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UCD Advantage Award

Interested in applying for the Advantage Award?

Register now for an upcoming (opens in a new window)induction session or email (opens in a new window)skillsaward@ucd.ie for more details.

What is the UCD Advantage Award?

The UCD Advantage Award is a university level award and is your chance to get recognition for the skills, knowledge and experience that you have gained through participation in co-curricular activities. Whether you're active in a (opens in a new window)UCD Society or sports team, volunteering on or off campus, supporting others through peer mentoring or the Student Ambassador programme, or gaining experience through a summer internship or a part time job, UCD wants to acknowledge your contribution and the skills you've developed.  The UCD Advantage Award celebrates your involvement, your growth, and the impact you’ve made during your time at UCD. 

Enhance your CV with recognised achievements

The UCD Advantage Award is a valuable addition to your CV, demonstrating to employers that you have actively engaged in co-curricular opportunities and developed real-world skills alongside your academic studies. 

Improve your ability to communicate your skills

By reflecting on your activities, you will learn to clearly identify and articulate the transferable skills you’ve gained, such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and communication.  These skills are essential for creating strong job applications, articulating your skills at interviews, and your personal and professional growth. 

Gain recognition for your contributions beyond the classroom

Your efforts deserve acknowledgment. The Advantage Award formally recognises the time, energy, and commitment you have invested in your personal and professional development. 

Prepare for future applications and interviews

Completing the award offers structured practice in reflecting on your experiences using the STAR technique. This is excellent preparation for writing compelling applications and performing confidently in interviews. 

Official recognition on your Diploma Supplement

The award is formally recorded on your UCD Diploma Supplement, providing verified evidence of your co-curricular involvement and skills development to future employers or educational institutions. 

Accessible and inclusive – not a competitive process

The UCD Advantage Award is open to all UCD students. It is not a competitive award; if you complete the required steps and demonstrate your engagement and reflection, you will receive the award. 

  • Step 1 - Pre-register for the UCD Advantage Award on SISWeb at any point during your time at UCD. 
  • Step 2 - (opens in a new window)Attend an Induction Session, which only takes approximately 45 minutes.
  • Step 3 -  Engage in a minimum of 2 co-curricular activities, one of which should be a UCD activity.
  • Step 4 - Complete the Advantage Award application form on SISWeb.
  • Step 5 - Submit your application form for review before the application deadline. 
What is a co-curricular activity?
  • Co-curricular activities are non-credit bearing activities, clubs, events, and programmes that take place outside of the classroom setting, and in some manner complement a student’s development and academic learning in a meaningful way. 
  • Only non-credit bearing co-curricular activities can be included by the students towards their Advantage award application. 

The UCD Advantage Award is built around four key themes. These themes reflect UCD’s values, support the university’s strategic goals, and align with the skills employers look for in graduates.

To complete the award, your application must show how you’ve engaged with all four themes. Below, you will find some information on the themes and why they are important.

Theme 1: Personal & Professional Development

This theme reflects the role that co-curricular activities play in a student’s development of the skills and attributes required to flourish at and beyond university. Examples of this include self-awareness, emotional intelligence, leadership, teamwork, communication, etc. Graduate employers seek students who have sought opportunities to develop themselves and demonstrate the skills required for success in the workplace. 

Theme 2: UCD & the wider community

This theme reflects the role that co-curricular activity can play in enabling students to engage with the UCD community and beyond, with a view to fostering a sense of inclusion and also encouraging students to contribute to the development of their communities. This could be through voluntary work or taking on peer support roles (e.g. Class Rep., Peer Mentor, Residences Assistant, Access Leader, Orientation Guide etc.). 

Theme 3: Cultural Engagement

This theme is about engaging with local, national and international culture and aligns with the value that UCD places on diversity.  It incorporates the activities that students engage in that give them an insight into other cultures and perspectives, for example volunteering overseas, learning a language or contributing to events that promote diversity and inclusion. 

Theme 4 : Health & Well Being

UCD has a proud sporting heritage and as a university competes across a wide range of disciplines at national and international level. This theme addresses the many pursuits that students engage in that contribute toward physical and mental well-being. This could range from involvement in one of UCD’s many sports clubs, contributing to campaigns aimed at improving mental health or participating in UCD’s Green Campus initiative.

Reflection

Effective reflection is the key to a successful Advantage Award application. We don’t just want you to describe what you did, we want you to reflect on how you have grown and developed as a result of your co-curricular engagement.

When reflecting on your activities you need to show us how each one demonstrates engagement with your selected award theme.  Provide concrete examples, not general comments. Use the STAR technique that you learn about in the Advantage Award induction session. Just like in your CV, you need to use verbs that illustrate what you did (planned, organised, analysed, designed etc.) and where possible, quantify achievement.

How can I sign up for the award?

You can pre-register for the award on SISWeb and attend a mandatory information session.  You can then begin your award application on SISWeb. 

Who can take part in the award?

All UCD students are welcome to apply for the Advantage Award. This includes undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students, whether you are studying full time or part time, and whether you are a domestic, international or Erasmus student. We encourage everyone to get involved and gain recognition for their cocurricular achievements.

When is the Advantage award application submission deadline?

The application submission deadline for the academic year 2025/2026 is Tuesday, 31 March 2026. You can sign up for the award anytime during the academic year. 

Will it take much time to complete the award?

The UCD Advantage Award is designed to be flexible and manageable alongside your studies. You can complete it at your own pace throughout the academic year, using co-curricular activities you are involved in or have already completed during your current qualification at UCD.

Can I include off campus activities in my application?

Yes, you can include off-campus activities as part of your Advantage Award application. However, at least one of your activities must be based at UCD.  The other activities can take place off campus, such as volunteering, internships, or part-time work, as long as they align with the award themes. 

Will I get recognition for completing the award?

If your application is successful, you will receive a digital Advantage Award certificate to acknowledge your achievement. You will also be invited to an on-campus award ceremony, where you’ll be presented with a physical certificate in recognition of your contribution and engagement. 

Who can I contact if I have questions about the award?

For any questions about the UCD Advantage award, please feel free to contact the co-curricular team via the email address skillsaward@ucd.ie.

Does each of my activities need to cover all the Advantage Award themes?

No, each individual activity does not need to address every theme, but taken together, your full application should address all 4 themes. Your full application should demonstrate how, collectively, your activities reflect all of the core themes of the Advantage Award.

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Testimonial #1: Arpita Chaudhary

The UCD Advantage Award was incredibly valuable because it gave me the opportunity to formally reflect on the transferable skills I had developed, many of which I had not fully appreciated before. Mapping out these experiences helped me identify strengths like empathy, problem-solving, and professional communication — insights that strengthened my CV and interview preparation. What really stood out was how it encouraged a mindset of intentionality: realizing that every experience, big or small, contributes to your growth if you know how to reflect on it.

Advice for Students:
I would absolutely recommend the UCD Advantage Award to other students. It’s a fantastic way to recognize the value of your activities, build confidence in your skillset, and create a more compelling narrative about your university journey for future opportunities. If I could do anything differently, I would start recording and reflecting on my experiences earlier, rather than waiting until the award application — it makes the process even richer and more meaningful.

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Testimonial #2: Katharina Steder

The UCD Advantage program is an excellent way to learn and develop outside of one’s regular field of study. In my case, the decision to apply to this program was driven by a desire to earn more experience, give back to the community, and further develop my skillset.  My co-curricular activities for the UCD Advantage Award included organizing to take part with a group of fellow students in a charity fundraiser where I not only improved my organizational and leadership skills but also had the chance to contribute meaningfully to a good cause.

Additionally, the program encouraged me to balance my academic pursuits with real-world responsibilities. I took on part-time work, a decision motivated by the belief that practical experience is a crucial complement to theoretical knowledge. This experience not only allowed me to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios but also improved my time management skills.

Testimonial #3

A standout moment was how the UCD Advantage Award directly helped me secure a job. Employers specifically asked about the award during interviews, highlighting its significant impact and value in the job market. This recognition greatly enhanced my job prospects.

I highly recommend the UCD Advantage Award to other students. It serves as a motivation to make a positive impact on the university and provides personal recognition for your efforts. 

UCD Careers Network

Library Building, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 7574 | E: careers@ucd.ie