TUS Midlands Midwest (Limerick Campuses): Admissions, Tuition & Scholarships Guide for International Students

The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, or TUS, was established on 1 October 2021 through the merger of Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology. Its Limerick campuses are the larger part of that union: the Moylish campus on the edge of Limerick city is its principal Mid-West campus, with more than 7,000 students, and further sites serve the city centre and art and design. Limerick is Ireland's third-largest city and a regional hub for engineering, medical devices, ICT, and sport. This guide covers exactly what TUS Limerick international students need to know: how TUS is organised, programs, admissions, fees and scholarships, campus life, and Ireland's post-study stay-back scheme.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, a public technological university in Ireland, established 1 October 2021
• Limerick campuses: the Moylish campus with more than 7,000 students, plus city-centre sites including art and design
• Non-EU undergraduate tuition: €14,500 a year, and €12,000 for the foundation programme, on the fee page I read, which labels its figures 2027/2028
• Non-EU postgraduate tuition: €14,500 to €21,500 a year, with arts and education at €14,500, business, analytics, and engineering at €16,500 to €17,500, and pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical programmes at €20,500 to €21,500
• Scholarships: up to €3,000 for undergraduates and €4,000 for postgraduates by GPA, a €6,000 nursing scholarship, a €5,000 homecoming scholarship, and alumni awards of €3,000 to €4,000
• Application fee: a non-refundable €50 for direct applicants
• Student experience: TUS reports being named Best Student Experience in 2024 and 2025

Rankings and reputation

TUS is a young university, so its history in global rankings is short, and one report places it among the top 150 universities in northern Europe in a QS 2026 list, which is a regional grouping rather than a world position. The Limerick campuses draw on the reputation of the former Limerick Institute of Technology, known for engineering, science, business, and art and design programmes with strong ties to regional employers. TUS reports being named Best Student Experience in 2024 and 2025, which speaks to student satisfaction rather than research strength. For applied degrees, industry links, placements, and graduate outcomes are more relevant than league tables.

Academics and signature programs

The Moylish campus has modern lecture theatres, science laboratories, computer suites, and a large theatre, and it teaches engineering, science, computing, business, sport and health, and early childhood and education programmes. Limerick's city-centre sites host art and design. Many degrees include work placement, and the technological university model emphasises practical skills and industry projects. Choose your programme and campus together, because not every course runs at every site.

Admissions and international eligibility

TUS does not publish an acceptance rate that I could verify. Non-EU undergraduate applicants need qualifications judged equivalent to Irish entry standards, and postgraduate applicants need a relevant bachelor's degree. A €50 non-refundable application fee applies to direct applicants, and payments run through the Flywire online system, with receipts usable for visa purposes once payment is guaranteed. After an offer, non-EU students apply for an Irish study visa where required and register for an Irish Residence Permit after arrival.

English language requirements

• Sources for TUS list IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, and another lists 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, depending on programme level
• Other recognised tests may be accepted at published equivalents
• English is required for international applicants from non-English-speaking countries
• Confirm the score for your specific course before booking a test

Application checklist

A typical application includes certified transcripts, English test results, passport details, and the application fee. Ask about the deposit, the refund policy if your visa is refused, and any language pathway if you are just below the required score.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

TUS's non-EU fee page lists standard undergraduate tuition of €14,500 a year and €12,000 for the foundation programme, and postgraduate fees between €14,500 and €21,500 depending on discipline. The page labels these figures as 2027/2028, so confirm whether the fee for your intake is the same. Other TUS fee bands quoted by third parties are lower, so use TUS's own page and ask for a written total. Living costs, accommodation, and insurance are extra.

Estimated living costs in Ireland

• Limerick is cheaper than Dublin for housing, though student rents have risen with demand
• Non-EU students must register for an Irish Residence Permit and carry private medical insurance
• Bus services connect the Moylish campus with the city centre
• Student visa holders can work limited hours in term under current Irish rules
• Start your housing search early, because student accommodation is competitive

Scholarships

TUS offers merit and need-based scholarships for international students. The academic awards are up to €3,000 for undergraduates and up to €4,000 for postgraduates, based on GPA, with a nursing scholarship of €6,000, a homecoming scholarship of €5,000, and alumni scholarships of €3,000 to €4,000. The maximum award, excluding the homecoming and partnership scholarships, is €4,000. Ask whether the award is a one-off or renews each year, and whether it is applied automatically.

Campus life and student support

The Moylish campus sits in the shadow of Thomond Park, the home of Munster Rugby, and Limerick has a strong sporting and student culture. TUS runs an Engage orientation programme for incoming first-year students, and the international office supports students with visas, orientation, and settling in.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Limerick and the Mid-West host employers in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and engineering, and TUS's applied programmes align with these sectors. Ask about placements, industry partners, and graduate outcomes for your course.

Ireland's Stamp 1G stay-back scheme

Ireland's Third Level Graduate Programme, known as Stamp 1G, lets eligible non-EU graduates stay to look for work or work full-time after their degree. At the time of writing the period is generally 12 months after a bachelor's-level degree and 24 months after a master's or doctoral-level degree, based on the qualification's level on the National Framework of Qualifications. Rules change, so confirm the current conditions with the Irish immigration service.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Non-EU students need private medical insurance as a condition of their residence permit. Budget for the first-year fee, the residence permit, flights, and a housing deposit, and arrange accommodation early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, registration, and settling into Limerick. Teaching combines lectures, laboratory work, and projects, and students who arrive with reliable housing and a clear study routine tend to adapt faster.

A realistic budget

At €14,500 a year, three years of undergraduate tuition come to €43,500, and four years to €58,000, before living costs and insurance. A €3,000 scholarship reduces that if you qualify, and a €6,000 nursing scholarship helps more. Confirm your exact fee and payment schedule in writing.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• Is the fee on the fee page the one that applies to my intake?
• Which scholarships am I eligible for, and are they renewable?
• Does my course include a work placement, and how is it arranged?
• Which campus will my course run at?
• What accommodation help is available in Limerick?
• Which stay-back period applies to my qualification level?

Who TUS Limerick suits best

TUS Limerick suits students who want an applied, industry-linked degree in engineering, science, computing, business, or art and design at a lower cost of living than Dublin. It may suit less well students who want a research-intensive university or a high-ranking global brand.

TUS Limerick or TUS Athlone?

Limerick is a larger city with a bigger campus community and more part-time jobs, while Athlone is a smaller town with lower costs and a compact campus. The two campuses belong to the same university, so compare course availability, housing, and lifestyle before choosing, and ask whether transfers between campuses are possible.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your course and campus, and check the fee and entry requirements.
2. Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts, passport details, and the €50 application fee.
4. Accept your offer and pay any required deposit.
5. Apply for any visa needed, then register for your residence permit on arrival.
6. Book accommodation and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather certified transcripts, English results, and proof of funds, and ask TUS for written confirmation of fees, refund terms, and your campus.

Working and placements in the Mid-West

Limerick and the wider Mid-West region have a concentration of medical device, pharmaceutical, ICT, and engineering employers, and a placement can be the most valuable part of an applied degree because it gives you local references and contacts. Ask TUS how many students on your course complete a placement, how placements are found, whether they are paid, and how they interact with student visa conditions.

• Ask which employers have hired recent graduates from your course
• Ask whether your course has professional accreditation, for example in engineering or computing
• Ask how many international students are on your course, and what support they receive
• Ask how the Limerick city-centre and Moylish campuses are connected, and which one hosts your classes

Frequently asked questions