The University of Limerick (UL) (Irish: Ollscoil Luimnigh) was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989. The university was the first university established since the foundation of the State in 1922, followed later in the same day by the establishment of Dublin City University. The university is located along the River Shannon, on a 80 hectare (200 acre) site in the 240 hectare (600 acre) National Technological Park at Castletroy, 5 km from Limerick city centre. The university has currently in excess of 11,000 full-time undergraduate students and 1,500 part-time students. There are also over 800 research postgraduates and 1,300 taught postgraduate students at the university. The Co-Operative Education (commonly called Co-Op) programme allocates all students with an 8-month work placement as part of their degree. This is one of the first such programmes in the state. Professor Don Barry is the current president of the university having been appointed in 2007. The University of Limerick (UL) is a state university established by the Government of Ireland in 1972. UL with over 11,000 students and 1,200 staff is a young, energetic and enterprising university with a proud record of innovation in education and excellence in research and scholarship. UL is situated on a superb riverside campus of over 300 acres with the River Shannon as unifying focal point. Outstanding recreational, cultural and sporting facilities further enhance this exceptional learning environment. UL offers a wide selection of opportunities at undergraduate and postgraduate level in the four faculties of the University: Kemmy Business School, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Education and Health Science and the Faculty of Science and Engineering. 10 reasons to choose the University of Limerick: * 'Ireland's most dynamic University' - Former Taoisigh, Bertie Ahern * UL is a highly competitive institution * UL provides an excellent quality of education * UL is a pioneer in Irish third level education * UL has one of the largest cooperative education programmes in the European Union. Some 2000 undergraduate placements are secured annually in industry, commmerce, the public service and the professions. * UL has excellent on-campus accommodation * UL is an international centre of excellence in sport, music and the arts * UL tuition fees are competitive by US and international standards * UL has over 90 student clubs and societies aiding socialisation and integration * UL has a great location near Limerick City, and Ireland's most beautiful campus, on the banks of the River Shannon, 30 minutes drive from Shannon International Airport.
