The University of Limerick offers undergraduate business degrees through the Kemmy Business School, which holds triple accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA. That accreditation set is held by a small share of business schools worldwide, and it is the main reason UL business degrees are taken seriously by international employers. Students can study Bachelor of Business Studies, a version with a language option, or BA International Business, and most business programmes include a paid co-operative education placement.
This article covers what an international applicant needs to know about UL's business degrees: how admission works, non-EU fees and living costs, academic and English requirements, how to strengthen an application, and what the degree means for employment and post-study work. For the wider university picture, see the University of Limerick guide.
University of Limerick Business Acceptance Rate
UL does not publish an acceptance rate for its business programmes or for its international intake. Irish universities generally use criteria-based admissions: if you meet the stated academic entry requirements and the English requirement, you receive an offer, subject to course capacity. This is a different model from the comparative, holistic reviews used at many US and UK schools, so a single-digit or low-percentage acceptance figure should not be expected.
Any acceptance-rate figure you see from third-party websites is an estimate and should not be treated as a UL statistic. The reliable approach is to check the entry requirements on the specific course page and confirm your qualification's equivalency with UL's international office.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
UL publishes non-EU undergraduate fees each academic year. For 2026/27, the business programmes covered here carry the following annual fees:
| Programme | Non-EU Annual Fee (2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Business Studies (including versions with French, German, Japanese, or Spanish) | €17,500 |
| Bachelor of Arts in International Business | €17,500 |
The fee includes tuition and the €104 student levy. UL states that fees are subject to annual review and may change in later years of the degree, so check the UL fee schedule for the year you enter. The UL Student Fees Office is the authoritative source for the exact figure on your course code.
Living costs: UL does not publish a full budget for international students. A figure attributed to UL in third-party guides estimates about €16,000 for a nine-month academic year, covering accommodation, food, insurance, flights, and personal costs. Treat it as a planning estimate. Reported on-campus accommodation rates run from roughly €5,230 to €10,025 per year with utilities included, and private rentals in Limerick are generally cheaper than in Dublin, although prices have risen in recent years.
Scholarships: UL offers a range of scholarships, but eligibility differs by scheme. Check whether an award is open to non-EU applicants before you plan your budget around it.
Admission Requirements
Non-EU applicants apply directly to UL's international admissions team rather than through Ireland's CAO system. The core requirements are:
- A secondary school qualification assessed as equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. UL uses country-specific equivalency guidance, so confirm how your curriculum maps before applying.
- Course-specific subject requirements, where they apply. Requirements differ by programme, so read the entry requirements on the page for the exact degree you want.
- English language evidence (see below).
- Certified transcripts, with certified English translations if the originals are not in English.
Business degrees at UL are generally less dependent on advanced mathematics than engineering degrees, but do check the course page, since some programmes list specific subject expectations. Language-option programmes may also require proficiency in the second language, so review those requirements carefully if you are considering one.
How to Get Into University of Limerick's Business Programme
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Get an early equivalency read from UL. Because UL assesses international qualifications individually, ask the international admissions team how your school results map before you submit. This prevents an application stalling on documentation.
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Pick the right programme for your goals. A Bachelor of Business Studies gives you flexibility across business disciplines, while BA International Business and the language-option versions suit students who plan to work across borders. Compare the module lists before choosing.
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Clear the English threshold with some margin. Business coursework is heavy on written reports, case analysis, and group presentations, so a score comfortably above the minimum reduces first-year pressure.
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Use pre-sessional English if you are close. UL's Language Centre offers pre-sessional English courses for applicants who need to raise their score before meeting the direct-entry requirement.
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Plan for the co-op placement. Many UL business degrees include a paid work placement. Research which employers take placements in your area of interest, such as finance, marketing, or operations, and start building your CV early.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE)
UL sets its English requirements at university level, and individual courses may set a higher bar. Based on the figures reported for UL's undergraduate entry:
| Test | Reported Minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 |
| PTE Academic | 61 |
UL accepts Academic IELTS only. The Duolingo English Test minimum should be confirmed directly with UL, since published figures differ across sources.
If you are close to the threshold, UL's pre-sessional English route is the practical alternative to repeated test attempts. For a broader overview of UL's English and admission rules, see the University of Limerick guide.
Career Outcomes and Stamp 1G
UL's co-operative education model is the main route to graduate-level experience for business students. Placements let students test their skills in real organisations before graduation. UL reports strong employment outcomes for its graduates, but the headline figures circulating online come from different survey years and methods, so check UL's own graduate outcomes publications for the most recent numbers.
The Limerick-Shannon area has a sizeable multinational presence, including technology, pharmaceutical, and manufacturing employers, which creates placement and graduate roles in finance, operations, supply chain, and HR as well as in technical functions. Employers named in connection with UL placements are not a guarantee of a role for any individual student.
Stamp 1G after graduation: non-EEA graduates of a qualifying Irish degree can apply for the Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G). Multiple third-party summaries state that a Level 8 honours bachelor's degree, such as UL's Bachelor of Business Studies, carries 12 months of permission, while Level 9 and above carries up to 24 months. The official Irish Immigration Service page could not be read during research, so confirm the current rules at irishimmigration.ie before you plan around them.
FAQ
Does the University of Limerick publish an acceptance rate for business? No. UL does not publish a programme-level acceptance rate for its business degrees or for international applicants. Admission is based on meeting the academic entry criteria and the English requirement, subject to course capacity.
How much does a business degree at UL cost for international students? For 2026/27, the non-EU annual fee is €17,500 for the Bachelor of Business Studies and the BA International Business, including the €104 student levy. Fees are reviewed each year.
What IELTS score do I need for UL business? UL's reported undergraduate requirement is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0, using Academic IELTS. TOEFL iBT 90 and PTE Academic 61 are also reported as accepted. Confirm current figures on UL's website before booking a test.
Is business at UL less competitive than engineering? Engineering has more specific subject requirements, so the entry criteria differ. Business still has academic and English thresholds, and UL does not publish selectivity figures for either programme, so check the course page and your qualification's equivalency rather than relying on comparisons.
Is the co-op placement guaranteed? Many UL undergraduate business programmes include a paid placement as part of the structure, but you should confirm the timing, eligibility, and placement support for your specific course.
Can I work in Ireland after a UL business degree? A Level 8 honours bachelor's degree generally qualifies for Stamp 1G, which allows up to 12 months of work permission after graduation, according to third-party summaries of the scheme. Confirm the current permission length and eligibility with the Irish Immigration Service before relying on it.