Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Transfer Students

Congratulations on your admission to UCD Science, which is a testament to your personal and academic achievements to date. We are delighted to welcome you to the programme as you take the next steps in your educational career. Students looking to make future transfer applications should refer to the UCD Transfers website.  

As you begin making this transition into life in UCD Science make sure that you take full advantage of all the resources available to you. As a new student to UCD you are bound to have questions and programme information can be found on our Current Students page. Our UCD Science Student Handbook 2023/24 (PDF) is available and we would encourage you to familiarise yourself with the regulations that apply to your area of study. This booklet also contains useful information on a number of key details including contact details, programme specific policies, email usage, and applications for extenuating circumstances etc. In addition general university information is available via UCD Registry. You may also find the UCD New Students website useful to learn more about the wider university. 

Remember that the staff of the Science Office are always available to assist you with any queries that you may have or any issues that may arise. In addition, there are two Science Student Advisers (opens in a new window)Ms Dani Findley and (opens in a new window)Dr Megan Kuster along with many other support staff in the College of Science Office whose function is to help you to settle into University life. Contact information for the Science Office are available on our Contacts Page. You are welcome to call into the Science Office or submit a query using our Science Contact Form.

We wish you every success with your studies and look forward to meeting you during your time with us.

(opens in a new window)FAQs for Transfer Students

Once you have accepted your place in UCD Science you need to complete your registration as a UCD student, to the Science programme and to your modules.

Registration allows you to obtain your UCD Student Card (UCARD) and gain access to the wide range of facilities available to our students. Registration is carried out online (via your SISWeb account). A step-by-step guide on how to do this is available online

What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior and Concurrent Learning (RPL) is defined as: “a process by which learning is formally identified, assessed and given a value”. 

  • RPL encompasses all forms of prior and concurrent learning, including learning acquired by following a course of study (i.e., formal learning), learning acquired outside of the formal education system which may not lead to certification (i.e., non-formal learning) and learning acquired through experience.
  • Prior learning refers to learning achieved prior to admission to a programme of study.
  • Concurrent learning refers to learning that has been completed outside of the programme after the student has been admitted to the programme.

Students are entitled to apply for (opens in a new window)Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Applications for RPL for Science, Computer Science and Actuarial & Financial Studies are approved at the discretion of the Science Programme Board. For Bachelor level programmes, the maximum amount of credit will normally be 50% of the whole programme of study. Please submit your request using the online (opens in a new window)Recognition of Prior Learning Application Form. You will be contacted by the College Office if further information or clarification on the application is required.

An application for RPL should be made as early as possible and preferably before you commence the relevant module/stage/programme. An application for RPL relating to a particular module should be submitted before the third week of the semester in which it is offered. Applications made after this date will only be accepted at the discretion of the Board governing your programme.

You can view the (opens in a new window)Recognition of Prior Learning policy online

If you submit an RPL application relating to a particular module(s) after the module(s) has commenced you should register for, attend and participate in the module(s) until you are informed of the decision of the Board governing your programme. If your application is not successful, you are responsible for all assessments associated with the module(s).

You may expect to hear of the outcome or status of your application typically within four weeks of submitting it. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure you supply all necessary supporting evidence and documentation and sign the form as required.

Additional Information:
External Transfer Applicants information on eligibility can be found on the UCD Registry website

The Academic Regulations can be viewed online

UCD College of Science

Room E1.09/E2.09 UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
Location Map(opens in a new window)