Frequently Asked Questions

University fees are fixed for each academic year and are subject to an annual increase. For information on fees and for official fees listing, please visit: http://www.ucd.ie/fees 

In addition to the programme fees you pay UCD as a student, you will also need to budget for your living costs, including accommodation. You will find helpful information so you can  estimate  living expenses in Dublin at  https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/scholarshipsfinances/livingcosts/

You will need to pay a deposit to secure your place on most courses. If a deposit is required, it will appear under the 'checklist' section of your application once you have been issued with an offer. 

It’s important to keep in mind that typically deposits are non-refundable. For further information please see the following link: https://www.ucd.ie/students/fees/refunds/ 

There are several ways to pay fees to UCD including online, bank transfer or using a bank giro.

If you need to apply for a visa, we recommend using our TransferMate facility. This will generate an automatic fee receipt which you will need for your visa application. You can find more information about paying here: (https://www.ucd.ie/students/fees/howtopay/)

If you make an online payment your receipt will be emailed to the address you provided.

You can also print your own receipt for the current year by logging into your SISWeb account. 

If you pay by bank giro, the portion of the giro stamped by the bank is your receipt.

UCD is delighted to offer a number of scholarships to international students each year, to award their outstanding achievements.

These scholarships are competitively awarded based on academic merit and offered by country and/or by discipline.

Please visit the UCD Global website for information regarding scholarships and how to apply for scholarships - http://www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships

You will first need to receive an offer to study at UCD (either a Conditional or Full Offer) before you apply for a scholarship. In your applicant portal, you will find a list of the scholarships you are eligible for. All deadlines for scholarship applications can be found in the Terms and Conditions available at www.ucd.ie/global/scholarships

Many non-EU/EEA students require an entry visa for Ireland. You can check if you require a visa at http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/check-irish-visa. [Examples – US, Canadian, Malaysian students do not require a visa, Indian, Chinese, Russian, Venezuelan students do require a visa.]

All non-EU/EEA students, whether they require a visa or not, will have to register with Immigration. For more information, please see https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/visasandimmigration/

Under Immigration requirements, all non-EU/EEA students must be enrolled in a FULL-TIME programme to be eligible to apply for a Study Visa.

You are responsible for making your visa application, which is submitted on-line using the AVATS facility at  https://www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx . Completing the on-line application form is the first step. The application will only be processed when the online form is completed AND the required documentation, passport photograph and appropriate fee are received by the relevant offices (indicated by the on-line system).

If you are applying from China, India, Nigeria, Russia, the United Arab Emirates or the United Kingdom, please also check the Irish Embassy website for details of further documentation which may be required.

You should read the visa application details very carefully. If you do not provide the documentation required, your visa will be refused.

To avoid having to rush through the visa application process, and to avoid any unnecessary stress, we recommend that you apply for a visa as soon as possible after you have accepted a Full Offer. Visa processing time, depending on the Embassy, can take up to eight weeks in normal times, and longer in peak times.

All non-EU/EEA students must register with the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) after they have registered with UCD - and before the expiry date stamped on their passport by immigration officials at the airport.

The following documents are required in order to register with the INIS:

• Valid passport (showing entry visa if applicable)
• Evidence of financial support; e.g., current Irish bank statement showing your name and balance of at least €3000*, or a letter from your sponsoring body confirming financial status. 
• A Certificate of Attendance, available for download through your SISWeb account.
• Evidence of private medical insurance
• A credit/debit card for payment of €300 registration fee (or Bank Giro obtainable from INIS office)

* Single trimester students must have €500 for each month of their stay in Ireland. They are not required to open an Irish bank account.

The Third Level Graduate Scheme allows non -EU/EEA students who have graduated from Irish Higher Education Institutions to remain in Ireland for 12 to 24 months to seek employment. Please see our website for further information: https://www.ucd.ie/global/studentexperience/thirdlevelgraduateprogramme-stamp1g/

For detailed information about working in Ireland during your studies please see here https://www.ucd.ie/global/studentexperience/workinginireland/

Yes, on- campus accommodation is available however it is not guaranteed to all students.

You will find information about on-campus accommodation here http://www.ucd.ie/residences 

For off-campus accommodation please visit: https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/accommodation/offcampusaccommodation/

Non-EU students must obtain private health insurance. You can purchase insurance in your home country; however, you will need to ensure that it is valid in Ireland and in any other countries you plan to travel to. There are different levels of private health insurance available and you should read the policy documents carefully..  INIS requires that, if you have health insurance from your own country, it must cover you up to €25,000 for in-hospital treatment.

Check our dedicated page for more information: https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/healthinsurance/

If you have not been allocated a room in the student residences on-campus, or if you would rather live off-campus, you can contact the UCD Residences Off-Campus Office. You can also contact the  Student Union Accommodation Services for advice on off-campus options. 

You will find their contact information at the following page: https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/accommodation/offcampusaccommodation/

You can find the academic term dates at http://www.ucd.ie/students/keydates.htm 

Each year, UCD hosts a New Student Orientation for first year students, which usually takes place during the week prior to the start of term. More details will be listed at https://www.ucd.ie/global/offerholders/orientation/

Yes, you will need to have your documents verified. For most students, this happens after you arrive in UCD. You will be given further information regarding documentation verification after you receive an offer.

Yes, these are usually offered through our Global Centres in-country and virtually from Dublin. Information about our pre-departure briefings will be communicated by email to students holding offers to study at UCD.

Prospective students, and their friends and family, who are interested in studying at UCD can avail of either an in-person or a Virtual Campus Tour. These tours are a great way to get a real insight into the layout of Belfield and to get a feel for campus life at UCD. You can book a campus tour right here: https://www.ucd.ie/global/study-at-ucd/campustours/

If you are an EU applicant, UCD also runs general campus tours (not directed at International students). You can find more information at the following link; https://www.myucd.ie/visiting-ucd/

If you wish to discuss your options with a member of the admissions team, you can book a meeting with us here.