COVID-19 FAQs

From 6 March 2022, all COVID-19 travel restrictions are removed. You no longer need to complete a passenger locator form. You also no longer need proof of vaccination or recovery, or a COVID-19 test.

You should follow public health advice if you develop symptoms of COVID-19 or if you are a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19.

For further information, please review the guidelines provided here.

As the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, UCD continues to operate in line with public health guidelines along with sectoral responses to supporting international students within Higher Education. 

We will provide guidance and support to incoming international students in relation to airport arrival, immigration procedures, transport, accommodation, quarantine requirements, private facilities for COVID-19 testing, and how to access student support services if required. 

At present, there is no requirement for you to inform UCD Global about your travel itinerary, however you may be asked to confirm your arrival date and time by UCD Residences if you will be living on campus. 

You should aim to arrive in time for the start of term and have accommodation arrangements in place for when you arrive. 

In terms of transport on arrival, you can find more information about public transport options from Dublin Airport via this website.

Please refer to the UCD academic term dates for 2021/22 when planning your arrival in Ireland. You should also consider the following aspects when planning your travel:

• Date on your entry visa (if you are travelling from a visa-required country).

• Accommodation move-in dates (on-campus or off-campus).

Students are not required to be vaccinated to study at UCD but we recommend that you should avail of an approved vaccine before your departure for Ireland and commencement of your studies.

Details about on-campus accommodation options are available on the  UCD Residences website including an updated set of FAQs for international students. You can also find information about off-campus options through the UCD Accommodation Pad website.

UCD recommends that all international students have the following documents in your hand luggage when you arrive in Ireland and are ready to present them at Immigration Control:

• Passport (with your valid entry visa if you require one)
• UCD Offer Letter (new students) or Certificate of Attendance (continuing students)
• Accommodation details 

 In addition, non-EU students should have the following additional documents to hand:

 Evidence of private medical health insurance with detailed coverage information

• Evidence of tuition fees paid, scholarship or sponsorship details or US Financial Aid (if applicable)
• Evidence that you have access to at least €3,000*
• All documents should be originals and, if in a language other than English, accompanied by a translation. Further information about immigration procedures is available here.

* Students can provide a recent bank statement upon arrival into Dublin. This bank statement can either be in paper form or produced on a device as long as the student is certain that they can access this documentation upon arrival. The translation of a bank statement is not necessary as long as the name of the student is present and the amount in the bank is clear and follows the Eastern Arabic numerical system of 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. However, if the numerical system is different such as Western Arabic, Urdu or Persian, the student will be required to translate the document. The figures can be in any currency and an English speaker should be able to see who owns the account and the amount available. The Immigration Officer can also convert this amount into Euro if they wish to do so.

All international students studying in Ireland can receive public health services for the testing and treatment of the Covid-19 virus. These services are being provided free of charge. For further information on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, please review the information provided by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

If you don't obtain your second vaccine dose before you leave home, you will need to register with the Irish national Covid-19 vaccination programme on arrival in Ireland to secure your second dose. Please make sure you have documentation outlining details of your first dose. To register with our national Covid-19 vaccination programme:

• If you have a PPS number, you can use the online registration portal to book your vaccination.
• If you don't hold a PPS number, you will need to use the telephone registration helpline to register for your vaccination: 1850241850 from Monday-Sunday, 8am-8pm or attend a walk-in clinic when available.
• You will need to be residing here in Ireland in order to book a vaccination appointment, and the health service will not permit you to book an appointment in advance, before your arrival here. You will be required to bring photo identification and proof of address with you when attending your appointment.

Term dates for 2021/22 are listed on the UCD website.

UCD Global will be running a series of social and cultural events for international students who are commencing their studies at UCD in January 2022 from 10  January 2022. These events will be listed on the UCD Global website and social media pages.

​​In accordance with the Irish Government’s plan for a safe return to on-campus activity for universities in September 2021, we have commenced a safe return to on-campus teaching, learning and assessment. We also provide our students with a holistic campus experience that includes safe participation in extracurricular activities, society events and sports. The University complies with public health requirements and will make necessary adjustments if Government advice changes. The following activities and facilities operate on-campus in line with national public health advice and guidance:

• Lectures
• Laboratory teaching
• Classroom based teaching
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Field trips (assessed on a case-by-case basis)
• Libraries (with increased hours and capacity)
• Study spaces (beyond those in our libraries)

 The UCD Sports Centre, clubs and societies, and creche will also operate in accordance with public health advice and guidance. On-campus cafes, restaurants and bars currently require a valid COVID vaccine certificate for indoor hospitality. As members of the UCD Community, we ask all our students to play their part by taking the COVID-19 vaccine unless they have been advised on medical grounds not to. Students will be obliged to wear face masks for class, and we ask that they also wear face masks indoors on campus until such time as the Government relaxes that requirement. We have introduced additional hygiene and cleaning services. Extra staff will be on the ground to ensure public spaces do not become congested. Ventilation has been improved and is monitored closely. Classes will be reduced to 45 minutes to facilitate circulation and set up for lecture capture. We will do all in our power to ensure that the campus is safe as well as welcoming. As students register to their modules they will be informed of their timetable. However, if Government advice requires the University to alter our plans, it may mean changes in how students prepare for class, or in the dates and locations of lectures. Students are asked to read all university emails to keep them abreast of any updates. We will make appropriate provisions for vulnerable students who have been advised against attending campus, and any student falling into this category should make contact with their School or College Office so that the relevant people are aware of their needs. 

If you are unable to travel to Ireland to commence your course, on time, in line with the academic term dates for 2021/22, please contact the UCD Admissions team supporting your application (UCD Global or School office) to enquire about a late start date, outlining the reasons for your request and providing an indication of your expected arrival date.

There are many ways that you can connect with UCD prior to arrival, some of which are listed below:

• Engage with online events published on the UCD Events calendar
• Engage in Virtual Global Lounge events
• Start chatting on the UCD Global Incoming International Students Facebook group
• Undertake the Destination Ireland module (non-credit bearing module which provides an introduction to Ireland’s heritage and culture). Contact ucdgloballounge@ucd.ie for module access details.
• Check out some of the  UCD Festival videos
• Learn more about Irish literature via RadioMoLi, a digital radio station run by the Museum of Literature Ireland
• Review the information on the UCD Global Orientation web-page.

Many UCD academics are undertaking world-leading research on public health and our pandemic response protocols are founded on the latest science and expertise.

We have taken care to make our campus safe, putting appropriate social distancing and new cleaning measures in place. You can find more information on the UCD SIRC website.  

In addition, UCD alongside other Irish higher education institutions represented by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and the Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, have joined together to announce their plans for a safe return to campuses this September with maximum on-site presence. Please visit the Irish Universities Association website for more information.

Ireland's vaccination programme has been moving from strength to strength For up-to-date vaccination statistics, you can find out more information via this website.