University of Limerick

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

The University of Limerick (UL), located in Limerick, Ireland, is a public research university established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE), Limerick. It was granted university status in 1989 under the University of Limerick Act, becoming the first new university in Ireland since independence in 1922. The campus spans both banks of the River Shannon across 137.5 hectares in Plassey, approximately five kilometres from Limerick city centre. The university serves over 11,000 full-time undergraduates, more than 2,400 international students, and approximately 2,800 part-time students. It also supports over 800 research postgraduates and 1,300 postgraduate taught students. UL introduced Ireland’s first cooperative education programme, offering up to eight-month work placements within its degrees.The campaign for a university in Limerick began in the 1950s, gaining momentum with the founding of the Limerick University Project Committee in 1959. The development of NIHE was inspired by the need for technical expertise during Ireland’s economic expansion and received significant international funding. Founding president Edward M. Walsh was instrumental in shaping UL’s development. In 1991, UL absorbed Thomond College of Education and began awarding degrees for Mary Immaculate College and later St. Patrick's College, Thurles.UL integrated elements from the American university model, including cooperative education, GPA grading, and a trimester system. The institution has strong ties to industry and international education through global partnerships and exchange programmes, including Erasmus. It maintains an emphasis on innovation, research, and practical learning. The university’s development was supported by private philanthropy, notably by Chuck Feeney, and it continues to evolve as a significant academic and research institution in Ireland. Its leadership, infrastructure, and progressive educational models have earned it a prominent place in Irish higher education.