< PreviousBuilding a Greener, Sustainable Future No.1 in Ireland for Sustainability (Source: QS Sustainability Rankings 2025) UCD is proud to lead positive environmental and social change, driven by our world- class researchers and graduates committed to climate resilience, ecological restoration and social justice. Students with a passion for sustainability will find meaningful opportunities and strong support to pursue their interests here. UCD is the first university in Ireland to offer a BSc Sustainability among a wide range of relevant courses. Our graduates are building careers in environmental consultancy, research, sustainability coordination, policy development and corporate responsibility across sectors ranging from academia and business to public service. Net Zero UCD is committed to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and has already increased energy efficiency by 44% since 2008 and reduced energy- related carbon emissions by 31% since 2018. We are on track to achieve our 2030 Climate Action Plan targets of 50% increased energy efficiency and 51% reduced carbon emissions. Did you know? UCD has a National Transport Authority Gold Smarter Travel Mark for sustainable commuting initiatives. 11 Find out more about sustainability at UCD at www.ucd.ie/sustainability Did you know? More than 90% of UCD’s waste is diverted from landfill. UCD is ranked in the top 50 worldwide and No.1 in Ireland for Sustainability (Source: QS Sustainability Rankings 2025). Sustainability on Campus Students at UCD are enabled to live more sustainably. The UCD Greenacre Sustainability Hub has a community garden for growing and tending vegetables. The UCD Library of Things, the first of its kind in an Irish university, lends items such as air fryers, headphones and sewing machines to reduce waste. The Loop is a repair cafe where students can learn to mend and upcycle clothes. UCD Circular, a student-led initiative, offers a free clothing swap space and borrow rack for formal and professional wear. Wider sustainability goals Sustainability goes far beyond cutting greenhouse gas emissions and boosting energy efficiency. It demands a holistic approach aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, addressing social equity, biodiversity, sustainable livelihoods, health and well-being, to establish a better relationship with the planet and a fairer society for all. The UCD Sustainability Plan to 2030 is a detailed roadmap for meeting this multifaceted challenge. Building on great work to date, we are embedding sustainability across every dimension of university life - from research and education to campus operations and global and local partnerships. www.ucd.ie/sustainability/mission/ourplan Sustainability Society Since its foundation in 2023 the UCD Sustainability Society (Sus Soc) has grown to some 500 members from across the university. Sus Soc hosts events including guest speakers, winter and spring formals and a sustainable fashion show. Members encourage all students with an interest in sustainability, climate change and social justice to get involved. UCD sustainability research covers a broad spectrum - from climate modelling and renewable energy innovation in the UCD Energy Institute to interdisciplinary work on sustainable food systems, circular economy strategies and environmental policy in the UCD Earth Institute. As a UCD student, you will be at the heart of a vibrant community striving for a healthier future for people and planet. We look forward to meeting you and working with you to drive sustainability. Get involved Students are the lifeblood of action for sustainability on campus and we support your best ideas with seed funding. Student-led initiatives this year include a Sustainability Toolkit and ‘Climate Chats’ - resources created by students for students to develop climate literacy and tackle eco-anxiety. ucdsustainabilitytoolkit.gnomio.com UCD was the first university in Ireland to install an Energy Monitoring and Building Management System - and this smart technology began as a student project. It has now grown into an extensive system that remotely monitors and controls heating, lighting, ventilation and water systems across the campus. The UCD Sustainability Dashboard also drew on student involvement to map and share campus initiatives. https:// www.ucd.ie/sustainability/resources12 Unique Facilities UCD is unique amongst third level universities in Ireland by having its own farm (Lyons Farm) that provides students and academics with access to large animal and crop enterprises for the delivery of teaching and research programmes. UCD also has a fully functioning veterinary hospital, a meteorological station, an apiary, a state-of-the-art plant and environmental research facility on campus. State-of-the-Art Campus Students benefit from 253,596 sqm of academic space for teaching, learning, research and innovation. Virtual reality headsets, break-out areas, an innovation hub and skills zones are just a few of the impressive facilities that expand collaboration and interconnectivity between our students, faculty and the business world. Academic facilities include state-of-the-art labs and active learning environments such as a moot court, simulated health science wards, a trading room, media labs, a classics museum and a drama theatre to name but a few. Sports & Fitness Centre UCD Students have access to three large state-of-the-art gyms and over 100 fitness classes per week free of charge. Students can also avail of the centre’s 50m Olympic swimming pool and tepidarium on a pay-as-you-go basis, or have instant access annually by purchasing a cost-effective swim membership package. The centre’s full suite of facilities include: • 50-metre Olympic swimming pool • Three state-of-the-art gym floors with dance and spinning studios • Sauna, steam room and jacuzzi • Two multi-purpose sports halls • Two squash courts and a climbing wall • Handball/racquetball alley • Outdoor skills wall • Three seven-aside soccer pitches • Six synthetic five-a-side pitches • Synthetic hockey training half-pitch • Synthetic GAA, rugby and soccer full size playing pitches • National hockey stadium • IAAF 8-lane athletics track Coming Soon: • Synthetic soccer pitch • Indoor tennis centre • Multi-purpose sports halls World Class Amenities One of Europe’s largest urban campuses with the most diverse range of world class student amenities of any university in Ireland. 13 Student Centre The UCD Student Centre provides a relaxed meeting place for students while offering a large suite of wellbeing and social facilities. • State-of-the-art 3D cinema • Drama theatre • Debating chamber • 600-seat auditorium • Meeting rooms for student sports clubs and societies • TV studio • Radio pod • Seminar room • Student health services • Student counselling service • Pharmacy • The Belfield Barber • The UCD Clubhouse (bar and function room) • Students Union • SU Shop • Poolside café www.ucd.ie/studentcentre www.ucd.ie/sportLife at university is not just about lectures and study, there is so much more to being a student at UCD. You will find that sports clubs, societies and an active social life are vital ingredients of your university experience and being part of the UCD community. Performing Arts Our resident performance ensembles are the UCD Choral Scholars, UCD Gamelan Orchestra, UCD Philharmonic Choir, UCD Symphony Orchestra, and the newly founded Ad Astra Chamber Orchestra. They give frequent concerts on campus and at prestigious Dublin venues, such as the National Concert Hall, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre and Christ Church Cathedral. For our theatre goers, UCD DramSoc is one of the most active societies on campus. DramSoc has staged all manner of theatrical performances, from Shakespeare to Conor McPherson and more, including hundreds of works written by our own members. Volunteering Opportunities There are a wide range of volunteering opportunities for students on campus in UCD and in the community. UCD Volunteers Overseas provides students, staff and graduates with the opportunity to participate in a volunteering and global citizenship programme. This includes four weeks volunteering with one of the UCDVO’s overseas partners in Cambodia, Tanzania and Uganda. The programme includes a structured series of global citizenship education workshops, relevant training and debriefing. www.studentvolunteer.ie/ucd www.ucdvo.org More than 95 student societies hosting over 3,000 events Our Community Your Experience New Student Orientation Student 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 societies, club performance groups, comedy, tapas, movie nights, music nights, sports tournaments, scavenger hunts and more. www.ucd.ie/newstudents Students’ Union UCD Students’ Union represents and supports students throughout their time at university. It’s the recognised voice of the student body; standing up for student rights, offering help with academic or personal challenges, and leading campaigns on the issues that students decide. From housing and finances to mental health and representation, the Union is there when students need it. www.ucdsu.ie 15 A vibrant, exciting and liberating experience with priority given to over 1,000 first year students. Options include self-catering apartments, halls of residence and catered accommodation that include meals in the cost. Accessible rooms are provided for students with disabilities. Accommodation fees vary depending on style, dates and availability. As a guideline fees range from €5,722 for a self-catering twin bedroom for the academic year up to €12,866 for an en-suite catered apartment. For a full breakdown of costs, see www.ucd.ie/ residences/bookinginfo/finance All Queries: residences@ucd.ie T: +353 1 7167000 www.ucd.ie/residences Our Community on Campus We have a team of campus assistants, security and student volunteers to help and support our vibrant campus community. Our Reslife programme provides hundreds of exciting events each year across the Belfield and Blackrock campuses and includes a baking club, book club, wellbeing activities, gaming and 5-aside football alongside cultural trips and exciting food events. Applications for UCD Residences normally open in April, to apply see www.ucd.ie/residences For off-campus options, see: www.ucdaccommodationpad.ie Please make sure to read the on-screen instructions as these properties are not UCD properties. Living on Campus On-Campus Residential Services • 24-hour support for residents • On-site maintenance team • Launderettes, gym and social spaces • Restaurants, cafes and shops Key Fact 1st Year Students get priority for on-campus accommodation. With 29 cafes, delis and restaurants located around the campus you will never go hungry or thirsty. The Village is a vibrant community hub where students can gather, relax and connect with other students and enjoy a line-up of exciting annual events. It’s a place to eat and socialise under the one roof with a food hall serving everything from a traditional chicken fillet roll to street food inspired from around the globe. There is also a gym and regular fitness classes for resident students. The Village Follow MyUCD on TikTok and Instagram to learn more about student life at UCD.16 Sports Clubs With over 40 official sports clubs, excellent facilities and a huge programme of fitness classes, there’s something for everyone. So make the most of your time at UCD, get involved, get active and have fun. www.ucd.ie/sport/clubs 17 American Football Archery Athletics Badminton Basketball Boat Boxing Camogie Canoe Caving & Potholing Chinese Martial Arts Cricket Cycling Equestrian Fencing Gaelic Football Golf Handball Hockey Hurling Judo Karate Mountaineering Olympic Handball Orienteering Rugby Sailing Snowsports Soccer Sub Aqua Surf Swimming & Waterpolo Table Tennis Taekwon-Do Tennis Trampoline Triathlon Ultimate Frisbee Volleyball Windsurfing18 Student Societies Student societies are a great way to explore your interests and develop new ones. UCD has over 95 active student societies hosting over 3,000 events so there is something for everyone from jazz and juggling to science, music and political studies. www.ucd.ie/societies 19 Actuarial & Financial Studies Arabic Culture & Language Africa Agricultural Science An Cumann Gaelach Archaeology Architecture Arts Biological Broadcasting (Belfield FM) Chemical Chemical Engineering Chess Chinese Christian Union Civil & Structural Engineering Classical Commerce & Economics Dance Darts Data DJ Dramsoc Draw Eastern European Economics Electrical Engineering Engineering English & Literature Erasmus Students Film & Video Food French Games Geography Geological German Gospel Choir Harry Potter Hebrew Culture & Language History Horse Racing Horticulture Indian International Students Internet Investors & Entrepreneurs Islamic Italian Japanese Juggling & Circus Kevin Barry Cumann (Ógra Fianna Fáil) Landscape Architecture Labour Law LGBTQ+ Literary & Historical Livingstones Malaysian Mathematical Mature Students Mechanical Engineering Medical Musical Newman Nordic Nursing & Midwifery Nutrition One Health Pharmacology & Toxicology PhD Students Philosophy Physics Planning & Environmental Policy Political Studies & International Relations Psychological Science Science Fiction & Fantasy Sinn Féin Socialist Worker Social Democrats Spanish St. Vincent de Paul Student Legal Service Sustainability Traditional Music UCD TV Veterinary Volunteers Overseas Women + Stem World Aid Young Fine Gael Young GreensNext >