A message to UCD students:
UCD: Vote to join AMLÉ.
Divided we beg. United we win.
On 1 to 3 April 2025, UCD students have an opportunity to rejoin AMLÉ to regain their strong national voice and end the isolation of their students outside the national Student Movement. AMLÉ supports the campaign at UCDSU and urges students to vote YES in the referendum.
In every referendum since 2012, students across Ireland have voted to affirm their membership of AMLÉ. The student movement would be stronger if we were together.
Recent wins for Students in Ireland
Digs Legislation
Currently there are no protections for students in digs. AMLÉ has played a central role in advancing Students’ needs in informing forthcoming Digs Legislation. This now at Committee Stage with ongoing communication from AMLÉ and the parties involved.
Residential Tenancies Bill 2021
Historically, students were forced to pay a semester if not a full year in advance for their accommodation. AMLÉ successfully lobbied, the HEA to change this. AMLÉ demanded a maximum two-month pre-payment, and we won. The strength of hundreds of thousands of students demanding change through AMLÉ have changed students’ lives for the better.
Students as Workers: SIPTU x AMLÉ Agreement
AMLÉ Members have access to the SIPTU Workers Rights helpline, thanks to the SIPTU-AMLÉ Agreement. We work with many Trades’ Unions and provide training on students’ rights as workers as part of our comprehensive SU officer training. Students rights as workers are stronger because of AMLÉ.
Fee reductions
AMLÉ’s goal is free education. For decades we’ve stood strong against UK style loans, graduate taxes and hikes to fees. In the last two years, we’ve lobbied and protested to ensure that the contribution charge was reduced from €3,000 to €2,000. We’ll keep pushing and having you in membership will make us stronger.
Programme for Government to continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government
During the General Election both Fine Gael & Fianna Fáil tried to ignore students – a strong social media campaign by AMLÉ changed Fine Gael’s Manifesto and a plan to reduce the fees ove the course of the government was was included in the Programme for Government 2025.
What would AMLÉ do for me?
We know that student needs differ by stage, mode and method of study. We work with students from across the range and we want to work with you.
Saving you cash with our new discount app
A new discount app exclusively for students in Ireland!
Unlike other services like UNiDAYS, which often features UK-based discounts that may not always work, this app is tailored specifically for Irish students.
This app service is available to AMLÉ members only.
Will feature companies such as: JD Sports, Bus Eireann, Green IT (Laptops/phones), Uber, Uber Eats and many more.
Irish Undergraduate Students
- AMLÉ has protested, lobbied and campaigned for an end to fees. We need your help to keep up the fight.
- €1000 more in your pocket. We took the lead in demanding reductions to fees – so far we’ve managed to reduce 2022’s €3000 fees to €2000 today.
- A United voice is needed now more than ever to bank that win, stop the government from backsliding and keep making gains. (especially after it’s been reported Minister Lawless is considering re-instating €3000 fees).
Postgrad Students
- We’ve listened to postgrads across Ireland, and have been actively lobbying for fee standardisation enforcement across the HEI sector
- We’ve argued for more financial supports for postgraduate students
- Our dedicated Postgraduate Affairs officer actively seeks to engage postgrads to discover your needs
- UCD Students should be a key part of the conversation.
PhD Students
- We’re Fighting and lobbying for the recognition of PHDs as workers and students, and an end to precarious contracts.
- Our Postgraduate Affairs Officer works to support your Graduate Officer in their role and to link Irish PhD students into networks and programmes
- We’re a member of EuroDoc. Your voice could be important there. You need to join to inform our policy.
GEM Students
- Currently only represent GEM students in UCC, UCD voice will make this stronger.
Training & Skills for SU Officers
AMLÉ’s comprehensive summer training programme provides the advice, skills and knowledge for sabbatical and part-time officers to thrive and represent you.
The training is always either free of charge or subsidised through affiliation fees – where there is a fee it’s a contribution to accommodation and catering.
Our training was reviewed and enhanced in 2022 and grows every year.
Affiliating with the Union of Students in Ireland (AMLÉ) ensures that our student body has a strong, national voice on key issues affecting higher education, welfare, and student rights. AMLÉ provides campaign support, leadership training, and advocacy at both governmental and institutional levels, helping to drive positive change on issues like student accommodation, mental health services, and cost-of-living concerns.
Beyond advocacy, AMLÉ has directly supported our students through welfare assistance in extreme cases, including helping students struggling with addiction. They have also played a key role in supporting and collaborating on events that benefit our student community. Through our affiliation with AMLÉ, we have been able to host various events, including student safety talks, self-defence workshops, and welfare initiatives, further enhancing student wellbeing.
Additionally, AMLÉ has launched the MyAMLÉ Discount app, providing students with exclusive discounts nationwide—a fantastic new resource that will benefit students tremendously.
By affiliating with AMLÉ, we ensure continued support, representation, and access to valuable resources that enhance the student experience both inside and outside the classroom.
National College of Ireland Students’ Union President