FAQs for Incoming Exchange Students
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Updated Thursday 6 January 2022

These Frequently Asked Questions have been updated for Incoming Exchange students who will commence their studies at UCD in 2021/22.

We will update this page as more information becomes available, so please check back regularly.

If you have any immediate concerns or need some help, please contact us by emailing incoming.exchanges@ucd.ie. 

You can also reach us at incoming.erasmus@ucd.ie. 

Planning your Exchange in 2021/22

For the time being, we are preparing for student exchange to go ahead as normal in the Spring Trimester 2022. Any further updated information will be communicated in due course when available.

All new exchange nominations and applications for study at UCD will be treated as normal, irrespective of where you are from or currently reside.
We are monitoring the situation closely and will update these FAQs as more information about the Spring Trimester 2022 becomes available.
Our advice is that you check back with your home university’s latest advice and guidance about international travel.

Yes, if approved and nominated by your home university – please still apply as the situation in all countries is likely to change over the next few months. We will continue to welcome applications from students nominated by their home university to take part in the exchange programme. If your application is successful, we will be in touch with you about the next steps leading up to registration. We will continue to follow public health guidelines and will be sure to notify any affected applicants should alternative arrangements apply.

If you contract COVID-19 before you are due to travel to Ireland for the start of your course, you should not travel, and should follow the local health advice. You should wait for clear medical advice that you are no longer contagious before you consider travelling.

You should contact UCD and inform us of your situation. We are currently investigating options for our students who cannot make it to UCD for the beginning of the January 2022 trimester.

Arrival in Ireland

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. 



Please refer to the UCD academic term dates 2022/2023 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).

 

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.

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.

Starting my Studies in UCD in September 2022

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 2022, we have commenced a safe return to on-campus teaching, learning and assessment last year. We also provided our students with a holistic campus experience that included safe participation in extracurricular activities, society events and sports. The University complies with public health requirements and will continue to 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 also operate in accordance with public health advice and guidance. 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. We have introduced additional hygiene and cleaning services. We 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 2022/23, 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:

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