Trinity's Strong Research Reputation
Why Research at Trinity College Dublin
Our students receive a world-class education in a research-centred, collaborative environment and have the opportunity to work with global leaders in their field.
Welcome
Trinity Research Rankings and Reputation (2026)
| Metric | Ranking | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| QS World University Ranking | 75th Globally | Top 1% of universities worldwide. |
| Sustainability Ranking | 29th Globally | Leading the transition to a green economy. |
| Innovation Leaders | #1 in Europe | Top university for producing venture-backed entrepreneurs. |
| Global Safety | 2nd Safest Country | Ireland is ranked the 2nd safest country in the world. |
Find out more about rankings.
Research-led education
Research-Led Education Opportunities (Levels 9 and 10)
Trinity provides research opportunities at the Master’s (NFQ Level 9) and Doctoral (NFQ Level 10) levels across STEM, Health Sciences, and the Arts. Students engage in "Frontier Research," gaining analytical skills and a research pedigree that bridges the gap between academic discovery and global industry application.
- Interdisciplinary Themes: Research spans five major institutes focusing on global challenges like climate change, cancer, and digital humanities.
- Expert Mentorship: Work alongside Principal Investigators (PIs) who are global leaders in their respective fields.
- Advanced Facilities: Benefit from the Research Infrastructure Programme, part of Ireland's investment in next-generation lab equipment.
Research opportunities
Innovation, Industry, and Dublin’s Innovation District
Trinity Research & Innovation connects academic breakthroughs to global enterprises in Dublin’s tech hub. Trinity is the primary pipeline for R&D talent for multinational corporations (MNCs) in ICT, advanced materials, and translational medicine.
- Located in the heart of Dublin, adjacent to headquarters for Google, Pfizer, and Meta.
- Facilitating patents, startups, and industry-funded PhDs to drive real-world economic impact.
- International PhD graduates are eligible for a 2-year stay-back visa, allowing them to join Ireland’s R&D workforce immediately upon completion.
To learn more about enabling research from concept to impact please see this website here.
Outstanding graduates
The LERU Advantage & Academic Heritage
Trinity is the first and only Irish university in the League of European Research Universities (LERU), a consortium of the continent's most prestigious research-intensive institutions. This membership provides students with a collaborative network that includes Oxford, Cambridge, and ETH Zurich.
- Join a legacy of thinkers including Nobel Prize winner E.T.S. Walton and literary icons like Oscar Wilde.
- A diverse community of 44,500 international students currently studying in Ireland, with postgraduate numbers growing by 11% annually.
Full details regarding Trinity’s research institutes, centres and themes are available at here.
LERU
Student Perspectives: The Living Lab Experience
Brady Gordon: Postgraduate: LL.M and PhD in Law
“Trinity set me up as an expert in my field and provided lifelong friendships with colleagues at leading universities and companies worldwide.”
Yu Xu: PhD in Computer Science
“Researching at Trinity benefits from Dublin being a technology hub—the 'European Silicon Valley'—giving my Computer Science PhD immediate industry relevance.”