Academic Excellence
A History of Academic Excellence
With over 160 years of tradition, UCD has been a major contributor to the making of modern Ireland; leading and shaping the development of this nation since its foundation in 1854.
UCD was formed from founder Cardinal John Henry Newman’s, ‘The Idea of a University’. This theorisation sought ‘true enlargement of mind’ and ‘a university mission to benefit the wider world’. To this day, UCD stays true to this ethos.
As a graduate student at UCD, you will be taken on a journey of intense intellectual stimulation, learning new skills and dramatically expanding your knowledge of your chosen discipline. It is a tremendously rewarding experience and one that will both enrich your life and enhance your career prospects.
UCD offers world leading academic facilities including the UCD O’Brien Centre for Science, Sutherland School of Law, Lochlann Quinn School of Business and Moore Centre for Business. The main Dublin campus occupies an extensive parkland estate of 133 hectares with leading sports facilities and a wide range of clubs and societies.
UCD is globally recognised for its excellence in teaching and learning. UCD is ranked within the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide and offers the best internationally accredited curriculum in Ireland with 4 subjects in the top 50 and 16 in the top 100 (source: QS World University Rankings 2025 and QS Subject Rankings 2024).
UCD is renowned for exemplary lecturers and professors. Taught and motivated by these academics, our students have gone on to achieve great things. Presidents, Taoisigh, CEOs, Olympians, Oscar winners, international athletes, social justice champions, educators, innovators and entrepreneurs have all been taught by the inspirational academics here at UCD.
The approaches to teaching at UCD are as distinctive and varied as the scholars who teach the subject matter. What unifies all of our expert teachers is the passion that they have for their field of expertise.
UCD Graduate Admissions
University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.(If you are an international student please visit UCD Global) T: +353 1 716 7777