Dublin Direct Enrollment – University College Dublin | IES Abroad

Why Dublin?

UCD is Ireland’s largest university. Known for their top-ranking business school, their notable school of humanities, and their leadership in science and technology innovation, there is something for everyone at UCD.

The UCD campus in Belfield in located in the southern suburbs of Dublin, just fifteen minutes from the coast and thirty minutes to the beautiful Dublin/Wicklow Mountains. The campus stretches more than 300 acres and includes state-of-the-art facilities, museums, and woodland walking paths around campus lakes. Attend classes alongside Irish students and take advantage of all the city of Dublin has to offer young adults as more than half of the city is under 25.

What You'll Study

Dublin will also be your classroom. Take in an Irish play at Abbey Theatre, the country’s national theater. Learn about Dublin’s history by exploring Dublin Castle which was built in 1204. Visit Trinity College Dublin to see The 7th Century Book of Kells, a masterful example of an illuminated manuscript, that is housed in its own climate controlled archive in the university’s old library.

Join more than 27,000 students at University College Dublin pursuing a wide range of academic studies at one of Ireland’s most research-intensive institutions.

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Daily Life

We want you to feel at home in Dublin, so we will do everything we can to help you integrate into life in Dublin. Enrolling directly in an Irish institution through IES Abroad provides you with a chance to sample the local academic culture while still benefiting from the support of IES Abroad staff and housing.

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$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

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Academics

IES Abroad’s mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with Univeristy College Dublin.

Courses

You will take 6 courses during your time at UCD - 4 courses in a primary discipline, and 2 elective courses that can be either in your primary discipline or a different discipline.

When studying at UCD, you are eligible to choose from the following disciplines:

Agriculture, Food & Nutrition
Architecture & Planning*
Arts and Humanities
Business
Engineering *
Science *
Sports & Exercise Management
U.S. & International Affairs

*Enrolling in a course(s) in Architecture, Engineering, and Science requires an additional fee.

For information on the course options available, please take a look at UCD Course Search.

Partner Institution(s)

Founded in 1854, University College Dublin (UCD) has more than 160 years of tradition. Among its alumni are revolutionaries who participated in the struggle for Irish independence, famed novelist James Joyce, and numerous Irish Presidents and Taoiseach (Prime Ministers).

Advising & Support

In a direct enrollment program, you are enrolled as a full-time student at one of our international partner institutions. Even though your local host institution is where you’ll take your classes, we’re still here to fully support you.

Peer Mentors
All IES Abroad students will be linked with a peer mentor who is a second or third year UCD student. Where possible, you will be assigned to peer mentors who have had a similar experience and have spent some time studying abroad in the United States or in another location.

Advising
Choosing and directly enrolling in courses abroad can be confusing and overwhelming. This is why we offer you predeparture advising that’s specific to your needs. Our goal is to provide support and guidance throughout your application and enrollment process.

On-Site Staff
As an IES Abroad student directly enrolled at local Irish universities, you have access to the IES Abroad Dublin Center and staff who are specifically dedicated to your needs. Our on-site staff work with you and your local institution to answer any questions about academic requirements, housing, or well-being and safety.

Support
Our support services for direct enrollment students are specifically designed to help you achieve your study abroad goals. We know studying abroad is an adventure, and at times, you may need help or just someone to talk to — that’s why our staff is there for you.

Field Trips & Events

Although your adventure begins in Dublin, our field trips take you to rural areas and Northern Ireland to provide contrast and context for what you are learning in Dublin. You share a portion of the cost with IES Abroad.

The West of Ireland
3 Days | Fall & Spring
Take a guided tour of the 2020 European Capital of Culture to explore the 800 year-old city of Galway and discover the stunning landscapes and castles of Connemara.

Causey Farm
1 Day | Fall & Spring
Visit an open farm where you will have the chance to try Irish dancing, bake traditional Irish bread, learn to play an Irish drum called the bodhrán, and play in a bog.

Celtic Origin of Halloween
1 Day | Fall
Join a guided tour of historic sites around County Meath where the festival of Samhain (more commonly known today as Halloween) originated more than 2,000 years ago.

IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.

Daily Life

Part of making you feel at home in Dublin is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it is an orientation program that makes you feel prepared, housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.

Orientation

The program begins with an orientation that introduces you to the IES Abroad Dublin staff, your fellow students, and the city of Dublin.

Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins right when you arrive and continues through the semester with activities focusing on academic and cultural adjustment. Detailed information about housing, public transportation, culture, health and safety, and other important topics are also covered.

You also take guided tours around the Center and areas of interest in Dublin as part of your orientation.

You will also participate in UCD's orientation program for international students.

Housing

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Dublin, it will feel like home.

As a study abroad student, you will apply for student housing after your acceptance. The majority of students choose to live on campus but there is a limited number of beds also available in town.

You will live in a dedicated student residence at UCD with your own bedroom in either a four-or sixbedroom unit. Mixed-gender and single-gender apartments are available. Each accommodation has a shared kitchen and living room, either private or shared bathrooms, WiFi, and a common laundry facility. No meals are provided.

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

While you’re at UCD, joining a social or sports club is a great way to meet other students. The college has an active student body with more than 100 clubs and societies.

Students living on campus are invited to participate in Res Life programs, which offer a range of events and activities to help you integrate into the local campus culture.

Check out the UCD Global Lounge for opportunities for cultural exchange and development. You can also join the UCD International Students’ Society, which organizes a range of social and cultural events such as weekend trips to Galway and the Cliffs of Moher, pub outings, and breakfast clubs.

Get to Know Your New City

Take a Day Trip

Just a short train ride away are the towns of Howth, Dun Laoghaire and more. Let the explorer in you roam, and hike along the coast.

Catch a Live Performance

From traditional folk music to cutting-edge theatre, Dublin has it all. Venture to the theatre, or enjoy live music at your local pub.

Taste the Local Food

Irish stew, shepherd’s pie, boxty, and more—sink your teeth into the various fresh and delicious foods of Dublin.

Visit the Book of Kells

See this lavishly illustrated manuscript, located in the beautiful Trinity College Library.

Explore the Neighborhoods

Walk along the River Liffey, and meander through the city. Be sure to stop at Fitzwilliam Square and Merrion Square for the famous colorful painted doors.

Program Cost

Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.

Term: Spring 2020
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Spring 2020	$17,330	$4,240	$230	$21,800

Term: Fall 2019
Term	Tuition	Housing	Insurance	Total
Fall 2019 Academic Year	$17,330 $31,175	$4,240 $9,735	$230 $455	$21,800 $41,365

Scholarships & Aid

Program-Specific Scholarships

John Gearen Need-Based Dublin or Developing Regions Scholarship

Up to $1,000; awarded to 2 students each year

John Gearen, a member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for many years and past chair of the Board for six years, is a leading real estate attorney and Rhodes Scholar who is involved in numerous philanthropic causes. Mr. Gearen has generously established this scholarship to support students who have an interest in studying on an IES Abroad Center in a developing region of the world (Argentina, Chile, China, Ecuador, Ireland, Morocco, or South Africa).

Robert McNeill Need-Based International Business Scholarship

Up to $3,000; awarded to 2 students each year

This scholarship is named in honor of Robert McNeill, member of the IES Abroad Board of Directors for 25 years (6 years as Chairman). Open to students who have an interest in international business. Majors might include management, marketing, economics, finance, international relations, and social and behavioral sciences.

Study Abroad Scholarship for Future Engineers

Up to $10,000; awarded to 6 students each year

The Study Abroad Scholarship for Future Engineers was established by an anonymous donor to encourage more engineering students to have the enriching, life changing experience of study abroad.

Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs

Learn More

$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid

We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad Program. This is why we commit more than $6 million to our scholarship and aid programs.

Learn more

Our Center

Dublin_2.jpg

front of IES Abroad Dublin Center building

While in Dublin, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Dublin Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Dublin experience.

The IES Abroad Dublin Center is a fully-renovated red-brick Victorian building that used to serve as a post office. Located just south of Dublin’s city center, our building is walking distance from Dublin Castle, St. Stephen’s Green, and Trinity College Dublin.

Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.

Take your IES Abroad courses in the Center’s classrooms
Meet with staff in their offices
Study and plan trips in the library and travel planning space
Meet up with friends in the student lounge
Borrow one of four laptops or two desktops

Other features include: high-speed internet, printing facilities, photocopier and scanner access

Our Staff

Megan Markey

Center Director

Megan Markey earned an MBA in Education Management from the Institute of Education, University of London and a Masters in Sociology from University College Dublin. Employed by IES Abroad since 2004, Megan teaches our service learning seminar, Service Learning: Youth Engagement and Education in Ireland. She has also taught qualitative research for the Sociology Department at University College Dublin. Megan was the Assistant Director of the Dublin Center from 2010-2014 and became the Center Director in 2015.