University College Dublin (UCD)

University College Dublin (UCD) teaches around 12,000 international students from 163 countries on its green Belfield campus in south Dublin. It climbed from 118th to 100th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, entering the global top 100.

UCD publishes country-specific requirements, and for Russia it accepts the Attestat together with Unified State Exam (USE) results. Strong school-leavers can therefore apply straight to year one, without a foundation year, if their average across four USE subjects including profile mathematics meets the programme threshold.

• 2026/27 non-EU fees: from $25,660 (€22,600) a year for arts, law and social sciences, $26,310 (€23,170) for Commerce and $33,500 (€29,500) for computer science and engineering.
• Applications: open from 1 October for the following September; UCD advises visa-required students to apply before 1 July.
• Good fit: high-scoring school-leavers who want to start an Irish degree immediately.
• Consider alternatives if your average is below the programme threshold; the International Foundation Year or another university may be more realistic.

UCD announced its 100th place in QS 2027 on 18 June 2026, second in Ireland after Trinity College Dublin. The university describes itself as Ireland’s most popular choice among international students.

Business is split between the Quinn School for undergraduates and the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School for master’s and MBA students. UCD also has large law, engineering, computer science, veterinary and agricultural science schools.

• QS World University Rankings 2027 — 100th (118th in 2026)
• Undergraduate business at Quinn, postgraduate at Smurfit
• Published entry route for Russian Attestat and USE holders

Almost all teaching happens at Belfield in Dublin 4, a self-contained campus with lecture buildings, library, sports facilities and residences. A first-year student can live and study on the same site.

The city centre is a bus ride away, so UCD students are less exposed to the highest central rents. Families get a predictable first year: campus housing, catering options and direct transport into town.

The figures come from UCD’s official non-EU fee schedule for 2026/27. Students who start a multi-year programme keep their first-year rate for the rest of the programme unless their studies are interrupted.

UCD averages four USE subjects, one of which must be profile mathematics, and some programmes add a minimum maths score or an Attestat grade. These are 2027 entry thresholds for consideration, not offers.

Applications for September 2027 open online on 1 October 2026 and cost €70. Students still sitting final exams may receive a conditional offer based on transcripts to date.

Common UCD application errors

• Averaging every exam taken instead of the four subjects including profile mathematics.
• Choosing engineering with a maths score under 95, which a high overall average cannot offset.
• Applying in summer, leaving too little time for the visa and housing.

• Passport
• Attestat with transcript and the USE results certificate, translated
• A first-year university transcript for Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and some other courses
• English test report
• Personal statement where the programme asks for one

UCD’s baseline is IELTS Academic 6.5 with 6.0 in each band, and it does not accept One Skill Retake results. TOEFL iBT is accepted from 90 with at least 21 in writing and 19 in the other sections; some programmes set higher levels.

UCD’s April 2026 estimate puts monthly spending at €1,735 for a frugal student and €2,445 at the median, of which €830–1,200 goes on housing. The Irish visa also requires evidence of at least €10,000 a year for living costs on top of tuition.

The UCD Global Excellence Scholarship covers 100% or 50% of tuition for a limited number of outstanding applicants. For 2026/27 most regions had to apply by 31 March 2026, with results about seven weeks later; the 2027/28 terms are not yet published and UCD selects the recipients.

UCD gives first-year non-EU undergraduates priority for on-campus housing. Priority is not a promise: when demand exceeds rooms, some students live off campus, and you must accept your course offer before you can be considered.

Residences offer single bedrooms with shared or private bathrooms in self-catered apartments, plus catered packages and adapted rooms. UCD Residences charge a €750 deposit; private landlords usually ask for one month’s rent.

Russian citizens apply for an Irish study visa through the Irish immigration service; Ireland sets its own rules outside the Schengen area. After arrival, students renew their Irish Residence Permit each year.

Graduates of an Irish bachelor’s degree can stay for 12 months on Stamp 1G, and master’s graduates for up to 24 months in two stages. That window is designed for finding graduate work, after which an employer applies for the work permit.

To check whether your USE average meets a specific UCD threshold, send us a request and we will recalculate it using UCD’s rules. More options are on the study in Ireland page.

Dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 29 September 2026 (€1 = $1.1355); the euro figures in brackets are UCD’s invoiced amounts.

• UCD Global: entry requirements for Russia (Attestat and USE, 2027 entry)
• UCD: International (Non-EU) Undergraduate Fees 2026/27
• UCD: Non-EU Graduate Taught Fees 2026/27
• UCD Global: How to Apply FAQs
• UCD Registry: Minimum English Language Requirements
• UCD Global Excellence Scholarships
• UCD Global: Living Costs
• UCD Global: On-Campus Accommodation
• UCD: 100th in QS World University Rankings 2027
• Irish immigration: how much money students must show
• Irish immigration: Stamp 1G for graduates
• ECB euro reference rates