2026 Dates
2 June - 26 June 2026
Social Justice & Irish Culture (4-weeks)
Key Facts
Programme Overview
Social Justice & Irish Culture (4 weeks):
This unique joint programme is designed for students interested in social justice issues and Irish culture and identity. Students enroll in the Exploring Social Justice module for the first two weeks and will enroll in ‘Performing Irish Identity’ for the second two weeks.
SSJ10120 Exploring Social Justice (2nd-13th June):
During the first two weeks, students will gain in-depth knowledge of theories and perspectives on social justice and oppression. They will learn to identify intersectional oppressions and struggles related to gender, class, race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation in Ireland. Students will have the unique opportunity to engage with activists and civil society organisations in Dublin and will analyse their strategies of resistance and mobilization. By the end of these two weeks, students will have a clearer understanding of why specific groups, individuals, or communities experience various forms of injustice in Ireland and what actions have been taken to confront and resist social inequalities.
Students will gain experiential knowledge by participating in firsthand workshops and discussions with feminist, worker, anti-racist, migrant, and LGBTQ+ activists in Ireland and will collectively design posters and campaigns calling for actions and social change. They will develop an autoethnographic social justice journal reflecting on their trips, walks, and visits to historical and contemporary sites of oppression, resistance, and solidarity.
IRST30230 Performing Irish Identity (15th-26th June):
In the third and fourth weeks, students will explore key ideas and concepts related to Irish cultural practices and traditions. They will engage with multidisciplinary sources and texts, developing skills in critical analysis alongside practice-based workshops. Students will gain first-hand access to a wide range of performances and representations of Irish culture, including art, film, literature, manuscripts, music and dance, & sculpture.
Application Procedure & Deadline
Entry requirements:
- Full-time registered student
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0—official transcript must be provided with the application
- Full English requirements
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, by the time the programme commences
- Copy of official government photo ID, e.g., National ID card, Passport
We will begin to accept applications from interested students for Summer 2026 from 31st October. Offers will be released by late March.
See below for instructions on how to apply.
How to Apply:
- Go tothe UCD Course Catalogueand type the Major code 'CD44' into the search box, which will bring up the Social Justice & Irish Culture Summer Programme
- Select ‘Start a new course application.’ This will redirect to a new login page and prompt students to create an account. You will receive an email from UCD IT Services with login credentials. Take a note/record of your login and password, as it is needed to log back into an application when accepting an offer
- To resume with an application, click on the ‘Continue’ hyperlink embedded in the email.
- Students will be asked to log in using the credentials recently created and will land directly on the application form for the programme they have chosen.
- Guidance on how to complete the application, as well as how to upload any supplemental information, can be accessed in our dedicated video either on (opens in a new window)YouTube or on the application portal in the FAQ article (opens in a new window)How to use the Application Portal.
Cultural and Social Programme
An essential part of studying abroad is to allow students to have an immersive experience and learn about the local culture and traditions that the host country has to offer. There will be a complimentary and varied Cultural & Social Programme on offer to students who participate on our programme. You will be taken on various cultural trips and you will have the opportunity to learn about t Irish culture through a series of excursions.
By participating in these activities students will also have the opportunity to meet and mingle with students on other UCD Study Abroad summer programmes, from a range of interests. A schedule of cultural and social activities will be shared with you, prior to your arrival at UCD. So what are you waiting for? Apply today!
Housing at UCD
Accommodation fees are not included in tuition fees and must be paid separately. If you would like to apply for on-campus accommodation, then this can be indicated on the application. You will then receive information about how to apply and costs for on-campus accommodation via e-mail, once the application deadline passes.
The accommodation cost for Summer 2026 is TBC. The accommodation rate for Summer at UCD 2025 was USD $67.25 per student/night for a single ensuite room. This rate included bed linen, weekly housekeeping, 24-hour reception, and other amenities.
To preview the various on-campus accommodation options available, please visit the UCD Residences website.
Students are welcome to not stay on campus but must note that finding accommodation off-campus will be solely their responsibility.
Coordinators & Student Supports
Each year, UCD welcomes hundreds of international students to its campus over the summer. The UCD campus is home to a thriving student community and provides a wide range of student support services. As a UCD student, you are entitled to use the range of student support services on campus. Learning resources such as the library will guide you in your studies, and if you have any personal difficulties, we will be there to help. For any academic or personal difficulties students may encounter, a range of student supports is available.
Academic Coordinators:
Dr. Krisna Ruette-Orihuela & Dr Aoife Whelan are the joint academic coordinators for the Social Justice & Irish Culture Summer Programme and are available to provide academic support and guidance to students on the college's summer programme. Dr. Krisna Ruette-Orihuela is a Lecturer/Assistant Professor at the School of Social Policy, Social Work, and Social Justice at UCD, while Dr. Aoife Whelan is a Lecturer in Modern Irish and Irish Studies in UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore.
krisna.ruette-orihuela@ucd.ie /aoife.whelan@ucd.ie
Student Advisers:
Our team of student advisers is here to ensure that your experience at UCD is as fulfilling and successful as possible. They are available to assist students with personal, academic, financial, and practical problems. See here for more information.