• School diploma required
  VWO (Dutch pre-university diploma) i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Netherlands … What qualifications are accepted? … Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma)

  ucd.ie · euapplicants

  EU applicants must meet the same minimum entry requirements as Irish school-leavers.

  ✓

  For you, Met: Your VWO diploma counts.
• Required school subjects
  Wiskunde A or wiskunde B or wiskunde C or wiskunde D and biologie or scheikunde or natuurkunde or aardrijkskunde or informatica as a VWO exam subject i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  hub.ucd.ie

  O2/H6 in Mathematics

  O2/H6 in a laboratory science (Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or Geography may be used instead of a laboratory science subject)

  www2.cao.ie

  O2 … VWO 8; H6 … VWO 8

  ucd.ie · minimumentryrequirementsmatriculation

  For Science (DN200) the subjects Geography, Computer Science and Applied Maths may also be used as a Laboratory Science subject.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your subjects to check. Add your subjects
• Minimum subject grades
  6 different subjects at 6 or higher, at least 2 of them at 8 or higher, including English, Mathematics and Laboratory Science or mapped permitted substitute; Wiskunde A or wiskunde B or wiskunde C or wiskunde D: at least 8; Biologie or scheikunde or natuurkunde or aardrijkskunde or informatica: at least 8 i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  2 H5 required 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  Table 1: Subject Grade Comparisons … H6 8 O6 6 or Pass in HAVO

  2 more from this page

  If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.

  O2 … VWO 8; H6 … VWO 8

  hub.ucd.ie

  O2/H6 in Mathematics … O2/H6 in a laboratory science (Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or Geography may be used instead of a laboratory science subject)

  O2/H6 in Mathematics

  1 more from this page

  O2/H6 in a laboratory science (Applied Mathematics, Computer Science or Geography may be used instead of a laboratory science subject)

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your subjects and grades to check. No grade entered for wiskunde A or wiskunde B or wiskunde C or wiskunde D. No grade entered for biologie or scheikunde or natuurkunde or aardrijkskunde or informatica. Add your subjects
• Minimum overall grade
  None i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  2 H5 required 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO

  The minimum eligibility criteria follow. Proof of English proficiency is required in all cases. The minimum standard may be higher in individual HEIs and/or for individual courses. There may also be specific subject requirements for courses.

  1 more from this page

  6 recognised subjects ... 2 subjects at grade H5 and 4 subjects at grade O6

  ucd.ie · minimumentryrequirementsmatriculation

  must obtain Grade H5, or better, in two subjects and Grade O6/H7, or better, in the remaining four subjects.

• Language level required
  English: VWO engels 8 or higher or an accepted language test i

  English: at least 8 for engels on your VWO list or IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT (0–120 scale) 90 or TOEFL iBT (1–6 scale, tests from January 2026) 4.5 or Cambridge English (C1 Advanced) 176 or Cambridge English (C2 Proficiency) 176 or Pearson English Language Test (Academic) 63 or Trinity ISE 3 or Duolingo English Test 120 or Oxford Test of English 140 or LanguageCert ESOL B2 Communicator or LanguageCert Academic 70 or IELCA Academic 35 or Skills for English UKVI B2 (4 Component Test)

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence (see page 9).

  Note applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old must present additional proof of English.

  ucd.ie · minimumenglishlanguagerequirements

  An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band.

  iBT: 90 (no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section) … For tests taken from January 2026 using the new scoring scale 1-6: Minimum overall score of 4.5, with no less than 4.5 in each section

  5 more from this page

  Pearson English Language Test (Academic): Minimum of 63 and at least 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section.

  Trinity ISE 3 with at least merit in each skill category.

  The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 120 is required with at least 110 in each individual subscore.

  Oxford Test of English: Minimum score of 140 overall with a minimum score of 125 in each skill.

  Language Cert Academic 70 overall will 65 in each skill

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: English: enter your grade for engels. Add a language test
• Minimum age
  Born before 16 January 2011 for 2027, going by the 2026 rule (born before 16 January 2010) i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  ucd.ie · minimumentryrequirementsmatriculation

  Students must normally be seventeen years of age by 15 January following entry: i.e. for entry in 2026, date of birth must be on or before 15 January 2010.

  must normally be 17 years of age on or before 15 January following entry

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Enter your birth year to check. Add your birth year
• Extra steps
  None i

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  DN200 Science

  ucd.ie · generalrequirementsundergraduate

  For CAO applicants, we do not require personal statements (with the exception of Veterinary Medicine which requires evidence of work experience) or interviews.

• Other requirements
  Irish is normally required for UCD courses. A student presenting a non-Leaving-Certificate qualification who was born outside the island of Ireland and is permanently resident outside Ireland is automatically exempt; other applicants educated abroad may apply for an NUI exemption. i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  ucd.ie · minimumentryrequirementsmatriculation

  For all courses in UCD, this must include Irish (unless exempt) and English.

  were born outside Ireland (32 Counties) and are permanently resident outside Ireland and are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate for matriculation

  ucd.ie · minimumenglishlanguagerequirements

  For all proficiency tests the results must normally have been issued within the last two years

  Applicants are assessed on the results of a single sitting only - this means that the minimum requirements for all components must be met at the same time as the required overall score is attained.

  4 more from this page

  Trinity ISE 3 with at least merit in each skill category.

  Language Cert ESOL | B2 Communicator High Pass with no less than 33 in each skill taken with no more than 3 months between components.

  Skills for English UKVI B2 (4 Component Test) | Pass with Merit in all components

  Retake scores are not accepted.

  ✓

  For you, Met: Not required for you: you were born and permanently live outside Ireland.
• English tests must meet all score, section and validity rules. Not required with VWO English 8 or higher. i

  For an English test route, UCD normally requires results issued within the previous two years, all overall and component minima in one sitting, and does not accept IELTS retake scores. Qualitative thresholds include Trinity ISE 3 merit in each skill, LanguageCert ESOL B2 Communicator High Pass with at least 33 in each skill and no more than three months between components, and Pass with Merit in all four Skills for English UKVI B2 components.

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  ucd.ie · minimumentryrequirementsmatriculation

  For all courses in UCD, this must include Irish (unless exempt) and English.

  were born outside Ireland (32 Counties) and are permanently resident outside Ireland and are presenting qualifications other than the Leaving Certificate for matriculation

  ucd.ie · minimumenglishlanguagerequirements

  For all proficiency tests the results must normally have been issued within the last two years

  Applicants are assessed on the results of a single sitting only - this means that the minimum requirements for all components must be met at the same time as the required overall score is attained.

  4 more from this page

  Trinity ISE 3 with at least merit in each skill category.

  Language Cert ESOL | B2 Communicator High Pass with no less than 33 in each skill taken with no more than 3 months between components.

  Skills for English UKVI B2 (4 Component Test) | Pass with Merit in all components

  Retake scores are not accepted.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Check this yourself.
• Score needed to get in
  2026 cut-offs: 533–540 CAO points, depending on the study option or admission route; they change every year. i

  2026 published cut-offs: 540 CAO points (CAO Round 1 DN200 Science); 533 CAO points (CAO Round 2 DN200 Science). Cut-offs differ by admission route or study option; check the relevant published cut-off yourself. They change every year.

  Applicants are ranked by CAO points; the highest get the places. The cut-off is the lowest score that got a place, so it moves with each year's applicants.

  Earlier cut-offs: 543 in 2025 (UCD stated points (round not identified)), 544 in 2024 (UCD stated points (round not identified)).

  How the score is worked out: Average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting: 10 → 600, 9 → 595, 8 → 541, 7 → 374, 6 → 250, 5 → 200.

  +25 for wiskunde B or wiskunde D at 6 or higher, if it is one of the subjects counted.

  Two versions of one subject, such as wiskunde B and D, count once, at their average.

  Grades are rounded to whole numbers first, as on the diploma.

  The university gives only these rows and does not say how averages between them convert, so a score between two rows is a range.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  Points Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses … DN200 Science … RND 1 540

  DN200 Science … RND 1 540 … RND 2 533

  www2.cao.ie

  The indicative equivalence will be calculated, based on the average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting as follows:

  Average Mark IPS 10 600 9 595 8 541 7 374 6 250 5 200

  3 more from this page

  Bonus points of 25 will be awarded for grade 6 or better in Advanced level Mathematics (i.e., B or D) where mathematics is one of the subjects counted for points.

  If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.

  NB Sample grades only. The steps between points shown are not necessarily even as they are based on statistical comparisons.

  ?

  For you, Not yet clear: Cut-offs differ by admission route or study option; check the relevant published cut-off yourself.

How places are given

• Cap on places (numerus fixus)
  Limited; the number is not published i

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  ucd.ie

  DN200 … Approx Places … 420

  ucd.ie · euapplicants

  As the number of applicants generally exceeds the number of places available, admission is competitive based on a points system.

• How applicants are picked
  Ranked by school grades; the highest get the places i

  Applicants who meet the minimum entry requirements are ranked by CAO points. UCD offers places in order of merit; for EU applicants, places are allocated proportionally among examination-system groups when needed. If a tie for the final place remains, CAO uses a random number selection.

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.

  Sources

  www2.cao.ie

  After the points have been calculated, applicants are placed on a list in order of merit for each course for which they are eligible.

  If there are five applicants with an identical points score competing for one remaining place, random number selection applies and the place will be offered to the applicant with the highest random number.

  ucd.ie · euapplicants

  As the number of applicants generally exceeds the number of places available, admission is competitive based on a points system.

  places are offered to eligible applicants from each examination system group on the basis of ranking within their group proportionally.

• Past admission numbers
  In 2026 the lowest score that got in was 540 (CAO Round 1 DN200 Science).

  In 2026 the lowest score that got in was 533 (CAO Round 2 DN200 Science).

  In 2025 the lowest score that got in was 543 (UCD stated points (round not identified)).

  In 2024 the lowest score that got in was 544 (UCD stated points (round not identified)).

  i

  Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  www2.cao.ie

  Points Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses … DN200 Science … RND 1 540

  DN200 Science … RND 1 540 … RND 2 533

Once you have started

• First-year minimum to continue
  Pass at least 50 of 60 credits in the first year; if you do not, you can resit or repeat the year i

  Every course is worth a number of credits, which you earn by passing it; a full year is 60.

  In the university’s words: A UCD Science student who earns fewer than 50 credits in the first full attempt repeats the stage the following year. Students who earn 50 or 55 credits may usually progress carrying failed modules, which must later be passed by resit, repeat or substitution. The 2026/27 Academic Regulations allow an incomplete stage only when no more than 10 credits remain and programme progression requirements are met; this is a conditional allowance, not automatic progression. Compensated credits count as earned under the regulations.

  Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Sources

  hub.ucd.ie

  A student may not progress where the number of credits outstanding exceeds 10 credits

  ucd.ie · checkingyourcredits

  The normal credit load for each stage of an Undergraduate Degree programme is 60 credits (12 modules).

  ucd.ie · repeatandnon standardstudents

  Students who earn less than 50 credits in their first full attempt at a stage will return to a repeat attempt at their stage in the following academic year.

  Students who earn 50 or 55 credits will, in most cases, be able to progress to their next stage carrying the failed modules. The failed modules will need to be passed by either resit, repeat or substitution.

After you graduate

• Where graduates go
  Recent Physics graduates have worked in energy technology, medical physics, meteorology, advanced materials and semiconductors, geoscience, ICT, finance and public bodies. Further study includes MSc programmes in areas such as space science, nanotechnology, medical physics and meteorology, and PhDs in physics and astrophysics.

  What University College Dublin says its graduates go on to do; not measured.

  i

  Fairly sure — Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.

  Source

  hub.ucd.ie

  Recent Physics graduates have pursued careers in areas such as energy technology, medical physics, meteorology, advanced materials (e.g. semiconductor industry), Geoscience, ICT and financial industries … Graduates are also eligible to apply for MSc programmes … or for PhD programmes in Ireland and abroad

• Where graduates went (measured)
  University College Dublin honours-degree graduates of 2024 in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, nine months after graduating: 59.1% working full-time, 4.3% part-time, 0.8% about to start a job; 33.1% in full-time further study; 2.3% unemployed; 0.4% other activities.

  Measured from all natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics graduates of University College Dublin, not just this programme (2024). Past graduates, not a promise.

  i

  Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.

  Sources

  public.tableau.com · HEI Comparison

  Undergraduate Honours Degree Programmes … Field of Study: Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics … University College Dublin … Working full-time 59.1% … Working part-time 4.3% … Due to start a job in the next 3 months 0.8% … Engaged in full-time further study, training or research 33.1% … Other Activity 0.4% … Unemployed and looking for work 2.3%

  hea.ie

  HEI level data (GO Class of 2024) … 3. HEI-Level Information (UG Honours Degree): This looks at employment outcomes for undergraduate honours degrees for each HEI