University with two Tipperary campuses ranked among the best third level colleges globally

The Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), which has campuses in Thurles and Clonmel, is now a QS 5-Star university, having achieved the highest possible number of stars to become one of the top-rated universities in the world.

The announcement this Monday revealed TUS has also received maximum stars in all categories assessed, and is Ireland’s first ever university to receive 5 Stars in the Arts and Culture category.

Announcing the news at a specially convened staff meeting, President of TUS Prof Vincent Cunnane said the results acknowledge the core values of TUS as a higher education institution.

“The fact that we have received the highest number of stars in what is considered one of the most influential and credible ratings for universities globally is a fitting acknowledgement of our commitment to a student-centred, inclusive university, that excels at academic development and providing work ready graduates,” he told staff.

“This recognition not only brings an international focus on TUS, but also the region we serve. Having received 5 Stars across all the categories assessed, TUS scored exceptionally high in the areas of international diversity and employment, with the scoring system taking into consideration the university’s strong reputation among employers, the graduate employment rate, and career service supports. This rating supports the finding of the HEA, that TUS has the highest percentage of honours degree graduates in the country in employment nine months after graduation.”

According to QS, “employers generally recruit students from (5-Star) institutions directly after they’ve graduated. The performance of such institutions is considered as 'Excellent' in the QS Stars rating system”.

The QS university rating system is considered one of the most influential and credible ratings for universities internationally, as ratings are entirely based upon an institution’s performance. The advantage of this rating system over a global ranking is that it highlights for potential staff and students, as well as to future partners, the many areas in which TUS excels.

The rating system evaluated TUS’s performances in eight categories including:

- Teaching

- Employability

- Internationalisation

- Academic Development

- Online Learning

- Programme Strength

- Arts and Culture

- Inclusiveness

all of which received five stars.

Welcoming the announcement, Chair of the TUS Governing Body Josephine Feehily, said: "For a young university to receive this internationally-recognised mark of quality less than two-and-a-half years after its launch is testimony to the commitment and dedication of the staff, who encourage, nurture and support student learning and personal development beyond the classroom and lecture hall. These five stars reflect the work of the entire TUS community, which is now being recognised on a global stage.  The Governing Body commended the entire staff of the university on this tremendous achievement.”

Acknowledging the importance of the QS 5 Star result internationally TUS Vice-President International Donnacha McNamara said: “Our extremely strong QS Stars rating performance in international diversity, inclusivity and online learning, supported by our 5-Star performance in teaching, academic development and programme strength not only boosts our reputation on a global stage, but highlights the openness and inclusivity that we strive for across all facets of the university. TUS success is reflective of the work and engagement of the entire TUS community – staff, students and stakeholders.”

TUS, with campuses in Limerick, Athlone, Thurles, Clonmel and Ennis, including the world-renowned Limerick School of Art and Design (LSAD) is the first Irish university to achieve a 5-Star Arts and Culture rating.

TUS’s QS 5-Star rating is valid until February 2027.