University College Dublin

University College Dublin is a public research university in Dublin, Ireland, and a member institution of the National University of Ireland.

The history of University College Dublin (UCD) can be traced back to the foundation of the Catholic University of Ireland in 1854. The university was founded by Cardinal John Henry Newman and was intended to provide a non-sectarian education to Catholic students. However, the university faced opposition from the British government and was never officially recognized.

In 1880, the Catholic University was reorganized and renamed University College Dublin. The new university was established under the provisions of the Royal University of Ireland Act, 1879, which created a non-sectarian university for Ireland. UCD became a constituent university of the National University of Ireland in 1908.

In the early years, UCD was primarily a college of the arts and humanities. UCD played a leading role in the Irish War of Independence and the Irish Civil War. Many students and faculty members were involved in the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and the university campus was often used as a base for IRA operations.

After the Irish Civil War, UCD continued to expand and grow. The university opened a new campus in Belfield in 1964. UCD also became a more international university, with students and faculty members from all over the world.

In recent years, UCD has become a leading university in Ireland and the world.

UCD is a vibrant and diverse university with a rich history. The university is committed to providing its students with an excellent education and to conducting world-class research.

Based on the QS World University Rankings of 2026, University College Dublin is positioned as the #118 top university in the world, which makes it the #2 top university in Ireland. The university's global rank is improved by 8 points from last year.