Engineering Sustainability
International Summer School
The UCD School of Biosystems & Food Engineering in its current form was established circa 2011 - it was previously part of the School of Agriculture, Food Science and Veterinary Medicine and is the oldest, largest, and highest ranked school of its kind in Ireland.
Working together to solve climate and sustainability challenges, the School will run a 2-week Sustainability International Summer School in July on UCD’s main Belfield campus in Dublin 4.
Summer 2025 places are limited so
Quick Facts
TBC
2025 Dates
2 weeks
Duration
€3,500
2025 Tuition Fees
31st March 2025
Application Deadline
5-ECTS
Credits
Cultural and Social Programme
An essential element of Summer Schools is for students to experience Irish society and culture. A series of excursions and events will be organised collectively between UCD Global and the other Summer Schools so subject to space and capacity, students will be given the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in Irish culture. Attendance on the trips is at their discretion but students will be encouraged to sign up for the excursions and field trips in Dublin and around Ireland. This will provide you with first-hand experience of the historic and cultural sites that surround you.
Academic Programme Overview
We invite university students from anywhere in the world to come to Ireland to learn and work with Irish students, businesses, and community stakeholders, to examine, understand and propose solutions for Ireland’s climate and sustainability challenges. On completion, participants will have learned key skills in critical analysis, systems thinking, collaboration and innovation, which will have been applied to site-specific climate and sustainability challenges in Ireland.
Who should apply to participate?
Students enrolled in Bachelors, Masters of PhD courses, with at least 2 years university experience complete, are welcome to apply.
What will you learn?
- Systems Thinking – how to see the bigger picture of the interconnected factors that influence human activity and its place in space.
- Critical Analysis – how to see a problem from different perspectives, and how to collate and interpret evidence to find solutions.
- Collaboration – how to work in multi-disciplinary, international teams to solve real-world problems.
- Innovation – the process of developing an idea from germination to fruition in a real-world, business setting.
What will the summer school cost?
In 2025 the summer school will cost €3,500 all inclusive (accommodation, meals, cultural activities and transport from arrival on campus to departure).
Application Procedure & Deadline:
Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply or the international equivalent. The application is open to both EU and Non-EU students.
Applicants can email a copy of their academic transcript and a copy of their passport to (opens in a new window) annette.patchett@ucd.ie before 31st March 2025. Please include <firstname_lastname_Sustainability Summer School> in the subject line.
The application portal for Summer 2025 is NOW OPEN. The deadline for application is March 31st, 2025.
Successful applicants will receive an offer email and they will also receive an acceptance letter 6-8 weeks prior to arrival. Should an applicant require a visa to enter Ireland, please contact the Programme Manager as a matter of priority to expedite the acceptance letter. Visa applications should be made in a timely manner.
Credit:
We recommend Partners award 5-ECTS/3 US credits on successful completion. However, on awarding a Certificate of Completion, we will leave the transfer of credits to the home institution
Award:
A minimum grade of C to award a Certificate of Completion which will be sent to the home institution.
Student Supports
Each year, UCD welcomes hundreds of international students to its campus. The UCD campus is home to a thriving student community and provides a wide range of student support services. As a UCD student you are entitled to use the range of student support services on campus. Learning resources such as the library will guide you in your studies and if you have any personal difficulties we will be there to help. For any academic or personal difficulties students may encounter, a range of student supports is available.
Programme Manager:
The School Manager in Biosystems & Food Engineering, Annette Patchett is the first point of contact for programme related queries. Annette will communicate with you about your application, registration and other important issues related to your programme. Students are encouraged to review our website, read the emails issued to you, and also to email the programme manager with any questions you have -(opens in a new window) annette.patchett@ucd.ie
Student Advisers:
Student Advisers provide support for all students during their University experience. They are available to assist students with personal, academic, financial and practical problems. Ms Julia Maher is the Student Adviser in the College of Engineering & Architecture.
Housing:
UCD Residences offers a variety of facilities and services to our residents. The majority of our summer students live in the on campus UCD Residences. Students tend to live in 4-6 bed shared apartments with their own private room and there are also twin studio apartments available to book on request. Take a virtual tour of our various Residences here