Why UCD

No. 1 for students

First Choice for Irish School Leavers.

First Choice for International Students.

No. 1 for Graduate Employability in 2018, 2019 & 2020.

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 (women’s): The ladies club enjoyed a fantastic season in 2017/18 with the 1sts securing the University Championships, the Irish Senior Cup, the EYHL League, and the Colours.

Rowing: UCD was the overall winner at the 2019 University Championships after its rowers delivered success at all levels. The UCD Mens and Ladies Boat Clubs rowed to glory at the competition in Lough Rynn, Co Leitrim, with the men claiming the Wylie Cup for the 20th time. The trophy is the longest contested and most prestigious prize in Irish Universities rowing. It was first presented in 1922.

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