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University College Dublin

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University College Dublin (UCD) is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities. Ranked in the top 1% of institutions worldwide, in the overall 2019 QS World University Rankings, UCD was placed 185 in the world. For the third year in a row, UCD is ranked number one in Ireland for graduate employability by QS World University Rankings (ranking 78 in the world).

History

Founded in 1854 and originally known as the Catholic University of Ireland and subsequently as the Royal University, the university became UCD in 1908 and a constituent college of the National University of Ireland (NUI). 

In 1997, UCD became an autonomous university within the loose federal structure of the NUI and UCD students are awarded degrees of the National University of Ireland. 

Education

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. 

In the 2019 QS World University Rankings by Subject, UCD has six subjects ranked in the top 50: Veterinary Science (26), Library & Information Management (38), Nursing (44), English Language and Literature (49), Sports-related subjects (50), and Engineering – Mineral & Mining (50). The University also has 14 subjects in the top 100 and 35 in the top 200. 

Research

Research at UCD addresses the challenges and opportunities that are shaping the future of Ireland and the wider world. UCD is creating a continuum across science, engineering, humantities, business and the arts through interdisciplinary programmes that are underpinned by fundamental research and scholarship.

The programmes partner with over 250 companies and with voluntary bodies and government, to address national research priorities and to maximise their impact on Ireland’s social and economic development.

Career

In 2020, for the third year in a row, UCD was ranked number one in Ireland for graduate employability and 75th in the world, in the QS 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. 

University Ranking

QS World University Rankings by TopUniversities
2025
126 45
2024
171 10
2023
181
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world.
World University Rankings by Times Higher Education
2025
201
2024
201
2023
201
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities.
Academic Ranking of World Universities by Shanghai Jiao Tong University
2024
301
2023
301
2022
301
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator.
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
2025
-
2024
253 -17
2023
236
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world.

Student services

UCD takes great care to ensure that all of our students feel supported throughout their time here. From dedicated student advisers, to academic supports and health and welfare services, you can be sure that students are in safe hands at UCD. 

Professors, lecturers and tutors can assist on academic matters, and there are dedicated and specialist student services to help you with any social, personal and emotional matters; these include Student Advisers, Chaplains and the Counselling Service. 

UCD has lots of experience dealing with the areas of difficulty that can affect you, and it is easy (and confidential) for you to meet someone who can discuss any problems or queries you might have.

Housing services

Students can available of on or off campus accommodation. UCD on-campus accommodation is a vibrant student community with over 3,000 students living on a state-of-the-art campus only 5km from Dublin city centre. 

UCD Residences provides for students a mix of apartments, halls and catered accommodation, and all UCD accommodation is single-room and apartment-style. 

As a guideline, accommodation fees range from €6,757 – €10,675, depending on the type of accommodation. The “Res Life” social programme helps to foster a sense of community within the residences. 

Library services

There are 5 UCD libraries. Accommodation for readers consists of some 3,150 reading and study places, including some single and group study and PBL rooms, and social learning areas. 

The Library as a whole contains over 800,000 print volumes, and access to over 260,000 e-books. Almost 80% of stock is on open access. 

ICT services

Online services can be accessed 24/7 whether you are at home or abroad through UCD Connect. UCD Connect gives you access to your personal files, library resources and online learning resources. A large amount of software is available to students at no charge when you come to UCD, including AutoCAD, EndNote, Microsoft Office and SPSS. 

Medical services

The UCD Student Health Service, located in the UCD Student Centre, provides on-campus medical and psychiatric care to students. The service includes doctor and nurse appointments, STI testing, cervical smears, vaccinations and blood tests.

Campus life

The main UCD Belfield campus has a huge range of facilities beyond academic, including: restaurants, cafés, a bookshop, a bike shop, a barber shop, a post office, a bank, a bar, a grocery store, a large student centre and outstanding sports facilities. Students' Union shops are run by the UCD Students' Union and are stocked with student needs in mind. 

There are areas all over campus where students can hang out, notably the UCD Global Lounge, which is an area designed for and staffed by students. Campus safety is a priority, and 24-hour security is in operation.

The Student Centre and the UCD Sport and Fitness complex are the hub of student life on campus. 

Sports facilities

The modern Sport and Fitness Centre has an extensive range of amenities, catering for students of all fitness levels, from casual gym-user to Olympic athlete. 

Facilities include a 50 metre swimming pool, gym, dance and spinning studios, sauna and jacuzzi, three multi-purpose sports halls, four squash courts, handball/racquetball alley, climbing wall, changing facilities, performance and squad gyms, 17 natural grass pitches (including the UCD Bowl, home ground to both UCD RFC and UCD AFC), six synthetic 5-a-side pitches, sand-based hockey pitch, synthetic rugby, GAA and soccer pitches and the National Hockey Stadium. 

Student clubs

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. Student societies and networks are a great way to explore your interests and develop new ones. 

Many of the societies bring together international students from different backgrounds, and networks such as the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and International Student Society run lots of events and activities throughout the year, including trips around Ireland.

Some of our many accreditations:

  • Architecture
Uniquely in Ireland, UCD’s Architecture programmes are accredited by RIBA as well as RIAI, thus ensuring all graduates have an internationally benchmarked qualification. 
  • Business
It is the only business school in Ireland to hold the ‘triple crown’ of accreditation from  EQUIS (Europe), AACSB (US) & AMBA (UK).  
  • Engineering
Professionally accredited by Engineers Ireland with the exception of the BE in Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering from UCD which is accredited by the IChemE, UK at Master’s level. 
  • Medicine
The Irish Medical Council, the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy.  
  • Veterinary Medicine
UCD is accredited by the AVMA, EAEVE, AVBC Inc., ACOVENE.

Dublin, Leinster, Ireland

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