There are so many reasons why an international Masters student would want to study in Ireland and at University College Dublin (UCD).
Ireland is an ideal destination for an international student who wants a world-class education in a progressive, innovative country with promising career options. It is also perfect for students interested in stunning scenery, beautiful coastal and mountain walks, ancient culture and architecture.
Graduates who want to stay on long after they complete their studies and pursue a career will be happy to know they can avail of a two-year stay-back visa.
Ireland is a very safe, friendly and welcoming country. On the Global Peace Index Ireland is ranked 3rd in the world, and 13th in the World Happiness Index. Young Irish people have the fourth highest standard of education in the world, according to the OECD 2019 Education report.
The Bloomberg Innovation Index 2021 has ranked Ireland as the 17th most innovative country in the world. Ireland is also home to five of Forbes Top 10 companies; Apple, Google, Alphabet, Amazon and Samsung.
Established in 1854, there are now 38,000 students studying at UCD. Approximately 12,000 are Masters students.
Through six Colleges, UCD offers Ireland’s most diverse range of graduate opportunities. Masters programmes are led by academic experts and offer international graduate students unparalleled choice at all levels. UCD’s graduate programmes are recognised and valued by academic institutions and employers around the world. UCD offers Doctoral Programmes, taught and research masters, graduate diplomas, certificate programmes and higher diplomas. Taught programmes are modularised to facilitate access, continuing professional development and life-long learning.
The UCD Alumni Network is influential, successful, active and truly international. Many of the 300,000 UCD global alumni network, living in 184 countries, hold positions in leading organisations around the world. As soon as a student enrols at UCD, they have instant access to the digital platform of the UCD Alumni Network where they can connect with international alumni all over the world and benefit from their advice and insights.
The UCD Careers Network offers world-class career services to our Master's students. Through the Jumpstart programme, international students begin their preparations before they arrive on campus. They have access to interview preparation, internship opportunities, and alumni connections.
University College Dublin is the best university for international students in Ireland with over 9,500 students from more than 152 countries studying at UCD.
There are many career opportunities open to you when you graduate from UCD. We are ranked number 1 in Ireland for graduate employability by QS World Rankings. UCD has been number 1 for five consecutive years.
UCD is situated on 133 hectares of beautiful, green parkland – one of the largest urban campuses in Europe. Students live and study in modern, world-class buildings surrounded by beautiful, green parkland, wildlife and fabulous facilities. Take our 3D campus tour to experience it for yourself!
Some of the world-leading facilities our students benefit from include the UCD O'Brien Centre for Science, UCD Sutherland School of Law and UCD Lochlan Quinn School of Business.
At UCD our students benefit from a unique and world-class experience, through involvement in clubs, societies and sports, volunteering opportunities, and exposure to active and independent learning strategies.
UCD students are the most engaged in Ireland with over 100 clubs and societies in which they can explore new interests and friendships. These experiences and our campus environment mean that UCD offers unparalleled experiences for students looking to study abroad. Our students enjoy woodland walks, biodiversity areas, wildflower meadows, as well as outstanding sports facilities, health and fitness centre and the UCD Student Centre.
Applying to UCD is always done online - you can apply easily and quickly on our website at www.ucd.ie/global/apply
Have a question? Why don't you check our Applications FAQs page by clicking on the How to Apply button below?
Some, but not all, students will require an entry visa for Ireland. All students from outside the EU/EEA must comply with Irish immigration requirements, which can be different for every country.
Check the Irish Immigration Service website to see if you require a visa.
There are a wide variety of scholarships and awards for international students at UCD. These awards are highly regarded by employers and industry and celebrate the diverse talents of our students. There are also a number of Global Excellence Scholarships available to international students. They are competitively awarded based on academic merit and offered by country and/or by discipline. Students must hold an offer before they can apply for a scholarship. Full terms and conditions apply.
UCD is ranked in the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. In the 2023 QS World University Rankings, UCD was placed 181 in the world.
In the 2023 QS World Subject Rankings, UCD was named among the best universities globally with 42 world-ranked subjects and 4 top-50. The university’s best performance was in Library and Information Management, which ranked in 23rd place. Library and Information Management was also Ireland's highest-ranking programme in this year's listings. Also included in the top 50 were three other subject areas at UCD, namely English Language & Literature and Veterinary Science both ranked in 39th place. Petroleum Engineering was in 40th place.
University College Dublin, Belfield, , Dublin
