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University of Limerick ranks among world’s top 500 reaching a ‘Milestone achievement’

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7 months ago

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University of Limerick has received a top 500 ranking in the world for the first time in the influential Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2024

University of Limerick President Professor Kerstin Mey has hailed a move into the world’s top 500 universities as a ‘milestone achievement’

University of Limerick awarded €25m capital investment to refurbish and extend the Main Building at the heart of its campus
University of Limerick Campus

UL has been ranked in the top 500 universities in the world for the first time in the influential Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for 2024, announced this Wednesday.

UL has moved into the 401-500 bracket out of the 1,904 universities ranked globally, marking a significant improvement on last year’s 601-800 placing.

It is the biggest year on year move of the universities in Ireland in the annual THE World University rankings, which aim to provide the definitive list of the best universities in the world and is a vital resource for students and academics helping them choose where to study and work.


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UL President Professor Kerstin Mey said: “Ranking in the top 500 universities in the world is a testament to the unwavering dedication and commitment of our university community in the pursuit of excellence and innovation. Together, we have forged a path of excellence and innovation that propels us forward, shaping a brighter future for all. In doing so, we have achieved a milestone that reflects the power of collective effort and the limitless potential of University of Limerick.

“Improving university world rankings holds immense significance for a research-led institution committed to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. These rankings are not just numbers or symbols of prestige, they reflect a university’s global standing and its impact on society.

“These rankings not only reflect a university’s global impact but also serve as catalysts for attracting talent, fostering research, engaging with the community, and driving positive change. By striving for higher rankings, UL can position itself to be a leader in addressing the complex challenges of our time and shaping a more sustainable and innovative future.”

Welcoming the rankings, UL Vice President Research Professor Norelee Kennedy said: “These latest rankings results reaffirm UL’s commitment to research. In our research strategy, Wisdom for Action, our mission is to build a vibrant community where research excellence is valued, supported and central to UL as a research-led institution. These rankings show that our work to achieve this is paying off.”

UL’s Vice President Global and Community Engagement Professor Nigel Healey outlined the importance of being in the Top 500 best universities in the world.

“Universities operate in a very crowded global environment. Almost 40% of the world’s school leavers go to college. Estimates of the number of universities vary from 21,000 (the number of accredited or recognised higher education institutions according to UNESCO) up to 83,000.  

“For students, faculty and scholarship bodies seeking to navigate the global higher education landscape, world university rankings play an important role in shaping decision-making.   

“For UL, a research-led university that seeks to attract and inspire the world’s brightest minds, being ranked in the Top 500 by the Times Higher Education is an important milestone in consolidating our presence amongst the world’s top universities,” Professor Healey added.

Universities are evaluated across five key areas or pillars of Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, International Outlook, and Industry.

The methodology used for the 2024 rankings included significant updates with the introduction of a wider range of bibliometric measures, improving international metrics, and expanding the role for knowledge transfer.

These changes better reflect the excellent and wide-ranging work that is being carried out across UL.

The most significant increases for UL were seen in the Research Quality and Industry pillars, reflecting UL’s increasing strength and depth in its research excellence and collaborative links with industrial partners across the region, nationally and globally.

The Times Higher result reaffirms the recent improvement that UL has made in several prestigious global rankings in the past year.

UL jumped more than 100 places to be ranked 426th in the QS World University Rankings, while THE also ranked UL as the 86th best university in the world for delivering on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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