International Sustainability Summer School
UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering is a highly esteemed School within the College of Engineering and Architecture, with Sustainability and Green Technologies central to the School, across its Research, Education and Innovation.
The School will run a two week Sustainability International Summer School in July 2025 on UCD’s main Belfield campus in Dublin 4. Upon completion, participants will have acquired key skills in critical analysis, systems thinking, collaboration and innovation, all of which can be applied to address climate and sustainability challenges anywhere in the world.
Places are limited so apply today!
Quick Facts
Monday, 14 July to Friday, 25 July
2025 Dates
2 weeks
Duration
€3,500
2025 Tuition Fees
31 January 2025
Round 1
Application Deadline
10-ECST
6 US Credit Equivalent
Programme Information
Upon completion of this two-week programme, participants will have acquired key skills in critical analysis, systems thinking, collaboration and innovation, all of which can be applied to address climate and sustainability challenges anywhere in the world. This programme will bring together Irish businesses, Irish community stakeholder, and both International and Irish University Students.
Dates:
Monday, 14th July to Friday, 25th July (Check in on Sunday, 13th July, Check out on the morning of Saturday, 26th July)
Accommodation:
- On-campus housing in UCD is included with private bedrooms in 4-6 bed shared apartments.
Credit:
- We recommend University Partners award 10-ECTS/6 US credits on successful completion. However, on awarding a Certificate of Completion, the transfer of credits is at the discretion of the home institution.
- A minimum grade of C to award a Certificate of Completion which will be sent to the home institution.
Applications:
We invite participants from a number of backgrounds and may have different application supporting documentation for each group, as below:
Irish Community Stakeholders or Irish Businesses/ employees- Completed application form with the following supporting documentation:
- Brief Personal Statement on reasons for wanting to take part in the Summer School (no longer than one A4 page).
- Copy of Passport (for assessment of IKC3 Scholarship)
Irish/ EU and Non-EU Students- Students enrolled in Bachelors, Masters of PhD courses, with at least 2 years university experience complete, are welcome to apply. They are required to submit a completed application with the following supporting documentation:
- Brief Personal Statement on reasons for wanting to take part in the Summer School (no longer than one A4 page).
- Copy of Passport
- Academic Transcripts (Student applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply or the international equivalent)
Application Dates:
Applications are now open. Please apply via this (opens in a new window)application form. Please compile all the above documents before starting your application and have ready to attach.
Round One: The first round of applications will close on 31st January 2025. All submitted applications will be considered at this time and offers of places and scholarships will be made.
Round Two: If places are still available following the first round, applications will be accepted for Round Two, closing on 28th February 2025.
Round Three: If places are still available following the first round, a third and final round will close on 31st March 2025. No applications will be accepted after this deadline. Applicants are encouraged to apply before 31st January 2025 as places may not be available in subsequent rounds.
Fee:
The cost of the Summer School is €3,500. This includes all learning activities,13 nights of accommodation (Check in on Sunday, 13th July, check out on the morning of Saturday, 26th July), three daily meals (from 14th to 25th of July inclusive), cultural activities, transport during summer school to scheduled activities, online activities prior to arrival.
What’s not included?
Flights or transport to and from the Summer School are not included.
Do you have a question?
Any Queries relating to the Summer School or Application can be sent to Fiona Quinn via email- (opens in a new window)fiona.quinn@ucd.ie
Cultural and Social Programme
An essential element of Summer Schools is for students to experience Irish society and culture. A series of excursions and events will be organised collectively between UCD Global and the other Summer Schools so subject to space and capacity, students will be given the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in Irish culture. Attendance on the trips is at their discretion but students will be encouraged to sign up for the excursions and field trips in Dublin and around Ireland. This will provide you with first-hand experience of the historic and cultural sites that surround you.
Academic Programme Overview
What will I learn:
- Systems Thinking – how to see the bigger picture of the interconnected factors that influence human activity and its place in space.
- Critical Analysis – how to see a problem from different perspectives, and how to collate and interpret evidence to find solutions.
- Collaboration – how to work in multi-disciplinary, international teams to solve real-world problems.
- Innovation – the process of developing an idea from germination to fruition in a real-world, business setting.
Programme Description:
Week 1:
During the first week of the Summer School each day will begin with a lecture on a particular topic, followed by a Site Visit to a local organisation working with a challenge under this topic
Topic 1: Agriculture
Topic 2: Transport
Topic 3: Waste Management
Topic 4: Tourism
Topic 5: Water Supply
Saturday and Sunday, 19th and 20th of July are free days to enjoy Dublin as you wish.
Week 2:
Participants will work in groups to explore Sustainability Challenges, with coaching and workshops in topics such as design thinking and prototyping, this week will allow participants to apply their learnings.
IKC3 Scholarship
The programme is open to undergraduate students (with at least 2 years University experience), masters/ PHD students, early to mid career professionals, both employed and self employed, and Irish Community stakeholders.
We are delighted to announce the IKC3 International Sustainability Summer School Scholarship, funded by the Higher Education Authority and HCI. This Scholarship is valued at €3,500 covering the full cost of the Summer School, including activities, food, transport during the Summer School and accommodation on UCD Belfield Campus. The Scholarship pays directly the fees of the Summer School, and no cash sum is received by awardee.
This Scholarship is available to participants who would be eligible for EU Fee Status, as recognised by University College Dublin. You will be considered for this Scholarship if you declare EU Fee Status on your application.
A limited number of Scholarships are available, and award will be considered on the basis of:
-
Eligibility due to EU Fee Status
-
Personal Statement relating to desire to take part in programme.
