🏅 QS World Rank #100
University College Dublin (UCD) — Full Profile & Ranking 2026
Back in the world’s top 100 for the first time in 15 years — QS World Rankings 2027 #100
University College Dublin (UCD) is a public research university in Dublin, with roots going back to 1854. In the QS World University Rankings 2027 (published June 2026) it is 100th in the world. This guide covers its colleges, admission, the Global Excellence Scholarships, advice for applicants from Pakistan and the questions applicants ask most.
UCD Overview
UCD traces its history to 1854, when the Catholic University of Ireland was founded in Dublin. Its modern campus is at Belfield in south Dublin, a large parkland site a short bus ride from the city centre.
UCD is the only university in Ireland with a school of veterinary medicine. It is known for law, business, agriculture and food science, and engineering. James Joyce graduated from University College Dublin in 1902.
UCD Rankings — QS World University Rankings 2027
UCD is 100th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in June 2026.
This is a QS-specific result, not one universal ranking. Times Higher Education, U.S. News and ARWU use different methods and can order universities differently.
The tagline says this is UCD’s first top-100 place in 15 years. We could not confirm that on official pages, so treat it as unverified.
Source: QS TopUniversities (QS World University Rankings 2027, 18 June 2026).
Key Strengths & Programs
UCD is known for:
- Veterinary medicine, Ireland’s only veterinary school
- Law, through the Sutherland School of Law
- Business, through the UCD Smurfit and Quinn business schools
- Agriculture and food science
- Engineering and architecture
- Health sciences and science
This page does not quote subject ranks. Check the current QS subject tables for exact positions.
Explore Related Guides & Rankings
Admission Requirements
Non-EU applicants generally apply to UCD directly, while Irish and EU school-leavers use the CAO system. Confirm every step on the official UCD pages.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | School-leaving results equivalent to Irish standards, with the subjects your course needs. UCD publishes entry requirements by country |
| Postgraduate | A relevant Bachelor’s degree, and for research degrees a supervisor and proposal. Some programmes add interviews |
| English | Proof of English proficiency is required for most international applicants |
| Veterinary medicine | Highly competitive, with limited places. Check the course page for extra requirements |
| Documents | Transcripts, references and a personal statement for most programmes |
| Visa | Many non-EU students need an Irish student visa before travel |
UCD Acceptance Rate
UCD does not publish one acceptance rate for international applicants, so this page does not quote one. The old “about 40%” figure was not tied to a source. Veterinary medicine and law are especially competitive.
Practical Application Checklist
- Choose your programme and read its entry and language requirements
- Check the application deadline for your intake
- Book an English (or other required) language test
- Prepare transcripts, identification and any required documents
- Apply and accept your offer
- Meet the visa or residence-permit conditions for your destination
- Plan funding for tuition and living costs
- Verify every date, fee and requirement on UCD’s official website before submitting
Tuition & Costs
UCD publishes non-EU tuition fee tables by programme each year. The page we could read gave notes but not the amounts, so this page does not quote a figure. Fees depend on the course, with veterinary medicine charged at the highest level, and the fee tables say that fees include a Student Centre Levy. The old range of €22,000 to €55,000 was not tied to a source. Check the official UCD non-EU fees page for your course and entry year. Living costs in Dublin are extra.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- UCD Global Excellence Scholarships: UCD says these cover 100% or 50% of tuition. They are limited in number and are open to non-EU undergraduate and graduate taught students who hold an offer for an eligible course.
- 2026/27 deadlines: 28 February 2026 for undergraduate and graduate taught applicants from the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan (and graduate taught applicants from South Asia), and 31 March 2026 for other applicants.
- 2027/28: UCD says applications open in November, with dates to be confirmed.
- Not automatic: the scholarships are not renewed automatically, and continuing students are reassessed after each year.
- More funding ideas: see our guide to fully funded scholarships for 2027.
Source: UCD Global Excellence Scholarships. Fees, dates and rules change each year.
UCD for Pakistani Students
Pakistani applicants should plan early:
- Scholarship deadline: UCD’s regional deadline for Pakistan has been earlier than for other regions, so check the current date as soon as you plan to apply
- English: prepare an accepted English test. Our IELTS preparation guides can help
- Offer first: you need an offer for an eligible course to apply for the scholarship
- Visa: check whether you need an Irish study visa
Campus & Student Life
- The Belfield campus in south Dublin has large parkland, sports grounds and a lake
- UCD has an agricultural research farm and a veterinary hospital
- The campus is a short bus ride from Dublin city centre
- Dublin is a compact capital with a large student and tech community
Research & Career Opportunities
- UCD is research-intensive, with strong law, business and veterinary links
- Dublin has large technology, pharmaceutical, finance and legal sectors
- Graduates work in law, business, healthcare, agriculture and research
- The university does not guarantee employment, salary or visa outcomes
Notable Alumni
- James Joyce, the novelist, graduated from University College Dublin in 1902
- Garret FitzGerald, former Taoiseach (Irish prime minister), studied at UCD
- Brian Cowen, another former Taoiseach, studied law at UCD
Contact & Location
University College Dublin
Belfield, Dublin 4, D04 V1W8, Ireland
Official website: ucd.ie
Use the contact details on the official site for admissions questions, as email addresses and phone numbers change.
Frequently Asked Questions
University College Dublin is ranked 100th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, published in June 2026.
UCD is one of Ireland’s largest universities by student numbers. Check UCD’s own figures for the current enrolment.
Yes. UCD’s School of Veterinary Medicine is the only veterinary school in Ireland, and entry is competitive.
UCD is best known for law, veterinary medicine, agriculture and business.
They cover 100% or 50% of tuition for selected non-EU undergraduate and graduate taught students who hold an offer. They are limited in number.
UCD listed 28 February 2026 for undergraduate and graduate taught applicants from the Middle East, Africa and Pakistan.
UCD says they open in November 2026, with dates to be confirmed.
No. Scholarships are not renewed automatically, and continuing students are reassessed after the academic year.
Yes. Pakistani applicants apply as non-EU students, with transcripts, English evidence and the documents UCD lists.
Check UCD’s official pages at ucd.ie. Fees, deadlines and rules can change.
Compare UCD With Other Top Universities
Disclaimer: This page is based on the QS World University Rankings 2027, UCD’s official pages, and other publicly available sources, last checked in October 2026. Fees, rankings, deadlines, and admission rules change, and no admission, funding, visa, or employment outcome is guaranteed. Always verify current details directly with the university before applying.