Welcome to UCD!
Welcome to UCD for Autumn 2023! UCD Global will be coordinating a series of social and informational events for new international students during September 2023.
The information below will help you settle into life in Ireland.
Orientation Events 2023/24
UCD Global will be hosting a number of events for Orientation in 2023/24, giving you the opportunity to meet our Global Guides in the Global Lounge, learn about life at UCD and in Ireland, such as the best places to shop in Dublin, tips for sightseeing and answering any of your questions.
Arriving to Ireland
Watch our airport arrival video with Global Guide, Bo, welcoming you to Dublin and showing you how to get to UCD.
In the video, you will see what is waiting for you when you arrive and how you can get easily from the airport to our green UCD Campus.
Another UCD student, Bridie has prepared this guide for you!
Dublin Tours (Orientation 2023)
Virtual Tours of Ireland
Ten Irish Museums to Visit Virtually
UCD Student Health Service provides an on campus primary care medical service for all students of UCD. A staff of doctors, nurses and a part time psychiatrist offer professional, confidential care with a wide range of medical services available on the their website.
To learn more about the Irish healthcare system and how services operate, please read through this list of helpful FAQs.
If you are unsure about availability and costs of certain medications in Ireland, please read through the first question on this list titled 'Common Questions about Medications in Ireland'. If you cannot find an answer there you can email the UCD Pharmacy to enquire before you travel: global@procarepharmacy.ie
To find out information about the Student Counselling Service and how to access appointments, please review the information available on the counselling website.
The student Ucard is the official UCD student card. The Ucard is multi-functional, and is used for numerous services on campus i.e. ‘One card for all functions’. Your Ucard offers convenience, flexibility and most importantly, security. Each student has their own personal & confidential Ucard account.
Find out more information and request a UCARD.
Several mobile phone service providers in Ireland offer a range of monthly plans. By topping up mobile credit each month, you can avail of unlimited data and texts with certain mobile phone companies. See the links below for current promotions and call allowances.
Free SIM cards will also be provided for international students checking into UCD Residences (while stocks last!). If you do not get one at check-in, please enquire at the Merville Reception desk.
Alternatively, SIM cards can be ordered online directly from your preferred network provider and you can request it to be posted to your accommodation address.
Unlocking your phone
Students can purchase a new phone when they arrive in Ireland or unlock their existing mobile phones. If you wish to use your existing phone, please ensure that it is unlocked and is compatible to accept an international SIM card. Your current network provider can provide you with your unlocking code.
Your phone may be unlocked already; you can check this by putting in a different SIM card to your current network to see if it works.
Please also ensure that you bring your SIM card removal tool in order to change SIMs between phones when you get to Ireland.
In order to open an Irish bank account with one of the main banks in Ireland, you need to have an address in Ireland, have completed your online registration at UCD and received your Certificate of Attendance.
To make an appointment to open a bank account, see links for Allied Irish Bank (AIB) and Bank of Ireland (BOI) listed below. Whilst different bank branches can be used for opening an account, the AIB branch in Clonskeagh is closest to the Belfield campus, and Blackrock for the Smurfit campus. BOI has branches on the Stillorgan Road and in Blackrock.
On the day of your bank appointment, you will be required to show the following documents:
- Valid Passport/National ID Card.
- Certificate of Attendance that lists both your permanent and Irish addresses. (Please check that your correct addresses are on your SISweb account, as this information will be included on your Certificate of Attendance).
- UCard (UCD student card) is required by Allied Irish Bank.
Alternatively, you may wish to open a digital bank account such as Revolut before coming to Ireland. One Irish company which offers this service is Money Jar. It provides you with an Irish IBAN so you can get paid into your Money Jar account plus pay all of your day-to-day bills, make mobile and online payments with your MJ Mastercard.
To open an account with Money Jar, you need a valid government issued identification document (from any country) and an Irish postal address (to receive your card in the post, it doesn’t have to be your permanent residential address), and you’ll have a digital current account set up in minutes. All Money Jar client funds are held in a tier 1 Irish bank and are fully regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
You can sign up from anywhere in the world by downloading the Money Jar app from your smart phone app store. UCD students can use the sign-up code 71678 to set up an account. Further details are available in the Money Jar - Guide for UCD Students
There is a Centra Supermarket on UCD campus. Check out https://centra.ie/beat-the-queue
Another grocery delivery option is https://buymie.ie
There are a huge range of supermarkets near UCD which you can also order from.
Veganic https://www.veganic.ie/
Supervalu https://shop.supervalu.ie/shopping/
Tesco https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/
Asia Market https://www.asiamarket.ie/
For local take out and dining options check out https://www.tripadvisor.ie
Deliveroo https://deliveroo.ie
Uber Eats Local to UCD
Just Eat https://www.just-eat.ie
Jumpstart - Careers Course for International Students
Handy Map of UCD and surrounding area
For access to the Destination Ireland module (a non-credit bearing online module which will give you an introduction to Ireland’s culture and heritage), please visit the UCD Incoming Student Portal, via the link in your course offer letter. You can access the Destination Ireland module from the UCD portal homepage (SISWeb). You can also email ucdgloballounge@ucd.ie if you have question.
The UCD Dignity & Respect Support Advisers work proactively with students who disclose issues of bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct and those who are reported for such issues. The Advisers, who are experienced and trained to support, respond and advise on all reports of a dignity and respect nature, will provide you with a supportive, confidential environment in which to discuss the issues and will support you to make a decision that is right for you and your situation.
Here are some resources for online yoga, workouts, meditation, pilates, dance and other virtual experiences, which we hope you will find useful, particularly if you are required to isolate or restrict your movements at any stage during your time at UCD: Student Supports and Resources -Restricting Your Movements
The HSE has also developed a series of videos on Minding Your Wellbeing which should be helpful during this time.
UCD Global in collaboration with Bleeper, are providing a fleet of shared bicycles for our international students this trimester.
- These bikes are completely free to use (for international students only).
- Available bikes will be visible via the Bleeper App.
- Bikes can be locked/unlocked using the App - no need for keys!
- Bikes can be used off campus but must be returned to the Belfield/Smurfit Campus at the end of every journey.
- You can sign up from 4th January 2023
- Follow the instructions here: UCD Global Bleeper Bikes
- If you have any issues/queries please contact Bleeper directly (customercare@bleeperactive.
com )
For information on how to have a more sustainable student experience at UCD, and to download your copy of the Student Green Guide, please visit our sustainability page.
You can also stay up to date on UCD Green Campus initiatives via the UCD Green Campus website.
The Campus
The UCD Campus has to be experienced to be believed. Our facilities include world-class teaching and research facilities, modern, comfortable student accommodation, a huge sports centre with Olympic-size swimming pool, interactive laboratories and the biggest animal hospital in Ireland! Get to know our campus a little better in our video, or take a virtual, 3D tour of the campus and experience it for yourself!
The People
At UCD, our faculty and staff are focused on ensuring that all students have the best experience and receive the best education possible in an enjoyable and supportive environment. More than one quarter of our student population is from outside Ireland and the EU, and over one third of our academic staff is from outside Ireland. Our Global Guides are UCD students who are here to help you settle into life at UCD, and who organise many great events for international students in the UCD Global Lounge and Virtual Global Lounge. You can get to know our Global Guides in this video.
Take the Next Step
Contact us today for more information or to apply for a place.