UCD Smurfit School

Handbook for
International
Students

2023-24
What is in this Handbook?
Supports for international students
Tour of the UCD Smurfit Smurfit
Starting in UCD: Orientation, term dates etc
Supports for int'l students
Immigration & working in Ireland
Accommodation
Transport & Student LEAPcard
Cost of living & practicalities
Irish healthcare explained
Students' testimonials & survival guide
Global Leadership Programme (GLP)
JUMPSTART - planning your career
Resources on getting to know Ireland
Whom to contact, if you have a question?
 "Céad Míle Fáilte"
'A HUNDREDTHOUSAND
WELCOMES'
IN IRISH GAELIC

Welcome to the UCD Smurfit School.

My name is Jola Meagher.
I provide support to international students in their
journey relocating to and settling in Ireland.
I am part of the UCD Smurfit School Office team.

Jola.Meagher@ucd.ie
 Take a virtual
tour of the
Smurfit School

Please note UCD Smurfit School is located on a separate campus in Blackrock

 What is UCD Smurfit Orientation*?
Orientation is mandatory
..

At Orientation you will learn about:
the University & your programme
services available to you
meet fellow students & faculty
Orientation dates for MSc & MAcc
programmes will be available on
SISWeb Student
Welcome Hub
('My Programme' tab).

*MBA students should refer to *Orientation info/dates listed on

the Foundation Week info. the UCD Global website is NOT
relevant for Smurfit students.
Essential pre & post arrival advice aimed at the UCD Smurftit
School students can be found on this dedicated webpage:

Incoming Students
This is where you find out about:
Webinars and communication
Accommmodation
Registration
Orientation
Ucard
Start of term
Careers
 SISWeb is a university platform
What is
SISWeb The SISWeb Student Welcome Hub
Student contains all you need to know about
Welcome UCD: e.g. When is Orientation? How
Hub?* do I register? Can I live on campus?

Check the SISWeb Student

Welcome Hub regularly

*MBA STUDENTS SISWeb login:

SHOULD REFER TO Username=student number
THE MBA PORTAL
Password=date of birth (DDMMYY)
 What is
UCD SISWeb
Certificate of
Attendance?

A UCD Certificate of Attendance verifies your student status

You can download & print it from SISWeb
Usage: applying for your PPSN (Personal Public Services
Number) or IRP (Irish Residence Permit), proof of address (your
term address must be updated in SISWeb), renting
accommodation
It is available after mid August (after you register with UCD)
 UCD Student Supports

UCD UCD
UCD Smurfit SmurfitSchool UCD
Careers Programme School International Global
Network Manager Student Students
(Instagram)
Support
Adviser

UCD
Dignity & UCD
Business UCD UCD
Respect
Academic Academic Student Student
Support
Writing Supports Union Desk
Service
Centre
'I provide confidential service to all
students who are seeking support; Rally Schwachöfer
whether this support for dealing with UCD Smurfit
personal challenges alongside studies, or School Student
transition challenges or simply with the Adviser
workload and how to handle life next to
being a student amongst other topics'.
To make an appt, please email me:
rally.schwachofer@ucd.ie
 UCD term dates - click here
Note: Orientation and start of Autumn Trimester dates for UCD Smurfit School might differ
 Working in Ireland
All UCD students:
Advice on working in Ireland can be found here.
PPSN (Personal Public Service Number) - you will
need this number to undertake employment in
Ireland.
NonEU passport holders:
Stamp 2 (part time working rights on a
student visa)
Stamp 1G (post completion full time
working rights)
 Immigration

Visa and
UCD Immigration
immigration
Support FB group
Information for
UCD students
 Immigration

Please watch a video where

we explain the immigration system: Register for our Student
Immigraiton Support Talk
Entry visa
scheduled for
Border control
11 July 2023.
Irish Residence Permit (IRP)
Stamp 1G
 Entry visa
Please check here, if you need an entry visa to Ireland. Further advice can
be found here.

Border control
NonEU students, when entering Ireland, will be given a landing
stamp in their passports, which will allow them to stay in Ireland for
90 days. Entry to Ireland information can be found here.

EU students do not need a visa or preclearance to come to Ireland if

they are citizens of the EU/EEA or Switzerland. Ireland is not part of
the Schengen Area. This means you need to show your passport or
national ID card, if you come to Ireland from the Schengen Area.
More info here.
 Irish Residence Permit (IRP)
Non EU students must book an immigration registration appointment
for the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) within 90 days of arriving.

Book an appt as soon as you

arrive, by making a phone call from
an Irish number (from Ireland only)

An appointment should be
scheduled for not earlier than
20 August 2023 (after you register
as a student)
 Non-EU Students - Health Insurance for IRP
..

UCD advice on health insurance for nonEU

students can be found at this link.

What period of time should the insurance cover?

It should be purchased for 1 year, until end
of programme (end of August)

If you are planning to avail of Stamp 1G, an ideal

end date should be 30 September (or later in
October/November). But some insurance
providers only offer a 12 months cover.
 Ireland is experiencing a
chronic housing shortage.
Accommodation -
Finding a place to live will be
what is our
difficult.
advice ?
Plan to arrive in early August
or late July at the latest.
 See UCD housing
advice & tips - here
 What documents are needed ?

Landlords might ask for some of the below documents:

A copy of an official photo ID (driver’s license, passport)

A proof of a current address (utilities, tax return/bill/ electoral registration

entry etc.)

Preferably offer a landlord reference from former accommodation

stating you are a trustworthy tenant and your rent payments were timely
(inlcude a phone number to contact them)
 www.UCDaccommodationpad.ie
The UCD Accommodation Pad shows listings of houses, flats,
apartments, lodgings and self-catering accommodation.
Alert system
You can activate an alert to notify you, if your preference for
accommodation becomes available.

Message Board
You can contact landlords offering accommodation and contact
other students about the possibility of sharing etc.

Housing Advice
Check our advice for what to pay attention to when looking for
accommodation.
Contact: roombookingsupport@ucd.ie
 Accommodation search - steps
1.Research the Dublin transport system
2. The DART train line and the N11 (Quality Bus Corridor) have most reliable
transport connections to Blackrock and are a short walk from the campus.
Ideally plan to use one means of transport (not several connections) as it will
make your journey quicker. Some bus connections might be less reliable.
3. Research properties in areas best connected to Blackrock (see next page).
4. Plan to come to Ireland in early August at the latest.
5. Schedule viewings once you arrive (not earlier).
6. Arrange temporary accommodation for first few weeks.
7. Do not pay any money until you visit the property & sign a contract.
8. When transferring the money (after you view the property). only pay into an
Irish bank account. Do not use cash.
 Areas with good transport to
UCD Smurfit School
Blackrock map customised for students
COUNTY DUBLIN: Blackrock, Booterstown, Mount Merrion,
Stillorgan, Goatstown, Dun Laoghaire, Monkstown,
Deansgrange, Shankill, Killiney, Dalkey, Sallynoggin,
Loughlinstown, Cherrywood, Ballybrack.

DUBLIN 18: Sandyford, Dundrum, Cabinteely, Leopardstown,

Foxrock.

DUBLIN 4: Ballsbridge, Donnybrook, Sandymount.

COUNTY WICKLOW: Bray, Greystones (a longer journey to

Blackrock, but these are well connected areas).
 Online search resources
www.daft.ie (go to ‘Student accommodation’ )
www.let.ie
www.rent.ie
www.spotahome.com
www.myhome.ie
www.findahome.ie
www.collegecribs.ie
Short-term options suitable for early weeks:
www.airbnb.ie & www.hostelworld.com
www.studenthouse.com (free service for students)
 Accommodation - what is our advice ?
Arrive in early August (or earlier in July), ahead of the peak accommodation
search time.
If you are offered a room on campus - take it.
Be aware of scams: if the advertised rent amount sounds too good to be true - it
probably is. If you feel uncomfortable about any aspect of the rental - stay away.
More scam advice later.
Do NOT pay any money until you view the property (for residential lettings)
State you are already in Ireland and available to view the property immediately

Introduce yourself as a mature student from UCD Smurfit School (great news
is that our students are high up there on the landlords’ radars)
IMPORTANT: No money to be paid until you visit the property (refers
to private houses / apartments).

Only pay money to an Irish bank account, after you visit the
property and sign a contract.

Ask the landlord for their RTB number (check if they are registered
at rtb.ie) and also google the address. It is a legal requirement for a
landlord to have the RTB number. Note: landlords who live in the
rented house (house share with you) do not need an RTB number.
 Warning on Scams:
It Is Your Responsibility To…
Be aware of ads that appear just too good to be true. Do some
research
Be wary of absent landlords who claim to be out of the country
for various reasons (sick family member, missionary work etc.)

Do a google search of the property as you may find information

on it being a scam and do a google search of the landlord.

Check the eircode of the property or property against the eircode

given. Eircode is like a ZipCode, www.eircode.ie

Check with Residential Tenancies Board (RTB.ie) that property is

registered with them even if landlord shows you the property as it
could be a previous tenant who has access.
 Warning on Scams:
It Is Your Responsibility To…
Never pay in cash or transfer rent/deposits via Western Union
DO NOT PAY rent/deposits into non-Irish Bank Accounts (most
scams have European bank accounts)
View the property, ask landlord for photo ID (passport/drivers'
license), proof of ownership, does landlord have references and
talk to the neighbours.
Do get a Tenancy Agreement, but be aware they are easily forged
so it is not a guarantee
Most Landlords will ask questions, whereas fake ones just want
the money.
If using the services of Letting Agents, please check their license
against the PSRA registry (Property Services Regulatory Authority).
 Off campus accommodation

Listen to our
Read the UCD students' advice Look out
Student Union for our
advice on Accommodation
accommodation Information
Webinar in early
May - recording
will be available
here.
 Living with a landlord
If you are renting a room in your landlord's home,
please read advice at this link.

You will not have a standard tenancy agreement. Instead, you have a
licensee agreement with your landlord. This means that you are in the
property by the landlord’s consent or invitation. As a result, you cannot
avail of the type of protection that tenants are entitled to under the
residential tenancies legislation.

Before you arrange to rent a room in your landlord’s home, it is strongly

recommended that the two of you agree some ground rules and put them
in writing. You and your landlord each sign and keep a copy of this
agreement.
 Living with a landlord
Example ground rules to be agreed with your landlord (in writing):
How long is the tenancy going to last?
How much notice will either you or your landlord have to give, if either of you
chooses to end the tenancy?
How much rent will you pay and how often (for example, weekly, monthly)?
How will this rent be paid (cash, standing bank order etc.)?
When will the rent to be reviewed and how much notice will your landlord
give you of a rent review?
How are utility bills (electricity, gas, phone, water) to be divided between
yourself and the landlord?
Will your landlord expect you to contribute towards refuse collection charges?
Can you have visitors to stay overnight?
Are there any restrictions regarding noise levels?
Tenant's rights and responsibilities
in Ireland

Citizens Information -
Tenants’ rights and responsibilities

Residential Tenancies Board -

Tenants' rights and responsibilities
 How to find
a house mate?

Please visit
UCD Global Incoming Int'l
Students 2023-24
Facebook group
to meet other,
new, international
UCD students.
 Student LEAP card
LEAP Card is the national travel and discount card.

Depending on your age you can get:

Young Adult LEAP card (19-23)
Student LEAP card (24+)

For Student LEAP card you will need your student card - UCARD
- to apply. UCARDS will be distributed in UCD Smurfit School at
Orientation (early Sept).
Student LEAP fare is only €1.00 for a 90 min journey.
TIP: For travel in August and early Sept, a temporary, pre-paid
LEAP card can be bought at the airport or in any corner grocery
shop/petrol station. Top up via TFI Leap Top-up app.
 Transport from the airport
Click here for info on transport
options from Dublin airport.

STEP 1: We recommend you get a

temporary pre-paid travel LEAP card at the
airport (at the airport newsagent's). You will use it
for the initial weeks in Dublin.

STEP 2: you will get the student LEAP card after

Orientation (when you get your UCD student card).
 Transport in Dublin
UCD advice on getting around

1. Public Transport: Dublin Bus= buses;

DART = suburban trains; Luas = trams
Blackrock and Stillorgan stops
You will need a LEAP travel card

2. Rent a car Go-Car.ie (collect from the Smurfit car park)

3. Rent a bike Bleeper bikes (bikes to travel to main campus)
4. Buy a bike UCD Belfield Bike Shop
Transport for Ireland (TFI) Apps
TFI Live app
1.Real time departure for buses, trains,
trams in Dublin and all Ireland
2. Finding the best route for your journey:
public transport, cycling, walking, driving.

TFI LEAP Top-up app

1.Top-up instantly
2. Check the current balance
3. Purchase pre-paid tickets (for example
Dublin City Bus Rambler and Bus Éireann
Zonal tickets)
Cost of living in Dublin (link)

We recommend you budget for the

high estimate
- it is the more accurate evaluation.
 Pre-arrival information
What to
pack?
Health
Insurance Irish
weather

Citizen
Union of Students
Information in Ireland Dublin
accommodation
airport
guide
 Shopping:
Houseware:
Dunnes Stores, Very,
Homestoreandmore, IKEA, M&S.
Not online (very affordable):
Penneys (Primark)

Grocery:
All Irish supermarket chains,
Online groceries: Buymie app,
Tesco, Lidl, Supervalue, Centra,
Asia Market, Centra (on main
campus)
 Mobile networks
To learn about & compare mobile
networks click here and here

TWO SIMS:
Students tend to us their home
country sim & also an Irish sim card.

WHICH NETWORK?
Students tend to choose the Tesco
network (sim available in Tesco shops)
Opening a bank account

Please check the

UCD advice
on opening a bank
account
(not all students
will need it)
 Irish Healthcare
UCD FAQ about the Irish
healthcare system - here
EU Students need an EHIC card
NonEU Students need private
health insurance

We would advise you to check in

advance of travel to Ireland that any
hospital or specialist treatment you
require is fully covered by your
insurance policy.
 What if I need a
doctor?
Every day healthcare

GP
General Practitioner is the first point
of contact doctor. You can see a GP
in UCD Health centre (wait time is 2-
3 weeks) or access it privately quickly
(approx. cost €65)

Find a private GP here.

 What if I need
a doctor?
Emergency situations

Hospital A & E
If you attend an accident & emergency
department without being referred
there by a GP, the charge is €100.
There is no charge if you are referred
by a GP (bring your referral letter).

Charges for hospital services

 Emergency situations

Injury Units
Injury Units are for the treatment of
minor injuries that are unlikely to need
admission to hospital.

What injury units can & cannot treat

Go to an A&E urgently for:

anything pregnancy-related
injuries to the chest/abdomen/pelvis
serious head and spine injuries
 What if I need a
dentist?
Dental and optical health

Please refer to this advice on how to

access
dental care
eye health care

See here a sample dental treatments

price list in a local dentist's near the
campus. A filling costs €150 - €250.
Connect with other,
new, international
UCD students !!!

UCD Global Incoming International

Students 2023/24 group
 Join a UCD Society!! click here
The university experience is all about getting involved
and getting active, trying something new, having fun and
making some great friends and memories along the way.
Some events below...

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UCD Smurfit School
Survival Guide
STUDENTS' EXPERIENCE AT SMURFIT

Our students share their

experiences and advice in
our Survival Guide.
Students talk
about.... Insights from
UCD Indian
students
How to adjust to a new
country and a new
culture

Insights from
UCD Chinese
students
Students talk
about....

Their tips
on living
in Ireland
How to enhance
your English prior
to coming to UCD
Students talk Getting involved
about.... to make a
difference

How to search
for a job Engaging
in early days
Global Leadership Programme
 UCD
International Students
Study Skills
Studying at university in Ireland might
be different to that of your home
country. Learning, classes, and
assignments may all work in ways you
are not familiar with.

This information is useful before you

arrive in Ireland or while you are here
studying.
 How to
research the
JUMPSTART labour market?

How to plan
your career in
Ireland?

How the Irish

recruitment
Click here for access to process works?
our career planning course and more....
aimed at international students.
 Your early days in Dublin
Three recommended trips around Dublin for your early days in
Ireland (accessible via DART train):

1. Howth Pennisula
2. Dun Laoghaire port (Sunday market in People's Park)
3. Bray - Greystones cliff walk (check if it is not closed)
 Formal Irish news sources:
RTE News
The Irish Times
The Irish Independent
The Journal.ie

Informal Irish news sources:

David McWillliams blog / podcast (economics, society, politics
in a fun, accessible format)
her.ie (the website for Irish women)
joe.ie (social media publisher aimed at young people
in Ireland)
The Anton Savage Show (bright, lively and engaging current
affairs magazine show)
Waterfordwhispernews (satirical take on news)
 Whom
to contact
in UCD Smurfit
School ?
For For
application MSc programme
inquiries: inquiries:
click here To speak to a click here
current
MSc Student
Ambassador:
click here
 If you have any questions
regarding relocation to Ireland,
please drop me an email at
jola.meagher@ucd.ie

UCD bears no responsibility whatsoever for the content of

the this handbook or any errors, omissions or inaccuracies
contained therein. The information provided in this
handbook is for information purposes only and should not
be construed as a representation, recommendation or
endorsement made on behalf of UCD.