University College Dublin Graduate Studies

Application Process

UCD's graduate taught courses can be applied for online. *With some exceptions, courses open for application on 1st October each year and generally remain open to applications until all places are filled. Some courses have specific closing dates, please check with your course co-ordinator for more details.

*Applications for the Professional Master of Education and the Grad Diploma in Public Health Nursing need to be made through the PAC website.

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*Applications for the Professional Master of Education and the Grad Diploma in Public Health Nursing need to be made through the PAC website.

An application fee is required for most application types. This is payable during the application process using credit or debit card. The application fee is normally €50 and is payable for each term (e.g. for entry in September). You can make as many applications as you wish for the same term, with one application fee payment. If you apply for a different term (e.g. for entry in January), that will require a separate application fee payment.

Once you submit your online application, a list of required documents will be emailed to you. The documentation required varies depending on the course you have applied for.

  • Assess the academic abilities and motivation of the applicant.
  • Usually written in the referee’s own words unless a specific format has been requested.
  • Applicants can request copies of any references submitted as part of the application process under the Freedom of Information Acts, 1997 and 2003.

Things to include:

    • Explain why you are applying for your particular course:
      • what attracts you to that subject area,
      • how your studies and/or work experience has influenced you,
      • career plans etc.
    • Detail any work experience.

You may include your personal statement within the application form.  If your answer is longer than 300 words please upload a document and indicate that this has been done in answer to that question.

  • States the results of all the subjects for each year of your degree.
  • Transcript is not the parchment and will not be accepted in place of a Transcript.
  • Transcripts can be requested from your University.
  • Via the upload facility which is available once the application has been submitted.

Documents may also be sent to: 
Martin Hurley, Online Applications, Tierney Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Your application will be assessed, in the first instance, on the basis of the information you provide on your application form and the supporting documentation that you provide. Some programmes have specific application requirements and for some you may be required to attend for interview. Please note it is important to include all documents otherwise your application will be considered incomplete.

  • online applications
    • you can check the application status and whether your documents have been received by logging in and viewing your application.

UCD operates a rolling admissions policy for graduate taught courses with decisions being taken as soon as possible after receipt of completed applications. In general courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled. However please note that some programmes may have specific closing dates. Please consult the course coordinator for more details.

View application FAQs.