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 Paddy Mallon
Professor Paddy Mallon attended the Christian Brothers’ Grammar School in Belfast. He graduated from Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast before training in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases in London and Sydney, Australia, where he completed a PhD in HIV Comorbidities at the Kirby Institute at University of New South Wales.
In 2007, he returned to Ireland to take up a clinical academic role in UCD and as a consultant in Infectious Diseases at the Mater Hospital. In 2018, he took up the role of UCD Full Professor of Microbial Diseases, moving to St. Vincent’s University Hospital. In 2019, he established the UCD Centre for Experimental Pathogen Host Research (CEPHR), which focuses on translational research into outcomes of infections such as HIV, COVID-19 and tuberculosis. CEPHR has grown to be the largest research centre in Infectious Diseases in Ireland, with international research programmes spanning major challenges in global infectious diseases. He has been involved in successful research grant applications totalling over €69 million in funding, resulting in more than 200 peer-reviewed publications.
His own research interests include age-related outcomes in HIV and host biological determinants of outcome from infection. He is on the governing board of the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS). As Head of Education for EACS, he oversaw the development of the first European Curriculum in HIV and the rollout of the EACS Diploma in HIV Medicine.
Professor Mallon commenced in his role as Dean and Head of UCD School of Medicine on 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.