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Why UCD

No. 1 for students

First Choice for Irish School Leavers.

94% First year retention rate.

450 Study abroad opportunities

Top 50 World ranking in 4 subjects

No. 1 in Ireland for careers for graduating students

No. 1 for education

UCD is ranked within the top 1% of Universities internationally.

UCD offers the best internationally accredited curriculum in Ireland.

UCD has the widest range and choice of degrees for students.

UCD provides the most flexible, fully modularised curriculum in Ireland.

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No. 1 for course flexibility

UCD is at the forefront of global knowledge with a curriculum constantly informed by the latest research and driven by lecturers at the cutting edge of their disciplines. The curriculum can be adapted to your personal preferences through the unique flexibility of UCD Horizons.

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No. 1 for research

UCD has the highest publications volume of all Irish universities.

Number one in Ireland in average research income.

UCD is the leading national institution for European funding.

UCD is home to Ireland’s first custom-built university incubation facility, NovaUCD.

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No. 1 for global community

87% of recent UCD honours degree graduates entered employment or graduate study within 9 months. On graduating UCD students become part of the 224,000-strong global alumni network many of who hold positions in leading organisations around the world.

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No. 1 for study abroad opportunities

UCD encourages all of our undergraduate students to study abroad. In an increasingly complex global age, UCD provides an international context for your studies, giving you opportunities to experience the wider world.

UCD has over 400 exchange partners worldwide and offers students opportunities to study with 29 partner universities throughout Europe during their degrees.

UCD is a member of several international research and education networks such as Universitas 21 (U21), Erasmus, UNICA and EUC.

Global footprint: UCD has a presence throughout the world through overseas programmes; providing and accrediting degree programmes in co-operation with partner institutions in China such as Peking, Renmin and Fudan; as well as in Singapore, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.

UCD is actively expanding its network of UCD Global Centres around the world to include New York, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, and New Delhi; each of which provides a hub of research and education connections for students, faculty, alumni and partners.

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No 1 for supporting students

UCD has a dedicated support network to help ensure each student gets the most out of their time at UCD. The services and supports available encourage student’s welfare, inclusiveness and guidance. We welcome every student to engage with all of the services on offer to them during their time at UCD.

As a new student, you will be assigned a Peer Mentor. Peer Mentors are students who have already completed their first or second year of study in a similar area and understand what it is like to be a new student. Peer Mentors are a friendly point of contact and can share their knowledge and experiences with you to help you settle into University. UCD has the largest Peer Mentor programme of any Irish university with over 600 Peer Mentors.

Student Advisers are dedicated staff members who are on hand to make your time at UCD as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible. For simple informational requests to more confidential and serious matters, they will give you the time and space to talk things through. Each programme has a dedicated Student Adviser.  Additionally, there are Student Advisers attached to specific groups of students such as mature students.

The Students’ Union is the representative body of UCD Students and campaigns for their rights at a national and campus level. All the SU officers are UCD students so they understand the issues facing students. Throughout the year, the student entertainment office run class trips, parties, gigs, comedy nights, mystery tours, the Fresher’s Ball and Rag Week. They also run the award-winning newspaper, The University Observer.

Student Health Services include On-campus medical, psychological and psychiatric care to registered students including routine and urgent GP appointments; screening and vaccinations;
addiction counsellor services; nurse and doctor led sexual health clinics; psychiatric services; contraceptive, travel and sports clinics.

New Student Orientation orientation is a timetable of fun and engaging events. It takes place the week before the academic year begins and is aimed at helping new students settle into life at UCD. Annual orientation traditions include comedy, tapas, movie nights, music nights, sports tournaments, scavenger hunts and more.

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No. 1 for sport

UCD sports clubs are at the center of student sport at the University. The Athletic Union Council (AUC) is the governing body for UCD sports clubs and all clubs are affiliated to the AUC. Clubs provide a huge range of opportunities to train, play and compete in sport, no matter what your passion, ability or level. Although competition is a feature of many of the sports at UCD, clubs also cater for students who may not wish to compete but want to train in a particular sport for the health and fitness benefits.

Soccer: UCD was the only university in Europe to qualify for the UEFA Europa League. UCD was the only university in Western Europe to compete in the premier division of their country’s men’s and women’s national league.

Rugby: The UCD Rugby Academy has produced many province-contracted players and Irish internationals including Brian O’Driscoll, Rob Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Sean O’Brien, Kevin McLaughlin, Josh Van der Flier, James Ryan, Dan Leavy and Garry Ringrose.

Hockey: The Ladies Hockey Club are the current EYHL champions and has eight competitive teams. The club is proud to have created a fantastic environment for students to enjoy their hockey and maintain a high standard of coaching.

UCD Men’s Hockey club fields three teams, each competing in an official Leinster League. Highlight of recent years was the first teams success in gaining promotion to the EYHL in 2022/23 and reaching the Irish Senior Cup final in 2020.

Rowing: A wide programme of competitive activities is a feature of ladies and men’s rowing including Heads of the River and all national regattas, as well as visits to overseas regattas and a warm weather training camp to Seville each January. Members have also successfully represented Ireland at European Championships, World Championships, World Cups and Olympic Games.

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