Undergraduate

Undergraduate Degree Options for USA Students

Most undergraduate degrees in Ireland are four years in length, while some have an option to be completed in three years with early specialization via Direct Entry. Whichever option best fits you, your UCD degree will be internationally recognized wherever you choose to utilize it!

Students from the United States can apply to study at UCD either directlyto the university or via theCommon App.

Direct Entry and Liberal Arts

Direct Entry (3 or 4 years)

Join UCD with your “declared” degree and dive into more streamlined material right away, cutting back on “general education requirements.”

Best fit for students who know exactly what they would like to study and want to get started.
Three year bachelor’s degrees are available in areas like Arts, Business, Social Science, and Sport & Performance.
Science, Law, and Agriculture, Food & Nutrition are always four year bachelor’s degrees.
Engineering and Architecture are offered as either a 4 year Bachelors course or a 5 year, integrated 3+2 bachelor and master programme.

Liberal Arts and Science Entry (4 years)

The Liberal Arts and Science Entry is more similar to the American approach, come in with an intended degree, undecided or with multiple academic interests. This approach allows you to sample across Architecture, Agriculture, Arts, Business, Engineering, Science and Social Science in the first few years before affirming your best fit degree and still graduating in four years!

Liberal Arts and Sciences Booklet 2025 Entry

Due to a highly regimented curriculum, some programmes (including Law) are not able to participate in the Liberal Arts & Sciences degree path.
The programme applied to on your UCD application will be Liberal Arts & Sciences for this option regardless of where your chief academic interest(s) may be.

Year 1	Years 2–4	Degree
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Year 2 3 & 4: Agricultural Science Programme	Agricultural Science (BAgrSc)
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Year 2 3 & 4: Food Science, Human Nutrition, or Sustainable Food Systems Programme	Food Science, Human Nutrition, or Sustainable Food Systems (BSc)
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Year 2: Liberal Arts & Sciences → Years 3 & 4: Architecture Programme	Architecture (BSc)
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Year 2: Liberal Arts & Sciences → Years 3 & 4: Engineering Science Programme	Engineering Science (BSc)
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Year 2 3 & 4: Science Programme	Science (BSc)
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Year 2 3 & 4: Social Sciences Programme	Social Sciences (BSc)
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Year 2: Arts Programme → Years 3 & 4: Arts Programme	Arts (BA)
Liberal Arts & Sciences	Year 2: Liberal Arts & Sciences → Years 3 & 4: Business Programme	Business (BComm or BSc Business)

What Can I Study?

The best international students from around the world study at UCD because it is one of world's top universities. Explore the wide range of programme options for undergraduate students below, and embark on an education that will ensure you have future career success. Or find out more about UCD requirements for international students.