Limerick, Ireland
University of Limerick Partnership
Program Overview
CONNECT WITH IRISH PEERS AT A UNIVERSITY LOVED BY ITS STUDENTS
Highly ranked by international and Irish students alike, Limerick is renowned for innovative teaching, and offers extensive STEM options, an accredited business school, and a prestigious music and dance school. It’s also noted for great student support, with three tutoring centers, a peer-matching program for visiting students, and two-week class trial periods.
After class, climb Ireland’s tallest indoor rock wall, play football, or kayak on Lough Derg—this green campus on the River Shannon is nicknamed Ireland’s Sport Campus. Or, meet friends for coffee or lunch in a courtyard that was once the historic Plassey House stables.
Limerick is a youthful city, less trampled by tourists than others, with a friendly vibe. Plus, Cork, Galway, and Dublin are in easy reach when you’re ready to explore. Discover more of what makes Ireland unique with specially curated excursions (yes, included!) to the awesome West Coast and Kilkenny, a medieval city where you can get your fill of artisan foods and try your hand at the Gaelic sport, hurling.
Details at a Glance
Application deadline
Minimum GPA
2.70
Credit load
15
Housing
Apartment/Flat, Single Room Option
Instruction language
English
Language prerequisites
None
Visa required?
Not in most cases. Learn more.
Academics
CHART Your Course
Find the classes you need fast with CHART. Our easy-to-use tool shows you classes recently taken by IFSA students.
The University of Limerick offers a large and diverse selection of classes, including an abundance of STEM offerings. Uniquely, Limerick also offers midwifery classes available to undergraduate study abroad students.
View these Module Guides for the University of Limerick’s available courses for Fall or Spring.
4000-level courses are undergraduate courses:
- Codes ending in even numbers indicate spring semester courses
- Codes ending in odd numbers indicate fall semester courses
- Codes ending in 1 and 2 are first year modules (ex: 4***1 and 4***2)
- Codes ending in 3 and 4 are second year modules (ex: 4***3 and 4***4)
- Codes ending in 5 and 6 are third year modules (ex: 4***5 and 4***6)
- Codes ending in 7 and 8 are fourth year modules (ex: 4***7 and 4***8)
5000-level courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.
Credit Conversions
At the University of Limerick, a full class load consists of 30 ECTS credits, equivalent to 15 U.S. semester credit hours for a semester. 1 ECTS credit = .5 U.S. semester hours
Lab & Field Trip Fees
Please review syllabi and course materials when registering for direct-enroll classes. Certain classes may have a one-off lab or field trip fee disclosed in the syllabus or during the first meeting of the class. These fees are not included in your IFSA program fee. You will be responsible for these fees, whether they are billed and paid by IFSA or billed to you.
Class Limitations
The following subjects have class capacity limitations. Please check with your IFSA Enrollment Counselor if you are interested in any of these subjects:
- Architecture
- Biological Sciences
- Chemical Sciences
- Communications
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Geography
- Irish World Academy of Music and Dance
- Journalism
- Mathematics
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Psychology
Equine Science
Classes are restricted to equine majors only, and placements are not guaranteed as preference is given to full-time, degree-seeking students at the University of Limerick. Study abroad students will be able to select from the modules with open places upon arrival on campus.
Physical Education and Sports Science
Classes are restricted to sports science and physical education majors only, and placements are not guaranteed as preference is given to full-time, degree-seeking students at the University of Limerick. Study abroad students will be able to select from the modules with openings upon arrival on campus.
UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK PRACTICUM
The credit-bearing practicum comprises three key parts, which must be completed by academics, community partners and students together in order to frame the project as a collaborative and collective project between equally valued and alternatively skilled partners. The first part is preparatory and taken prior to the on-site project component; second, there is the project placement with associated practical and academic work; and third, an ex-ante evaluation of the project will be carried out by all partners to the work. For more information, please contact your IFSA Enrollment Counselor.
New country, new way of learning!
Here’s what to expect at the University of Limerick:
- More emphasis on independent learning. The university recommends completing ten hours of independent study for each academic credit you seek.
- Less personal access to professors. Instead, it’s common to connect with more junior faculty members. Other resources include course designers (who line up lectures) and module coordinators.
- Grades are often based only on a single final paper or on a midterm exam and final paper.
- Academics reflect a similar level of difficulty as in the U.S., but follow a different grading scale. In Ireland, scores of 70% and above are considered “As.” (We’ll review this and give you a chart to refer to during IFSA orientation.)
- Full access to the university’s robust academic support system and resources, including assignment to an advisor. IFSA local staff are also available for individual help.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Eligibility
- You must be at least 18 years of age. Students under 18 may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
- You must be currently attending or recently graduated from a U.S. or Canadian community college, technical college, two-year college, four-year college, or four-year university.
- You must have completed at least one (1) full-time semester of study at your home institution before the beginning of the term.
- Eligibility requirements can vary among host institutions. Please ask your IFSA Enrollment Counselor for specific information.
Recommendation Letter
Not required.
TRANSCRIPT
Upon completion of your program, IFSA will send an official Butler University transcript to your home university with your coursework converted to the U.S. semester credit hour system. You will also have access to an unofficial transcript in your IFSA Student Portal. The transcript reflects classes taken, credits attempted, and grades earned during your term abroad. This service is included in your study abroad program at no additional cost. See our Transcripts page for more information.
Excursions
Activities and excursions are designed to pull you into the communities you visit and encourage cultural connections of every kind. There’s no extra fee to participate in these optional outings—everything is included in your program fee.
Below are a selection of activities and excursions from previous terms; options may vary for your program. Due to the seasonal nature of many of program activities, we cannot guarantee a specific activity or excursion will be available in a given term or program.
- King John’s Castle: Step inside the walls of Limerick’s most iconic landmark in the heart of Limerick’s medieval quarter. Discover the stories of ruthless King John, noble knights, and rebellious natives, which bring 800 years of dramatic local history to life.
- Rugby match at Thomond Park: Take in the atmosphere as you walk with Munster Rugby supporters to the stadium, just outside the city center. Then catch the excitement as you cheer on the home team.
- Historic Milk Market: Established in 1852, the Milk Market was a hub for the local economy. Today, it’s open weekends and full of stalls serving everything from coffee to crafts to pre-loved books. Discover your favorite stalls and chat with the local vendors about their wares.
- Afternoon at Bunratty Castle and Folk-Park: Stroll around this perfectly recreated village, complete with fishing cottages, farmhouses from rural Ireland, a Victorian school, mills, a working farm, and the 15th century tower house from Bunratty Castle. Then enjoy a pub dinner at the incomparable Durty Nelly’s bar, with a unique vibe from 400 years back.
- Kilkenny Weekend: Don’t miss this two-night trip to Kilkenny, a charming medieval city dating back to 1195. Stay in a hostel with IFSA students who are studying all over Ireland and explore this small central Ireland standout, known for its history, artisan food, sporting culture—and Ireland’s most notorious witch. Visit a local farm, try hurling with a local coach, test yourself with a pub quiz, explore Kilkenny Castle, and more.
Housing and Meals
Housing
Apartment/Flat, Single Room OptionMeals
Self-CateringDetails
Students live in clusters of university-owned apartments on campus near the River Shannon. All student villages include a mix of first years, seniors, international students, and postgraduate students.
Sample housing
Explore Dromroe Village to see what your Limerick home might be like:
- Location: On campus next to the Shannon; easy walking distance from all university facilities.
- Living space: Students live in apartments, generally in groups of three to five. Students have single bedrooms, each with a twin bed, desk, pillow, duvet, and storage, and private attached bathrooms, and share living space and a kitchen. Sheets provided.
- Meals: No meal plan. Students prepare and eat their own meals, and often say cooking and sharing meals is a fun, social part of their day.
- Additional details: 24/7 security and reception. Laundry. On-site maintenance. Frequent shuttle bus to city center. Bike storage. Free bike lending. Full use of university gym and pool.
- Nearby: Riverside walks. Shops, cinema, and restaurants in Castleroy. Limerick city center (3 miles). King John’s Castle. Thomond Park (home of the local rugby team). Several castles and ruins.
Dates and Fees
Get Started
Haley Butler
Enrollment Counselor