Overview

University College Dublin (UCD), commonly known as UCD (Irish: Coláiste na hOllscoile, Baile Átha Cliath), stands as a prominent public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and holds membership in the National University of Ireland. Boasting a student body of 38,417, it claims the title of Ireland's largest university and is recognized as one of the nation's most esteemed academic institutions. Among its notable alumni and faculty, UCD proudly counts five Nobel Laureates, four Taoisigh (Prime Ministers), three Irish Presidents, and one President of India.

UCD traces its roots to a foundation in 1854, initially established as the Catholic University of Ireland under the leadership of John Henry Newman. It underwent reformation in 1880 and received its charter in 1908. The Universities Act of 1997 designated it as the "National University of Ireland, Dublin," and a ministerial order in 1998 officially named it "University College Dublin – National University of Ireland, Dublin."

Originally situated at St Stephen's Green in Dublin city center, UCD's faculties have since relocated to a sprawling 133-hectare (330-acre) campus in Belfield, six kilometers south of the city center. In 1991, it acquired a second site in Blackrock, currently housing the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

A report released in May 2015 underscored the significant economic impact of UCD and its students in Ireland, contributing an annual output of €1.3 billion to the country's economy.

Rankings
Global – Overall:
  • ARWU World: 301–400 (2022)
  • QS World: 171 (2023)
  • QS Employability: 87 (2022)
  • THE World: 201–250 (2023)
  • USNWR Global: 236 (2023)
National – Overall:
  • ARWU National: 2–3 (2022)
  • QS National: 2 (2023)
  • THE National: 2–3 (2022)
  • USNWR National: 2 (2023)

In the 2024 QS World University Rankings, UCD secured the 171st position globally. The 2022 QS World University Rankings for employability and reputation placed UCD at the forefront in Ireland and 87th globally.

The 2023 Times Higher Education World University Rankings positioned UCD within the range of 201–250. Additionally, it earned a ranking of 101–200th in the 2022 Impact Rankings.

The QS Subject Ranking for Veterinary Science in 2018 acclaimed UCD as 24th globally and the foremost institution in Ireland.

The 2023 U.S. News & World Report recognized UCD as the second-best university in Ireland and 236th globally.

UCD's Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School achieved the 22nd position in the Financial Times' ranking of leading European Business Schools in 2022 and was named the top institution in Ireland.

UCD received the prestigious title of The Sunday Times University of the Year in 2006 and 2020.

Colleges and Schools

Health Sciences building, Belfield campus, UCD

Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, Blackrock

UCD Quinn School of Business

UCD comprises six colleges, housing a total of 37 associated schools[56] and numerous research institutes and centers. Additionally, each college operates its own Graduate School, catering to postgraduate students.

Following the restructuring in September 2015, the list of colleges and their respective schools is as follows:[58]

UCD College of Arts and Humanities:
  1. UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy
  2. UCD School of Classics
  3. UCD School of English, Drama and Film
  4. UCD School of History and Archives
  5. UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore
  6. UCD School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics
  7. UCD School of Music
UCD College of Business:
  1. UCD School of Business
  2. UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business
  3. UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business
UCD College of Engineering and Architecture:
  1. UCD School of Architecture, Planning and Environmental Policy
  2. UCD School of Biosystems and Food Engineering
  3. UCD School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering
  4. UCD School of Civil Engineering
  5. UCD School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
  6. UCD School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering
UCD College of Health and Agricultural Sciences:
  1. UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science
  2. UCD School of Medicine
  3. UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems
  4. UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science
  5. UCD School of Veterinary Medicine
UCD College of Social Sciences and Law:
  1. UCD School of Archaeology
  2. UCD School of Economics
  3. UCD School of Education
  4. UCD School of Geography
  5. UCD School of Information and Communication Studies
  6. UCD School of Law
  7. UCD School of Philosophy
  8. UCD School of Politics and International Relations
  9. UCD School of Psychology
  10. UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice
  11. UCD School of Sociology
UCD College of Science:
  1. UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science
  2. UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science
  3. UCD School of Chemistry
  4. UCD School of Computer Science
  5. UCD School of Earth Sciences
  6. UCD School of Mathematics and Statistics
  7. UCD School of Physics


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