Students with UK citizenship and who meet the criteria for EU/EEA fees should apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO). Prospective applicants presenting A-levels who are assessed for non-EU fees should apply direct to UCD. 

Applicants presenting A-level and GCSE must have six recognised subjects, selected according to course requirements, and must obtain Grade C, or better, in two subjects at A-level (A2) and Grade C, or better, in the remaining four subjects at GCSE. (please see below for conversion of Irish leaving certificate requirements to A-level/GCSE grades)

For all courses in UCD, this must include English. However, admission to all courses is competitive and candidates will generally need at least 3 A-levels to have a competitive points score.

Do I have to take Irish?

If either of the following applies to you, you are automatically exempt from Irish and it is not necessary for you to apply for exemption.

  • your permanent residence is in Northern Ireland and you are presenting GCE/GCSE qualifications
  • you were born outside Ireland (32 Counties) and
  • your permanent residence is outside Ireland and
  • you are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate for matriculation.

If these aren't appropriate you can, apply for an NUI exemption from Irish. To apply for an exemption, it is necessary to send a completed Exemption Application Form and other relevant material.

UCD is a constituent university of the National University of Ireland and full regulations are published on their website.

Language Exemptions

Applicants with specific learning difficulties affecting language acquisition (dyslexia) may apply for exemption from the requirement of presenting another language. To apply for an NUI exemption, it is necessary to send a completed Exemption Application Form and other relevant material.

Are all subjects recognised?

If you are presenting subjects through a GCE/GCSE examination programme ensure that you refer to the National University of Ireland listing (pdf) for details of which subjects and combinations are acceptable.

Are there specific subject requirements for each course?

Yes. The details of the requirements for each course are on the main entry requirements page. To compare the grades mentioned with A-levels, please use the table below: 

Higher Level Requirements               Ordinary Level Requirements                   
Irish Leaving Certificate Grade   A-level (A2) AS Irish Leaving Certificate Grade  A-level (A2)  AS GCSE 
H1 A   O1 C B 9/A*
H2 B   O2 D C 8/A
H3 B   O3 D C 7/A
H4 C   O4 E D 6/B
H5 C   O5 E D 5/C
H6 D C O6 E D  4/C
H7 E D        

What are Laboratory Science Subjects?

The following subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate/A-level are recognised laboratory science subjects:

  • Agricultural Science
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics and Chemistry (Joint)
  • Physics

In addition Science at GCSE (grade C or better) is recognised. Additional subjects are also shown on the NUI list.

For Science (DN200) the subejcts Geography, Computer Science and Applied Maths may also be used as a Laboratory Science subject.

How do my A-level grades compare to points?

Scoring is as follows   Notes 
  Best 3
A-levels		 4th Subject  
  • A maximum of four different recognised subjects, which are not mutually exclusive may be counted.
  • If 4 A-levels are presented the lowest grade is scored at a lower rate.
  • An applicant's score will be calculated on the basis of either of the following:
    a) their best 4 A level subjects from one academic year
    or
    b) their best 3 A level subjects from one academic year plus one AS in a different subject from the same or the preceding academic year only.
  • UCD will accept A-level subjects presented in the Modular format provided that the results required for admissions issue simultaneously.
  • AVCE subjects are not accepted for matriculation or entry purposes.
  • 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade E or better in Mathematics at A2 level. This will apply to only ONE mathematics subject of Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Maths where that subject is one of the four subjects being counted for points purposes.
  • NB Mathematics and Pure Mathematics cannot be counted separately for points purposes.
  • In the case of high demand programmes such as Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, a numerus clausus may operate i.e. if there is a significant imbalance in the proportions of eligible applicants for a course between Leaving Certificate and other EU qualifications, places are offered to eligible applicants from each examination system group on the basis of ranking within their group.

* Extended project (EPQ)is scored as an AS level and an A* is available in this.
A-level AS  
A* 185 45 31*  
A 156 38 26  
B 131 32 22  
C 106 26 18  
D 84 20 14  
E 63 15 11  
         
Please see also subject entry requirements and previous years' points.

 Are re-sit A levels accepted?

Generally, yes but scoring remains as above i.e. applicants are scored on their best 4 A level subjects from one academic year or their best 3 A level subjects from one academic year plus one AS in a different subject from the same or the preceding academic year only.

For DN400 Medicine, the requirement is that the score must come from the same sitting in which matriculation is met. For A-level candidates this means minimum subject entry requirements for the programme must be met in the normal timeframe of GCSE examinations being presented 2 years prior to the A Level results used for scoring.

How do I apply?

Application is made through the Central Applications Office.

Terms & Conditions

All offers of a place are subject to UCD's Terms and Conditions of Offer.

General Regulations

All students must comply with the general regulations of the university.