Each year the most popular college courses vary, sometimes they can be influenced by things such as pop culture and social media other times it's more of a work culture and high demand for a specific type of education that influence what courses students decide to apply for on the CAO form.
But one thing never changes, the college courses that are most popular each year will also have higher points requirements. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the most popular courses in Irish colleges and universities for 2023.
"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."
— Malcolm X

Medicine
Ireland is renowned for the high quality of medical training and education it provides students. Medicine is a very popular field of study for international students to pursue in Ireland.
The medical programs in Ireland range from four to six years in length. Students must achieve 480 CAO points in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate exam The HPAT score you need to get into medicine depends on your leaving certificate points and how you perform in relation to other HPAT candidates. In general, most students need at least the 80-85th percentile to get into medicine.
Top Universities for Medicine in Ireland:
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- University College Cork
Tuition fees
A degree in medicine from Ireland can cost students anywhere from €9,500 – €34,500 per year, depending on the college they attend.
Pharmaceutical Science
Pharmacy is one of the most popular courses for international students studying in Ireland, with the pharmaceutical industry contributing to much of the country’s economy. The Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) is a four-year degree program that begins with a foundation of coursework in mathematics and the basic sciences -- chemistry, biology, and physics.
There are a huge variety of careers available in the pharmaceutical industry from laboratory-based research and development, clinical trials, regulatory affairs, manufacturing, engineering, quality assurance, quality control, and validation all the way through to marketing, sales and distribution.
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Top Universities for Pharmaceutical Science:
- University College Dublin
- University College Cork
Tuition fees
An MSc in Pharmaceutical Science in Ireland can cost anywhere between €11,500 - €25,000 per year.

Digital Marketing
With the rise in e-commerce, social media marketing and other non-traditional marketing strategies Digital Marketing is becoming increasingly popular year after year. Digital Marketing is one of the most in-demand courses in the current internet age, where everyone with an internet connection and a smartphone or laptop may perform marketing and other related activities using digital media.
The average digital marketing salary in Ireland is € 41 300 per year or € 21.18 per hour. Entry-level positions start at € 35 431 per year, while most experienced workers make up to € 57 676 per year.
Top Universities for digital marketing in Ireland:
- University College Dublin
- Trinity College Dublin
- National University of Ireland Galway
Tuition fees
A master's in digital marketing in Ireland can cost students anywhere between €11,000 to €25,000 per year.
Finance - Accounting
There are other options out there if you don't get the points you are aiming for in the Leaving Cert, from Further Education Colleges to Work Experience and Gap Years, you have plenty of choices.
The Accounting and Finance course is considered Ireland's premier degree for those wishing to pursue careers as accountants and financial services professionals. For many people, earning a bachelor's degree in accounting marks the first step on a career journey into the world of accounting and finance. With this degree, graduates can interpret financial regulations, prepare financial reports, prepare tax returns, and audit a company's financial records.
The average accountant salary in Ireland is € 55 000 per year or € 28.21 per hour. Entry-level positions start at € 45 449 per year, while most experienced workers make up to € 67 500 per year.
Top Universities for Finance and Accounting in Ireland:
- University College Dublin
- National University of Ireland, Galway
Tuitions Fees
An MS in Finance and Accounting in Ireland can cost anywhere from €12,000 to €24,000 per year.

I highly recommend creating a study timetable. It means that your whole day isn't taken up deciding what subject to revise and when.
Law
There are various law degree programs available in Ireland. As an undergraduate, students can obtain a Bachelor of Law (LLB) in business, and political sciences, as well as in various international legal studies. Postgraduate programs include the Master of Law (LLM) as well.
Students are likely to spend between five and six years obtaining their education to sit for the licensing exam. Students with an undergraduate degree may also be able to complete their education in a law school, which usually requires three more years of education. Students will need to work in a law firm prior to obtaining professional licensing. The demand for qualified professionals in Ireland is moderate to high, with a new focus on more specialized lawyers than ever.
The average solicitor salary in Ireland is € 75,701 per year or € 38.82 per hour. Entry-level positions start at € 65 000 per year, while most experienced workers make up to € 95,000 per year.
Top Universities for Law in Ireland:
- Trinity College Dublin
- University College Dublin
- National University of Ireland, Galway
Tuitions Fees
An LLM in Ireland can cost students anywhere from €11,500 to €21,000 per year.
As you can see, the top 5 most desired courses in Ireland for 2023 all lead to very well-paying, high-powered careers. However, they also require a lot of college time and dedication and cost a lot of money to pursue. If you think you think you're up for the challenge of one of these high-powered careers we wish you the best of luck on your college journey.
Giving yourself credit when you complete a task and trying to focus on things you can control can help when it comes to managing exam stress and anxiety when studying for your Leaving Cert.