The University of Limerick offers undergraduate, postgraduate, continuing professional education, research and other educational programmes. UL is 5 kilometres from Limerick city centre, along the River Shannon.
The University is an active participant in the European Union's Erasmus programme. UL has over 200 partner institutions in 24 European countries. In addition, UL students may study at partner universities in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, China and Singapore.
The University of Limerick was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick. It became a university by statute in 1989.
In the 1960s, an improving economy, foreign direct investment into Ireland and the need for advanced expertise lead to the creation of the National Institute for Higher Education (NIHE) at Limerick. The NIHE was to follow the model of Europe’s new technological universities.
The World Bank financed the project. The Institute hired faculty and staff from around the world, and NIHE had extensive teaching and research facilities. These attracted an influx of foreign investment.
In 1977, the government required NIHE Limerick to apply for recognition as a Recognised College of the National University of Ireland. Students and staff strongly opposed this. The Institute withdrew from the NUI. Through legislation, NIHE Limerick became an independent institution. From 1978 to 1988, the National Council for Educational Awards was the degree-awarding authority for the NIHE Limerick.
In 1989, NIHE Limerick became the University of Limerick through legislation. UL was the first new university in the history of the Irish State. UL was granted powers to award its own degrees.
