Details

• Ireland
• BaWiSo-23
• Undergraduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Think about why you would like to go to Dublin and look at the courses that are offered at UCD for exchange students in the previous years. Then, also talk to WU students that have been to UCD, what life was like for them, what courses they recommend etc. After getting accepted, UCD provides a lot of information for exchange students. This includes how to apply for accommodation, how to register for courses, what documents to sign etc. Find out about accommodation possibilities asap!

2. Accommodation

UCD offers on-campus housing, so you have a lot of possibilities there. However, you are not guaranteed to get on campus housing as an exchange student. Since Dublin has this big housing crisis, you need to expect to pay at least 1000 euros for like older rooms and up to 1400 euros for the luxury rooms with an ensuite bathroom on-campus. Since I didn't get on-campus housing, I had to look online for private student housing. I paid around 1400 euros per month for a bedroom, ensuite bathroom and a shared kitchen in the city center. Since UCD is in the south of Dublin, it took me around 50 minutes to get there with the bus. Make sure to have a look online for off-campus housing asap, since getting a place on-campus isn't guaranteed.

3. Academic life at host university

The campus at UCD is huge - way bigger than WU campus (because it's a general university with all courses, not just economics), since you not only have lecture halls and the standard university buildings, but also student housing, gyms, sport facilities (tennis, football, GAA, swimming pool, hockey etc.), a cinema, restaurants, grocery stores, a pub and more. The academic culture is a bit different since, especially in non-business classes, there is a lot more emphasize on writing and essay-style work and exams. You also have more readings to do than at WU. Similar to WU, attendance is dependent on the course type. I had some classes with attendance as part of the grade, others with no attendance. The teaching style I'd say is rather similar to WU, maybe a bit more informal and more discussions. The overall requirements and work load are a bit easier than at WU. The grading style is very different since they use letter grades - make sure to check for every class you take beforehand how it is done.

5. Every day life in the host country

Public transport in Dublin is mainly busses. There are different lines to UCD from the city center. Just use google maps to find the best route. You can buy a young adult leap card, which let's you travel for 1€ for each bus ride (you pay a maximum of 48€ a month). The busses are often late and it's best if you calculate some puffer time for the bus, especially when you have an exam. Similar to Vienna, Dublin has a few spots that you could call a bit sketchy but nothing out of the ordinary. UCD offers a huge variety of activities. From different sports clubs (everything from football to windsurfing, tennis, GAA, volleyball and many more), to a variety of other clubs you can join even as an exchange student. There are some societies and clubs that offer trips for exchange students to different parts of Ireland - highly recommend doing some of those! Besides university, Dublin everyday life has much to offer. Most importantly of course the pub culture which is really great. And try to get out of Dublin when you have the time and travel to other parts of Ireland (e.g. Galway, Connemara, Howth, ...)

6. Testimonial

The exchange semester in Dublin was really great. Meeting new people and forming friendships, traveling to different parts of Ireland and the pub culture in Dublin were the best parts of my stay. UCD is a really good university and something different the WU (especially regarding the campus and offered social and sport activities).