We are delighted you are commencing graduate study with us. UCD is fully committed to providing the best experience for all our students. We have outlined 5 initial steps we suggest to begin your graduate experience at UCD.
1. Registration, fees, funding and financial planning
Registration
- You will need to register online before you can begin your graduate studies. Registration allows you to obtain your Student Card (Ucard) and gain access to UCD's wide range of facilities. (Note that all students who are starting Stage 1 of a course or programme at UCD are required to have a Ucard.)
- Check key dates to see when online registration opens for your programme.
- View the Guide to Online Registration.
Fees and grants
- A breakdown of your fee obligation is available while registering in the SIS (Student Information System) through your UCD Connect account. To make the process easier, you can take advantage of our online payment facility in SISWeb during online registration.
- All students in receipt of the SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) Student Grant Scheme must pay the Student Centre Levy plus any fees not payable under the grant scheme. For further information on the student grant system, visit the HEA or SUSI websites.
View information and payment details or submit fee-related queries on the UCD Fees website.
Funding
- Familiarise yourself with upcoming funding opportunities, such as the Government of Ireland Scholarships – see also the Funding and Scholarships section of this website.
Financial Planning
- Whether or not you are in receipt of funding, that may cover a fees and stipend, it is still important to ensure that you plan appropriately for completing a graduate research programme. At the start of a programme, you may need to take into account costs such as rent deposits and, if you are funded, the start-date of your stipend. International students should also plan for the higher cost of living in Ireland and expenses such as health insurance and interim accommodation (until more permanent accommodation is found). International students may wish to look at the guidance from UCD Global on cost of living and financial preparations.
2. Support services
University College Dublin provides a wide variety of supports for graduate research students, including a dedicated Student Adviser and Career and Skills Consultant. An overview of these supports can be found on the graduate student supports at a glance guide. Further information on the supports available to graduate research students is given below:
Commuting to UCD
- The UCD Commuting Guide is a useful reference.
- The Belfield campus is located 4km from Dublin city centre on the N11.
- UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School is located 10km south of Dublin City Centre in Blackrock, Co. Dublin.
- Our campus is easily accessible by car, DART and bus.
IT Services
Your UCD Connect account gives access to email and Google Drive storage, Google calendar, eLearning resources, software and much more.
Student Desk
The Student Desk is here to help you. Check out the Ask Us page for current services. You will also find useful information on the FAQs page.
Students' Union
- You have a dedicated Students' Union (SU) Graduate Officer, who is responsible for providing assistance with issues relating to both your education and welfare.
- For further information, contact graduate@ucdsu.ie
This is only a starting point; view the full range of Student Services.
3. Your School
- Whether you are undertaking a taught or a research programme, the key academic contacts will be within your School; please engage with your Supervisor (research students) or Programme Coordinator (taught students).
- Your School may organise induction events; please check with your School Graduate Coordinator or equivalent.
Research students, see Guidelines on Working with your Supervisor.
4. Orientation
You will receive information directly from your School regarding their planned induction activities. UCD Graduate Studies invites:
- all incoming graduate research students (i.e Doctoral, MD and Research Master’s degree programmes) to attend our graduate research student orientation on Wednesday, 18th September 2024 from 10:00- 13:00 (venue details TBC).
- all incoming graduate taught students (Master’s and Higher Diploma degrees) to attent GradsCONNECT that will take place on Tuesday 24th September 2024 from 16:00 to 18:00 in O'Reilly Hall.
These events are intended to give graduate students a helpful overview of key information and supports at UCD as well as an opportunity to meet other incoming graduate students from across the University.
Find more information and register for these events
Brightspace resources
UCD Graduate Studies also offers an online Orientation for Graduate Research Students module, which students can access via UCD's VLE Brightspace (UCD student login required). For details about how to enrol, please refer to our Brightspace enrolment instructions Graduate Orientation_2024.
Graduate taught students can engage with the Introduction to UCD Brightspace module available on Brightspace. The module emphasises the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, how to be an active bystander, helps you navigate UCD's digital infrastructure and promotes the principles Academic Integrity through a library led educational tool.
