Computer Science is one of the most popular undergraduate choices at University College Dublin, and UCD's Belfield campus gives students a large, campus-style university experience a few kilometres from the city centre. For international students, the Computer Science degree offers a route into Ireland's technology sector, a four-year undergraduate programme (as listed by third-party sources), and access to the Stamp 1G post-study work pathway after graduation.
This guide covers what you need to assess UCD Computer Science as a realistic option: how selective it is (and why UCD does not publish a rate for it), what it costs, the admission requirements, the English tests UCD accepts, and what Stamp 1G means for graduates.
Acceptance Rate
UCD does not publish an acceptance rate for its BSc in Computer Science, and the official UCD pages we could access do not give a programme-level figure. Third-party sites do not provide a verified number either, so this guide does not quote a percentage.
What UCD does make clear is how the process works. International (non-EU) applicants apply directly to UCD, with applications opening on 1 October for entry the following September. Computer Science is a popular course with limited places, so your academic record and the strength of your mathematics and science results matter a great deal. Treat the programme as competitive and build your application around the entry requirements rather than around any single statistic.
Tuition and Cost of Attendance
UCD publishes official non-EU fees on its fees pages, which were not accessible during this review. The figures below are third-party estimates for 2026/27 and should be confirmed on UCD's official fees page before you budget.
| Cost item | Estimate (third-party, 2026/27) |
|---|---|
| Non-EU tuition, BSc Computer Science (first year, one source) | About €27,720 per year |
| Non-EU tuition, Engineering, Computer Science and Science (range, one source) | About €27,000 to €36,000 per year |
| Living costs in Dublin (shared accommodation) | About €1,330 to €2,090 per month, or roughly €16,000 to €25,000 per year |
The living cost range comes from a 2026 study-abroad agency guide and covers rent, food, transport, utilities and personal spending. Accommodation is the biggest cost, and UCD's on-campus accommodation is usually more expensive than shared private rentals.
To obtain a Stamp 2 student visa, the Irish Immigration Service expects evidence of access to at least €10,000 per year for living costs, in addition to tuition. This is a third-party summary and should be checked against official INIS guidance.
Some guides also list a student contribution charge and other mandatory fees that sit on top of tuition. These were not verified against UCD's official pages in this review, so check the full list before you commit.
Admission Requirements
For international (non-EU) applicants to the BSc in Computer Science, the sources we reviewed indicate:
- Completed secondary education with transcripts that meet UCD's entry standard for international applicants. Third-party sources cite a 70 to 80 percent range across your best subjects, but this varies by country and was not confirmed on a UCD page in this review
- Strong mathematics. Computer Science is quantitative, and UCD expects a solid maths background. The precise maths threshold for your qualification should be checked on the official course page, because one third-party source gives a figure that could not be verified
- English language proficiency (see the English section below)
- The application fee, reported by UCD's international guidance as €70 for most application types
UCD's international pages direct applicants to check country-specific entry guidance and the Registry's list of recognised English tests. Requirements change between intakes, so confirm them on the current course page before you apply.
Deadlines and timing: applications open on 1 October for entry the following September. UCD advises international applicants who need a visa to apply before 1 July.
How to Get Into UCD's Computer Science Programme
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Build a strong maths and science record. Computer Science admissions depend heavily on quantitative ability, so consistently strong grades in maths and related subjects are the single most important part of your profile.
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Apply before 1 July if you need a visa. UCD advises this timing, which gives you room to sort out documents, English test results and visa paperwork without rushing.
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Show real interest in computing. Mention a coding project, competition, online course or independent build in your application. Specific examples carry more weight than general statements about loving technology.
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Aim above the English minimum. A score at the bare minimum leaves little room if your test date or results are delayed. A margin of half a band or more is a safer target.
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Prepare certified transcripts early. Certified translations and official documents take time to arrange, and missing paperwork is one of the most common reasons applications stall.
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo Requirements
UCD's international guidance refers applicants to the recognised English tests on the Registry website. The minimums reported by third-party guides for UCD's undergraduate programmes are:
| Test | Reported minimum |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.5 overall, with no band below 6.0 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 |
| PTE Academic | 63 |
| Duolingo English Test | 120 |
These figures were not confirmed on an official UCD page in this review, so check the current Registry requirement before you book. Confirm the exact requirement for the BSc Computer Science, since some programmes can set different thresholds.
For UCD's wider English policy across programmes, see our University College Dublin guide.
Career Outcomes and Stamp 1G Relevance
UCD does not publish graduate employment or salary figures specific to Computer Science that we could verify, so this guide does not quote a percentage or a salary. The Higher Education Authority's Graduate Outcomes survey is the official national source for graduate outcomes in Ireland and reports by institution and by field. Check it for current UCD results in Computer Science before making a decision.
The main post-study route for international graduates is Ireland's Stamp 1G, the Third Level Graduate Scheme. For bachelor's graduates, the scheme allows up to 12 months of full-time work rights after graduation. Master's graduates can stay for up to 24 months, granted as an initial 12 months with a possible second 12 months if they show they are seeking graduate-level work. The application fee is €300, you must apply within six months of the university notifying you that your programme is complete, and you must be physically in Ireland when you apply. Private health insurance bought in Ireland is required.
So for a UCD BSc Computer Science graduate, the realistic Stamp 1G window is 12 months, not two years. For the full rules, see our Ireland Stamp 1G guide.
FAQ
Does UCD publish an acceptance rate for Computer Science? No, not in the official sources reviewed for this guide. Third-party figures could not be verified, so no percentage is quoted here.
How much does UCD Computer Science cost for international students? Third-party estimates put non-EU tuition for Engineering, Computer Science and Science at roughly €27,000 to €36,000 per year, with one source citing about €27,720 for the first year of the BSc. Living costs in Dublin are estimated at around €16,000 to €25,000 per year. Confirm the exact fee on UCD's official fees page.
What IELTS score do I need for UCD Computer Science? The reported standard is IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 6.0. Confirm this on UCD's Registry page before you book.
Can I use TOEFL, PTE or Duolingo instead? Third-party guides list TOEFL iBT 90, PTE Academic 63 and Duolingo 120 as accepted alternatives. Confirm these with UCD before relying on them.
How long is the UCD Computer Science degree? Third-party listings describe it as a four-year undergraduate programme. Confirm the structure on the UCD course page for your intake.
Can I stay and work in Ireland after graduating? Yes. A bachelor's graduate can apply for Stamp 1G, which allows up to 12 months of full-time work rights after graduation.