Withdrawing from your Programme

UCD recognises that for a variety of reasons you may need to withdraw from your Programme and the University. Once you notify the University that you are withdrawing from your Programme, your registration is ended, and you are no longer a student of the University (effective from the date on which you formally submit the withdrawal notification form to your College/School Office).

If you are not continuing with your Programme, you must complete and submit an official Withdrawal Form.  The form is accessed via   (opens in a new window)SISWeb,  Programme Services and  ‘My Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Requests’.

For fee purposes, the date of withdrawal will be considered the date by which your completed form is submitted online (to your College/School Office) for action.

Withdrawing from your Programme instructions.

Note: If you have applied for a Leave of Absence, as opposed to a Programme Withdrawal, information on the implications of this request can be found on this page.

Fee Implications

1. 'Free' fee students

a) 'Free' fee students who register and officially withdraw with their College/School Office by completing the Withdrawal Form and returning their student card from 04 November 2023 to 31 January 2024 inclusive are liable for payment of half the Student Contribution Charge, €3,000 and half the Student Centre Levy €254 i.e. a total of €1,627*. Further, half of the tuition fee will be claimed on the student’s behalf from the HEA. A student will then be liable to pay half the tuition fee for the equivalent period of attendance if they register within the next 5 years in any Irish third-level institution. Where students have taken more, or less, credits in the first trimester, they will be liable for a proportionate amount of the Student Contribution.

(b) 'Free' fee students who register and officially withdraw by completing the Withdrawal Form and returning their student card on or after 1 February 2024 are liable for full payment of the Student Contribution Charge, €3,000and the Student Centre Levy, €254i.e. a total of €3,254. FURTHER, the full tuition fee will be claimed on the student’s behalf from the HEA. A student will have to pay full fees for the equivalent period of attendance if they register within the next 5 years in any Irish third-level institution.

* If entitled to 'free' fees; if not, the appropriate tuition fee must be paid. 
(Note: no charge applies to students who transfer to another third-level institution as a result of a higher CAO offer).

1.1 'Free' Fee students withdrawing on medical grounds

The Department of Education & Skills allows students who withdraw from their programme in exceptional circumstances, such as certified serious illness, to apply to Administrative Services – Student Records for permission to re-attend as 'free' fee students. Detailed medical certificates that must include referrals to a consultant or consultants and/or details of hospitalisation obtained at the time of the illness must be supplied. It should be clear from such documentation that the student was actively prevented from attending or participating in his/her programme for a significant period. Students who become ill after lectures for the academic year have been completed are not entitled to apply for 'free' fees on medical grounds. It is important to note that the Department of Education & Skills stipulates that this concession if granted, applies only where a student is returning to the same college and the same programme. If a student attends a different programme at UCD or a course at another third-level college they will be liable for half or full tuition fees based on the original period of attendance.

2. All Other 2023/24 Students (Academic Year Starting September 2023)

a) If you officially withdraw on or before 03 November 2023 you will receive a full refund of any payments made, subject to points (1.4) and (1.5) of the refunds policy.

b) If you register and subsequently withdraw from the programme you must complete an official Withdrawal Form, via SISWeb, and submit it to your College/School Office (as well as return your student card).

c) Students who withdraw after 04 November 2023 are liable for fees as follows:

For all undergraduate programmes and graduate programmes of 2-trimester and less than 90 credits:

For programmes of 3-trimesters and 90 credits or more:

2.1 All other students - withdrawing on medical grounds

The University allows students who withdraw from their programme in exceptional circumstances, such as certified serious illness, to apply to their School/Programme to have these circumstances taken into account. This may lead to a partial or full refund of fees paid. Detailed medical certificates that must include referrals to a consultant or consultants and/or details of hospitalisation obtained at the time of the illness must be supplied. It should be clear from such documentation that the student was actively prevented from attending or participating in their programme for a significant period.