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.
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.
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.
| Programme (non-EU, 2026/27) | Annual fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BA Arts, Law (BCL), Economics, Psychology, Social Sciences | $25,660 (€22,600) | shared rate for humanities, law and social sciences |
| Commerce, BSc Business, Economics & Finance | $26,310 (€23,170) | Quinn School degrees |
| Computer Science, Science, Engineering, Architecture | $33,500 (€29,500) | laboratory and engineering rate |
| Veterinary Medicine | $43,150 (€38,000) | requires a completed university year |
| Medicine | $72,550 (€63,890) | interview plus a completed university year |
| MSc Management / MSc Marketing | $27,100 (€23,870) | Smurfit master’s |
| MSc Business Analytics / MSc Finance | $29,730 (€26,180) / $32,910 (€28,980) | quantitative Smurfit programmes |
| MSc Computer Science (Conversion) / LLM | $33,500 (€29,500) / $25,660 (€22,600) | career change into IT and law master’s |
| Full-time MBA | $44,130 (€38,860) | year-one fee |
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.
| Programme | Average of 4 USE subjects | Extra condition |
|---|---|---|
| BA Arts, English, History, Music | 58% | — |
| Liberal Arts & Sciences | 67% | — |
| Economics, PPE, Politics and International Relations | 76% | maths USE 70+ or Attestat grade 3 (BSc Economics: USE 90+) |
| Commerce, BSc Business, Law | 86% | business needs maths USE 80+ or Attestat grade 5 |
| Computer Science | 86% | maths USE 80+ or Attestat grade 5 |
| Engineering | 86% | maths USE 95+ |
| Psychology | 96% | — |
| Economics & Finance, Physiotherapy | 100%, or 90% plus a first university year | first-year result 6/10+; maths USE 95+ for Economics & Finance |
| Medicine | 92% plus a first university year | 5/10+ and an interview |
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.
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.
| Item | Amount | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Commerce) | $26,310 (€23,170) | 2026/27 non-EU schedule |
| Living costs, median scenario | $24,990 (€22,005) | €2,445 × 9 academic months |
| Irish Residence Permit | $340 (€300) | annual registration |
| Health insurance | up to $780 (€690) | required to register |
| UCD Residences rent deposit | $850 (€750) | refundable under the licence terms |
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.
Yes, UCD accepts the Attestat with Unified State Exam results. Your average across four USE subjects including profile mathematics must meet the programme threshold, from 58% in arts to 96% in psychology.
Bachelor’s tuition is $25,660 (€22,600) a year for arts and law, $26,310 (€23,170) for Commerce and $33,500 (€29,500) for computer science and engineering. Medicine costs $72,550 (€63,890) a year.
For 2027 entry you need an 86% average across four USE subjects including profile mathematics, plus maths USE of 80 or grade 5 in the Attestat.
Applications open on 1 October 2026. UCD recommends that visa-required students apply before 1 July 2027.
First-year non-EU undergraduates get priority for Belfield residences, but rooms may not cover everyone when demand is high. You become eligible after accepting your offer.
The UCD Global Excellence Scholarship covers 50% or 100% of tuition for a small number of strong applicants. The 2026/27 round closed on 31 March 2026 and UCD decides awards.
Recalculating USE scores under UCD rules, programme selection, documents, the application and visa-stage support are provided under an agreement with StudyU. UCD makes the admission decision and Irish immigration issues the visa.
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