University College Dublin / UCD

Founded in 1854

The UCD Centre for Humanitarian Action (UCD-CHA) is recognised as a key global institutional stakeholder in the provision of education concerning humanitarian affairs. The programme, which has been delivered since 1997, lives up to its reputation offering students the support and contacts to build partnerships for research and internships.

The programme provides both a dynamic learning environment, involving a variety of teaching methods from lectures, simulations and field-trips as well as opportunities to network and meet working humanitarians. UCD CHA also gives students a unique opportunity to gain insight into current affairs and the work and research of working professionals as the centre hosts a number of international speakers and research leaders.

The NOHA Joint Master’s in International Humanitarian Action at UCD brings together experts from academia and the field to lecture on various modules and in the second semester at UCD, students are given the opportunity to explore issues around peace and development focusing on the need to bridge the gap between relief and development, among other related themes and topics.

UCD CHA has always attracted students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds contributing to a unique and dynamic learning environment, where students are encouraged to learn and share experience with one another – reflecting the real life working reality for humanitarian actors.

First semester

The semester is composed of an inter-university joint course that brings together all NOHA students and a set of common courses which provide a space to debate the essentials of humanitarian action and its current trends.

Intensive Programme
UCD: Geopolitics
UCD: International Humanitarian Law
UCD: Public Health (Medicine)
UCD: Management in the Humanitarian Context
UCD: Social Anthropology
Second semester

Thematic specialisation: Resilience: Localising the aid effort
The second semester at University College Dublin’s Centre for Humanitarian Action (UCD CHA) focuses on how the international humanitarian community can support local actors to build the resilience of fragile societies  Building resilience and localising the aid effort are related processes that are (re)defining the humanitarian sector away from reactive humanitarian response guided primarily by international actors to understanding the root causes of crises and supporting affected communities themselves to prevent, withstand, and recover from them. In this regard the importance of attending to those left behind within communities with due respect to gender and other inequalities is essential.
During the semester a complementary range of academics and practitioners committed to this endeavour engage students in interrogating the conceptual underpinnings of resilience, localisation and gender-based violence and, critically, how related interventions can be applied in concrete settings by and for crisis-affected populations.  Students undertake specialised modules on localisation and building societal resilience that provide the competences (theoretical knowledge and applicable skills) required to support resilience in an evidence-based manner. These are accompanied by a module focusing on addressing the gendered impacts of violence in emergency settings.  The modules offered are as follows:
Linking Localisation with Humanitarian Management (10 ECTS)
Evidence-based Community Resilience: Applied Research Design (10 ECTS)
Addressing Gender-based Violence in Emergencies (10 ECTS)

Classroom lectures and group discussions are complemented by a  visit to NGO offices in Dublin to gain further insights into how the localisation agenda is being advanced and how local actors can build their capacity to address crises.
Third semester

The university does not offer courses in the third semester. Students pursue a research track at one of the partner universities or a professional placement in a humanitarian organisation.
Fourth semester

The semester aims to prepare students to select and analyse research material, confront new problems in their multifaceted dimensions, understand reality and elaborate innovative solutions.

Useful info

Studying in Dublin

UCD is Ireland's Global University. It is the largest and most international university in Ireland with over 30,000 students of which over 6,000 are international (from 127 countries). By accepting your offer, you will join the UCD Global Community. Congratulations!

UCD offers a 3rd level graduate scheme to NOHA students:
Under the Irish International Education Strategy, “Educated Globally Connected” – Any non-EEA graduates from UCD are permitted to remain and work in Ireland for 2 years after their studies under the Irish third level graduate scheme.
For more information, please contact the UCD NOHA Coordinator.

Please note that Ireland is not member of the Schengen Area. For visa and immigration support, please see the link or contact the NOHA Coordinator at UCD.
Accommodation

The Centre for Humanitarian Action is renowned for its open-door policy and focus on student support. The NOHA Coordinator will support students where possible regarding city accommodation and the university itself has a number of supportive groups and campus institutions that may be of assistance. Ultimately, It is the responsibility of each individual student to arrange their accommodation during their studies in Dublin but some support is available. The on-campus accommodation is quite competitive. More information on this can be found on the UCD Residences website or on that of the UCD International Office.

ucdaccommodationpad.ie is the official UCD student accommodation search engine. It lets students search for student houses, student homes, housing, flats and lodgings in Dublin and Ireland. University College Dublin offers the site in good faith and as a courtesy to both students and local landlords. It is a third party website and UCD bears no responsibility whatsoever for the content of it.

The best rental site is daft.ie. On the site, first select 'South City' (for most of the following locations), you can then choose a specific area. The areas closest to the UCD campus (walking distance) are D4, D6, D14 and some parts of Co. Dublin.

UCD Commuting provides detailed information about getting to UCD campus by bus, car, cycling, train, shuttle and tram. There is a shuttle bus service between UCD and Sydney Parade Dart Station that operates between the hours of 8am to 10am, and from 4pm to 6pm on weekdays. There is a charge of €1 per trip, payable to driver.
Do I need visa?

Citizens of certain countries require an entry visa for Ireland. Check to see which countries do not require a visa to enter Ireland.
At UCD students are supported by the university’s renowned International Office which offers support and guidance to international students as they travel or seek to study in Ireland. The UCD CHA supports students equally in this regard through orientation and extensive links with relevant partners.
For further information please visit: www.international.ie & contact the UCD coordinator.

Living costs

It is expected that you will have sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living costs. Much depends on your own personal choices – therefore, allow some margin to cover this as well as having something kept aside for the unexpected things which always catch us out when we least expect it! The UCD International Office has developed a guide to help you calculate the costs for living expenses such as accommodation, food, textbooks and other basics. Lots of things can affect how much money you'll need, so these numbers are indicative only.

Further, the below figures will change based on your accommodation type. For example if you are living on campus in a catered residence, you'll need less money for food, while if you're renting an apartment you'll need to put money aside for bills like electricity and internet. Some students undertake part-time work but it cannot be depended on to support yourself.

Expense	Approx. cost per month
ELECTRICITY/GAS/BINS (Public Utilities)	€33
FOOD (including lunches)	€250
TRAVEL (Monthly Short Hop ticket)	€119
BOOKS AND MATERIALS (incl. photocopying & printing)	€71
CLOTHES/MEDICAL	€45
MOBILE PHONE	€20
SOCIAL LIFE/MISCELLANEOUS	€130

Language courses

Students can study language courses in UCD through the Applied Language Centre. The Centre also offers English language support for academic purposes. Additionally there are Language Exchange programmes outside of UCD.
Useful links

For any queries please contact the Irish NOHA Coordinator directly. He is happy to reach out.

Before you come to Ireland, we would recommend that you visit the UCD International website and review the UCD International Handbook.

Scholarships and funding
For more information on scholarships and funding visit the UCD Scholarships and Funding page

Immigration Requirements
Under immigration regulations, all non-EU/EEA students must be registered to a full-time programme.

Do I need a visa?
Citizens of certain countries require an entry visa for Ireland. Check to see which countries do not require a visa to enter Ireland.
If you require an entry visa for Ireland you will find useful guidelines and details of requirements for study visa applications here.
Visa processing times vary greatly from country to country. Early application is advisable.
Further information on visa requirements can be found here.

Registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB)
All non-EU/EEA students must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau after they have registered with UCD and before the expiry date on their passport. Click here for further information on registering with the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

Living and working in Ireland
Visit the International section of the UCD website for information about living and working in Ireland.

All offers of admission are subject to UCD Terms and Conditions of Offer of Admission available
at http://www.ucd.ie/registry/admissions/