Lavanya's take on her Masters in UCD

University College Cork

7.5(7 Reviews)

National University of Ireland, Galway

7.0(6 Reviews)

Reason for choosing my college

• One of the key reasons I chose UCD was the exposure and global opportunities it provides. UCD not only promises a world-class education but also helps students gain real-world experience, setting them apart in their respective careers.
• Personally, I find that UCD aligns with my career aspirations, offering courses that open a world of opportunities.

Trinity College Dublin

8.0(16 Reviews)

Reason for Rejection

• As one of the most prestigious institutions in Ireland, competition for admission could be high. For some courses, there could be limited availability of spots.
• By the time I applied, it was highly likely that all the spots had been filled, indicating that early application and planning are crucial to getting admitted to sought-after courses.

• Highlight your work experience and projects
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Be your authentic self

• I chose UCD for several reasons. Firstly, Ireland is the EU hub for technology and business transformation, making it a sought-after destination for students. Also, Ireland boasts a 2-year post-study work visa, which allows students ample time to pursue/begin their careers in the field of aspiration. UCD, situated in the capital city of Dublin, stands out as one of the top universities in research and innovation and offers a wide range of programmes closely fitting into students' needs.
• The course I selected offers a blend of technology, data analysis and machine learning, which made this an ideal fit for my career aspirations. UCD has strong ties with industry leaders and tech giants that open doors for students for job prospects. UCD's global positioning in the industry gives it a competitive edge in Ireland's job market Beyond academia, UCD has a vibrant student life, with numerous clubs, societies and networking opportunities. Engaging in student societies helped me network to build life long connections enriching my university experience. I would strongly recommend UCD to anyone considering higher education in Ireland.

• Your schedule depends on the modules you choose. On average, it would be about 3-4 classes per week and the lectures last about 2 hours each.
• The average strength of my course would be about 170 to 180 students, of whom 45% would be Indians. Apart from regular classes, it is essential to revisit the lecture slides each week, which takes about 4 hours every day, including assignments and research.

• The faculties in my course are super helpful and they guide you with the basics of questions and doubts. They accommodate students' queries, like posting demo tutorials for any coding-related queries. They are very hands-on during the labs as well.
• Faculties are helpful in getting you to the right people through their references.

• I enjoy participating in events organised by UCD societies. Students can participate in societies and events to connect with new people.
• They also do day trips to different tourist spots to have an enriched experience. I felt satisfied by UCD's health service, which can be helpful to students who need medical attention and find difficulty getting access to a GP in Ireland.

• Most Indians end up getting part-time jobs in the retail, food and hospitality industries by taking up jobs such as deli or barista assistants or sales associates.
• Finding a part-time job takes about 3-4 months on average. I would suggest students not to depend on part-time money for expenses, as the cost of living is extremely high.

• As far as I know, TA roles are usually filled at the beginning of the semester and it is easier to navigate only through professors and networking. Otherwise, students can make use of invigilation/exam supervisor roles for on-campus roles. That would be available only during exam season and the pay is about 14–15 euros per hour.
• As a student, you would be eligible only for 20 hours per week or less.

• My professors stated that this course opens up a lot of opportunities in tech, analytics, etc. Students from the previous batch are placed in a wide range of companies, with one student ending up in the United Nations.
• The average salary depends on the work experience and profile and could be approximately from 38000 and 60000 euros.

• With an ongoing crisis in Ireland, it is extremely difficult to find an accommodation that provides value for money. Though websites like daft.ie could be helpful sometimes, most people rely on Facebook/Whatsapp groups, which pose a risk of getting scammed.
• I would recommend finding a connection who would help you view properties to see if they are legitimate to avoid getting scammed. It is best to prefer student accommodations that provide end-to-end services or shared apartments.