Nine Irish institutions make international education list

Nine Irish higher-education institutes have made it on to the 2016 list of the top 200 league table of the most international universities in the world compiled by Times Higher Education (THE).

The rankings are based on each institution’s proportion of international students, staff and collaboration based on research papers published with at least one co-author from another country.

Trinity College Dublin is Ireland's highest ranking educational institution, reaching 40th position in the list.

Along with the Royal College of Surgeons all seven of Ireland’s universities feature in the top 150. DIT made the top 200 ranking in 172nd position.

Qatar University took first position on the list .

"An institution's global outlook is one of the key markers of a prestigious university," said Phil Baty, of Times Higher Education.

“The top institutions hire faculty from all over the world, attract students from a global market of top talent and collaborate with leading departments wherever they happen to be based. It is great news for all the institutions in the list of the most international universities in the world. It is a sign of great potential, competitiveness and dynamism,” he said.

Commenting on TCD's high placing, Trinity Dean of Research, Professor John Boland said: "We are delighted that Trinity College Dublin continues to be recognised globally as Ireland's premier university, competing at the highest international standards".

“We deliver an education based on a foundation of excellence in teaching, research and scholarship which is attracting high calibre students and faculty worldwide and making research discoveries which have a global impact. It is a university that builds on Ireland’s achievements in education and research that will improve our future.”

TCD is closely followed on the list by the Royal College of Surgeons in 46th position. UCD is the second highest placed Irish university in 74th position.

DCU, which has almost 2,000 students from 114 countries on the books, is next, registering at 138th place followed by NUI Galway and University of Limerick which jointly hold 139th place.

NUI Maynooth was ranked 146th and UCC is at 147.

DCU president Professor Brian MacCraith said Ireland’s performance in the 2016 rankings reflects the country’s reputation “for punching well above its weight in the international forum”.

Dr Jim Browne, president of NUI Galway said: "This is a significant achievement for NUI Galway and reflects a sustained upward trend in these very competitive global rankings. This consistent improvement in NUI Galway's THE World University Rankings is an affirmation of our very focused approach to developing our international reputation."