Home › Colleges › Ireland › University College Dublin
40%
Acceptance rate
~$27k
Tuition / yr
6.5
IELTS required
28%
Intl students
1854
Founded
#126
QS World rank
Strong business school; EU tech hub. This guide covers University College Dublin's courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.
▶ Predict my admission chances (free)📚 Courses & programs at University College Dublin
University College Dublin is best known for Business, Agriculture, CS. Popular programs for international students include:
- MSc Computer Science
- MSc Business Analytics
- MBA (Smurfit)
- MSc Finance
- MSc Data Science
Class profile: 2:1 honours equivalent. Notable alumni: James Joyce, 3 Irish Presidents.
✅ Entry requirements
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 |
| PTE Academic | 63 |
| Duolingo English Test | 115 |
| GRE | Optional |
| GMAT (MBA) | 600 |
| Min GPA / grade | 3.0/4.0 (2:1) |
| Work experience | 3 yrs (MBA) |
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for University College Dublin.
💰 Fees & cost of studying
| Tuition (international) | €24–29k/yr |
| Application fee | €50 |
| Living costs (est.) | €10,000–12,000/yr |
| Scholarships | UCD Global Excellence |
Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.
📝 Step-by-step admission process
- Shortlist programs
- Meet IELTS 6.5; SOP + references
- Apply online (rolling, Sep intake)
- Receive offer → pay deposit
- Get letter for visa
- Apply for Irish study visa
📄 Documents checklist
- Transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- 2 References
- CV
- IELTS
- Passport
- Proof of funds (€10,000)
- Application fee
🛂 Student visa & post-study work · Ireland
- Student visa: Irish study visa (Stamp 2)
- Work while studying: 20 hrs/week during term
- Post-study work: Stay Back: up to 2 years (master's)
🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission
- Beat the bar. With about 40% acceptance, aim above the minimums — target IELTS 7+ and a strong GPA, and lead with research, projects or publications.
- Write a tailored SOP. Name the exact program and 1–2 professors/labs at University College Dublin and connect your background to them — generic essays are the #1 reason strong profiles get rejected.
- Hit the English score first. University College Dublin needs IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90 / PTE 63. Take a free full-length mock to find your weakest section before you book the real test.
- Prepare finances early. Budget for tuition (€24–29k/yr) plus living costs (€10,000–12,000/yr); visa officers want clear, stable proof of funds.
- Apply in the right intake. University College Dublin's main intakes are Sep & Jan — applying 4–6 months ahead keeps scholarships and on-campus housing open.
📅 Intakes & deadlines
| Intakes | Sep, Jan |
| Typical deadline | Rolling |
| Acceptance rate | 40% (competitive) |
All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (ucd.ie) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score do I need for University College Dublin?
- University College Dublin typically requires IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 90, PTE 63). GRE: Optional.
- How much does University College Dublin cost?
- International tuition is approximately €24–29k/yr, plus living costs of €10,000–12,000/yr. Application fee: €50.
- What is the acceptance rate at University College Dublin?
- University College Dublin has an indicative acceptance rate of about 40% (2:1 honours equivalent).
- What are the intakes and deadlines at University College Dublin?
- Intakes: Sep, Jan. Typical deadline: Rolling.
- Is University College Dublin hard to get into?
- University College Dublin is competitive, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 40%. Aim above the minimum scores and build a standout profile.
- Does University College Dublin require GRE or GMAT?
- GRE: Optional. GMAT (for MBA): 600. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
- Can I work after studying at University College Dublin?
- Stay Back: up to 2 years (master's) (Ireland). You can typically also work part-time while studying: 20 hrs/week during term.
- What documents do I need to apply to University College Dublin?
- Typically: Transcripts, Statement of Purpose, 2 References, CV, IELTS, Passport, Proof of funds (€10,000), Application fee. Check program-specific requirements before applying.