Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
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University College Dublin (UCD) is ranked among the top one percent of higher education providers worldwide, offering a wide choice of degrees for its students. The university, with a huge campus and with roots going back nearly 160 years, welcomes over 10,000 international students from 152 countries. UCD’s faculty comprises research-intensive, national and international leaders and influencers who ensure that students receive the best education possible in a supportive environment.
UCD has the highest publication volume of all Irish universities and is a member of several international research and education networks, such as Universities 21, the World Universities Network and UNICA. With global centres, including in Delhi and Dubai, UCD has a presence around the world through its overseas programmes.
The evident commitment the university has to sustainability is another influencing factor for many students. In the QS World University Rankings 3, UCD was ranked number one in Ireland and 50th in the world for sustainability. It also ranked 77th in the world for employment outcomes.
UCD also houses world-class sports facilities including a huge sports centre and an Olympic sized swimming pool. In 2024, four thirty UCD sporting students and alumni athletes represented Ireland at the Olympics in Paris, and four alumni competed at the Paralympics.
UCD’s 300,000-strong alumni network is spread over 184 countries, with graduates holding positions in leading organisations around the world. Around 93 percent of the university’s graduates progress to higher studies or into employment within six months of course completion.
The main university campus is located in Belfield, Dublin, on 133 hectares of beautiful parkland estate. Dublin, the capital of Ireland, with its elegant Georgian architecture, is one of Europe’s most attractive capitals. It’s a relatively small, safe and accessible city, well-serviced by its public transport system.
2024 301
2023 301
2022 301
2025 126 45
2024 171 10
2023 181
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2022 201
The university’s graduates are always in demand, with 93 percent of UCD students entering professional employment or further study within six months of graduating.
Ireland is consistently named within the top 10 globally for the quality of its higher education system, which is tailored to the needs of the competitive economy – one of the fastest-growing in the Eurozone. A number of innovative global companies base their European headquarters in Ireland, including Google, Apple, Facebook and X, and consistently employ graduates from Irish universities.
UCD has been ranked 5th in Europe in the latest ranking of universities producing the most entrepreneurs at the undergraduate level. Pitchbook, an international financial data and software company, has again named UCD as Ireland’s number one source of start-up founders who have completed their undergraduate education and gone on to raise VC-funding.
According to Pitchbook’s 2023 report, there were 189 UCD undergraduate entrepreneurs who established 174 companies, raising over USD 2.6 billion in funding, in the last decade. UCD ranked 89th on the list globally for 2023, and was the only Irish university in the Top 100.
At UCD, students can take advantage of the careers network, which provides a full range of support services to help with career planning and decision-making. Services include:
UCD boasts over 300,000 alumni working in many top organisations internationally. This network is spread out over 184 countries with many at the top of their respective fields. Among its alumni are four Irish Taoiseach (Prime Ministers), three Irish presidents, four current Irish cabinet ministers and five of Ireland’s European Commissioners.
UCD has been ranked number one in Ireland and 50th in the world for sustainability in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2024, achieving the highest result in Ireland. University College Dublin has also been appointed one of Ireland’s latest Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champions for 2024-2025.
The impressive rise comes following the appointment of Professor Tasman Crowe as Vice President for Sustainability at UCD, a new top level role placing sustainability at the heart of UCD’s education, research, governance, operations, and engagement activities.
Professor Crowe, who has been in post since June 2023, said
“The ranking underlines UCD’s excellence in education, research and operations and its demonstrated commitment to good governance, equality, health, and wellbeing and to partnership for impact.”
“UCD has long been a prominent contributor to sustainability, with great strength in energy, agri-environmental systems, the circular economy, and humanitarian action, for example, and through innovative educational programmes. It also has a real appetite for the kind of interdisciplinary approaches and wider partnerships that are needed.”
UCD is ranked 22nd in the world in the 2021 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which benchmarks universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD rose 12 places in these rankings, following the university’s new ‘Rising to the Future’ strategy. One of the main areas of the strategy is striving to create a sustainable global society.
UCD was also ranked very highly amongst universities in Ireland for two individual SDGs:
23,45,523 Undergraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
16,95,733 Postgraduate Fees are for indicative purposes, check with institution for details
5,87,757 Living costs Source: Irish Council for International Students
5,42,545 To live on campus Source: Irish Council for International Students
UCD recognises student excellence and achievement by providing a large range of scholarships and awards, which celebrate the diverse talents of its students. Several of these awards are held in high esteem by employers and industry.
To award outstanding achievement and to attract students of the highest calibre from around the world, UCD offers a number of scholarships to international students. These are competitive and based on academic excellence, country of origin and subject area.
Students from all over the world are welcome to use the scholarship search tool to find and apply to the scholarships open to them. Students must have received an offer of a place to study at UCD in order to apply for a scholarship.
Some of the scholarships and awards available at UCD include:
Academic entry requirements at UCD vary between subjects and students are advised to check the specifics for their course prior to application.
Generally speaking, undergraduate students must achieve a minimum of three A-Levels at Grade C, or 24 points in the International Baccalaureate, or an equivalent qualification.
The admissions team is experienced at assessing applications from all over the world. Students interested in undergraduate courses can select their country to find out further information about the qualifications accepted.
At postgraduate level, most courses require students to have achieved a bachelor’s degree with upper second-class honours, or equivalent.
Applications are processed on a rolling basis and prospective students can apply to UCD through the university’s online application system from the 1st of October each year. The deadline for undergraduates is the 15th of July. There are usually no specific deadlines for graduate applications.
As programmes are taught in English, international students must prove a high level of English proficiency. The standard requirement is an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6.0 in any band (or equivalent), but some programmes may require a higher score.
UCD offers a number of pathway programmes, designed for students who do not meet the requirements for direct entry.
Supported by the International Study Centre, with its world-class learning environment, students enrolled in the International Foundation Year pathway programme receive excellent support and guidance, allowing them to develop the requisite skills to confidently progress to undergraduate degree studies.
A preparatory programme for postgraduate studies is also available. The UCD pre-master’s pathway programme aims to facilitate the development of English language proficiency and academic skills enabling students to successfully adjust to the rigours of a new learning culture at postgraduate level.
In the 2024 QS World Subject Rankings, UCD was named among the best universities globally with 43 world-ranked subjects and four top-50. The university’s best performance was in library and information management, which ranked in 27th place. Library and information management was also Ireland's highest-ranking programme in this year's listings. Also included in the top 50 were three other subject areas at UCD, namely English language & literature, ranked in 40th place, and veterinary science in 42nd place. Petroleum engineering was in 43rd place.
The UCD Michael Smurfit School of Business remains the only Irish business school consistently featuring in global rankings over the last ten years.
The school is ranked 24th in the Financial Times 2023 ranking of leading European business schools.
Other UCD Financial Times rankings (2024) include:
UCD has the best internationally accredited curriculum in Ireland. With centres in cities such as Beijing, Dubai and New York, students enjoy a global university that is a member of a number of international research and education networks including Universities 21, UNICA and the World Universities Network.
More than a third of the faculty is made up of international academics, while more than a quarter of the student community originates from outside of Ireland.
International students will be pleased to know that Ireland was ranked in 2nd place internationally by the Global Peace Index 2024, out of 163 countries. As such, it is an extremely safe country to study in.
Accommodation at UCD is safe and secure. Students can choose from several options on both the Belfied and Blackrock campuses, or there are off-campus options in catered housing at Donnybrook. The Residences team provides a safe experience for all students, staff and visitors.
Safety is promoted across all UCD campuses through the following:
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