system has fallen again in comparison with other countries — despite expanding access to university places.

We are placed 25th out of 50 — slipping from 24th a year ago and 20th in 2013 — in the latest ranking of national higher education systems by QS.

It takes into account the overall placement of each nation’s universities in the QS world university rankings, but also the ranking of the top college in every country; the number of available places in top 500 universities relative to population; and government spending — and its effectiveness — in higher education.