University College Dublin (UCD)

Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland

IAU WHED ID: IAU-013067-013069

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

University College Dublin

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 here.

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. 

More Information

Find more details on sustainability at UCD below:

UCD's Sustainability Webpage 
UCD's SDG Dashboard and Interactive Map

Actions towards sustainability for this university

News for this university

High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2025

The IAU participated in the High-Level Political Forum 2025 to advocate for the role of higher education in achieving the SDGs. IAU contributed to several key events, including the UNAI Higher Education Symposium, the HESI Global Forum, and a side event focused on SDG 8.

UOC and IAU SDG 3 Cluster Webinar: Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Universities

Join the discussion around "Addressing Mental Health and Wellbeing in Universities" on the occasion of World Mental Health Day in October. IAU and UOC, with the SDG 3 Cluster organised two webinars, conducted in English and Spanish, to explore how universities are addressing the mental health and wellbeing of their staff and students.

IAU HESD Cluster Activity Report 2023-24 published

Read the latest report on SDGs activities carried out by the IAU HESD Cluster members

IAU-UOC Webinar: The Mental Health Crisis - Building Resilience in a Changing World

//Watch the recording & read the event summary// Addressing Mental Health issues of students and staff at universities and taking preventive measures through information and e-health tools were some of the examples described by experts during this webinar.

IAU General Conference 2022 - UCD Dublin

Register now and join the discussion on Relevance and Value of Universities to Future Society

IAU at the HEInnovate – Embedding SDGs in HE practices

IAU was invited to speak at a webinar on how innovation can foster practices for the SDGs - article and recording available now

IAU HESD Activity Report 2022-23 - available now

Discover the recent actions from the network in the annual Cluster activity report!

Documents of this university

Events for this university