UCD Ireland For International Students

Dublin University College is one of the largest research-intensive universities in Europe. UCD Ireland for international students was ranked 185 in the world in the global 2019 QS World University Rankings, in the top 1 per cent of universities worldwide. In 2019, UCD was rated number one in Ireland for graduate employability for the third year in a row, and 78th in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings in the world.

With over 8,000 international students from 138 nations, UCD Ireland for international students is the Multicultural University of Ireland – the biggest and most renowned university in Ireland. About 30 per cent of UCD’s professors are overseas scholars, and over 50 per cent of UCD’s research-funded personnel are non-Irish.

Located in Dublin City, Ireland’s capital, with over 9,000 graduate students, UCD is Ireland’s pioneer in postgraduate education, comprising nearly 26 per cent of the UCD student population. In all fields of business, the sciences, architecture, technology, education, sport and public life, in Ireland and abroad, many of UCD’s 259,000 graduates have made their mark. UCD has one of Europe’s biggest urban campuses, providing world-class services and amenities, including comprehensive lodging choices with 24-hour surveillance.

UCD Ireland for international students has Global Centres in New York, Beijing, Delhi, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. UCD is regarded as one of the biggest cultural history libraries in Europe and is host to the National Folklore Library, which was included in the UNESCO Memory of the World Registry in 2017.

Why Do International Students Choose UCD?

• Student Facilities

UCD offers students some of the world-class facilities like:

• A Huge Campus

UCD’s main campus is a 130-acre parkland farm. This means a lot of land, and in case you were concerned about getting soaked when it rains, they have concrete overhead roofs running between the buildings. Belfield campus once composed of 11 separate period estates, 7 of which remain today. While you’re walking around campus, you’ll notice Belfield House, Melville House, University Lodge (UCD President’s residence), Ardmore House and Woodview House.

• Top Rankings

Best in Ireland for foreign workers and scholars with more than 30% of non-Irish faculty

Ireland’s top global university with connections and membership in a range of major academic and educational organisations

Recognized in Europe with the biggest archive of oral traditions and cultural heritage

One of Ireland’s best universities with high-quality study

Ireland’s top university for athletics with UCD students representing Ireland at international events, including the Olympics

• Scholarships

UCD Ireland for international students offers 25-100% scholarships to meritorious students

Global Excellence Graduate Scholarships for outstanding achievements

• Career Opportunities

Rated 1st in Ireland and 74th in the World for Graduate Jobs by QS World University Rankings.

The job rate for Indian students at UCD is as high as 76%.

Dublin is seen as Europe’s Tech Capital supplying UCD graduates with fantastic job prospects from IT giants such as Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Airbnb, etc.

Ample employment prospects for UCD graduates owing to the geographic clustering of the world’s leading ICT, MedTech, Pharma, Manufacturing, Financial Services and Food & Agriculture in Ireland.

StartUp Support centres and startup incubators at UCD are the highest in Ireland with more than EUR 100 million in investment to date to help student entrepreneurs set up companies.

Stay back choices for Ireland research visa are 1 year for UG and 2 years for PG.

• Variety of Courses

UCD is Ireland’s top-ranking university for 12 subjects and many undergraduate and postgraduate classes at UCD are among the best programmes in the country.

UCD provides the highest globally recognised curricula in Ireland and offers the largest variety of degrees including degree versatility and industry acceptance.

The MBA and EMBA programmes of Smurfit Business School are among the strongest business programmes in Europe.

MSC. Finance at UCD Ireland for international students is listed in the top 50 of the global Financial Times.

UCD is #1 worldwide for studies and citations per paper in the area of food science.

Undergraduate Student Life at UCD

The name assigned to the curriculum for undergraduate teaching degrees at UCD is UCD Horizons. Students take elective modules through UCD Horizons as part of their undergraduate degrees. This is far more versatile than conventional constructs of the degree and encourages students to individualise their research, allowing students the chance to engage in forming their own degrees. With tutors on hand to counsel students, and ensure they make the right decisions and train themselves best for their future, the modular, credit-based framework is matched to the best international practices. 

Taking modules from within their field of research helps students to dive further into their chosen topics. Choosing modules beyond the field of their degree extends their expertise and allows them the ability to apply to their talents. 

International Foundation Year

The Foreign Research Centre at UCD will provide you with a variety of degree training services if you wish to study at UCD but need to advance your present English and academic ability to fulfil the criteria of a degree, both at the undergraduate and graduate level.

UCD Ireland for international students: Graduate Studies

Over its six colleges, UCD provides a wide variety of high-quality graduate programmes. About 8,500 students are registered at UCD for graduate studies. 

UCD Ireland for international students: Research

In each of the six campuses, UCD is host to a range of key academic institutes, as well as large joint initiatives, Centres for Science, Engineering and Technology (CSETs), Strategic Research Clusters (SRCs), and Graduate Schools. The UCD Research Institutes and Major Collaboration Programmes were developed to provide world-class facilities for a critical mass of academics undertaking research in a wide variety of fields, primarily financed by a combination of the exchequer and non-exchequer funding.

Culture/Social Programs at UCD

For foreign students to truly grasp and enjoy the diversity of the Irish community and culture this is one of the important elements of the study abroad experience at UCD.

Via a series of excursions and field trips in Dublin and around the island of Ireland, the cultural/social curriculum provides study abroad learners with the ability to learn about Irish culture.

Master Pathways to UCD

UCD also established a series of Masters pathways to give students from non-English-speaking countries the chance to make a seamless transition to studying abroad. Pathways 1 and 2 encourage foreign students to take advantage of a preparatory course that develops their ability in English, encourages them to relate to a different community of learning and enables them to get accustomed to a new way of life. This training is important for one-year Masters programmes if foreign students want to reach their maximum academic potential during graduate studies.

UCD’s English Language Centre

After its foundation in 1989, the UCD Applied Language Centre has established an international reputation for its English language programmes. The first personalised language centre at an Irish university was the UCD ALC. For language learners and students, the UCD ALC has an outstanding variety of high-quality services. It has established a number of fields of teaching and pedagogical skills. It has a team of highly qualified and skilled educators participating in the ongoing creation of ALC curricula at UCD.

Societies and Clubs

UCD Ireland for international students has over 70 student societies that may be joined throughout the year by members. Societies provide learners with a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, improve their talents and experience something new. There is enough to satisfy all, from the Harry Potter Society to the Microbiology Society. In addition, UCD Ireland for international students has about 60 sports clubs available to students wishing to do something different and distinct from others that have previously played at all stages. 

University College Dublin: Admission for International Students

Foreign entry to the University of College Dublin is based on a range of criteria, including the previous academic records and grades of the candidates, standardised test scores, etc. If an interview as part of the requirement is necessary, the university may be in communication with the applicant via telephone or online interview.

The process of applying for foreign students varies slightly from that of domestic students, with certain additional conditions to be met, which are mentioned below:

Application Requirements:

• A completed application form
• Official transcripts from all previous academic institutions attended.
• Proof of Citizenship
• Official English Proficiency Test Scores
• SAT/ACT/GMAT/MAT Scores (wherever applicable)
• Essay or Statement of Purpose (wherever applicable)
• 2 Letters of Academic reference/recommendation (wherever applicable)
• Resume, CV or Portfolio (wherever applicable)

Visa process

In order to study in Ireland, foreign students need a study visa, which is acquired when students are admitted by University College Dublin and an Acceptance Letter is given. Students must apply for a Student Visa through the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and then arrange an interview with the Irish Consulate in their home country or a video conference.

Documents required for applying for the Student Visa are:

• Letter of Acceptance issued by the University College Dublin
• Transcripts from previous academic institutions attended
• English Language Proficiency Test Scores
• A current passport/travel document
• 2 coloured passport-sized photographs
• Medical Insurance
• Financial Support Statements
• Immunisation records

Moving to Ireland? Don’t forget to read our blog: Everything About The Cost Of Living In Ireland.