University College Dublin (UCD)

Higher Education
and Research
for Sustainable
Development

Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

IAU WHED ID:

The IAU WHED ID Is a global unique identifier. on the IAU World Higher Education Database.

About

University College Dublin (UCD), founded in 1854, is Ireland’s largest research-intensive university, with more than 38,000 students from over 150 countries and a substantial complement of academic and professional staff. Its mission is “to create knowledge, to empower learning and to engage with partners to drive impact from education and research,” guided by values of excellence, global participation, inclusivity, and innovation. UCD offers a wide range of programmes across its Colleges of Arts & Humanities; Business; Engineering & Architecture; Health & Agricultural Sciences; Science; and Social Sciences & Law. Its leading research strengths include data analytics & AI; climate action & energy systems; bioeconomy; health & biomedical sciences; and societal studies. The Belfield campus boasts extensive facilities including modern science centres, business and law schools, student-centred learning spaces, and strong global partnerships with over 400 universities through exchange, research and innovation networks.

UCD Strategy 2020-2024

Creating a Sustainable Global Society; Transforming through Digital Technology; Building a Healthy World; and Empowering Humanity. These strategic themes will shape the research, the teaching and learning and the function as a community and as an institution. Find out more about University College Dublin and its core objectives including sustainability, transformation through digital technology, humanity empowerment and the construction of a healthy world .

Sustainability at University College Dublin

University College Dublin (UCD) integrates sustainability into its core values, embedding the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across research, teaching, campus life, and community engagement. Its Breaking Boundaries Strategy to 2030 sets ambitious targets: becoming a leader in sustainability thought and action, reducing carbon emissions by 51% by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2040. Through its Sustainable Research Initiative, UCD ensures laboratories and research programs adopt eco-friendly practices, while curricula across all colleges incorporate sustainability awareness. Campus operations serve as living labs, fostering well-being, resilience, and partnerships that amplify impact locally, nationally, and globally.