University College Dublin

I was attracted to UCD and this MSc by the fantastic research output of the faculty and the great facilities available on campus. A particular strong point of this course is the range of modules available. During my undergraduate degree I took a lot of molecular biology modules, but this MSc really broadened my horizons by allowing me to take modules from several disciplines including environmental science, zoology and of course botany. My time at UCD has provided me with a number of skills, both lab and desk-based, that I employ in my work as a lab analyst for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The LLM in Human Rights in UCD included subjects from both Law and Politics which met my academic needs. I visited the campus and realised it had everything I was looking for; a well-structured course with faculty that have great expertise in the area, interesting subjects, an excellent research database and impressive facilities.

Ireland has a beautiful landscape and the people are welcoming. I also think it has the perfect atmosphere for study. I joined the boxing club at UCD and found it a great place to make friends and relax after studying. I really enjoyed the amazing sports complex. I think UCD has both high academic standards and great facilities available to the students; you have the option of having a meal on campus, watching a film at the Student Centre or playing sports in the Sports centre. I think this makes the academic experience more complete.

Having taken a career break to be a carer to my son I had not been in an educational setting in many years and was apprehensive about returning, especially to such a prestigious university. My experience at UCD was such a breath of fresh air. I felt that the delivery of the course material was so inclusive and accommodating that I instantly felt at home there. Every lecture was brim full of information that I now use professionally as an advocate with Inclusion Ireland.

It was such a privilege and a boon to my professional development to learn from such a diverse and experienced group of lecturers. I plan to return at every opportunity to learn more.

I took a Joint Major in Sociology and Social Policy as a mature student, finishing in 2017. I was so fascinated with the discipline of Sociology and impressed with the teaching at UCD that I decided to go straight on to the taught masters in Sociology. This was one of a range of options in the field, with others being more specialised. There are many modules to choose from that can sculpt the masters into one that would suit a preferred path or career, and there is a focus on research skills. Classes are small, so that learning takes place in a seminar type setting with strong support from the lecturers, and full participation expected. This has been a very rewarding experience, living up to expectations and more.

“Having just completed the MSc in Risk, Resilience and Sustainability, I cannot recommend the programme enough. The array of interactive, practical modules on relevant topics such as Natural Hazards, Coastal Risks, Fieldwork in the Global South, Physical Geographies of Cities, Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, helped to provide me with an invaluable educational experience.
Using the techniques acquired in these modules, as well as the support of the wonderful faculty, I investigated and evaluated both physical and social vulnerabilities to coastal erosion in Cat Hai, a small island district located in Northern Vietnam, for my final thesis. This was an extraordinary experience and has facilitated the development of numerous friendships and connections as well as a deep interest on coastal risks and their societal implications”"

Given my academic and professional background as a primary school teacher, I approached the MA Education programme with much of my experience founded within pedagogy and educational praxis. This programme provided me with the opportunity to both further engage with these areas, in addition to developing a deep understanding of educational theory and policy. This programme has broadened both my understanding of education, as well as my career opportunities. My experience on this programme has been unparalleled with regards to academic rigour, support, and expertise on the part of all staff members I have had the opportunity to work with. My autonomy as a student and a researcher, has been fostered through the programme’s taught modules and research component. The MA Education programme caters to the individual interests of its diverse cohort, providing flexibility and scope to focus on specific areas of interest. Each student is fully supported in acquiring the required knowledge and skills to conduct high-quality research as a critical and reflective practitioner. This programme has undoubtedly equipped me with the academic competencies required to progress to further study at doctoral level within the UCD School of Education."

"The MSc Planning, Development & Urban Design is a new intensive one-year master’s degree programme aimed at fully-qualified architects who wish to specialise in both planning and urban design. The course is fully accredited (both spatial and specialist) by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), and thus provides a route towards full chartered membership of the RTPI via the Licentiate Assessment of Professional Competence (L-APC). Part-time registration is available, allowing registered students to continue to also work in practice on a part-time basis alongside their studies".

With the knowledge I learned during my masters in UCD, I am confident that I can fulfil my role with the utmost professionalism and confidence as Senior Project Officer in Capacity Institutionalisation Project (CIP) in Church World Service – Pakistan/Afghanistan, a donor funded project which deals with initiatives on capacity building of local NGOs and CSOs. Living abroad for a year on my own enhanced my ability to interact and communicate with people of diverse backgrounds and collaborate effectively within a team and manage varied projects. That one year in UCD and Dublin taught me much more about life beyond a masters degree!

My time on the MSc Humanitarian Action programme at UCD was very productive and fulfilling. The faculty were wonderful and always available for students. Their interactive teaching methods and ability to allow and encourage students to discover knowledge beyond the prescribed material must be acknowledged.
A highlight of this programme for me was the range of international students. This enriches student learning and exposes you to different perspectives, enabling you to see situations from many angles.
The UCD Centre for Humanitarian Action prepared me well for humanitarian and development work, which I have been undertaking since 2016. I have worked as a health and nutrition specialist for UNICEF and WFP in seven different countries over the past four years. I cherish the skills I acquired from the masters programme as they have been invaluable in the work that I do. I made a fantastic decision in choosing to study the MSc Humanitarian Action at UCD.

This programme provides comprehensive knowledge of the principles and applications of advanced technologies in the agricultural sector, helping me to build a multidisciplinary foundation to address challenges in the agri-food industry. Through modules in programming, data processing, sensors, and IoT applications, I not only enhanced my technical skills but also deepened my understanding of how to improve sustainability and efficiency in food production. The digital tools used in teaching were also impressive. With my background in data science, this experience has equipped me to bridge information technology and agricultural practice, which is valuable for my career development. For those seeking to study in this cross-disciplinary field, this programme is a great choice.

The primary reason I chose to study this Masters programme was to deepen my existing knowledge and I can genuinely say that completing my studies in the field of Food, Health and Nutrition Science has been one of the best decisions that I have ever made. This journey has allowed me to study with some of the leading academics in their field.

Lectures and coursework were relevant, engaging and thought provoking thus enabling me to expand on areas such as subject knowledge and development of critical thinking skills with relevance to everyday life. One of the main advantages to this programme is the depth and variety of modules offered. The online platform enabled me to continue working whilst studying at a pace that suited my schedule.

The completion of this programme has opened up a number of differing opportunities for me that perhaps would not have come otherwise.

The Higher Diploma in Psychology at UCD equipped me with the academic knowledge and practical skills I needed to transition into the field of Psychology. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.

"Through the MSc in Behavioural Economics at UCD, I gained a deep grounding in economics, psychology, and public policy, along with a broad range of practical skills. My lecturers brought clear enthusiasm, world-class expertise, and moral character to their lessons, making me look forward to lectures. My cohort was made up of supportive students from all over the world, bringing unique perspectives to each conversation and cheering for each other’s accomplishments. The degree also provided the opportunity to design and conduct an online experiment from start to finish. This experience served as a great talking point in job interviews and a source of practical skills for real-world projects. I was also extremely grateful for the opportunity, as part of the MSc in Behavioural Economics, to intern with SCOR Global Life Reinsurance. In this internship, I learned to apply the skills I’d gained in my degree to create better experiences for insurance applicants and more value for insurance companies. This internship led directly to my current position as a Behavioural Science Analyst at SCOR.I would be happy to recommend UCD’s MSc in Behavioural Economics to anyone interested in this exciting field."

Studying the Masters in Psychological Science was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The course teaching allowed me to develop a deep theoretical understanding of the concepts underlying fundamental areas of practice, whilst also allowing the opportunity to connect with experts working at both research and clinical levels. The practical elements of the course helped me develop competencies in psychometric assessment, whilst simultaneously placing a strong focus on building core therapeutic skills. Research components allowed me to further develop my skills and knowledge, particularly the practical research module which provided the opportunity to collaborate with a network of academics in both UCD and across other universities. Overall, this course provided me with a strong foundation of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in the application of psychological science which has been hugely beneficial to me when working as both an assistant psychologist and a research assistant"

"From a young age I have always been passionate about aircraft and flight, and this was the primary driving factor in my choice of Mechanical Engineering. Throughout my studies in UCD it’s been amazing to see my interests change simply from airplanes generally, to the calculations, materials, simulation, and manufacturing processes that contribute to keeping them in the air. In the first year of the master’s I was able to spend eight months in an aircraft maintenance organization, which gave great context to the theory learned in classroom modules. Following on from this, I was fortunate enough to do a research thesis on the topic of fracture of composites; a material used extensively in aircraft structure. UCD Mechanical Engineering is broad enough to give you the range and choice of topics to really pursue an area of interest to you. Where you are interested in fluid dynamics, or control systems, or micro manufacturing, or 3D printing, the framework is there to pursue these areas".

My particular area of interest was migration and having come late to third level education, I was enthusiastic in my belief that education is the key to solve so many inequalities. Since completing the Equality Studies programme, I have accessed employment at the Irish Refugee Council as Education Officer, where I support people in the asylum process to gain education and training to be ready to find employment when the time comes. We also try to influence policy to create a more level and equitable playing field.

I genuinely believe that if the whole world did this course the world would be a better place as everyone would understand why equality is better for everyone. Equality Studies provides the foundation in egalitarian theory and allows you to build your Masters around areas that interest you, e.g. housing, environment, gender, human rights, education, ethnicity, children’s rights and so on.

I believe that the Masters in Equality Studies is a great path towards work in any NGO, private sector, International Students or public body in the area of equality.

“I came to University College Dublin from San Diego, California because I had strong interests in both learning about and practicing experimental archaeology. I never quite expected just how much I would get out of this programme. I engaged not only with the practical and academic aspects of experimental archaeology but I also developed a new skill, wheel-throwing pottery. This skill was unexpected and propelled me not only to employ it as part of my thesis but also in pursuing a PhD. This combination of practical and academic experience with excellent teaching makes the MSc programme in experimental archaeology one of the best.”"

"I graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from Tianjin University of Technology (China) in 2019 with one-year study-abroad experiences in Finland and Poland. I chose to study for my masters in UCD as it is the top place to study for chemical engineering in Ireland, according to the QS World University Rankings by subject. In addition, lots of chemical and pharmaceutical companies are based in Ireland, which provide a wide range of career opportunities. During my time of study at UCD, the courses used innovative ways of teaching. Some specialists in the chemical industries were invited to give lectures and guide my group projects. Even with COVID-19, the courses made the complete transition to online teaching quite well. Also, administrative staff were extremely friendly and helpful, such as keeping students updated of new career opportunities. Moreover, the university had a lot of social activities which help students to relax after classes. So, I believe UCD is certainly the best university to enjoy both study and social life."

After completing my three year undergraduate in the UK I spent three years working for different architectural practices in London before deciding to do my masters. An important element distinguishing UCD from other universities is its research based approach to most modules. These modules allow students to investigate their own interests and develop them into written arguments or effective design proposals; students at UCD are thus encouraged to be self-directed. This is something that has allowed me to project my personal interests into every project and to develop my own style and design method – an important characteristic distinguishing UCD from many other schools. It is a great time to be part of the Irish architectural scene. I will be graduating into the professional world at a time where Ireland is very much at the forefront of the international stage. It is a small course quietly producing talented and careful architects, where staff are open to nurturing the ideas of students, both in and outside of the studio environment.

"I found the greatest strength of this masters was that it provided a good balance between theoretical and practical learning. The studio modules are a great way of learning how to apply theory to the design process. The course was further enhanced by studio input and guest lectures from practicing planners and architects. UCD is a great learning environment as many of the classes are multidisciplinary and allow for peer to peer learning between planners, architects and landscape architects. There are also a variety of specialties amongst the faculty which is a great asset to the university. I felt this gave me wide range of opportunities when it came to choosing my thesis topic in the final term. Since graduating I have been working on the planning and design team at a housing development company in Dublin. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of urban design and planning while gaining the skills necessary to contribute effectively to a professional design team".

The Social Work, Welfare & Justice Master’s programme has provided me with a great opportunity to explore multiple disciplinary areas within social sciences. My specialist area is child protection, but various modules were available across Social Work, Social Policy and Equality Studies and the courses covered a wide range of topics. It allowed me to learn about a field which was different from my undergraduate degree and to extend my knowledge by selecting the topics I was interested in. I joined this programme, longing to find out especially how social systems as a whole work in Ireland. Faculty members I met always encouraged me to explore more, answered my queries patiently and provided me with various self-learning materials. Seminar sessions were also unforgettable. While discussing social issues with people who have different cultural backgrounds, it was not only an opportunity for myself to learn more, but also a chance to break stereotypes and gain a better understanding of something so distant from my own culture. I very much enjoyed sharing a real taste of Chinese culture with others too!

I chose to undertake the MSc Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) course as a pathway to both refreshing and improving my chemistry knowledge with hopes that it would lead to further career and postgraduate opportunities. In my time at UCD Chemistry, I was challenged by a broad range of topics in organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, whilst interacting with lecturers and professors and gaining insight to the requirements of further postgraduate study in a PhD. The climate in UCD Chemistry was welcoming and supportive, with the ChemSoc society providing a way to meet peers and colleagues that are still in my life to this day. The final lab project is an important aspect of the course and helped to reintegrate me into a research environment and eventually led to undertaking a PhD in UCD Chemistry.
This has helped me in my career by allowing me to travel to France and Germany in a research capacity and find an exciting role as a Process Development Scientist here in Ireland.

“The MSc Geospatial Data Analysis programme provided an opportunity to develop the GIS skill sets and tools in one of the best geography schools in the world. GIS skills are in high demand, and opportunities are continuing to grow.
The programme is well-connected to the realworld use and application of GIS. It has been a tremendous experience. The content begins at a fundamental level that gives you confidence in your ability to use and apply spatial analysis skills.
The academic staff creates a supportive atmosphere full of opportunities to ask questions and collaborate with peers while immersed in a comfortable learning environment.”"

Coming into my MSc, I felt confident about my understanding of the subject matter but that I needed to develop my methodological knowledge; particularly in newer methods such as quantitative textual analysis. The faculty at UCD helped me find my feet and have always been approachable if I had any queries or issues. I feel that all facets of life, and especially political decision making, will become dependent on the intelligent interrogation and interpretation of data.

The MSc in Politics and Data Science is perfectly timed to ensure graduates are prepared for these challenges and understand the world around them.

"Understanding people and how they interact has always been of interest to me. I wasn’t entirely sure about the kind of job I wanted to work in for the rest of my life, but studying Sociology, Politics and Social Justice at UCD opened up a whole new world. I went on to study for a masters degree in Human Rights at UCD, again with a focus on development. I tutored undergraduate students in Development and Globalisation during my masters studies, and many of them were surprised at how development affects their daily lives.

I’m hoping to work with NGOs such as Amnesty International or Frontline Defenders in the future. My studies in UCD have prepared me well for what’s to come, and I am looking forward to taking the next step."

"Industry will need strong technical capabilities, and in-depth good manufacturing practice (GMP) know-how, to be ready for advanced therapeutics manufacturing within the next 3-5 years. Having a stackable approach to building the skills required, will benefit many experts and leaders currently working in biopharma. The offerings in cell therapy technology, gene therapy, vaccine technology and advanced manufacturing platforms have come at the right time to accelerate upskilling in this exciting area."

“I can honestly say that the HunterGatherer Archaeology programme has far exceeded my expectations. The practical side of things really surprised me- we’ve spent a lot of time doing, not just sitting listening to lectures. The style of teaching at UCD has also been a pleasant surprise to me. In the past I didn’t feel like I could approach lecturers, but at UCD I feel like everyone is trying to help me learn and genuinely wants me to do well.”"

"The Masters in Archaeology at UCD is a fantastic course. It offers a diverse range of modules including options in specialist areas. There are lots of field trips and the course combines both theoretical and practical elements, allowing you to put theory into practice. As a student at UCD School of Archaeology, you are part of a thriving research community with lots of opportunities to contribute to research and even incorporate it into some of your own projects. The staff are friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and supportive and are the best at what they do making the course an enjoyable, rewarding experience. Doing this course has been one of the best decisions I have made. I would highly recommend anyone considering a postgraduate degree in archaeology to do this course.”"

"After completing my BE in electronic engineering, I was keen to pursue a master’s degree in biomedical engineering. I chose UCD due to the quality of research done in this field and the structure of the ME Biomedical engineering programme. While allowing students to pick from a wide range of subjects from the schools of engineering, science and medicine the course also focuses on improving professional skills with the inclusion of the work experience internship, which was truly beneficial. UCD’s emphasis on research plays a key role in ensuring that students are exposed to a high standard of learning and have experienced staff to guide them throughout the course and with options thereafter. Since completing my course, I have been working with the Health Products Regulatory Authority of Ireland as a scientific officer in the medical devices department. While the coursework at UCD including the projects undertaken as part of the ME programme contribute towards my role as a scientific officer, the network of UCD alumni and staff continue to provide support and guidance wherever and whenever needed."

"The MSc in Applied Economics at University College Dublin uniquely provides a comprehensive view while critically focussing on areas of economics. The economics department at UCD is an internationally recognised centre of brilliance. The MSc offers a wider range of courses than many other MScs I considered. Studying microeconomics and macroeconomics at an advanced level provided me with a holistic understanding of international organizations and allowed for an in-depth analysis of their economic and financial activities. Moreover, studying econometrics gave me the background I needed for my future role as an Analyst. There were many intriguing option modules available for students which ensured that each student could focus on their specific areas of interest. Lastly, the added benefit of being able to choose to pursue an internship or a dissertation for the third semester was an appealing factor. The faculty at UCD are extremely supportive and experienced. The atmosphere is charged with diverse perspectives and nationalities. Having completed this programme, I have been able to use my theoretical knowledge and implement it in the real world. I am currently working in the Decision Science department for one of the leading banks in Ireland. Altogether, I would recommend this course to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge in the field of economics."

Apart from an obsession with true crime podcasts, undertaking the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice was a rather unexpected career move as my undergraduate degree was in an entirely different discipline (History and Political Science). Nevertheless, the decision to study this course proved both transformative and rewarding. The MSc offered me the opportunity to study diverse modules across disciplines such as Law, Criminology and Sociology and to network with other researchers and practitioners working in the criminal justice sector. I loved he MSc so much that I decided to pursue a PhD in Criminology in UCD, and following the completion of my doctorate, I began working as Service Coordinator for the Crime Victims Helpline (a NGO which provides information and emotional support to all those affected by crime). I find my current role meaningful and fulfilling and would never have discovered this career path were it not for the MSc.

"While this dual-master’s programme is new, the discipline of civil engineering is well-established and has a longstanding history in both UCD and Columbia University. Students will have the opportunity to learn in both institutes, each with an excellent track record in teaching and research. Students graduating with this dualmaster’s degree from UCD and Columbia will have international experience that is unrivalled in the global world of civil engineering. Society will clearly benefit from engineers with global training of both European and American practices"

I established this masters programme because I believe strongly that we need to act now to dramatically reduce the unsustainable stresses we are placing on our planet. To achieve this we need graduates who will act for change. Particularly we need to change how we design, construct and live-in our buildings and cities. We need to establish an urbanism that is sparing of energy and natural resources. I am an avid researcher and educator. I studied both engineering and architecture and have worked in energy, industrial and product design. I run national and international research projects that evaluate unsustainable practice and design and develop solutions. My teaching is primarily research led particularly at graduate level. My research is essentially transdisciplinary, drawing on a wide range of interests and a multidisciplinary background.

This European and intersectoral mobility postgraduate programme is strongly oriented towards innovation and entrepreneurship. The strong industry component is reinforced by industry projects, the Industrial Master thesis and a potential internship (self-secured). The objective of the Master School is to train future European leaders in manufacturing, combining digital and technical manufacturing skills to meet the needs of European SMEs and multinationals alike. Students will be delivered a double Master degree after spending one year in two of the seven universities which shaped this ambitious and prestigious training programme, along with an EIT Manufacturing certificate. UCD will welcome students participating in this programme next September 2023 for the first year of their Master's studies. The students will spend their second year at other partner universities.

I undertook the MSc Food Regulatory Affairs to gain an understanding of the requirements and regulations surrounding the supply of food to the consumer. The course was well structured and a number of the lecturers are quite prolific in the area of food regulation so I found a lot of the content to be very current and topical. Although I have a strong background in nutrition the legal and political aspects behind food regulation were challenging to deal with and I learnt a great deal. Initially I undertook the course out of interest rather than to further my career, however it has turned out to be an extremely useful qualification as I now teach food regulation at Monash University, Melbourne.

“The World Heritage Management course is an interdisciplinary programme which enhances interaction between nature, culture and people. Through this course, I was able to develop practical skills, pedagogic proficiency and theoretical insights on aspects that make up this interaction. The course included approaches to working in and sharing experiences with other students. This has improved my communication skills and enhanced my ability to craft solutions to various conservation challenges.”

I was initially attracted towards an MSc in Synthetic Chemistry at UCD because of the particular focus on modern research and the emphasis on learning new skills that can be carried into industry. This course has allowed me to complete a variety of subjects outside the range of my undergraduate degree which is beneficial for new future career possibilities.
The structure of the course is extremely flexible and the lectures provide an even mixture between individual and team-based work. This was important for me as I wanted to develop my ability to learn independently but also be able to make friends during the process.

I chose the Programme to gain a broader understanding of key environmental challenges, develop a global network and gather skills that would be sector relevant as a sustainability professional in the Irish economy. In the programme I gained a strong understanding of EU environmental Policy, this exposure and training has provided me with the opportunity bring my policy expertise to help guide strategy in both the transport and renewable energy sectors. I have worked in the sustainable transportation sector (at both AnPost and Hertz Europe), focusing on EV technology, strategy and planning for over 4 years, and have informed sustainability strategies both nationally and internationally. I am now working on renewable energy policy, on large scale solar, and offshore wind infrastructure projects for EirGrid. I would highly recommend this programme for anyone who aims to develop a strong network, is passionate about climate change and aims to gather the confidence to make an impact.

"I completed the Master of Regional and Urban Planning in UCD in 2016. I was working for an architecture firm in the US at the time and looking for a way to transition into the European job market. As an international student, I found the ancillary courses in Irish planning law, European property markets and comparative planning from the MRUP program to be particularly helpful, as they gave me the foundation I needed to engage with an unfamiliar industry and understand some of the cultural context at play in Irish policy making. The program also provided excellent opportunities to network with professional planners in Ireland, which gave our class a helpful snapshot of the various career paths available in the area. I completed an internship with a large private planning consultancy in Dublin that was offered by one of the UCD guest lecturers over the summer and accepted a permanent position there shortly after graduation. My job has evolved somewhat since then, and I now lead the research efforts at the firm as a Geospatial Analyst, a position which combines traditional town planning expertise with more technical data management skills (using GIS software and other related BIM tools).

RPS Environmental

The course was an eye-opening experience with a great mixture of lab sessions, field work and lectures. The highlight was the opportunity to gain professional work experience and I would encourage anyone interested in following a career in the Environmental sector to seriously consider this course.

This is a once in a lifetime experience. I loved the staff in the School of Social Justice; they have been more than helpful and caring. My professors and colleagues have made me feel at home and like I have a network of people to call on if any issues arose, personal or professional. Studying in UCD has offered me such a different dimension of understanding that I would never have experienced attending a university in my native country.

This masters was a great choice primarily due to its multidisciplinary design of modules, which offered an in-depth and integrated understanding of contemporary issues of the EU. The programme provided an overview of the European economic integration on which the analytical approach to the EU politics and policies was further developed while, at the same time, the implications of these processes on EU law were explored.

In my experience the underlying value of this course is in the dynamic academic environment that encourages students to use critical thinking – helping them to acquire knowledge and develop skills that can be applied in both a professional career and further academic studies.

"I am currently completing the Professional Master of Education course in UCD. I also completed a Bachelor of Arts Humanities Degree in DCU, with a view of entering the field of education. Trying to sum up in only a few lines what I enjoy most about the PME in UCD is particularly difficult. There were several places I could have chosen to do this course; however, I chose UCD due the programme structure. Placement starts in Trimester 1 of First Year and runs right through to final year. This to me is of utmost importance, as it allows you to build a rapport with students and colleagues in your school. Building a rapport with various stake holders is essential, as it improves numerous classroom areas, such as motivation, feedback, student learning, communication, and wellbeing.
One thing I love about the School of Education in UCD, are the wide range of supports that are available to students. Members of the faculty, and part time staff such as tutors, supervisors and practising teachers have an incredible relationship with each of us and know us by name. They are phenomenal. I can say with a high degree of confidence that no one person is left behind. UCD really is a special place to do your PME. "

I found my experience of studying in Sutherland School of Law a valuable complement to my law degree from Nankai University. The academics in UCD are very approachable and the teaching content closely follows the frontier issues and research of intellectual property and information technology. I also found the level of academic feedback and support and the small class sizes very helpful to my studies.

I really enjoyed the opportunity to travel on field trips around Ireland and meet many of the other international students in the law school, allowing me to make friends from different countries and learn more about diverse cultures.

For law students who are looking to study an LLM, Intellectual Property & Information Technology is a really good choice. For students from overseas considering studying abroad, I would highly recommend UCD and in particular Sutherland School of Law."

I have had a long career as a journalist, an entrepreneur and a management consultant. I was looking to see what was next. I looked at all of my experience and asked myself what else did I need to learn. I looked for a long time and evaluated programmes across the world over a number of years.

When I discovered the Masters in Agricultural Extension and Innovation at the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science I knew this was the programme for me. So I left Indiana, USA and relocated to Ireland.

The MSc was an excellent experience and one I would highly recommend. Completing my degree in this programme allowed me essential upskilling in agriscience and in innovation. As I fortified my learning, I found it greatly amplified my previous experience while opening new pathways to understanding. Combined, the learning and the network of friends, colleagues, and professionals I gained enhanced my ability to innovate personally and professionally. In addition, it allowed me to become more effective in sharing and transferring knowledge to others around the globe.

I now work as an Entrepreneurial Specialist at the UCD Innovation Academy. Completing the MSc at UCD provided me with vital tools needed to pursue and secure this role.

"From a very young age, I’ve always wanted to be a Civil Engineer. Studying Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering at UCD has allowed me to apply practical knowledge to the real world through lectures, field trips, lab work and tutorials. Working as a Civil Engineer is a rewarding profession where the work you do influences where people work, learn, relax and live. As technology changes and as population growth continues, civil engineers adapt the resources and infrastructure we have to meet our needs. As part of the Professional Work Experience module, I worked with an Irish owned company, Ward and Burke Microtunnelling in Canada. Before I even graduated I was offered a full-time position with them and I’m currently based in Toronto, installing underground tunnels for water and wastewater".

“The Distance Learning offers any graduate with an interest in the world, its heritage, cultures and natural environment, the scope to engage in study of World Heritage at a variety of levels and from a range of perspectives. The course documents are succinct and comprehensive, and are backed up by an extensive array of recommended and referenced reading and AV material. “Way-finding” to web resources and access to the treasury of online libraries is one of the great pleasures of the course, as is the discretion to read and record and reflect on one’s discrete responses to the recommended reading in the Study Journal as the course progresses. I love it.”

"The ME in Materials Science and Engineering provided me with the knowledge and experience necessary for the next step in my professional career. What convinced me to choose this programme was its interdisciplinary nature and the exposure to a wide range of engineering subjects that comes with it. The programme manages to combine theoretical learning and practical experiences masterfully and allowed me to do an internship at the Nano Imaging and Materials Analysis Centre at UCD. Here I gained hands-on experience in advanced electron microscopy and I was put, since day one, at the centre of the laboratory daily operations. Thanks to this experience and the excellent education that this programme provided me with, I was able to obtain a job at one of the world’s leading biomedical engineering companies where I currently work as R&D engineer."

I have an academic background in astrophysics and knew I wanted to have a career in the space industry, but was not sure how to get my foot in the door. The MSc Space Science & Technology course at UCD gave me the opportunity to learn about the different sectors of the space industry and how many different kinds of jobs there are.
In my position as Mission Operations Engineer at Goonhilly, I work as part of a team that operates GHY-6, a 32-meter deep space antenna, to track satellites for NASA and ESA missions such as Mars Express and Artemis 1. I use my project management skills in my secondary role managing the development of procedures and other projects.

“The MA Geography has been a great benefit to me. I have learned very strong analytical skills in Geography. There are quite a few optional modules that I could choose based on my interests and research orientation. The lecturers are all professional and nice, always patient with my questions.”"

"Having obtained a scholarship from the EU, I selected this Masters through which I comprehensively learned about technical, economic and policy aspects of sustainable energy systems. I have extended my prospects by combining my engineering background with what I learned during this programme, and more importantly, I was constantly introduced to novel concepts related to the industry. The variety of material and software offered by each module greatly enhanced my learning experience. I have benefited from academics who are experts in their fields and who also have close links with the industry, this coupled with the entrepreneurship projects and mock interviews has taught me more than I could have learned in a classroom. As a foreign student, UCD is an excellent university from which to enjoy Dublin’s vibrant social life and this beautiful country. I would highly recommend UCD to anyone who wishes to work in the industry".

When I first came to find this MSc in Comparative Social Change I felt like my search for a postgraduate programme, which lasted almost four years, had finally come to an end. Its comparative approach provides a better understanding of the current international scenario, going beyond European affairs and addressing the dynamics of emergent countries such as Brazil, India and China through the lenses of a contemporary globalisation.

Discussions involved ongoing, at times provoking themes such as migration processes and their social and educational implications, he emergence of the neoliberal economy and its political, financial and social repercussions, ethnicity, race and patterns of social exclusion/stratification, among many other relevant themes. Discussions were further enriched by having colleagues from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds as well as by having a remarkable team of professors and staff who were at all times very approachable and tried their best to inspire, support and challenge all of us. Furthermore, it was a very interesting experience to be part of a course offered jointly by TCD and UCD as I had the opportunity to meet professionals and to enjoy the structure and facilities of two of the leading educational institutions in Ireland. I would highly recommend this program not only for those who are already pursuing careers in Sociology but also for those who want to have a broader and clearer view of our current society

“The MSc Critical Geographies: Power and Inequality is an outstanding programme that has allowed me to develop key analytical skills, specialise in research areas that I am truly passionate about and diversify my research interests.
Thanks to the support and dedication of my professors, I have had the chance to attend compelling lectures and deepen my understanding of some of the most critical and topical issues facing today’s societies.
Overall, this Master’s degree has allowed me to develop some expertise in areas I was unfamiliar with before and has provided me with many effective tools to start the next chapter of my academic career: a PhD.”

I chose to pursue the ME Biosystems and Food Engineering in UCD (2016 -2018), because the programme placed equal emphasis in developing the subject knowledge as well as the professional skills required by the industry. The programme offered flexibility to pick a range of modules in varying disciplines such as bioprocess, food, and environmental engineering. The professors were very encouraging and prompt in taking care of student needs. The industrial visits to a beef processing factory, milk factory and biogas plant were very informative and full of fun. I also undertook many informative sessions offered by UCD Library to enhance my writing and presentation skills. The UCD Careers Network was very supportive too and it helped equip me to secure an internship (part of the curriculum) with Irish Water for a period of 8 months. The internship was vital for me to understand workplace requirements and cultivate the requisite professional skills accordingly.

“The MA Geopolitics & Global Economy programme was one of the few master’s programs that let me tailor the program and modules specifically to my passions and career goals, allowing me to take an interdisciplinary approach to a new field of study. I was eager to have the opportunity to build off of my politics and security background and expand further into the field of geography by studying not only geopolitics but also GIS, the economy and pursuing fieldwork.”"

Truly, my experience on the Master of Library and Information Studies programme was life changing. With all that I learned, I was able to secure a position with a notable cultural heritage institution in Ireland. I am now in a job that I love, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m so grateful for all of the knowledge and the opportunities that this programme provided. To anyone considering it, I wholeheartedly recommend this programme of study."

I found the programme to be very beneficial to the ongoing progression of my career. The modules were aligned with my interests in neuroscience and neuropsychology. In particular, both the Clinical Cases in Neuropsychology module and the Neuropsychological Testing practical lab provided me with transferable skills that I apply in my current role of Assistant Psychologist as part of the Neuropsychology Team in St. Vincent’s University Hospital. I developed a range of additional skills and learned about research methodologies that are unique to the programme, such as eyetracking, virtual reality, and EEG methods. Aside from the course content, the staff went above and beyond expectations by providing continuous individualised support with work and research opportunities.

The LLM in International Commercial Law at UCD provided an exceptional experience of legal writing and research together with an active learning element, which is appropriate to any career choice. The small class numbers allowed for effective engagement and fascinating discussions. In addition, the regular communications with esteemed academics and the new perspectives from conversations with students from around the world, led to an unrivalled experience throughout. This programme is particularly relevant given the global economy within which companies operate and the requirement to regularly look beyond our own domestic laws in advising clients.

I am currently an Associate on the Corporate Team Arthur Cox LLP, New York and I believe my experiences at UCD prepared me to overcome challenges and take advantage of opportunities in my professional training. This programme comes with my highest recommendation. It will suit anyone interested in exploring commercial law and who wishes to prepare for a career in corporate practice.

The global labour force needs to re- and upskill at speed to put the world on a pathway to sustainable development, and professionals need to understand the intersection of science, policy, and practice. That's why University College Dublin and the SDG Academy have created this innovative online Master’s pathway for all learners across government, corporates and civil society to earn a Professional Diploma in Foundations of Sustainable Development. You can enter the pathway with or without professional experience in the field of sustainable development, and emerge ready to take part in the transition to a sustainable future.

As academics, programme directors, and programme team, we dedicate ourselves with enthusiasm and all our creative strength to the greatest challenge that humanity has ever faced: global climate change and its overwhelming consequences that will change everything in the world. The landscape, the ecosystems, the flora, the fauna, the economy, the cities, the societies — everything. As a landscape architect and designer, I know that we have always stood and worked on the right side, outdoors, where the forces of nature work.
The current accumulation of crises renders clearer than ever what we have to tackle and do. All essential tasks of future landscape design are directly related to the requirements of man-made global change. We can’t wait for anything anymore, we have to act now, design now, and implement now.

"When I started working with life cycle assessment, over 20 years ago, I was the only person in Ireland using the method. Since then LCA and carbon footprinting have become critical issues for industry in Ireland and beyond. It is amazing to think that almost all livestock farms in Ireland now voluntarily participate in a national carbon footprinting programme (Origin Green) because of the benefits gained. I have seen increasing interest in what we doing the last few years as companies and their employees have to learn about and implement management of GHG emissions (particularly scope 3). While theoretical knowledge of GHG and other emissions is important, there is a clear demand in Ireland for people with the skills necessary to complete Carbon Footprint, GHG Inventory and Life Cycle Assessment of product and organisations. This skill is transferable across sectors and can be aligned with the different parts of a business, be that process and production, management, health and safety, sustainability or even marketing. This graduate diploma will be ideal for professional development or for reskilling by those looking for a new career opportunity".

The world has a huge appetite for clean electricity, necessitating the development and operation of smart electricity networks to meet this demand. This ongoing energy transition has created a significant demand for quality engineering graduates with specialised skills in designing and operating power grids. Wind, solar, and battery technologies all require access to the power grid, and top-class engineers are essential to facilitate this. This one-year master's programme is designed for bright students who want to specialise in power grid engineering.

"The process analytical technology (PAT) initiative is a key driver of adaptive processing, transforming approaches to quality assurance in manufacturing industries, leading to better process control and ultimately improved product quality. Spectroscopic technologies are recognized as a key facilitator of the PAT concept, however the big data produced by such instrumentation requires knowledge of the fundamental light-material interactions that result in a spectrum and understanding of multivariate chemometric data analysis techniques that can be utilized to gain relevant information from the measured data. This diploma is designed to upskill STEM graduates seeking to return to the workplace to gain sustainable employment, or those already in the workplace, who are seeking to develop these high level skills."

I chose to study engineering at UCD as you did not have to commit to a particular discipline straight away. This proved a wise choice as I went in believing I wanted to be a chemical engineering but quickly discovered electrical engineering was actually the discipline for me, and so I first completed a 3 year BSc degree, focusing on electrical engineering. The ME in Electrical Power Engineering at UCD is a challenging but rewarding course. I have found the course prepared me well for a career in renewable energy by making me aware of the opportunities and challenges facing the industry by mixing knowledge of the key technologies with how electricity markets and networks interact and operate. Throughout my 5 years at UCD I had the opportunity to spend a year studying in New Zealand and undertook two internships which provided invaluable experience. I am now working as an electrical engineer for SSE renewables based in Scotland and find I use many of the skills I developed at UCD on a regular basis.

"I discovered my love for both engineering and business during my undergraduate mechanical engineering degree here in UCD, as I was encouraged to take business classes to complement my engineering knowledge. This master’s programme is quite unique and allowed me the opportunity to interview for roles both in Ireland and overseas, eventually allowing me to secure a job in a pharmaceutical company in the UK which I could never have imagined before beginning this programme. This master’s has provided me with the tools to confidently pursue my goals. UCD has offered me everything I could have hoped for in terms of a memorable college experience; from industry exposure and challenging classes to pushing me to think as both an engineer and a business woman. I encourage anyone interested in broadening their knowledge and getting noticed on an international stage to strongly consider this programme."

After graduating from UCD with an MA in Political Theory, Rhona completed an MPA in Public Policy and Management in London School of Economics and Political Science. The MA in Political Theory provided a fantastic education in ethics, citizenship, social justice, and most importantly critical thinking. Through a programme of challenging, provocative, and diverse courses – including ‘The Political Theory of Violence’, ‘Contemporary Debates in Citizenship’ and ‘Poverty, Development and Global Justice’ – the MA provided me with core skills that continue to shape and influence my thinking. Through the process of participating in seminars and developing my final thesis, I was both challenged and supported to look at old problems in new ways, express complex ideas clearly and build strong, logical, and original arguments. I highly recommend this course, and if given the opportunity, would take it again tomorrow.

Opting for the MSc Environmental Technology programme at UCD was a straightforward choice due to its extensive curriculum addressing environmental challenges with a focus on sustainability and practical applications. My experience involved creating educational materials, technical reports, attending seminars, workshops, and engaging in practical projects, ideal for career progression and transitions. The programme aligned with my goals in environmental consultancy, offering insights into environmental protection, data analysis, and project management using tools like Life Cycle Analysis and Risk Assessment. It prepared me for my role on the EU-funded BioBeo project, contributing to education on the circular bioeconomy. I highly recommend this programme for its exceptional curriculum, distinguished faculty, and excellent career prospects.

I found the degree throughout engaging. I enjoyed the broad range of topics covered in the degree from pure mathematics to behavioural economics and game theory. I was heavily involved with the Chess Society, serving as Secretary and then Auditor during my time at UCD and I still compete with the UCD chess team in the Leinster leagues. I have since graduated and am now working in Quantitative Risk at Grant Thornton.

"Completing a Master’s at UCD was one of the best decisions of my life. Interacting with high calibre students and professors from around the world, I quickly realised how little I knew about international politics and relations, and how my cultural paradigms, mostly based on limited knowledge, have influenced my decision making in the past.

Now, whether it is in my role as a Global Purchasing Director, President of a non-profit organisation, or simply a citizen of my country, my studies at UCD have enabled me to better understand the world I live in, and consider more profoundly such elements as human rights, global climate change, or international security in my decision making.”

I have always wanted to specialise in Structural Engineering, and I believe UCD’s graduate taught programme provides the essential knowledge through its comprehensive course modules. I found the modules very informative, including all the structural modules (Design of Structures, Analysis of Structures, Structural Dynamics), Advanced Materials, and Professional Engineering Management. The best part of the course was the “Engineering Design Project” module, where students gained practical knowledge by working on projects with external professors who have extensive industry experience, making it a meaningful experience.
Moreover, the faculty members have been consistently supportive and helpful throughout my studies. Their guidance has been instrumental in my academic journey, ensuring I receive the necessary assistance whenever required.
During the summers, I dedicated my focus to my thesis project under the guidance of professors. As an international student from India, I found the faculty to be incredibly encouraging.

“I wanted to learn about things that I’m most passionate about so it would be children and youth and education and it was this Master’s is everything that I wanted to do. I learned about the research, the policies, the practice and the different concepts that exist for understanding and supporting children and young people. I have the skills now to support and advocate for them in society thanks to the MSc. We looked at children’s rights, participation and well-being, global development education and research specifically with children. I loved the theoretical content but also the new people I met. It. is a really international programme with people from all over the world, so you learn from different experiences and understandings.”"

My experience of studying social work at masters level at UCD has been overwhelmingly positive. The campus has excellent facilities and a proactive student body ensures a great student life definitely worth experiencing. The faculty in the School are extremely supportive and the curriculum is well recognised internationally.

Now, working as a professional Social Worker, I realise that the masters provided an excellent basis for this challenging and rewarding career.

I’m from Dehradun in India and after completing my bachelor’s degree in Food Process Engineering I was looking for a course to further my knowledge in the same field and I found UCD. The School of Biosystems and Food Engineering has a very dynamic teaching environment, highly cited academics and great facilities. My professors not only guided me through the course content but also helped to steer me in the right direction career wise. Doing this masters has been really helpful and provided me with the essential skills needed to work professionally in the food industry. The course is well structured and there are modules like food processing and risk assessment which helped me to build my technical skills and modules which help you to build your soft skills which are helpful when looking for employment especially as an international student. The UCD Careers Network also organises a number of career fairs, where you have the chance to meet industry professionals. This is how I managed to secure a place on Dairygold’s graduate programme, which I am looking forward to starting soon.

"I chose to do the Master’s in Energy Systems Engineering in UCD to broaden my skills and career opportunities and to be trained to work in the energy systems industry. This master’s course allowed me to specialise in energy systems while also gaining important engineering skills. The course included an 8-month professional work placement which was another important factor in choosing the master’s. This work experience has given me confidence in approaching interviews, working as part of a professional team and developing my future career in the renewable energy sector. The high-quality material provided and the wide variety of modules offered have provided me with a deeper understanding of the current and future technical and economic challenges faced by the world’s energy systems. The master’s has prepared me to work as an engineer and be involved in future energy solutions."

Pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Systems at UCD has opened up opportunities that I was unaware of before. Hailing from a different cultural background, my time here has been valuable, in that it has shaped me as a professional and an individual. According to the QS World University Rankings, UCD ranks 35th for ‘Library and Information Management Studies and stands 1st in Ireland when it comes to employability. No wonder, with the qualityof education here, I landed my first job as a Digital Project Executive at An Post even before my course ended.

The course walks you through various areas of Information Science, such as the foundations of information systems, UI/UX design, the basics of data analytics, and even natural language processing. The lectures and assignments were up to date and in line with the latest developments in the IT industry. For instance, I remember concepts from the ‘Data and Society’ module being taught to us using the latest news articles on data every week. All the professors were very accommodating and always an email away to help students with more than just academic-related-issues.

All in all, though the year was busy and thechallenges plenty, my academic journey at UCD has been nothing but fulfilling

The MSc Communication and Media was central for me in getting where I am today. The modules were carefully curated to help students find suitable options for their respective career choices and develop their own pathways in learning. I also appreciated the choice between writing a thesis or working on a real-life project for our final trimester. I decided to choose a media management project which proved extremely beneficial in terms of developing practical skills for my future career. The degree is the perfect mix of practical and theoretical."

"I was working as an assistant software engineer in India, having obtained my bachelor degree in electronic engineering. I had a thirst to further my education in technology engineering and as such, I started searching for a Masters level education choosing to do the MEngSc Electronic and Computer engineering at UCD. During my course I was taught with problems that industries are currently facing, making it incredibly relevant. The course was quite brilliantly structured between hardware (Electronics) and software (Computer Science), designed in a way to learn by practice, offering me the confidence to face today’s industrial demands. The course also offered a module on entrepreneurship which I believe to be incredibly important for my future Engineering career. Right now I am working alongside leading researchers for my master’s project which is guiding me on the right career path and I truly believe that I will be one among tomorrow's Industrial leader’s".

"As an undergraduate mechanical engineering student in the US, I was able to study abroad in Dublin for 6 weeks one summer, during which I lived on UCD’s campus and fell in love with Dublin’s historic-village-yet-international-city vibes. When it came time for me to decide where to pursue a postgraduate degree, I chose UCD based on both my previous positive experiences in Dublin— friendly people, good music scene, great burritos and pizza—as well as UCD’s one year Master of Engineering Science in Materials Engineering degree programme. The programme offered me a chance to study a wide variety of engineering materials used worldwide, such that after finishing the programme, I would be able to use my new knowledge anywhere, not just in jobs or academia in Ireland or the US. The programme required both module and research credits, which allowed me to gain a specialisation in the materials field of mechanical engineering, as well as jumpstart my desired research career. After completing my degree at UCD, I received an Irish Research Council Employment-based Postgraduate Programme doctoral fellowship with a UCD engineering professor and a non-profit based in Dublin, and I am currently in my second year of that PhD programme. I believe that UCD was key to my academic journey and that the university is continuing to help me establish myself in the engineering research field."

"Lectures in SPIRe not only introduce you to what debates have been crucially discussed in each academic area, but also offer you numerous approaches to understanding the themes and questions posed, all with the warm assistance of the lecturers.

I like the teaching style in UCD as it highlighted for me the significance of theory. Without that, I would not have been able to know what ‘research’ truly means."

"I’m from Lebanon and the reason why I chose Ireland and specifically Dublin is because it is such a vibrant place. I then chose UCD because of its reputation and its wide range of programme choices. UCD focuses on its students and provides a wide range of extracurricular activities as part of the student life. I am learning a lot from this programme. There are modules such as supply chain management, marketing management and project management etc. I am able to learn not just theoretically, but also have hands-on experiences through simulations and projects that the programme provides us during the year. In terms of career prospects, if you join the programme you will have the chance to go into different fields within the business area such as management and supply chain. UCD also organizes many career fairs where you get to meet the companies you want to work with in Dublin or in Ireland and even companies around the world".

"Spending one year in fascinating Dublin was a truly fantastic experience. UCD has much to offer: an extremely interesting selection of subjects, an outstanding and competent team of teaching staff, a balanced combination of independent and team work, and, most importantly, an international and multicultural environment.

Indeed, it was amazing to share the classroom with wonderful people from all around the world – Italy, Japan, China, United States, Poland, Germany, Norway, Canada, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands and, of course, Ireland. "

"I pursued a Master’s in Water, Waste, and Environmental Engineering at UCD due to my desire to gain an international perspective on environmental issues, UCD’s strong reputation in engineering, and its relationship with my undergraduate university in the U.S. Through this course, I reinforced my knowledge on environmental engineering principles as well as enhanced my skillset through learning about green infrastructure, waste management, and software such as GIS and R. I also was able to learn about EU environmental legislation, listen to class speakers from Ireland’s EPA, and visit water treatment facilities. There were a number of different research topics to pursue for my thesis as well as the possibility to propose my own topic, which speaks to the breadth of expertise and dedication present in UCD’s civil engineering department. UCD’s career resources and connections were likewise useful, and helped me achieve an internship with CRH’s Dublin office in their sustainability group upon completion of my masters. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in furthering their skillset as an environmental engineer".

Global Regulatory Intelligence Specialist at Alexion Pharmaceuticals

My time during the MSc in Regulatory Affairs & Toxicology gave me the skills and knowledge to step into the global world of regulatory affairs. I now work in regulatory intelligence and policy, where I must understand and communicate important regulatory updates from around the world, and this MSc gave me the foundation to build these skills. This MSc also raised my awareness and understanding that there is a much wider world when working in regulatory affairs and that there are huge opportunities for me to grow and develop in my career.

"I chose UCD for its fantastic reputation for its post graduate courses. The campus is also the biggest in Ireland and its facilities are excellent. I chose this programme as a continuation of my bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and I wanted to further develop my learning in this area. The best part is that the course offers training in the bioprocess training facility in the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT) which helped to greatly enhance my practical knowledge. The course is designed to give you a well-rounded education in a variety of aspects in the pharmaceutical industry such as cell culture, facility design, engineering modules, regulatory affairs, lean sigma methodologies etc. The course has helped improve my career opportunities and I have already been offered a job with a pharmaceutical company for when I finish my course. I believe I have gained more practical knowledge from the one year of study that will help me in my workplace.”

This MSc had a strong theoretical foundation and gave me an education in how to apply statistics. My research project inspired me to go into the area of medical statistics after graduation. The course served as a launch pad for my career in pharmaceutical statistics where I now work as a project lead, overseeing the quantitative aspects of several drugs in development.

I participated in the MSc Horticulture at UCD as a joint programme between Yangzhou University (YZU) and UCD and am very glad I did. UCD is a very reputable college in Ireland. The people are very friendly and the campus is fantastic. The course has a wide range of subjects and several practical courses. I found the tutorials offered by the UCD School of Agriculture and Food Science College benefited me a lot.
In UCD, you can join many communities and activities to make friends. The students are really nice. From the Pre- Master course, we learned the skill of essay writing with the support of teachers. UCD is a perfect place to study and carry out research.