Student Life

Time at college means much more than just attending classes and American College Dublin recognises the importance of student involvement outside the classroom. The Psychology Society and Business Society are active organisations within the student body and are responsible for planning both educational and social events throughout the year.

The College soccer team has already begun to make a name for itself in the Irish Technical Colleges Football Association League, Division A. The basketball team competes in Division A of the Irish Colleges Basketball Association League. American College Dublin has an active Student's Union which is affiliated to the Union of Students in Ireland.

The Student's Union Council is the student representative body elected annually. The Student Union Council meets with the College administration on a regular basis to ensure student needs and concerns are fully communicated and acted upon. They are also largely responsible for the social activities organised by the College. Students are encouraged to set up and run special interest groups not already formed, to further enhance their experience at ACD.

Student Body

The student body at ACD is truly global with students from Ireland, Europe, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, the Pacific Rim and the Americas. This international environment is a key factor in the personal and cultural development of each individual student. It creates a vibrant context in which to study and learn. The age profile of the student body is also quite diverse, as ACD welcomes transfer and mature students.

Living in Dublin

Just as important as campus activities are the opportunities that your school's surrounding area offers. Students new to the city of Dublin are easily charmed by the entertainment, cultural, and natural amenities of Ireland's capital city.

Native Dubliners truly appreciate how their hometown has evolved in recent years into a vibrant and increasingly cosmopolitan city brimming with trendy coffee shops and juice bars, fusion-cuisine restaurants, minimalist interiors, and designer boutiques. Dublin is at the epicentre of Ireland's financial boom, and as such provides an ever-wider range of amenities to suit every taste and pocket. With a population which is for the most part under the age of 28, Dublin is a city which particularly caters to students' needs, and as such ACD students can be sure that they will find everything they need on the doorstep of the College campus.

Newcomers may want to start at Temple Bar, one of the most vibrant areas in Dublin featuring a wide variety of pubs and popular restaurants. Students can recharge with a latte while surfing the internet at any of the city's numerous cyber cafés. Dublin also hosts plenty of high-energy nightclubs, where students can spend the evening dancing or listening to their favourite tunes.

The city has a broad selection of cinemas and theatres, as well as regular sporting events, and venues such as the trendy Point Depot, that cater to music connoisseurs of all genres. Art galleries and museums, like the National Museum at Merrion Square, can be visited free of charge. Whatever the interest, American College Dublin is located in the heart of the city, close to it all!

Student Services

Student Services play an important role in the educational experience of ACD students. We realise that student needs will reach beyond the classroom and as a result we are committed to enhancing the student experience by offering a range of services, in addition to supporting social and sporting activities.

The accommodation service advises students on options available to them. A homestay can be arranged for students who wish to live in family surroundings, or advice can be given on finding and sharing independent accommodation.

From time to time, students may encounter personal problems or issues which prevent them from getting the most from their college experience. The counselling service offers a confidential service to individuals who may need assistance. Workshops on areas such as study skills are also arranged for students each semester.

Students experiencing illness or health-related difficulties can avail of health services. The college has an agreement with an excellent medical service offering reduced rates to ACD students. The service is confidential and has a full range of services, including an emergency facility. The Student Affairs Officer is available for students requesting information about visas and can also help them acquire banking services.

Comments from Current Students

Read what our students have to say about ACD!

"I am finding the student experience at ACD to be extremely rewarding. The courses in International Business are extremely informative, the administration and teachers are supportive and fun and I know I will finish the program with a great foundation for any business goal I'd like to achieve. I have met great students from all over the world and made new friends. I highly recommend ACD for any student who wants to experience one of the best school environments in Dublin." Jennifer Fernandes is a first year International Business Student from Canada

"The benefits of studying Psychology at ACD are the diversity, both in terms of age and culture, of people with a common interest. The small classes allow everyone to express their opinions which is the essence of psychology, the study of human minds." Emma Daly is a Psychology student at ACD

"At ACD I came to appreciate the value of different modules covered throughout the psychology degree. The knowledge and experience I obtained both in ACD and after resulted in me gaining a place on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology course in NUI Galway." Pauline Moloney, who graduated from the BA in Behavioural Science in 2004

"The Hospitality management Diploma course is remarkable. ACD has an established reputation among the industry employers and they have a very high opinion of its students. I am grateful to ACD for showing me that there are so many ways you can succeed within the industry." Yuliya Dzerhachova, a second year Hospitality Management student from Russia

"The Swiss American Hospitality Institute helped me to increase my knowledge about the Hotel Industry and it taught me how to use the theory in practice, I found all the subjects I studied very beneficial for my career." Shakaib Alam Nawab a 1st year student from Pakistan, who is currently completing his first internship in the Holiday Inn, a four star hotel in Dublin

"I feel I have gained a lot of varied experience from this Hotel and I'm very happy working here. This work placement will help me reach my ambition of becoming a hotel manager in China." Liu Xin Yang, a 1st year student from China, is completing her first internship in the Jury's Ballsbridge Hotel, a five star Hotel in Dublin

"Once I started the course I really felt I was in the Tourism and Hotel industry because of the different subjects taught at the college and the internship which gave real experience in the industry. I thoroughly enjoyed my two years at American College Dublin and now I'm ready and motivated to progress to the degree programme." Naresh Kumar Baldawoo, a student from Mauritius, completed his internship in the Richmond Hill Hotel in London and in the Berkely Court Hotel, a five star hotel in Dublin. He is currently studying for the BSc in Hospitality Management.

"The knowledge, dedication and sincerity of the faculty of ACD has proven immensely helpful in nurturing my personality into the kind of confident person that I want to be in my professional life." Omar Farrukh is a student on our BsC in Hospitality Management

We have more information for international students here