UCD Postgraduate Prospectus 20263 Contents Welcome 4 Why UCD? 6 Academic Excellence 8 Research & Innovation 10 Spotlight on Research 12 Ireland’s Global University 16 Career Development 18 Life on Campus 20 Student Supports 22 Funding Your Studies 24 Student Accommodation 26 Awards Explained 28 How to Apply - Graduate Taught Programmes 32 How to Apply - Graduate Research Programmes 33 What Happens After I Apply 34 GRADUATE PROGRAMMES: College of Arts & Humanities 39 College of Business 45 College of Engineering & Architecture 49 College of Health & Agricultural Science 55 College of Science 69 College of Social Sciences & Law 75 Teaching & Learning 85 Centre for English & Global Languages 85 Innovation Academy 85 Micro-Credentials 87 Index 94 Visit UCD 102UCD 20264 UCD is a comprehensive research-intensive university that seeks to make a real positive difference through our research and education. We break boundaries in education and research, supporting your own ambition to succeed and develop over the course of your educational journey. We pride ourselves on providing a holistic educational experience that embraces diversity, fosters research skills and cultivates critical thinking. Our educational environment is designed to stimulate you with modern, flexible teaching and learning practices, utilising the most up-to-date technology. Our world- leading lecturers share their research and scholarship so that you are engaging with the most up-to-date thinking and knowledge. Recognising the pace of change and the level of challenge facing the world in which we live, we update our curriculum content and structure regularly so that you will graduate with the skills you need to make a significant and lasting contribution. We are one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities and Ireland’s leader in graduate studies with almost 12,000 graduate students, and you will take with you an outstanding qualification when you graduate from UCD. We prioritise your career development and work hard to ensure that you have every opportunity to thrive Welcome from the President Making the right decision about your postgraduate study is important and I hope that, as you learn more about UCD, you will see how you can build your future at this great university.5Postgraduate Prospectus in your chosen career. Our student population of over 39,500 includes 11,500 international students from 152 countries and ensures that you will be part of a diverse and cosmopolitan campus. We pride ourselves on being a university for all, ensuring that everyone feels welcome, belongs and is valued, where endless possibilities await. We recognise and value the breadth of talent, experience and the contribution that you will bring, and strive to create an inclusive educational experience for everyone, allowing you to fulfil your own potential. Your time at university is not just about lectures and study – there is much more to life on our vibrant campus. We have excellent sports facilities and continue to develop those facilities, giving you opportunities to thrive outside your chosen field of study. Our range of societies ensures that, whatever your passion is outside academia, you will find like-minded friends to spend time with. Life on our 24-hour campus is vibrant – you can spend time with your peers, learning and picking up those life skills gained through experience and interaction. I invite you to explore the vibrant community and boundless opportunities here at UCD. PROFESSOR ORLA FEELY UCD PRESIDENTUCD 20266 Graduate Education UCD is Ireland’s leader in graduate education with 19% of Ireland’s Taught Master’s students – 64% higher than the next-placed institution (source: HEA Enrolment Trends 2023/24). Sustainability UCD is ranked number one in Ireland and 49th in the world for sustainability according to the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026. This measure evaluates the social and environmental impact of universities as centres of education and research. Graduate Entrepreneurship UCD is number one in Ireland for Innovation, Tech Transfer and Commercialisation: Over €1 billion in Equity Funding raised by UCD Spin-out and Spin-ins at NovaUCD. NO.1 FOR Careers UCD is ranked in the top 100 worldwide at 88th globally for employability outcomes for graduating students. QS measures employment outcomes as a reflection on the ability of institutions to ensure a high level of employability for their graduates, while also nurturing future leaders who go on to make an impact in their respective fields. NO.1 FOR NO.1 FOR NO.1 FOR Why Choose UCD? UCD graduate students benefit from an education delivered by experts at the leading edge of their field internationally and a curriculum constantly updated by the latest research.7Postgraduate Prospectus Ranked 118th in Universities Worldwide UCD is ranked 118th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2026 and is the largest english speaking university in the EU. Campus & Facilities UCD has a huge range of facilities including restaurants, cafés, a bookshop, a bike shop, a bar, a grocery shop, a large student centre and outstanding sports facilities. Global Community As the number one university of destination for international students coming to Ireland to study, international students make up 32% of the student body. International academics make up 36% of UCD’s faculty and over 50% of UCD research-funded staff is international. The UCD alumni network is also an active, influential and truly international body with over 300,000 alumni living in 184 countries across the globe. Global Networks UCD is the most connected and networked university with government, industry and society in Ireland. UCD is an active member of many international education networks such as Una Europa, Universitas 21 (U21), UNICA. UCD is number one in Ireland for the highest volume of research publications per year. NO.1 FOR NO.1 FOR NO.1 FORUCD 20268 As a graduate student at UCD, you will be taken on a journey of intense intellectual stimulation, learning new skills and dramatically expanding your knowledge of your chosen discipline. It is a tremendously rewarding experience and one that will both enrich your life and enhance your career prospects. UCD offers world leading academic facilities including the UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, Sutherland School of Law, Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business and the Moore Centre for Business. The main Dublin campus occupies an extensive parkland estate of 133 hectares with leading sports facilities and a wide range of clubs and societies. A History of Academic Excellence With over 170 years of tradition, UCD has been a major contributor to the making of modern Ireland, leading and shaping the development of this nation since its foundation in 1854.9Postgraduate Prospectus KEY FACTS Top 1% of higher education institutions world-wide UCD is globally recognised for its excellence in teaching and learning. UCD is ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide and offers the best internationally accredited curriculum in Ireland with 4 subjects in the top 50 and 13 in the top 100 (source: Ranking Web of Universities 2025 and QS Subject Rankings 2025). UCD is renowned for exemplary lecturers and professors. Taught and motivated by these academics, our students have gone on to achieve great things. Presidents, Taoisigh, CEOs, Olympians, Oscar winners, international athletes, social justice champions, educators, innovators and entrepreneurs have all been taught by the inspirational academics here at UCD. The approaches to teaching at UCD are as distinctive and varied as the scholars who teach the subject matter. What unifies all of our expert teachers is the passion that they have for their field of expertise. “I highly recommend returning to postgraduate study if you want to progress to the next level in your chosen field. I would also advise prospective students to talk to their employers, as they can be open to supporting those seeking to study on a programme that would be of benefit to both the employee’s career and the company in general.” Gearoid Devitt MSc Sport Management KEY FACTS 170 years of tradition (Source: Ranking Web of Universities 2025)Next >