abroadSELECT: Trinity College Dublin

Overview: 

Consistently ranked as the top university in Ireland, a semester or academic year at Trinity College Dublin will give you the opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, including courses in the liberal arts, natural sciences, and humanities.  You'll live like a Dubliner, taking your courses with Irish and other international students, living in university housing, and having access to all of the clubs, college societies, and amenities as any other Trinity College Dublin student.  

When you're not in class, you'll have the chance to explore Ireland's bustling capital, join college societies and sports teams, and truly immerse yourself in the culture.  A semester or year at Trinity College Dublin gives you the academic flexibility to take the courses that you need while truly immersing yourself in Irish life.

Check out the Fact Sheet below to view Trinity College's Study Abroad Guide for international students.

 

 

Fact sheet: 
PDF icon Click here to download. (1.67 MB)
Learning Objectives: 

As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:

  • the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
  • non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
  • a global network of peer in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in the Ireland.
Partner Information: 

international@tcd.ie
The Global Relations Office, East Theatre
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
+353 (0)1 896 4507

Location Description: 

Although it's the capital of Ireland, Dublin is a big city with a small-town feel.   Narrow, cobblestone streets, years-old restaurants and pubs, and friendly people will make you feel as if you are in a small village.  During your semester or year in Dublin, you'll have plenty to explore and get to know, from the National Museum of Ireland to St. Patrick's Cathedral, Phoenix Park to Merrion Square.  As the country's capital, Dublin is well-connected to the rest of the country and Europe.  Spend the weekend at the Cliffs of Moher or catch a flight from the nearby Dublin Airport.  No matter what your interests, there will always be something new to explore in Dublin.

Trinity College Dublin's campus is located on sprawling greens in the heart of the city.  Founded in 1592, the College's campus is a deluge of sights to be seen, including the University Library.  The mix of classic and modern architecture creates a charming setting for your studies.  

 

Housing Description: 

Pitt and Trinity College Dublin have made arrangements with the Binary Hub for your accomodations.  A short walk to campus (about 15 minutes), the Binary Hub offers double rooms with kitchens and bathrooms, a full suite of student-focused programming, and even a resident cat!  

More importantly, however, the Binary Hub brings together Irish and international students, giving you the opportunity to create global networks during your time in Dublin.  Read more about the Binary Hub here. 

Academic Description: 

During your semester or academic year at Trinity College Dublin, you'll have the opportunity to take almost any course offered on campus.  While there are some limitations (notably English literature and theatre), the broad range of classes available means that you'll be able to take care of major, minor, certificate, and general education requirements!

You'll work with the Study Abroad Office and your academic advisor to identify courses (known as 'modules' at TCD) that you are interested in taking, along with one or two back-ups for each. Note courses taken at TCD will be treated as Pitt credits and will be marked as letter grades on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, credits will affect Pitt GPAs. For every 5 ECTS credits taken at TCD, you will receive 3 Pitt credits. For example, 25 ECTS credits at TCD will transfer as 15 Pitt credits.  

Additionally, it is important to know is that grading and exams work much differently at Trinity than they do at Pitt. Trinity has published a good guide for international students that you should read and understand before moving forward with the program.

You'll want to be sure to pick and approve multiple courses for each requirement that you need to fulfill.  You can get these pre-approved by your advisor.  Scheduling at TCD works differently than Pitt and there is a greater chance that there will be time conflicts. 

Some departments already have pre-approved courses at Trinity.  You are not limited to just these courses.  You'll find the pre-approved courses below:

Trinity Module

Pitt Equivalent

Introduction to Neuroscience

NROSCI 1000

Neuroanatomy

NROSCI 1011

Biochemistry in Health and Diseas

BIOSC 1000*

Nucleic Acids

NROSCI Advanced Elective

Basic Lab Skills

NROSCI 1049

Neurochemistry I

NROSCI Advanced Elective

Research Skills

NROSCI 1049

Neurogenetics

NROSCI Advanced Elective

Cell Physiology 

NROSCI 1017

Neurophysiology

NROSCI 1012

General Principles of Pharmacology

NROSCI Advanced Elective

Developmental Biology

NROSCI Advanced Elective
 

 

*If you are a biology major, you should confirm if this course can count towards that major/minor.

Students who are on a pre-health track cannot take any courses required for their qualifying exams (MCATS, etc.) overseas.  

If you choose to go for the fall or academic year, you'll also earn credit for the Semester Start-Up Programme.  This three-week program is meant to give you an introduction to Irish culture and history.  A condensed, non-credit, one-week option is available if you are studying abroad in the spring.  Learn more here.

Below you will see a list of course topics that students have taken at Trinity College Dublin in the past.  You are not limited to just these areas, so also be sure to look at the "Trinity Module Directory" below in order to view available courses and information on module enrollment at Trinity College.

 

Students who have attended this program in the past have taken classes in the areas of:: 
Neuroscience
Anthropology
Political Science
History
Psychology
Business
Economics
University Course Catalog: 
Trinity Module Directory
Grading: 

Unlike Pitt, TCD’s grading scale assigns numerical values between 0 – 100, with 100 representing the highest grade achievable. It is important to understand that few students in the Irish system receive grades higher than 70. For more information about the grading system at TCD, see their Study Abroad Guide under "Marking." 

Participation on this Partner Program means that Pitt students will earn actual letter grades, and therefore grades earned through this program will affect the Pitt GPA, and appear on the Pitt transcript. Additionally, Pitt students may utilize the following online resource to understand the grading scale within this host country.

Pitt will utilize the following grade scale to determine the letter grades: 

70+ = A

65 – 69 = A-

60 – 64 = B+

55-59 = B

50 – 54 = B-

45 – 49 = C

Program Fees: 
Pitt students participating on a partner program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition, Pitt students will also be responsible for the Study Abroad Administrative Fee.  
 
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad. 
 
*The following financial figures are from the most recent academic year.  The cost for the 2022-23 academic year has not yet been determined.*

Items Billed by Pitt
  In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $9,546 $17,062
Housing/Other $8,653 $8,653
Study Abroad Fee $400 $400
Total Billed by Pitt $18,599 $26,115
 
 
As a part of the total billed by Pitt, the following are included:
  • Tuition for up to 15 credits (5 modules) per semester
  • Housing
  • Full access to the services, clubs, and societies of Trinity College Dublin
  • Semester Start Up Programme
  • International Health Insurance

 

How Much To Budget: 

Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad. 

Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs
Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit  $2,000
Food $3,000 - 5,000
Personal Expenses

$1,000 - 5,000

Keep in mind that you are also responsible for the following:

  • Deposit ($350, to be credited to your PittPay account)
  • Books ($100-$300 per semester)

 

Program Dates: 

Pitt students enroll at TCD for either a full semester (fall or spring) or a full academic year (two full semesters). TCD's academic calendars may differ from Pitt's normal fall (August through December) and spring (January through April) semesters, so Pitt students should check the academic calendar at the exchange university. Like Pitt, TCD’s academic calendar follows a Fall-Spring progression, meaning Fall is the first semester followed by the Spring semester as the second. The dates listed above are estimated and therefore subject to change according to the host university’s schedule.

Bryan Schultz

Greetings!  I am the Director of Global and Experiential Programs at the University Honors College at the University of Pittsburgh.  I've been at Pitt since 2011 and during this time served in the Study Abroad Office, Swanson School of Engineering and the College of Business Administration.  My portfolio of responsibilities includes expanding global and experiential opportunities for Pitt Honors students.  Prior to joining Pitt my career focused on providing executive-level leadership and consulting to nonprofit organizations in Colorado and Washington DC. 
I graduated from Kalamazoo College (MI) with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and earned a Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Regis University (CO).  During my free tine I enjoy long backpacking trips, following Detroit-based professional sports, painting, going to concerts, and exploring new places - especially those overseas.

 

 

E-mail: 
bryan.schultz@pitt.edu

Schedule an appointment

Schedule an appointment with me using Pathways!
Click here to schedule an appointment or use the following instructions:

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  • Select Appointments > Schedule an Appointment
  • Select Student Services as the Care Unit
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  • Select my name and find a time that works for you!

Having trouble or don't see a time that works for you? Just email me!

Application Instructions: 

Pitt sends a limited number of students per semester to TCD. In addition to applying to the Pitt Study Abroad application above, be sure to review TCD's website regarding their application requirements for incoming exchange students. A formal nomination from Pitt Study Abroad is required for Pitt students to be recognized as a study abroad student at TCD. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt Study Abroad steps in addition to TCD's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Study Abroad does not guarantee acceptance by the partner university.  
 
The partner university may require the following to be submitted through an online application. Requirements may include but are not limited to the following:  

  • Application Form 
  • Copy of Valid Passport 
  • Official Pitt Transcript 
  • Official Pitt Verification of Enrollment 
  • Statement of Intent or Purpose 
  • Resume or CV 
  • Official Language Evaluation 
  • Up to 2 instructor letters of recommendations 
  • Up to 2 passport photos 

 

Additional Information: 

Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers will be required to show evidence of English proficiency either through the IELTS or the TOEFL. Please check with TCD regarding these requirements. 
 

Insurance Requirements: 

Students studying abroad through Pitt Study Abroad are automatically provided health insurance coverage during the official program dates. 

 

Visa Requirements: 

In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival. 

 

As part of your study abroad program in Ireland, you may be required to apply for a student visa.  Please be aware that Ireland visa processing times may be delayed due to ongoing impacts of the global pandemic.  Obtaining a visa a solely your responsibility and is a very detailed process.  You should be prepared to do the following:

  • Begin your visa application process as soon as you receive the detailed instructions and guidance from your host institution or program manager
  • Follow the instructions carefully, checking for mistakes
  • Respond promptly to any requests for follow-up or additional information related to your visa application
  • Check to ensure that your returned passport has the appropriate visa stamp prior to departing the U.S.

Failure to follow the visa instructions fully may result in additional cost beyond the visa application fee or visa denial. 

 

For those without EU/EAA nationalities, students may be required to obtain a student visa to study in Ireland. For an overview regarding the visa process, please review TCD's website. TCD will provide general direction after formal admission on how to apply for either the visa and/or residency permit if applicable. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website. In general visa and/or permit application requirements include but are not limited to the following requirements:  

  • Visa application 
  • Valid Passport 
  • Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university) 
  • Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.   
  • Passport photos 
  • Application fee 
  • Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly) 

 

You're seeing student-submitted photos from Dublin, Ireland. There may be photos that do not necessarily represent this program or it's inclusions, but we hope you enjoy seeing what Panthers around the world are doing!