University of Limerick

The University of Limerick welcomes the findings of the recent QS Stars™ report which awarded UL top scores across a number of key areas, in particular graduate employability and innovation and knowledge transfer.  The QS Stars™ provides an independent evaluation of some of the world’s leading universities. The report also awarded UL 5-star ratings across the areas of infrastructure, teaching, engagement and internationalisation.

UL President, Professor Don Barry said; “This report reflects the true impact the University of Limerick is making in producing highly employable graduates who are ready for the workforce, while also driving a research agenda which delivers innovative spin-outs and supports vital industrial research. UL’s focus on translational research delivers real results which are positively impacting the lives of Irish citizens, as evidenced by our 5-Star award for Innovation and Knowledge Transfer.”

 Professor Barry added; “The 5-Star rating we have received for Employability reflects the extremely high standing of our graduates.  Our graduate employment level continues to rise above the national average.  And this also contributes to the increased demand for UL programmes, with higher admission levels for 60% of our programmes this year.  The maximum 5-Star ratings UL has received for the quality of our teaching and our campus infrastructure also show the emphasis we have placed on optimising the student experience at UL”.

 Employability - Rating 5 Stars, QS Stars™

 The University of Limerick was audited in terms of the ‘work-readiness’ of its graduates, employer reputation and the support of its careers service and was awarded a 5-Star rating.

 Despite the challenging environment, UL's graduate employment rate continues to rise. UL’s most recent graduate employment survey shows the  2010 figure for primary degree-holders is now 10% higher than the HEA’s most recently-available national average figure which is 48% for 2009. A survey of UL’s 2010 graduates showed 84% are either employed or pursuing further study.

 The further support for fourth level research is evident in UL’s employment rate of 94% of its PhD graduates from the class of 2010, with the vast majority employed in Ireland.

 Innovation - Rating 5 Stars, QS Stars™

 The QS audit for Innovation examined the University’s records for patents, spin-off companies and industrial research. The report awarded UL a 5-Star rating for Innovation.

 Dr Mary Shire, Vice President Research welcomed the ratings report in saying; “Since its establishment UL has been a hub of spin-out activity supported through our worldwide network of industry partnerships. It is through our focus on driving innovation and translational research that we are delivering the ideas and the people to ensure Ireland continues to be an attractive place for investment.  The 5-Star rating we have received for Innovation is testament to UL’s ongoing success in this vital area.”

The University has been granted over €40 million inresearch funding for the past calendar year and continues to outperform international benchmarks for delivery of commercial licences and spinouts per euro invested. Our commercialisation success has led to 114 new invention disclosures, 53 patent applications, 27 licence agreements and 8 campus companies in the past 5 years. In 2010 alone, four new University patents were granted by the European Patent office and the US Patent Office.  

8 UL campus companieshave been set up over the past five years, attracting in excess of €35 million in investment funding and employing 80 people locally.

Other success stories include spinout companies Powervation, Stokes Bio and Crescent Diagnostics which are part of a dynamic emerging pipeline of commercialisation of UL researchwhich is testament to the creativity, hard work and commitment of our researchers and staff and the support and guidance of our external partners from the worlds of technology, venture capital and enterprise.

In the last year, UL has entered agreements with some leading companies, spinouts and specialist industries including; Nokia Siemens Networks, AMD, AVC, Henkel Ireland, Bearna Medical, Corinthian Medical, Cauwill Technologies and MB Dynamics. 

For further information about QS Rankings to go : www.topuniversities.com/qsstars/ireland