Ireland home to most improved higher-education system in Europe, as two universities reach top 100 globally

UCD joins the international league table at 100th for 2027, while TCD maintains its ranking of 75th

University College Cork (UCC) rose 26 places, ranking at 220 for 2027, compared to 246 in 2026. File picture: Max Bell

Ireland has made an “outstanding” performance in the latest round of international university rankings, with two institutions among the top 100 globally for the first time.

The QS World University Rankings 2027, published on Thursday, places University College Dublin (UCD) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD) in the top 100 universities worldwide.

UCD, which placed 118th in 2026, joins the international league table at 100th for 2027, the first time it has entered the top 100 universities in the last 15 years, while TCD maintains its ranking of 75th.

The university has placed within the top 100 for the last five years consecutively.

With six out of eight universities rising in the latest round of the rankings, Irish universities have improved at a faster pace than many of their global counterparts, according to QS.

University College Cork (UCC) rose 26 places, ranking at 220 for 2027, compared to 246 in 2026. University of Galway ranked 275th, compared to 284th in 2026, while the University of Limerick (UL) recorded its highest ranking to date at 388th.

QS said TCD’s ranking for 2027 “demonstrates the sustained progress the institution has achieved compared with international peers”, while Irish institutions in general also improved in reputation amongst both academics and employers for 2027.

Most improved

QS official Ben Sowter said Ireland was home to the most improved higher education system in Europe in 2026, and this year the upward trajectory continues.

“The 2027 QS World University Rankings demonstrate how Ireland’s eight ranked universities are going from strength to strength in key areas such as reputation among both academics and employers, sustainability, and appealing to international students,” he said.

“These rankings measure what matters most to prospective students, and we expect Ireland to build on its reputation among both global students and scholars in the future as universities rise further in the rankings.

“They also reveal where global universities are improving at a faster rate than Irish peers. In 2027, this ranges from employment outcomes to influence of research completed on Irish campuses and student access to faculty.”

The QS rankings evaluate more than 1,500 institutions across 106 countries.

Globally, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been ranked number one in the world for the 15th consecutive year. It is followed by Imperial College London, Stanford University, University of Oxford, and Harvard.

• Jess Casey is Education Correspondent.