UCD Advantage Award for graduate research students

• Enhance your CV with recognised achievements

Upon completing a research degree at UCD, you will not only have produced a significant body of research but will also have developed a range of transferable skills that support both employability and long-term career growth. The UCD Advantage Award further strengthens your CV by showcasing your active engagement in co-curricular opportunities and your ability to apply real-world skills alongside your academic research.

• Improve your ability to identify and communicate your skills

Through reflecting on your activities, you will develop the ability to clearly identify and articulate the transferable skills you have gained—such as teamwork, leadership, critical thinking, and communication. These skills are vital for crafting strong job applications, presenting yourself effectively in interviews, and supporting both personal and professional growth.

The (opens in a new window)Irish Universities Association Skills Statement  has outlined a set of core skills relevant to research students’ education. The specific skills you develop will vary depending on your experiential learning, disciplinary focus, and professional development needs.

• Gain recognition for your contributions beyond your academic research.

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 whether academic or non-academic.

• 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 your research 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. 

Below are examples of eligible activities. You are not limited to these examples, and we encourage you to reflect on your own unique experiences and choose activities that have contributed to your personal and professional development.

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: Leadership & Personal Development

This theme reflects the role that co-curricular activities play in a research 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 research students who have sought opportunities to develop themselves and demonstrate the skills required for success in the workplace. 

Theme 2: Community & Belonging

This theme reflects the role that co-curricular activity can play in enabling research 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., Residences Assistant, Access Leader, Orientation Guide etc.). 

Theme 3: Global 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 research 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 research 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. You don’t just describe what you did, you need 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 research 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 (opens in a new window)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.