University College Dublin (UCD) : Programs , Fees, Admission, Placement

About the University College Dublin (UCD)

Established on November 3, 1854, as the Catholic University of Ireland by John Henry Newman, University College Dublin is Ireland's largest university. In 1908, the institution became University College Dublin. The main campus of UCD is situated in Belfield, lying just south of Dublin city. It measures a big area of about 133 hectares, approximately 330 acres. There is another campus in Blackrock, mainly used for the Smurfit Graduate Business School.

UCD offers over 400 programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. These are distributed across seven colleges. The major disciplines one can study include Arts and Humanities, Engineering and Architecture, Science, Business, Law, Medicine, and Agriculture.

University College Dublin (UCD) Popular Programs, Duration & Fees

University College Dublin (UCD) offers many courses. Data Science courses include MSc Financial Data Science, MSc Data and Computational Science, and MSc Statistical Data Science, which are aligned to the skills demanded in the current labor market. Engineering programs such as BEng and MEng are of four years and give students good technical knowledge. Finance programs are offered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, which include core knowledge of business and finance. 

University College Dublin (UCD) Rankings and Global Reputation

University College Dublin (UCD) has an impressive reputation in Ireland and Europe. According to the QS World University Rankings for 2025/26, it is ranked 118th across the world. Additionally, it is ranked 1st in Ireland and 49th globally for sustainability. According to Times Higher Education, UCD is ranked in the band of 201-250 worldwide. According to U.S. News rankings, it is positioned at around 245 in the world and 2nd in Ireland. Additionally, it is also ranked 1st in Ireland for graduate employability.

University College Dublin (UCD) Placements & Career Options

The University College Dublin (UCD) has outstanding employment outcomes in terms of its students. The university ranks first in Ireland and between 77th and 88th in the world in terms of employment outcomes in the QS World University Rankings 2025.Approximately 80 to 82 percent of candidates employed are taken from the 2024 intake, and the overall placement rate is at 81.8 percent. The major sectors that they cater to are technology, finance, engineering, and health sciences. The top employers of their graduates are Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, KPMG, Amazon, EY, and Bank of Ireland. The average starting salary range is approximately €32,000 to €38,000, but it can go higher in careers such as Data Science and Finance.

University College Dublin (UCD) Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate Eligibility (Pointers)

• Class 12 , recognized board with 70–80% in best 5 subjects

• Higher marks needed for courses like Engineering and Data Science

• English requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0)

• TOEFL iBT 90 or Duolingo 120 also accepted

• Personal statement and academic references required

• Subject requirements may apply (Maths/Physics for Engineering)

• EU students apply through CAO

• Non-EU students apply directly to UCD

• Main intake is September; deadlines usually around February

Postgraduate Eligibility (Pointers)

• Bachelor’s degree with 2:1 level qualification

• Indian students usually need 50–60% or above

• Relevant academic background required for technical courses

• English requirement: IELTS 6.5–7.0 (no band below 6.0)

• TOEFL iBT 90–100 or equivalent accepted

• CV, personal statement, and two references required

• GRE or GMAT may be needed for some programs

• Applications made online through UCD portal

• Rolling deadlines, early application advised for September intake