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University College Dublin

www.ucd.ie/global

Why UCD?

University College Dublin is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities. Ranked in the top 1% of institutions worldwide, in the overall 2024 QS World University Rankings, UCD was named 126 in the world. 

UCD, Ireland’s Global University, is Ireland’s largest university. Established in 1854, the university has a student body of almost 38,000 students with more than 10,000 international students drawn from 152 countries. UCD is Ireland's leader in graduate education with over 11,000 graduate students; almost a quarter of whom are graduate research students.

Students are attracted to UCD by the strength of its teaching and research, by the programme portfolio (UCD offers Ireland’s widest range of programmes which are recognised and valued by academic institutions and employers throughout the world) and the holistic experience which studying in UCD offers.

UCD students are the most engaged in Ireland with over 100 clubs and societies in which they can engage and explore new interests and friendships. This, alongside the campus environment, offers unparalleled experiences for students looking to study abroad. The University's main Dublin campus occupies an extensive parkland estate of 133 hectares and some of the world-leading facilities include the UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, UCD Sutherland School of Law, UCD Lochlan Quinn School of Business and UCD Student Centre.

Check out our virtual tour of the facilities available on the Belfield Campus.

There are many career opportunities open to you when you graduate from UCD. We are ranked number one from 2018 to 2022 (2022 QS World University Graduate Employability Rankings).

At UCD we believe students in possession of heightened self-confidence, self-efficacy and self-esteem are more likely to actively engage in the student experience through involvement in clubs, societies and sports, to volunteer, to adopt active and independent learning strategies, to be confident in career and life decision making and to develop skills and attributes employers seek and which future leaders need. Check out the supports available to our students to leave sought after by employers.

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Scholarships & Awards

Student excellence and achievement are recognised in UCD through a wide variety of scholarships and awards, which celebrate the diverse talents of our students. Many of these awards are highly regarded by employers and industry. To award outstanding achievement and to attract students of the highest calibre from around the world, UCD is pleased to offer a number of Global Excellence Scholarships to international students. These scholarships are competitively awarded based on academic merit and offered by country and/or by discipline.

For 2025, a range of international scholarships are available. Students need to hold an offer before they can apply for a scholarship. Full terms and conditions apply. See our website for further information.

UCD Graduates

Many of the 300,000 UCD global alumni network, living in 184 countries, hold positions in leading organisations around the world. The UCD alumni network is influential, successful, active and truly international. Since the foundation of the Irish state in 1922, UCD has produced:

  • Three Presidents of Ireland

  • Four Taoisigh (Prime Ministers) 

  • The highest number of Justices of the Supreme Court of Ireland

  • The highest number of Chief Justices and Attorneys General of Ireland

  • Four Ministers in the current Irish Cabinet (and two Ministers of State)

  • Five of Ireland’s eleven European Commissioners

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Interested in Applying?

The UCD Online Application System opens October 1st each year. For most graduate programmes, there are no definite deadlines for the receipt of applications. The timing of the application should be partly dependent on how likely the programme is to fill quickly (highly competitive or attractive programmes) or how long it is likely to take for the student to obtain a student visa. To find out if any deadline applies, please search for the specific programme in the Graduate Course Finder.

Please note, applications are processed on a rolling basis, in the order they are completed. As such, early application is advised as programmes may close early if they reach capacity before the advertised closing date.

Meet us

The best way to find out what it’s like to study at University College Dublin is to Meet us in your Country or book a Campus Tour.

Can’t make it onto campus or meet us when we visit your country? You can take a virtual tour across our University.

Get in touch
internationalenquiries@ucd.ie

UCD

Contact

University College Dublin
Belfield
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 716 8500
Web: www.ucd.ie/global/

Departments

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