• Why Choose UCD?
• Recognised by King Abdullah Scholarships Program
• International Foundation Programme
• Undergraduate Program Application
• Graduate Program Application
• Graduate Research Application (Research Master's / PhD)
• Prayer Facilities
• Immigration Regulations
• English Language Requirement

Why Choose UCD?

-UCD is one of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities and ranked among the top 1% of universities worldwide.
-With over 5,000 international students from over 100 countries and over 250 exchange partners UCD is Ireland’s most globally-networked university and has prioritised internationalisation as a key aspect of the UCD student experience.
-UCD currently holds the chair of the Universitas 21 network of global research universities which offers its students an unparalleled range of student mobility and career development opportunities.

• UCD is Ireland’s largest and most international university
• Emphasis on Research and Innovation
• Flexible undergraduate curricula, structured graduate programs
• Safe, modern campus offers extensive accommodation options with 24 hour security
• Located in Dublin city, Ireland’s capital
• Easy access to the Wicklow Mountains, ‘The Garden of Ireland’
• Large, modern language centre on campus
• Only Irish university with a dedicated International Student Centre
• Close proximity to the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland (ICCI)

 

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International Foundation Programme

The International Foundation Year is a three-term programme, specifically designed for international students who do not meet the requirement for entry to an undergraduate degree programme.

The programme combines study skills, English language training and academic study to prepare you for a degree-level study.Please see the UCD International Study Centre website for more details on entry requirements, progression route and programme details

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Undergraduate Program Application

Entry Requirements & Application:

The following Saudi qualifications suffice for application to Undergraduate degree programs at UCD:

A pass in 6 subjects in Tawjihiyah plus an average C in the 1st 2 years of a degree from a recognised university (including specific relevant subjects). PLUS English language competence (IELTS/TOEFL) as detailed below. Alternatively applicants should present appropriate grades in recognised subjects in an acceptable school-leaving certificate.

The online application facility (www.ucd.ie/apply) opens 01 November, prior to entry. Applications are accepted and assessed on a rolling basis until 01 July. However, we recommend students to apply as early as possible as popular programs tend to fill quickly.

You can also choose to apply by filling out and returning the application form  and accompanying documents. 

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Graduate Program Application

The following Saudi qualifications are advised for application to taught Graduate programs at UCD:

Saudi applicants should present a Bachelor degree (4 year) in a cognate major with an overall GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 or 3.75 out of 5.0 (or greater) (minimum of 2.1 achieved) from a recognised Saudi Arabian University, to be considered for admission to a Masters level programme. Applicants must also present English language competence (IELTS/TOEFL) as detailed below.

To apply for a Graduate Taught program please click here (online application system)

You can also choose to apply by filling out and returning the application form  and accompanying documents.

Please note that applications are accepted from October of the previous year of study and candidates will be notified of the status of their application within 4 weeks of application.

Saudi candidates are advised to apply as early as a study visa is required.  For details of the conditions of the study visa please click here

UCD Masters Pathways

To offer students from non-English speaking countries the opportunity to make a smooth transition to studying abroad, UCD has created a set of Masters pathways. Pathway 1 and 2 enable international students to benefit from a preparatory course that enhances their English language skills, allows them to adjust to a different learning culture and helps them to get used to a new way of life.

Experience has shown that for one year Masters Programmes, this preparation is crucial if international students are to achieve their full academic potential during graduate studies.

Please click UCD Masters Pathways for full details about this programme.

UCD International Study Centre Pre Masters Programmes

UCD International Study Centre are also offering a Pre-Masters programme, aimed at international students who want to study Business and Management at a graduate level at UCD but do not meet direct entry requirements for a Masters degree.  Please click here for details on this programme.

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Graduate Research Application (Research Master's / PhD)

It is recommended that applicants interested in research at Masters and PhD level should, in the first place, read the information available at www.UCD.ie/research

Secondly, applicants should review the website of the relevant School and College to ensure they are fully informed about the research objectives of the academic concerned.  Prior to submitting an application it is essential that candidates make contact with potential supervisors.

Holders of Bachelors, and Masters degrees with exceptional grades from competitive Universities and Colleges in Saudi Arabia will be considered for entry to Masters and PhD research at UCD.

Applications are accepted on an on-going basis.

 

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Prayer Facilities

The Muslim community in Dublin has two mosques, one of which is adjacent to the Belfield campus. Prayer rooms for Muslim students are also located on the Belfield campus.

 

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Immigration Regulations

Should you have any queries  on applying for a visa to study in Ireland the Irish Embassy in Riyadh will provide you with detailed information which will help you.  The contact details for the Embassy are:
Embassy of Ireland
Diplomatic Quarter Riyadh
Postal address P.O. Box 94349 Riyadh 11693
Telephone: + 966-1-488-2300
Fax: + 966-1-488-0927
Website: www.embassyofireland.org.sa

It is necessary for applicants to provide the following information when applying for a visa:

• Valid passport number
• Date of issue and expiry of passport
• Date, place and mode of arrival in Ireland
• Letter from the University indicating that you have been offered a place in UCD
• Letter from University indicating that the fees have been paid in full
• Evidence of sufficient funds to cover living and other expenses for the proposed stay
• Recent passport photographs
• Visa application fee (non-refundable)
• Proof of medical insurance
• In some cases proof of English, such as an IELTS or TOEFL certificate is required

These documents should be sent to the Irish Embassy. Visa applications can take some months to process, so it is advisable to secure a place early at the University, in order to avoid disappointment. Unfortunately the University has no control or influence over visa issues but will advise where possible.

Should you have further queries you can also contact the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dublin on 01 6760704 and also the Saudi Cultural Bureau in London http://www.uksacb.org/

 

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English Language Requirement

Teaching in Irish Universities is normally through the medium of English, therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in English language. Applicants whose first language is not English, and who are not presenting the subject English in a school-leaving examination which is at least of Leaving Certificate OD3 standard (e.g. GCSE grade C) must present English at a sufficient level as outlined below:

The minimum English Language Requirements in relation to TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are as below.

TOEFL and IELTS for undergraduate programmes

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by Princeton University

• In the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), a minimum score of 600, with a minimum score of 475 in the Test of Written English.
• In the computer based TOEFL, a minimum score of 250 is required.
• In the Internet based TOEFL (iTB), a minimum score of 100 is required.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version.

Apart from meeting one of the above requirements, any one of the following qualifications is acceptable as the minimum English language requirement for entry to University College Dublin.

• Test of English for International Communication(TOEIC): minimum score of 750
• University of Cambridge
  • CAE (Certificate in Advanced English): Grade B
  • CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in English): Grade C.
• English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP): Grade C1
• University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES): English at grade C or above(incorporating the Oxford Examining Body’s English as a Foreign Language (Higher Paper)
• Irish Leaving Certificate English at Grade D3 Ordinary Level or above.
• GCE ‘O’ Level English Language at Grade C or above.
• GCSE English Language at Grade C or above.
• CSE Grade 1 Pass in English.
• Hong Kong Certificate in Education: English Language Syllabus B, Grade C or above.
• Joint Matriculation Board (JMB): Test in English (Overseas) examination – Pass.
• English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP): Grade C1
• Matriculation examinations from European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved.

Other evidence of proficiency in English may be accepted. For further advice please contact UCD Admissions (admissions@ucd.ie).

For all proficiency tests the results must be less than 2 years old.

Individual Colleges may decide to set higher levels.