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Trinity College Dublin Exchange

Many students are walking in front of an old, stone building with pillars.

Applications for this exchange program are currently closed due to an imbalance in student participation between UW–Madison and our partner university. We will reopen applications once spaces become available. Students interested in studying at Trinity College Dublin can apply to FIE Trinity College Dublin.

Ireland, Dublin

Limited Capacity Program: This program can accept a limited number of students each term, and in the past we have received more qualified applicants than available spots. Review of applicants is based on these criteria. You may only have one open application per term, but should have an alternate program in mind in the event that you are not accepted to this program.

Founded in 1592, Trinity College is Ireland’s oldest (and often cited as Ireland’s top) university.  It has an annual student enrollment of approximately 16,000 students, nearly 11,000 of which are undergraduates.  Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is an important center for the arts, education, commerce, and governmental administration.

Situated in the very centre of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin is home to a community of curious, supportive, engaged scholars. Whether you stay for a single term or a full year, you will find endless opportunities to discover, explore, learn and grow.  Ireland's location at the gateway to Europe and as a major airline hub makes it an ideal place from which to travel.  Trinity College Dublin provides an educational and social experience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. From here you really can go anywhere!

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Navigate new educational systems, as well as new learning and teaching styles
  • Observe Irish perspectives on academic disciplines
  • Deepen cross-cultural understanding

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • 3.1 cumulative GPA.

    Students applying to Chemistry, Economics, Education, English, Math, Philosophy, Political Science and Sociology must be majoring in the relevant area in their home university in order to be considered for admission to the corresponding area of study at Trinity.

    Some schools and departments have additional GPA requirements: Economics and Philosophy require a 3.5 GPA and Political Science, History, and Classics a 3.3.
  • Students must have completed two years of university studies to be eligibile
  • Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree-seeking students only
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Exchange & Direct Enroll

Subjects

arts, biological & physical science, business, engineering, environmental studies, humanities, music, social science, social work

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Apartments

Program Duration

Academic Year:  Mid-­Sep - May
Academic Year + Semester Start-­Up Programme:  Late Aug - May

Fall:  Mid-­September ‐ December
Fall + Semester Start-­Up Programme:  Late Aug ‐ Dec
** Fall semester is called Michaelmas Term at Trinity

Spring:  Mid-­January ‐ May
Spring + Semester Start-­Up Programme:  Early Jan ‐ May
**Spring semester is called Hilary Term at Trinity

Application Deadline(s)

Spring 2025-26 - [Spring Semester - Suspended] 8/29/2025 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 - [Suspended] 8/29/2025 Cost Details
Year 2026-27 - [Suspended] 2/20/2026 Cost Details
Fall 2026-27 - [Fall Semester + Semester Start-Up Programme - Suspended] 2/20/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

A year or semester at Trinity College Dublin offers a combination of high-caliber academics, historic surroundings and an unbeatable location in the heart of a bustling European capital city.  Education at Trinity is not confined to the classroom, although Trinity's academic standards are indeed among the highest in the world.

Trinity College is organized around 3 large faculty and schools:

-Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
-Engineering, Mathematics and Science
-Health Sciences

Many disciplines within these faculties are highly ranked amongst other higher education institutions within Ireland, the U.K., Europe and amongst other leading academic institutions abroad.  Trinity's Irish and Celtic languages courses are amongst its more unique offerings for visiting students, yet you will also find many rich and highly regarded study opportunities in a variety of fields.  As an exchange student, you will have the opportunity to enroll in a variety of modules (classes) at Trinity, however, you need to have great flexibility when it comes to module selections.

During the application process, you will indicate your module preferences and the Trinity study abroad team will request approval on your behalf from the various academic departments on campus.  You may only enroll in modules from departments you are approved for, and registration happens on site. Students should plan to select courses across multiple departments. Students who choose to study abroad at Trinity must have a great deal of flexibility when it comes to course selections. The availability of modules cannot be guaranteed. All students may enroll in one Trinity Elective per semester abroad; Trinity electives do not require pre-admission.  For specific questions about Trinity modules, students are advised to email: study.abroad@tcd.ie  

Since modules cannot be guaranteed, this program is not a good fit for students who need a specific course and/or particular type of credit while abroad. 

Students interested in Law courses:  Law courses at Trinity are taught at a graduate law school level. Although they may appear to be for undergraduates, students should take caution when selecting law courses.

Understanding Ireland:  The Trinity Semester Start-Up Programme
For semester or year study abroad students, the Semester Start-Up Programme offers an introduction to Dublin, Ireland and Trinity’s academic life before teaching term begins for semester or year study abroad students. Combining excursions, small group teaching and engaging lectures, Understanding Ireland is a wonderful way to get to know Ireland and Trinity before beginning the academic term. The programme is optional and incurs an extra charge to the Study Abroad programme. For Autumn-Entry students, the programme runs for three weeks and is worth 3 UW-Madison credits. For January-entry students, the course runs for one week and is not credit-bearing

Affiliate Institution(s)

Trinity College Dublin

Program Web Pages

Visiting Students

Foreign Courses

Module (Class) Directory

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents