Dublin’s universities aren’t the only prestigious educational institutions in the capital. The city is also home to a number of colleges with long histories and international reputations.
Among them is the Royal College of Surgeons with its enviable location on beautiful Stephen’s Green, as well as the country’s oldest art college NCAD. If you plan to study in Dublin, here’s an introduction to the city’s state-funded colleges.
The Church of Ireland College of Education trains primary school teachers – particularly for schools under Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Society of Friends patronage. It was established in 1811 and became part of Dublin City University in October 2016.
The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies was established in 1940 by the then Taoiseach, Éamon de Valera. It specialises in Celtic Studies, Cosmic Physics and Theoretical Physics. It does not award degrees, but it does assist students with enrolling in higher degree courses at universities around the world. Notably, this college also hosts more than 100 international research visitors.
The Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS)
Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology is Ireland’s only institute of technology devoted to music and the arts. Its programmes for visual arts, digital media and technology are among the best in the country. Its groundbreaking approach to education makes it stand out in a crowded field. IADT welcomes international students from all over the world.
Dublin Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT)
King’s Inns is Dublin’s oldest professional and educational institution. It opened in 1541 – 51 years before Trinity College Dublin – and is responsible for admitting barristers-at-law into the Irish justice system. It also admits international students with the knowledge, skills and qualifications required to join the Irish Bar.
The Honorable Society of King’s Inns
The Law Society of Ireland is the main body for professional solicitors in the Republic of Ireland. It has over 12,000 members – all of whom are solicitors. As well as acting as a representative and regulatory body, it also performs some educational functions. It administers qualification courses for lawyers from outside of the Republic of Ireland who wish to practice law here.
The Law Society of Ireland
The National College of Art and Design can trace its roots back to 1746, when it was a private drawing school. Today it is a national institution with over 1,500 students pursuing courses in art, design and education. Based in The Liberties right at the heart of Dublin, NCAD welcomes students from all over the world and nurtures a culturally diverse atmosphere of curious and creative minds.
National College of Art and Design (NCAD)
The National College of Ireland is at the heart of Irish business culture. Founded in 1951, it has deep links with both the trade union movement and business managers. These influences create a harmonious atmosphere where business excellence is achieved through collaboration.
National College of Ireland (NCI)
Today, the college boasts 5,000 students on its Dublin campus which is based in the Irish Financial Services Centre. This is right in the heart of the city and is close to the European headquarters of many tech giants, Fortune 500 companies and other notable multinationals.
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is an independent, not-for-profit university and its mission is to ‘Educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health’. Established in 1784, RCSI was founded as the national provider of surgical training in Ireland.
In the years since, RCSI has evolved to become one of the world’s leading health sciences universities. With over 60 different nationalities represented in its undergraduate student body and more than 32,000 alumni from 96 countries around the globe, RCSI is also one of the most international in its outlook.
Times Higher Education (THE) has ranked RCSI in the world’s Top 300 Universities for each of the last seven years. THE also ranks RCSI at #5 in the world for ‘Good Health and Well-being’, which is testament to the commitment of its staff, students and researchers to meeting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
The Royal Irish Academy of Music was established in 1848, making it one of Europe’s oldest music conservatories. It specialises in classical music and the Irish harp. Over 40,000 students are educated through the RIAM and its outreach programmes every year. It is very welcoming to international students and boasts a long tradition of nurturing musicians from abroad.
The Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM)
All of these Dublin colleges welcome international students. But it’s also worth noting that the city has a selection of universities and private colleges to choose from too.