University College Dublin and UC Davis: Admission

When choosing between University College Dublin (UCD) and the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), students are often weighing two globally respected research institutions. Both offer strong undergraduate and graduate programs and competitive admissions. But the application process, student life, financial aid, and academic focus vary in ways that can significantly impact your experience.

What Are the Admission Requirements for University College Dublin (UCD) and UC Davis?

Here’s a side-by-side look at the core admission requirements:

Key Differences to Keep in Mind

“UCs don’t take any counselor materials…. Like most every other nation: They focus on your grades and academic rigor. The US is the real exception with the ‘holistic review process’. The rest of the world just wants to see good grades in a challenging curriculum. The UC approach is somewhere in the middle but definitely closer to what you see abroad”

– Reddit

UCD focuses on exams and AP scores. It’s clear if you qualify based on your grades. UC Davis looks at the whole picture—grades, course level, essays, activities, and background. UC Davis is test blind for Californians, but UCD still values high test scores for top majors.

If applying to both, have strong APs and GPA, write good personal responses for UC Davis, and prep a portfolio if needed for UCD.

How Can I Apply for Admission in 2025?

Here’s a side-by-side of how to apply to each:

How Does Student Life Differ Between University College Dublin and UC Davis?

Here’s a breakdown of what that looks like:

What Makes UC Davis One of the Top Public Research Universities?

UC Davis doesn’t top public university lists by luck. It earns that spot with strong academics, big research, and real-world impact. From farming to medicine, ideas here turn into action.

A big plus? The university has research funding. Students don’t have to wait for grad school to be part of this. The Undergraduate Research Center connects students with projects in everything from environmental science to psychology and art. In fact, nearly 50% of UC Davis undergrads participate in research, according to the school’s official data. That’s a level of access that puts UC Davis in the same league as more expensive private institutions.

What also sets UC Davis apart is its commitment to global impact. The university leads major initiatives in climate resilience and public health—often in partnership with international agencies. For example, UC Davis’s Global Affairs program supports more than 140 collaborations in 60+ countries.

On campus, that international focus shows up in the classroom and student life. The UC Davis Study Abroad program offers dozens of faculty-led programs, including those in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, and emphasizes equity in access—offering scholarships and first-gen student support.

And if you’re wondering whether all this innovation comes at the cost of student experience—the answer is no. UC Davis consistently ranks high in student satisfaction, graduation rates, and post-grad outcomes.

What Is the Cost of Living for Students at UCD and UC Davis?

Let’s start with UC Davis. The estimated annual cost of attendance for 2025-2026 for undergraduate California residents living on campus is $38,660, while nonresidents can expect around $71,414, which includes out-of-state tuition. But if you’re living off campus or in Davis itself, housing and meals will likely become your biggest expenses.

In contrast, University College Dublin offers a more centralized model. Most students live either on campus or in nearby housing within easy reach of the school.

Living in Dublin is expensive—but so is most of California. Many UCD students live in on-campus residences, which start around €7,700/year (roughly $8,400 USD) for shared apartments, while premium options cost more. Off-campus housing in neighborhoods like Stillorgan or Blackrock can go higher.

When comparing both schools, remember:

• Healthcare is included in UCD’s student services fee for EU students, but non-EU students must purchase private health insurance (~$700/year)
• At UC Davis, the Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) is required unless waived, and costs around $2,850/year

So while UC Davis may come with higher overall costs, especially for nonresidents, it also offers access to a strong public university network and California’s job market. UCD, on the other hand, combines strong academics with a more walkable campus and proximity to European travel.

Are There Financial Aid Options Available for International Students?

UC Davis is a public university, it does not offer need-based aid to international students. However, UC Davis does provide merit-based scholarships through programs like the UC Davis Global Study Program and departmental awards. Most are small—typically between $1,000 and $5,000 per year—and highly competitive. Students are automatically considered for some scholarships when they apply, but others require separate applications.

Here are a few examples from the UC Davis international student aid page:

In addition, international students on F-1 visas are eligible for on-campus employment up to 20 hours per week, which can help offset living costs. Many work in libraries, labs, or dining services.

Now look at University College Dublin (UCD). While Ireland doesn’t offer U.S.-style need-based financial aid, UCD awards a broad range of merit scholarships to international students. These include:

• Global Excellence Scholarships: Cover 25%, 50%, or 100% of tuition
• College-level awards: Each faculty offers its own scholarships based on academic performance
• Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES): Highly competitive, full tuition + stipend, awarded by the Irish government

In 2024, over 60 international students at UCD received partial or full scholarships under the Global Excellence program, according to UCD Global. Applicants are automatically considered when they apply to the university, but early application improves chances.

Still, even with a scholarship, international students in Dublin must show proof of financial capacity when applying for visas. Irish immigration rules require that students have at least €10,000 (~$10,900 USD) in personal funds for living expenses—separate from tuition.

Unlike U.S. schools, UCD does not offer student loans to non-EU students, so the burden falls on scholarships, family, or private sponsors. On-campus jobs are allowed under Irish law—up to 20 hours per week during term and 40 hours during holidays—but these are meant to supplement income, not fund full tuition.

How Does the Veterinary Medicine Program at UC Davis Compare to UCD?

“We learned how to do procedures (blood draws, urinary catheters, IV cannula placement, etc), anaesthesia induction and intubation, and surgery on patients in vet school. Our final year was entirely practical, we worked through rotations in different specialties in the hospital”

– Reddit 

If you’re aiming for vet school, both UC Davis and UCD are top picks—but for different reasons. UC Davis is ranked in top in the world for Veterinary Science. UCD is a strong option in Europe with growing global recognition.

UC Davis stands out for:

• A 4-year AVMA-accredited DVM program (good for U.S. licensure)
• Dual degrees like DVM/MPH and DVM/PhD
• Early hands-on animal work, starting in the first quarter
• A $85M research budget and 9 teaching hospitals, including one of the largest in the U.S.
• Highly competitive admissions—under 140 spots, mostly for California residents

UCD’s School of Veterinary Medicine is Ireland’s only veterinary college. It’s EAEVE-accredited and recognized by the AVMA for U.S. licensure, which is a major plus for students looking to practice internationally. The UCD veterinary program is ranked among the top 50 globally, and has been praised for its emphasis on public health, food safety, and European animal welfare standards. UCD offers:

• A 5-year MVB (Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine) program, equivalent to a DVM, with an accelerated Graduate Entry route available in 4 years
• Strong focus on large animal practice and rural/agricultural health
• Fully accredited in both Europe and the U.S., which opens doors for graduates
• Lower tuition for EU students; international fees are around €38,000/year (~$41,800 USD)

Key differences come down to format and setting. UC Davis is research-heavy, with early access to high-level cases and specialties like exotics or oncology. UCD leans into public health, herd health, and food safety, with ties to the European Commission and Irish agriculture sector.

If your goal is to work in North America and you want a U.S.-style clinical education, UC Davis offers unmatched resources and global prestige. If you’re drawn to European regulations, or you want a broader international experience with lower living costs, UCD delivers a high-value, AVMA-recognized program with strong clinical outcomes.

Alyssa Mendoza, AP Coordinator and College Prep Specialist

Sources: University College Dublin, UC Davis, Reddit