As UCD prepares for exams away from the RDS, Chief News Correspondent Ben Sweeney reveals how much money the University paid for exam facilities.
UCD has spent over €2.5 million for exam facilities over the past 6 years.
Documents released under Freedom of Information (FOI) show that €2,658,463.96 was paid to the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) for use of their Simmonscourt and Shelbourne Hall facilities between January 2020 and January 2026. This corresponds to an average of over €440,000 per year or over €220,000 per exam period. UCD’s Summer exams are not held in RDS facilities and some students take Autumn and Spring exams on-campus.
These figures emerge as UCD students faced disruptions during the most recent exam period in the RDS. During these exams, held between the 6th of December and 20th of December 2025, students reported hearing music and screaming from outside exam halls. In response, UCD sent a student-wide email apologising for the disturbances. The email also indicated that UCD would meet with the RDS to ensure appropriate conditions are met for future exams.
UCD Students’ Union Education Officer Matt Mion believes that “the RDS no longer has a financial incentive to keep UCD happy” following news that UCD would be moving all exams on-campus. Exams are set to be held at a new sports centre, currently under construction, from September 2027. It is expected to cost €87 million.
In a statement, the RDS affirmed their “long-standing and valued relationship” with UCD. They consider that the rates UCD are charged for use of the RDS’ exam facilities reflect this. They also confirmed that a meeting with UCD took place in January. During the meeting, the RDS’ attempts to reduce disruptions to exams and the “proactive steps and revised protocols” that they plan to implement to limit noise levels in the future were discussed.
UCD were contacted for comment.