Get Admitted to your Dream University – University College Dublin

University College Dublin (UCD), is a member of The National University of Ireland, and is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland. It is the biggest institution in Ireland with 33,284 students. Five Nobel laureates have graduated from UCD, along with present and former staff members. Additionally, four Irish prime ministers, three Irish presidents, and Varahagiri Venkata Giri, the fourth president of India, have all matriculated from UCD.

UCD was established in 1854 and debuted on the feast of St. Malachy as the Catholic University of Ireland, with John Henry Newman serving as its first rector. It was reorganized in 1880 and granted its own license in 1908. The component university was renamed “National University of Ireland, Dublin” by the Universities Act of 1997, and “University College Dublin – National University of Ireland, Dublin” by a ministerial order in 1998.

UCD consists of six colleges, their associated schools (37 in total) and multiple research institutes and centers. Each college also has its own Graduate School, for postgraduates.

• UCD College of Arts and Humanities (consists of 7 schools)
• UCD College of Business (consists of 3 schools)
• UCD College of Engineering & Architecture (consists of 6 schools)
• UCD College of Health & Agricultural Sciences (consists of 5 schools including the School of Medicine)
• UCD College of Social Sciences & Law (consists of 11 schools)
• UCD College of Science (consists of 7 schools)

A) ADMISSION

Entry into undergraduate courses is majorly done through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Since CAO allows application to only a maximum of five colleges/courses, some students choose to apply to UCD directly. It is one of the few colleges in Ireland that has a direct application process available for international students. There is fierce competition for the popular programmes, and entry requirements for courses may change from year to year depending on the number of openings and the number of applicants.

All applications are assessed individually and the submitted scores and other prerequisites do not guarantee admission. Entry to undergraduate programmes at UCD is competitive and based on academic merit. The standard matriculation requirements are passing grades in English, Mathematics, and a full set of valid subjects for your examination system.

1. Indian Boards Requirements –

UCD accepts the following Indian Boards for the admission in undergraduate programmes:

• Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Council for the Indian School Certificate (CISCE)

• Intermediate Exam (some state boards) Higher/Senior School Certificate/Examination (most state boards)

The average is calculated on the best 5 recognized subjects. UCD does not have a common score requirement for undergraduate courses but students can check specific subject requirements and other prerequisites on the course page. A minimum score for Mathematics is required by some programmes and students need to show it individually from the overall percentage.

For e.g. to study BSc Business, Indian board students need at least 80% overall in their grade XII with a minimum of 80% in Mathematics (and 85% in grade X Math). Students who want to study Architecture, require at least 80% overall in their grade XII exams, with a minimum score of 75% in Mathematics (and 65% in grade X Math).

2. International A Levels –

For the students with ‘A’ Level background in high school, at least three subjects at A Level Grade C or better and Grade C, or better, in the remaining subjects at GCSE; a total of six distinct subjects are required.

UCD does not have a common score requirement for undergraduate courses but students can check specific subject requirements and other prerequisites on the course page. A minimum score for Mathematics is required by some programmes and students need to show it individually from the overall percentage.

For e.g. students who want to study BSc Economics require at least ABB / BBBD / BBB + D AS Level, with a C at A-Level in Mathematics. Students applying for Engineering require AAA / ABBB / AAB + D AS Level, with a C at A-Level in Mathematics, and D at A-Level in Lab Science.

3. International Baccalaureate –

UCD does not have a common score requirement for undergraduate courses but students can check specific subject requirements and other prerequisites on the course page. A minimum score for Mathematics is required by some programmes and students need to show it individually from the overall percentage.

For e.g. students applying for BSc Psychology require at least 37 IB points with 4 at Standard Level, 3 at Higher Level, and Math Studies 4 at Standard Level. Students applying for Computer Science require at least 29 IB points with 6 at Standard Level, 4 at Higher Level, and Math Studies 4 at Standard Level.

B) OTHER PREREQUISITES

1. English Proficiency Tests

All applicants must present an English language qualification. Accepted/Permitted English language qualifications are:

2. Academic Transcripts –

marksheets from grade IX to XI are required, along with predicted score & first term marks of grade XII are also needed to submit your application.

3. Letter(s) of Recommendation (LOR) –

UCD requires two academic LORs, and students can submit one professional LOR also if they have work experience.

4. Statement of Purpose (SOP) –

It is a crucial part of the application in which students describe their interest in the chosen field of study, their activities and their future plans, especially in competitive courses where the SOP provides valuable insights into the students’ thought process and motivations. UCD requires its applicants to submit one SOP describing the activities they have participated in, interest in the subject, extraordinary achievements, etc.

5. Academic Resume –

It is another requirement as part of the application process. This resume is a summary of your academic and professional qualifications, achievements, contributions, extracurricular activities, projects, and skills that you have acquired during your high school years.

6. Portfolios & Entrance Tests –

If a student is applying to a design program or architecture course, they need to submit a portfolio as guided by the university.
If a student is applying for medical studies, they need to appear for the Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT). Students will be eligible to compete for undergraduate medicine places provided they achieve at least 220 (subject to change each year) out of 300 in the test and meet the matriculation requirements of the Medical School. HPAT is conducted each year in the month of February. The test score is valid for only one year – students appear for it in the year of their high school (class XII) graduation. It is an aptitude test assessing similar qualities to the UKCAT (UK Clinical Aptitude Test). The HPAT-Ireland test is a 2½ hour multiple choice paper-based test, consisting of three modules:
a) Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving )
b) Interpersonal Understanding (much like the situational judgment test, this assesses your responses to several scenarios)
c) Non-Verbal Reasoning (alike to abstract reasoning of the UKCAT, you will have to find patterns in shapes

Other than studying Medicine, there are no other entrance exams at an undergraduate level.

UCD has two intakes annually-

C) EXPENSES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The tuition fee at UCD, Dublin varies between €16,800 to €25,600 per annum, and it can be around €45,000 per annum for courses like medicine. The cost of living for international students can vary between €7,000 – €12,000 per annum. All international students (both EU/EEA and non-EU/EEA citizens) must pay a student contribution fee of maximum €2,000 per year for student services, like examination entries and support for clubs and societies.

The Irish government and some universities provide financial assistance and scholarships to international students on the basis of merit, need, student or course-specific grants, etc. The most popular scholarship is the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship. It offers 60 types of scholarships to international students pursuing bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. The scholarship amount includes a €10,000 stipend and covers the tuition and registration fees. University specific scholarships can be verified at their respective websites for detailed information.

UCD offers international students quality education, expert faculty, and a wide array of courses to huge research and career opportunities. Whether you want to study humanities or engineering, that’s an Irish institution that can match your curriculum to perfection. And by following the above-mentioned steps you can get admitted to your dream college, University College, Dublin.