Summer programmes available to international students at UCD

Summer Programmes at UCD range from two to eight weeks long, where you can study abroad at UCD during the summer and pursue programmes designed to enhance your understanding of your degree and personal interests. 

You will learn from expert lecturers who also embed cultural learning into their programmes through heritage site visits and cultural events. Participating in a UCD Summer Programme is a fantastic way to get a taste of Irish culture while also learning practical skills that you can take home with you.

Summer High School Programmes

Combining taught lectures and field trips, this programme is aimed at North American high school students who are considering studying their undergraduate degree abroad at UCD. 

Students will gain a better understanding of Irish history and culture, as well as the degrees available to them at UCD. Workshops are delivered by faculty from all the schools and colleges at UCD, allowing students to make an informed decision about pursuing their Bachelor’s here. 

There is also a useful application workshop, which is delivered by our North American staff that will give you an understanding of what you need to do to apply to UCD. This programme usually takes place in July each year. 

For more information about this programme, please visit our Summer High School Programme page. 

Engineering Lab Summer School

Run by the School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering in the College of Engineering, this four-week summer programme allows you to complete a series of bioprocessing experiments that will teach and enhance your practical lab skills. In the last week, you will have the chance to visit a pharmaceutical plant to see how bioprocessing and large molecule manufacturing operate in the real world.

This programme usually takes place in June each year and there are field trips across Dublin and Ireland in collaboration with the other summer schools, allowing you to experience Irish culture. You will also have the benefit of UCD’s learning resources, such as our libraries and our range of student support services. 

To find out more about this year’s Engineering Lab Summer School, visit their website. 

STEM Summer Research

Photo credit: Vincent Hoban

This competitive programme is run in collaboration with Arcadia Abroad, where students can pursue a wide range of research projects in the fields of biology, chemistry, computer science, geology, and ecology. 

In this programme, you will conduct your research with the guidance of academics and PhD students who are experts in their fields. This programme is a great way to enhance your research skills and make connections with those already working in your field of study. At the end of the programme, you will have the opportunity to write a research paper based on your research, which is a great addition to any CV!

To learn more about this innovative programme, please visit the (opens in a new window)Arcadia Abroad website. 

Irish Studies Study Abroad Summer Programme

Delivered by expert academics from the College of Arts and Humanities, this interactive programme will encourage you to explore Irish history and culture through academic field trips, museums and heritage sites across Dublin. 

For this programme, you have the choice of either a two or four-week programme, both of which typically take place in early June. If you have ever been curious about Irish history or examining Irish society in an interdisciplinary setting, then you should consider this programme! 

For more information about this programme, please visit the Irish Studies Study Abroad Summer Programme page. 

CNN Journalism Summer School

Run by the UCD Clinton Institute, this summer school offers two programmes: the “CNN Academy Summer Institute and Simulation Week” and “Storytelling in the Age of AI”. 

The “Summer Institute and Simulation Week” course is a two-week programme, during which you will hear from CNN journalists, media experts and analysts as they help you understand the impact of technology on international reporting practices. 

You will also get the chance to take part in a realistic journalistic simulation in which you will report on a breaking news story with your classmates. If you want to learn practical skills to become a better journalist and make new friends along the way, this course is for you!

The “Storytelling in the Age of AI” course is one week long and usually takes place around the same time as the “Summer Institute” course. 

Diana Jachman, who completed the CNN Journalism Summer School programme last year, had this to say about it:

"I really enjoyed the simulation a lot. I thought this is such a unique experience where we get to feel what a real breaking news coverage environment feels like, and that was just so special . . . it made me feel more prepared and like I could do it in the future."

To learn more about this year’s Summer School, please visit the (opens in a new window)UCD Clinton Institute website.

Accommodation

During your time at a UCD Summer Programme, you will have the comfort of on-campus accommodation with private ensuite bedrooms in either 4 or 6-bedroom suites, which have shared kitchens and living rooms. 

On-campus accommodation at UCD is monitored by a security team 24/7, so you can enjoy your programme with the knowledge that you are staying on a safe and welcoming campus. There is also free WiFi in every apartment, meaning you can complete any assignments with ease. 

These are just some of our summer programmes at UCD. For the full list of Summer Programmes at UCD, please visit our Summer Programmes page. 

While applications for 2026 Summer Programmes are now closed, keep an eye on our Summer Programmes page for updates about 2027.