General Requirements

Are there age limits?

Students must normally be seventeen years of age by 15 January following entry: i.e. for entry in 2023, date of birth must be on or before 15 January 2007. There is no upper limit. In exceptional circumstances the requirement may be appealed.

How are applications assessed?

Undergraduate applications for stage 1 who are eligible for EU fee rate apply via CAO and are assessed in accordance with CAO procedures and published criteria.

For most graduate programmes and for non-EU undergradaute entrants application is via www.ucd.ie/apply

• For graduate applicants, in general, each programme has an assigned Admissions Tutor who is responsible for reviewing the application and issuing offers. Most programmes have delegated the assessment of non-EU applicants to UCD Global.
• Applications are assessed primarily on academic criteria, although in some cases interviews or additional criteria may be required. Entry criteria are approved by Programmes and/or UPB.
• As English is the teaching language of the university all applicants must provide evidence of English language proficiency.
• Offers are made in accordance with published entry criteria and in line with UCD's strategic objective "to attract and retain an excellent and diverse cohort of students".
• As applications are generally assessed on a rolling basis, applicants are not necessarily ranked relative to one another.

What is my responsibility as an applicant?

As an applicant, it is your responsibility to

• check entry criteria for the programmes for which you are applying. Please note, criteria can change from year to year.
• provide full and accurate information in the application and to notify UCD of any changes or corrections made to the original application. We (UCD) may request verification from the issuing authority of any or all details on documentation presented. If documents are found to have been falsified the awarding body will be notified and, if an offer has issued, it may be withdrawn.

All offers are subject to UCD's terms and conditions of offer. In some circumstances offers may be withdrawn as detailed in the terms and condition of offer.

What is UCD's responsibility?

UCD's responsibility is to

• treat all applicants in an equitable and fair way
• adhere to published policies and procedures
• manage and retain records in line with the Admissions Data Retention Policy
• respond to applicants queries in a timely manner.

When will I start, if I'm offered a place?

Lectures will commence in early September each year. Academic term dates can be found here.

Prospective undergraduate students should note that the University holds induction events for freshers in the week prior to the commencement of lectures. This involves registration, academic advisory, social and orientation meetings. 

Will I have to pay fees?

Please check the website www.ucd.ie/fees for up-to-date information on fee requirements.

Will I have to have my background checked?

If you are admitted to certain programmes in UCD you will be required to complete Garda Vetting. In the event that a relevant offence is disclosed, you may not be permitted to register. If you have lived outside Ireland for more than 6 months since the age of 18, you must provide Police Certificates for any countries in which you have lived.