Ireland's universities among most improved in the world as Trinity retains top place in country's rankings
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) retained its place as Ireland's top institution in the QS World University Rankings for 2026, improving its overall ranking from 87th last year to 75th.
University College Dublin (UCD) was ranked 118th, up from 126th a year ago, followed by University College Cork (UCC), up to 246th from 273rd, and the University of Galway, which fell to 284th from 273rd.
The University of Limerick, Dublin City University (DCU), the University of Maynooth and the Technological University of Dublin (TUD) made up the rest of the eight Irish universities included in the rankings.
Seven of the eight improved on their ranking from a year ago, making Ireland the most-improved country in Europe and the second-most improved in the world, trailing Azerbaijan.
This edition of the QS rankings also marks the first time every ranked Irish university has been included in the world's top 800.
Further and Higher Education Minister James Lawless said third-level institutions 'play a vital role in delivering education and research' in Ireland.
'This work has been and continues to be pivotal to the success of our country as a knowledge-driven economy,' he said.
Their achievements reflect the strength of our higher education system
'I congratulate the institutions that have improved their standing in this year's QS university rankings.
'Their achievements reflect the strength of our higher education system and reinforce Ireland's global reputation for academic excellence and cutting-edge research.
'This progress also reflects the significant investment this Government has made in higher education in recent years, supporting our ambition to build a world-class, innovative and inclusive system that delivers for all.'
TCD ranked in the top 100 globally in three indicators: academic reputation, international faculty and graduate outcomes.
UCD landed in the top 100 for graduate outcomes and in the top 50 for sustainability, where it was ranked 49th.
After rising into the global top 250, UCC also improved in academic reputation, employer reputation and citations per faculty.
The University of Oxford was in fourth place, down from third
At the top of the rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retained the number one spot it has held since 2012.
In second place was Imperial College London, the same spot it earned last year.
The University of Oxford was in fourth place, down from third, and Harvard University was in fifth, down from fourth.
QS senior vice-president Ben Sowter said: 'Ireland's outstanding results in the 2026 QS World University Rankings are testament to the dedication of academics, administrators and students across the eight universities from the country included in the ranking.
'The Government has been clear in its ambitions to make Ireland a first-choice destination for international learners in its Global Citizens 2030 Talent and Innovation Strategy and, with every university improving in the international student indicator, the country's campuses are increasingly open and diverse.'
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