Completing the online application form
To apply for a course at UCD through the online applications system, you must complete an electronic application form online. The form is divided into the sections below. Please take time to read these instructions carefully before completing your application.
| 1. Log in | 6. Essay questions |
| 2. Choose application type | 7.Submit your application |
| 3. Personal details | 8.Pay application fee |
| 4. Programme choice | 9. What happens next? |
| 5. Academic background |
1. LOG IN
New applicants
On the online applications homepage, click on ‘APPLY’. This will take you to the online applications log in screen. Click on First time user account creation and create your own Login ID (max nine characters, alpha-numeric) and a PIN (six characters, numeric). After entering the Login ID and the PIN, click on Login. You will be prompted to answer a security question in case you forget your PIN.
Returning users/UCD applicants
On the online applications homepage, click on ‘LOG IN’. This will take you to the log in screen. Enter your previous Login ID and PIN. If you are a UCD student, please use your Student no. and PIN for UCD Connect (this will save you re-entering your biographical information).
2. CHOOSE APPLICATION TYPE
You will now be asked to choose an application type. The application type generally relates to the type of programme to which you want to apply - for example, Undergraduate/Graduate Taught/Graduate Research.
If you are in doubt about which type of programme you are looking for, please visit programme listings (link). You will then be asked to specify which term you wish to apply for. Most programmes in UCD operate on an academic year starting in September, however, some start in January and some in April. If you are in any doubt, check the web page for the programme.
Please note that the online applications system is currently available for most postgraduate programmes in UCD. To check if your choice of programme is available through the online applications system, please click here.
3. PERSONAL DETAILS
The next screen you will see is the ‘applicant checklist’. This shows the application form divided into sections.
You can fill out the application in any order but most applicants find it quickest to start with your name and
personal details and follow the process through the sections in order.
At the bottom of each section there are three buttons:
- Checklist returns you to the sections of the form so you can move to a different section.
- Continue takes you to the next section
- Finish later takes you to a screen where you can log out if you wish to finish your application later.
Compulsory fields are marked with a red asterisk (*)
throughout. You will not be able to continue to the next section without completing all of these questions. If you
do not wish to complete a compulsory question at this stage choose the Return to Checklist without saving changes link at the bottom.
When you return to the applicant checklist, completed sections will be marked with a red tick symbol.
4. PROGRAMME CHOICE
When you come to the programme choice screen you can choose the programme for which you wish to apply from a drop down list. This is listed in alphabetical order so you can move quickly down the list by pressing the first letter of the programme on your keyboard.
Alternatively, you can click on Choose School. This will let you choose from the shorter list of the programmes available within this school.
When you have chosen your programme, a new section (or sections) may appear on your checklist containing any specific questions relating to this programme.
5. ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
You must supply details of any third level institutions you have attended and professional qualifications you have attained.
First click on Look up Institution Code. This will bring you to a list of countries, then a list of cities to select your previous institution.
If you can’t find your previous institution, just enter the name in the next box. Please provide as much detail as possible here – this information is critical in the assessment of your application.
You can press the Enter or View another Qualification button as many times as is necessary to fill in all your previous information.
6. ESSAY QUESTIONS
For most applications, you will be asked to complete a supporting statement outlining your reasons and motivation for wishing to undertake the course.
Please note that the system will time out if you remain on one screen for more than 40 minutes. If you wish to spend time thinking about your answers, you can save your application and return to it later. You can prepare your answers offline and copy and paste them in subsequently. You can enter a maximum of 32,000 characters in answer to any one question.
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7. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
When you are satisfied that you have completed all the necessary information, you can proceed to the declaration section. Selecting Yes and submitting your application is the same as signing a paper application declaring that you have filled it out honestly.
When your application has been submitted successfully you will be shown a Signature page.
8. PAY APPLICATION FEE
All applicants are required to pay a €45 application fee when paying online. This covers multiple applications for the same session. Applicants who wish to pay by cheque or postal order will be subject to an additional handling fee of €5.
You will receive a receipt of payment email if you choose to pay online.
9. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Within one working day you will receive an acknowledgement email for your application which notifies you of your application number and lists the documents you need to submit.
The link in the email will give you further specific instructions. You are not required to send in an original transcript at this stage.You can log back into your application at any time and click on the application to view its status.
This will show you which items have been received by the Online Applications Office and which are still outstanding
When a decision has been made on your application, the status will be updated. By clicking on the status you can accept your offer.
