Welcome to your new home A guide for students preparing to join us at University College Dublin International Study Centre
ucd.ie/isc Welcome to your new home Dublin is a fantastic place to live and study. This friendly and welcoming city will be your new, exciting home away from home, a place where you will create new memories that you’ll treasure for life.
We want to help you settle into your new home quickly and easily, so that you can concentrate on your studies and start enjoying student life in Dublin. This guide provides all of the important information you need to prepare for travelling to Dublin, Ireland as well as living and studying at University College Dublin International Study Centre (ISC).
For up-to-date information before your arrival, visit: ucdisc.com/how-to-apply/before-you-arrive
Contact details UCD International Study Centre, Richview Newstead Block A, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland
Telephone: +353 877 467953
Useful websites: University College Dublin: ucd.ie International Study Centre: ucd.ie/isc Education in Ireland: educationinireland.com Irish Council for International Students: icosirl.ie Discover Ireland: ireland.com Visit Dublin: visitdublin.com Weather: met.ie Contents
Get ready to join us 1 What to bring with you 5 to Dublin, Ireland Arriving in Dublin, Ireland 7 Getting to University College Dublin 9 International Study Centre Your induction programme 11 Your campus 13 Campus map 15 Campus map key 17 Your checklist 19 Get ready to join us at the International Study Centre Before you join us, there are six things you need to do first.
1 Apply for your visa (if required) Most international students (non-European Economic Area) need a visa to come to Ireland, although there are a number of countries where you may not require a visa.
To check whether you need a visa and to apply ✓✓ Evidence of course fees paid if required please visit the Irish Naturalisation and a) A copy of an Electronic Transfer of Funds from Immigration Service (INIS) website: inis.gov.ie the applicant to the bank of the centre/valid receipt showing course fees lodged to an If you do need a visa approved student fees payment service Step 1: Complete the online application form. b) Visa letter Visit: visas.inis.gov.ie If the course fees are: Step 2: Follow the instructions on the summary application form you will receive, which will include • in excess of €6,000, at least this amount must be information on where to submit your form and paid before applying for the visa documents • less than €6,000, this must be paid in full before applying for the visa Step 3: Submit the documents, outlined below. ✓ Documents must be sent to the local Irish Embassy/ ✓ Evidence you have the academic and English ability to follow your chosen course Consulate/Visa Office.For a full list, visit: inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/pages/study ✓✓ Such evidence will include exam results AND ✓✓ Summary application form (printed, signed qualification certificates AND English certificates. and dated) providing full details of your previous While not a mandatory requirement, it is education recommended that all applicants take a Secure English Language Test (SELT), and provide the ✓✓ An explanation for any gaps in your educational original certificate with their visa application. history Any certificate must have been issued within 2 ✓✓ Two colour passport photographs – not more than years of the expected start date of your course. 6 months old ✓✓ Evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself ✓ ✓ Current passport (valid for 12 months after your during your studies arrival date in Ireland), and a copy of previous If you are studying in Ireland for at least six months, passports, if applicable. you must provide bank statements covering a ✓ ✓ Signed letter of application including your full six-month period immediately prior to your visa contact details application showing immediate access to at least ✓✓ Letter of Acceptance from University College Dublin €7,000 and ready access to an amount of at least ISC confirming and specifying acceptance on your €7,000 for each subsequent year of studies, in addition course of study. This letter should confirm the to the course fees for each of those years. €7,000 is the amount of fees payable and fees paid for the estimated cost of living in Ireland for a student for one course. Our visa letter will provide proof of this. academic year.
1 The bank statements must show full contact details of the bank – name, address, telephone 2 Book your accommodation Did you request accommodation when you filled number and include the name and address of the out your application? If so, our ISC Accommodation account holder and the account number. Team will contact you directly regarding the options available. If you are a sponsored student, then details of the relationship is required. Evidence of ready access You might prefer to book your own accommodation, may include the sponsor’s employment letter with which you should secure before you depart for contact details of the employer – name, address Dublin, Ireland. You will need to let us know where and landline phone number, and four recent you will be staying, by emailing: payslips. [email protected] If you are funded by a scholarship, please provide details of the funding and a letter to support this. ✓✓ Evidence of private medical insurance See point 5 3 Book your travel ✓✓ Details of any previous visa applications for any Once you receive your visa, you can book your country and visa refusal letters (if applicable) travel. You should arrive ready for the first day of term to get a good start to your studies. If you have ✓✓ Birth certificate (for unaccompanied students booked your accommodation with us, it will usually under 18 years) be available two days prior to the start of term. ✓✓ Consent of parent(s)/legal guardian(s) You should book any flights home after the official end of term date, which can be found in your You may be required to provide your Biometrics offer letter. information as part of the application process. You need to submit the required documents to Please see page 9 for your suggested arrival airport. avoid your application being refused.
Processing time and visa decisions Please allow a minimum time of 8 weeks for student visas to be approved. 4 Complete the Guardianship Waiver form Visa decisions are published weekly (every (under 18 only) Tuesday). You can search for the progress of your You will have been sent details to complete in order application using your Visa Transaction Number to consent to a guardian for you. You will need to that will be allocated to you at the time you submit complete the form and your parent(s) will need to your application. Visit: inis.gov.ie sign and have it notarised. You should make a copy, and bring one copy with you in your hand luggage and keep the other in your main luggage.
2 Get ready to join us at the International Study Centre Before you join us, there are six things you need to do first (continued).
5 Complete our pre-arrival form At around one month before term starts, we will email you with a link to an online form. You will need to complete this with your travel information - so we know when to expect you - and your visa details.
If you would like us to arrange your taxi from the airport, please let us know by ticking the box on the form. On the form, you will need to provide us with the number of a mobile phone that you will have at the time of traveling so the driver can contact you.
6 Ensure you are insured In our experience, it is essential that international students have the protection of personal insurance for the duration of their time in Dublin, Ireland as well as for registration with the Garda (police).
When you applied to the International Study Centre, you will have had the option of taking insurance cover with StudyCare. This insurance policy covers loss of personal possessions as well as providing health and medical insurance. If you have not taken this option, please make sure you have secured your own policy.
For full information on StudyCare, visit: ucd.ie/isc
If you need help and advice, your local representative or your student enrolment adviser can help you. 3 4 What to bring with you to Ireland You’ll need to pack some important items, such as your passport and visa, in your hand luggage for easy access, while other non-essential items can be packed away in your suitcase.
Things to pack in your hand luggage Passport and visa Essential toiletries and medications (please Your offer letter check with your airline what’s permitted) Your education certificates including IELTS or Enough money to live on in the first few weeks. other original Secure English Language Test We advise using traveller’s cheques and not bringing large amounts of cash. Evidence of funding for your tuition fees and living costs, including sponsor letter (if you are being sponsored) Things to pack in your suitcase Dublin has a variety of shops so you’ll be able Accommodation documents, including your to buy everything you need to live comfortably. signed tenancy agreement Many of the personal items you wish to bring with Four passport-sized photographs you, such as clothes, accessories and books can Notarised letter naming your designated go in your suitcase. guardian in Ireland (if you are under 18) Any insurance documents Medical certificates including vaccination records Mobile phone
5 Top Tips
Check with your airline on what you can bring in terms of size and weight for hand and checked luggage.
Calling from Dublin? Once you’re in Dublin, you don’t need to include the ‘+353’ just replace it with an ‘0’. For example, a number that internationally is +353 (0) 877 467953 becomes 0877 467953.
We recommend that you bring: Irish Socket • Comfortable clothing such as trainers, jeans, t-shirts, jumpers and a warm coat. The dress code at the International Study Adaptor Centre is informal. • Study supplies e.g. pens and paper notepads – these may be less expensive in your country. • Laptop computer and charger – you can set English as the main language choice. This will help you to improve your English and assist you with everyday aspects of your life in Ireland. • Mobile phone and charger Non-Irish Plug • At least one travel adaptor plug – 240v with a three-pin plug (like the one Your accommodation may provide pictured opposite). a bedding and catering pack. Check the accommodation section at: ucd.ie/isc
If you have booked private accommodation, you will need to check what is supplied.
6 Arriving in Dublin, Ireland Travelling to a new country can be a little overwhelming. To make it easier for you, we’ve outlined the process below so that you know exactly what to expect when you arrive.
If you are from outside the European Union (EU), when you reach border control, please enter through the Non-EU entrance. Please be prepared for an immigration interview with Garda Immigration (GNIB) staff . You must be able to answer some questions in English and have a basic conversation without the assistance of an interpreter – failure to do so may result in you being denied access to the country, at which point you will have to return home. Please note that the Irish border control can be very busy, so you may have to wait in a queue to see an Immigration Officer. After collecting your luggage and making your way through customs, you will reach the arrivals hall.
Welcome to Dublin, Ireland!
For up-to-date information visit: dublinairport.com/at-the-airport/passenger- Information/customs-immigration
7 Top Tip
Make sure you have original, paper copies of all your documents, not in digital formats on smart phones, tablets or other electronic devices. Keep them in your hand luggage in case you need to show them at the Irish border.
8 Getting to University College Dublin ISC from Dublin Airport
Dublin Airport is the closest international airport If you are staying in private accommodation, to University College Dublin. provided you have given us the address in advance, the driver should have this information. By plane and pre-booked taxi transfer What if my plans change? If you are arriving by plane and have asked for a If you have booked a taxi transfer but your arrival taxi transfer, you will be met by the taxi driver in date changes or you decide to arrange your own the Arrivals Hall. The driver will be holding a sign taxi transfer, you will need to let us know as soon with your name on it. as possible. We will require two business days’ notice to be able to change or cancel your booking. Please do not pay the taxi driver as your fare will be added to your account. Please email: If you are heading directly to your accommodation [email protected] booked with our ISC Accommodation Team, the taxi driver will take you to collect your keys – they Making your own way will have been informed where you will be staying, If you are travelling directly to your but it is a good idea for you to have the details accommodation, the safest way is to hand. by taxi from Dublin Airport. Prices for journeys to different parts of the city Check your room confirmation for details of where are posted at the official taxi ranks, and when to collect your keys, particularly if you found on the forecourts directly are arriving late at night or early in the morning outside Terminals 1 and 2. when residence receptions may not be open. If you are arriving when the reception is not open, check your room confirmation for out of hours key collection information.
9 Top Tips
Don’t forget to email or phone your parent or guardian to let them know you have arrived.
Remember to switch your phone on as soon as you get off the plane so the taxi driver can call you.
Edinburgh Glasgow
Belfast
University York College Leeds Dublin dublin airport Dublin Liverpool Manchester
Limerick Birmingham
Cork London
Journey time from Dublin Airport is 30-40 minutes by taxi (depending on traffic)
10 Your Induction Programme On your first, exciting day with us it is important that you arrive on time. During your induction you will have a complete introduction to Dublin, Ireland, the University, and the International Study Centre.
It’s vital that you arrive on time so that you don’t • Your chosen programme miss out on meeting your new classmates and Get your all-important timetable and find out enjoying all of the great social activities that have what you need to achieve to progress to the been planned for you. Activities include a tour of University. the University campus to help you discover your new home. • Registering with the University Once you are registered with the University you We will work with you in your first week to find out will get your student card and be able to set up about your academic levels and how we can best and log on to the University’s internet network. support you in your studies. You will also get information about the What to bring with you on your University sports facilities and gym first day memberships. Please bring the following documents, so that we can register you on the course: • Registering with the police (Garda) ✓✓ Evidence of your Secure English Language You will need to register with the Garda during Test your first weeks with us and have up to 90 ✓✓ Passport and visa days to do so. Staff at the ISC will help you ✓✓ Sponsor letter (if you are being sponsored) with this. You will need: ✓✓ Your passport During your Induction Programme ✓✓ Bank Statement of an Irish bank account in you will learn about: your name, showing a balance of at least • Opening a bank account €3000 (payment in cash is not accepted). If you bring a banker’s draft in euros with you ✓✓ Offer letter (original) (payable to yourself) or arrange for it to be sent, ✓✓ Letter from the International Study Centre you can open a bank account once you have ✓✓ Your insurance policy registered for your course. ✓✓ Statement of Attendance from previous In order to open a bank account you will need: college (only if you have been studying in ✓✓ a passport Ireland already) ✓✓ proof you are a student – we will issue you with a letter If you are over 18, you will need to pay a fee of €300 by credit card, laser card or bank giro ✓✓ proof of an address in Ireland (cash is not accepted).
11 Top Tip
When you arrive, continue to view your fees online and select how you want to pay using your online login details
If you are under 18, this fee does not apply, but you will need to supply additional documents:
1. A letter from your parent or guardian permitting you to study in Ireland stating: ✓✓ Name and address of the centre ✓✓ Notarised letter naming your designated guardian in Ireland. If you do not have a designated person your student advisor can help you.
2. Photocopies of the bio-data pages of the parent or guardian passport - photograph and signature must be visible.
Advice on settling in 1. Say hello to your new neighbours. Living in a student residence is a great way to make new, life-long friends. Other students around you, both from Ireland and abroad, will be feeling the same as you. Talking to each other will really help you settle in. Why not take the first step by introducing yourself? 2. Join in! There will be events planned at the International Study Centre as well as plenty of clubs and societies to join. 3. Don’t forget to set your morning alarm on your first day – you’ll need plenty of time to get ready.
We want you to feel at home as quickly as possible. If you have any worries, you can always approach any of our friendly staff and they will be very happy to help.
12 Your campus
13 14 General Building Traffic Barrier Academic Building Pedestrian Route Campus Residential Building Vehicle Route map Under Construction
< D onn ybr Dublin Bus ook Aircoach Bus Stop
N11 Entrance Wexford >
31
77 42 8 15 77 35 18 12 G Entrance 78 45 3 Vehicle Route 40 27 17 4 22 14 16 5 69 74 Fosters 65 67 Avenue 39 Entrance 75 20 9 29 50 47 64 13 36 66 6 11 34 41 51 70 2 10 25 71 73 37 38 49 72 46
68 e 23 u n 52 e 48 v A
s r e t 28 1 s o 7 F 54 58 59 76 24 21 53 30 61 Owenstown 55 56 Entrance Richview ISC 57 44 Entrance 32
C lon sk ea 33 gh 62 Ro ad
Clonskeagh 60 Entrance 43 19 Richview Newstead Entrance 26
Rosemount Roebuck Castle Entrance North 63 Roebuck Road
Roebuck Road Gate
15 General Building Traffic Barrier Academic Building Pedestrian Route Residential Building Vehicle Route Under Construction
< D onn ybr Dublin Bus ook Aircoach Bus Stop
N11 Entrance Wexford >
31
77 42 8 15 77 35 18 12 G Entrance 78 45 3 Vehicle Route 40 27 17 4 22 14 16 5 69 74 Fosters 65 67 Avenue 39 Entrance 75 20 9 29 50 47 64 13 36 66 6 11 34 41 51 70 2 10 25 71 73 37 38 49 72 46
68 e 23 u n 52 e 48 v A
s r e t 28 1 s o 7 F 54 58 59 76 24 21 53 30 61 Owenstown 55 56 Entrance Richview 57 44 Entrance 32
C lon sk ea 33 gh 62 Ro ad
Clonskeagh 60 Entrance 43 19 Richview Newstead Entrance 26
Rosemount Roebuck Castle Entrance North 63 Roebuck Road
Roebuck Road Gate
16 Map Key
Building Index Building Index (cont)
Agnes McGuire Social Work Building (Arts Annexe) 1 E9 NovaUCD 42 B12 UCD Agriculture and Food Science Centre 2 D7 Oakmount Créche 43 G6 Ardmore Annexe 3 C8 Ardmore House 4 C8 UCD O’Kane Centre for Film Studies Bank, AIB 5 C8 (Observatory) 44 F7 Belfield Office Park 6 D2 O’Reilly Hall 45 C7 Belgrove Student Residences 7 E8 Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Church 46 E6 Bicycle Shop 8 B10 Pavillion 47 D4 UCD Bowl 9 C4 Planning and Environmental Policy 48 E1 Campus Services 10 D7 UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business 49 D9 UCD Centre for Molecular Innovation and Drug Discovery 11 D6 UCD Research 50 C8 Centre for Research in Infectious Diseases (CRID) 12 B8 Restaurant 51 D9 Centre for Synthesis and Chemical Biology (CSCB) 13 D7 Richview Buildings Labatory 52 E1 Charles Institute 14 C5 Richview Lecture Building 53 F1 UCD Clinton Centre for American Studies (Belfield House) 15 B10 Richview Library 54 E1 UCD Computer Centre 16 C5 Richview Memorial Hall 55 F1 UCD Computer Science and Informatics Centre 17 C6 Richview Newstead Block A 56 F2 UCD Conway Institute 18 B5 Richview Newstead Block B (Main Bld) 57 F2 Crannóg House 19 G12 UCD Institute of Sport & Health 58 E3 Daedalus Building 20 C9 Richview School of Architecture 59 E1 Energy Centre 21 F3 Roebuck Castle 60 G11 UCD Engineering & Materials Science Centre 22 C9 Roebuck Hall Residence 61 F11 Environmental Protection Agency 23 E1 Roebuck Offices 62 G11 UCD Geary Institute (Arts Annexe) 24 F9 UCD Rosemount Environmental Research Station 63 H4 Gerard Manley Hopkins Centre (UCD International Office) 25 D9 UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (Hub) 64 D6 Glebe House 26 G11 UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (North) 65 C6 Glenomena Student Residences 27 C11 UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (West) 66 D6 Hanna Sheehy-Skeffington Building (Arts Annexe) 28 E9 UCD O’Brien Centre for Science (East) 67 C6 Health Sciences Centre 29 C5 UCD Sports Centre 68 E5 UCD Humanities Institute Ireland 30 F9 St. Stephens 69 C10 Information Point 31 B8 UCD Student Centre 70 D5 Leinster Rugby 32 F2 Building 71 71 D9 Irish Institute for Chinese Studies UCD Student Learning Leisure and Recreation Facility 72 E5 (UCD Confucious Institute) 33 G11 UCD Sutherland School of Law 73 D10 UCD James Joyce Library 34 D7 Systems Biology Ireland (SBI) 74 C6 UCD John Hume Institute for Global Irish Studies Tierney Building (Administration Building) 75 C8 (William Jefferson Clinton Auditorium) 35 B9 UCD Earth Institute - Richview 76 F1 Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) 36 D5 Veterinary Hospital 77 B6 Merville Student Residences 37 D11 UCD Veterinary Sciences Centre 78 B6 National Hockey Stadium 38 D4 Woodview House 79 B5 National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) 39 C12 National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL )40 C8
Newman Building W41 D8
17 Academic Index Academic Index (cont)
UCD College of Human Sciences UCD College of Business & Law UCD School of Applied Social Sciences 28 UCD School of Business 6, 49 UCD School of Economics 41 UCD School of Law 60, 73 UCD School of Education 62 UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Blackrock UCD School of Geography Planning Business School Campus and Environmental Policy 41, 48, 59 UCD College of Health Sciences UCD School of Information and Library Studies 34 UCD School of Medicine and Medical Science 12, 18, 29 UCD School of Philosophy 41 UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems 29 UCD School of Politics and International Relations 41 UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and UCD School of Psychology 41 Population Science 18,29,58,78 UCD School of Social Justice 41 UCD College of Agriculture, Food Science and UCD School of Sociology 34, 41 Veterinary Medicine UCD College of Arts & Celtic Studies UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science 2, 63 UCD School of Archaeology 19, 41, 60 UCD School of Veterinary Medicine 76, 77 UCD School of Art History and Cultural Policy 41 UCD School of Classics 41s Campus Information Services UCD School of English, Drama and Film 28, 41, 44 Bank 5 C8 UCD School of History and Archives 30, 34, 41 Bicycle Shop 8 B10 Campus Bookshop 34 D7
UCD School of Irish, Celtic Studies, Centra Supermarket 37 D11 Irish Folklore and Linguistics 41 Copi-Print 34,41,49, 7,D8,D9 UCD School of Languages & Literatures 41, 44 Laundry 27, 61 C11, F11 UCD School of Music 41 Pharmacy 70 D5 Post Office 51 D9 UCD College of Engineering and Architecture Sports Centre Barber 68 E5 UCD School of Architecture 48,52,54,57,59 Student Desk 74 C8 UCD School of Biosystems Engineering 2, 22 Student Health Service 70 D5 UCD School of Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering 22 Students’ Union 70 D5 UCD School of Civil, Structural Students’ Union Shop 22,34,64 C9,D7,D6 and Environmental Engineering 48,52,54,57,59 UCD HR 62 G11 UCD School of Electrical, Electronic and Communications Engineering 6, 22 Traffic Calming Programme UCD School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering 22 Traffic Restrictions in Operation
UCD College of Science Mon-Fri Barriers closed from: 07.00-10.30 16.00-19.30 UCD School of Biology & Environmental Science 66, 67 UCD School Biomecular & Biomedical Science 18, 67 Gates Opening Times N11 Entrance 24 hours UCD School Chemistry & Chemical Biology 11, 13, 67 Clonskeagh Entrance, (Mon-Sun) 07.00-00.00 UCD School Computer Science and Informatics 17, 65 Owenstown Entrance (Mon-Sat) 07.00-00.00 UCD School Geological Sciences 66 Fosters Avenue Entrance 07.00-00.00 UCD School of Maths 34, 6 Richview Entrance (Mon-Fri) 07.00-00.00 (Sat) 07.00-18.00 UCD School of Physics 65, 67 Richview Newstead Gate (Mon-Sun) 24 hours
Roebuck Castle, Pedestrian Route 24 hours Greenfield Park, Pedestrian Route 24 hours
Roebuck Road Gate Pedestrian Route (Mon-Fri) 07.00-18.00
18 Your checklist
As soon as possible Have you received confirmation of your Have you paid the required fees for your room allocation? tuition, accommodation and insurance Have you made a copy of your passport (if applicable)? and other essential documents? Have you booked your accommodation? Have you obtained four passport-sized photos? Have you checked your passport is valid for at least six months from your course start date? What to bring with you on your Have you applied for and received your visa? first day Please bring the following documents, so that Up to one month before you depart we can register you on the course: Passport and visa Have you completed the online pre-arrival Sponsor letter (if you are being sponsored) form (sent by email) with your flight and visa information? Evidence of your Secure English Have you organised money to bring with you? Language Test
Get involved! Why not join our social network facebook.com/iscucd weibo.com/ucdisc
We can’t wait to welcome you.
University College Dublin International Study Centre is run by Study Group in partnership with University College Dublin. For more information visit: studygroup.com
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