Mission & Vision
Mission: To build a community of healthcare professionals and scientists that improves health outcomes through excellence in education, research, and patient care.
Vision: Health and well-being in Ireland and around the world.
About Us
At UCD School of Medicine, we're shaping the future of healthcare through innovative education, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to global health.
Founded in 1854 and one of Ireland's leading medical schools, we offer:
- Undergraduate programs in Medicine, Radiography, and Biomedical Health & Life Sciences (BHLS)
- Over 60 graduate programs for healthcare professionals, from doctors and forensic scientists to healthcare managers
Our Unique Advantage: Global Diversity
With students from over 152 nations, the UCD campus is a truly international hub of learning. Our diverse community enriches the educational experience, preparing students to excel in a global healthcare landscape.
School of Medicine by Numbers
- 2100+ Undergraduate Students
- 1000+ Graduate Students
- €108m+ External Research Funding
- 220+ Academic Staff
- 210+ Research Funded Staff
- 980 Adjunct Faculty
- A diverse cohort of Irish and international students with
90 nationalities represented across the School of Medicine
UCD is ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide.
UCD is ranked 49th in the world in the QS Sustainability Ranking 2025.
UCD is Ireland's global university: with over 11,000 international students making
up over 25% of the students body and a further 5,100+ overseas.
Academic Objectives
- Deliver inspiring educational programs
- Conduct high-impact research
- Innovate in teaching and assessment
- Attract and develop exceptional talent
- Create globally competitive graduates
- Foster a strong, supportive community
Core Values
- Excellence
- Integrity
- Collegiality
- Engagement
- Diversity
- Public service
- Clinical leadership
Our Philosophy
We believe in:
- Evidence-based medical science
- Professional and compassionate clinical practice
- Patient-centered care
- Scientific integrity
Meet the Dean: Professor Michael Keane
Professor Michael Keane was appointed as Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics at UCD and Consultant Respiratory Physician at St Vincent’s University Hospital (SVUH) in 2007. A graduate of UCD School of Medicine he undertook fellowship training in pulmonary and critical care medicine at University of Michigan from 1995-1998 and then joined the faculty there. In 2000 he moved to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where he was Director of the Fellowship Training Program and Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit until 2007 when he returned to Dublin.
Professor Keane was Dean and Head of School of Medicine at UCD from 2018. He has chaired the Board of Directors of the RCSI and UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC) in Penang since 2018. He has also held significant management positions at SVUH having served on the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group Board of Directors for nine years and has filled the roles of Group Clinical Director and interim CEO. He has significant roles in postgraduate medical education serving on the council of the Royal College of Physicians in Ireland (RCPI) and he is currently Registrar in the RCPI. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians London. His research interests are in the areas of interstitial lung disease and rare lung diseases. He has published widely in these areas and he is on the editorial board of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine and associate editor of Respirology.
From 1 September 2025 Professor Keane commenced in his new role as College Principal, UCD College of Health and Agricultural Science. Professor Paddy Mallon has been appointed the new Dean and Head of School from 15 September 2025.
History
Founded in 1854 and part of CUI (Catholic University of Ireland), the Catholic University Medical School (known as the Medical School of the Apothecaries’ Hall) was originally located on Cecilia Street in Dublin 2. At that time Cardinal John Henry Newman was First Rector of CUI (from 1851 – 1858). In 1908, the School became the UCD Medical Faculty. After its first 74 years of existence, the School relocated to Earlsfort Terrace in the 1930’s and in 2007, UCD completed a long-anticipated move to a state-of-the-art teaching and research health sciences complex at UCD's Belfield campus.
Teaching & Learning
The School supports staff to deliver inclusive, innovative and research-informed teaching that leads to engaging and meaningful learning experiences for all UCD students. Learn more here.
Medicine 2030
The School commits to a comprehensive programme of curriculum change in 2023/2024, the outcome of which will be the development and recommendation of a new curriculum (Medicine 2030) for each of our undergraduate entry and graduate entry Medicine programmes. Click here to find out more.
Sustainability
UCD aims to be a thought and action leader of transformational change for sustainability. Through its education, research and innovation, its campuses, its community and its partnerships and wider engagement, UCD will maximise its contribution to achieving sustainability at local, national and global levels. Learn more here.