International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme
Our International Pre-Master’s Programmes offer students the best way to prepare for their world class UCD Master’s degree. These programmes provide the opportunity to attend Master's specific preparatory courses with each student attending academic modules relevant to their chosen UCD Master’s as well as modules on thesis preparation, Irish culture and creative thinking.
Students will also receive English language tuition on campus from UCD’s Applied Language Centre (ALC) staff. Our specially designed academic English programme will allow students to gain the English language proficiency and study techniques needed to successfully undertake their graduate studies in UCD.
Our International Pre-Master’s Programme provide students with the time and skills needed to prepare fully for their UCD Master’s. The Programmes’ combination of academic, language, cultural and study skills modules, help students to achieve their full potential from the first day of their Master’s degree free from any familiarisation anxiety that some students may experience when studying abroad for the first time. Students can also access the University’s many support services during their International Pre-Master’s Programme, such as career and library facilities to maximise their time at UCD.
Our programmes also offer the flexibility of joining in September (Diploma) or January (Certificate) depending on the student’s English language proficiency. Students will progress to their UCD Master’s programme upon successful completion of their International Pre-Master’s Programme
Please see progression requirements section below for specific information on progression requirements.
International Pre-Masters Diploma - 60 ECTS credits -
The Diploma programmes is a two-trimester programme beginning in September
Students will attend 4 English Language tuition modules (35 credits) to ensure they have the required proficiency to undertake their chosen UCD Master’s programme.
Students can also choose an additional 25 credits from a broad range of optional modules.
These optional modules provide students with the opportunity to further develop their subject knowledge through academic modules specifically related to their chosen Master’s programme, while also giving students the tools to make the most of their Master’s studies through our cultural, creative thinking and thesis planning modules.
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Autumn Trimester
LANG 10590 - Academic Listening & Speaking I ( 10 credits)
LANG 10600 - Academic Reading & Writing I (10 credits)
Total credits: 20
Spring Trimester
LANG 10610 - Academic Listening & Speaking II (7.5 credits)
LANG 10620 - Academic Reading & Writing II (7.5 credits)
Total credits: 15
Autumn Trimester
2 modules from the list below:
IRST30200 - Modern Ireland: Culture and Society (5 credits)
IA20010 - Creative Thinking & Innovation (5 credits)
1 Academic module related to chosen Master’s (5 credits)
Total credits: 10
Spring Trimester
3 modules from the list below:
IRST30200 - Modern Ireland: Culture and Society (5 credits)*
IA20010 - Creative Thinking & Innovation (5 credits)*
HUM40020 - Thesis Planning, Writing and Presentation (5 credits)
1 or 2 Academic modules related to chosen Master’s (5 credits)
Total credits: 15
* This cannot be selected if chosen in the Autumn Trimester
International Pre-Masters Certificate - 30 ECTS credits -
The International Pre-Master’s Certificate is a one trimester programme beginning in January.
Students attend 2 English Language tuition modules (15 credits) to ensure they have the required proficiency to undertake their chosen UCD Master’s programme.
Students can also choose an additional 15 credits from a broad range of optional modules.
These optional modules provide students with the opportunity to further develop their subject knowledge through academic modules specifically related to their chosen Master’s programme, while also giving students the tools to make the most of their Master’s studies through our Cultural, Creative Thinking and Thesis Planning modules.
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Spring Trimester
LANG 10610 - Academic Listening & Speaking II (7.5 credits)
LANG 10620 - Academic Reading & Writing II (7.5 credits)
Total credits: 15
Spring Trimester
3 modules from the list below:
IRST30200 - Modern Ireland: Culture and Society (5 credits)
IA20010 - Creative Thinking & Innovation (5 credits)
HUM40020 - Thesis Planning, Writing and Presentation (5 credits)
1 or 2 Academic modules related to chosen Master’s (5 credits)
Total credits: 15
Further Information
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UCD Master's Pathways
Note: Only full time UCD Master’s Degree programmes are available through our Pre-Master’s Pathway Programme.
Arts and Humanities
- Archives and Records Management (MA)
- Classics (MA)
- Drama and Performance Studies (MA)
- European History (UNICA) (MA)
- Film Studies (MA)
- History of Welfare & Medicine in Society (MA)
- Irish Studies (MA)
- Linguistics & Applied Linguistics (MA)
- Literature and Culture (MA)
- Medieval Studies (MA)
- Writing for Theatre (MA)
Business
- Accounting & Financial Management (MSc)
- Aviation Finance (MSc)
- Business Analytics (MSc)
- Digital Marketing (MSc)
- Digital Innovation (MSc)
- Finance (MSc)
- Financial Data Science (MSc)
- Food Business Strategy (MSc)
- Human Resource Management (MSc)
- International Business (MSc)
- International Management/CEMS MIM (MSc)
- Management (MSc)
- Management Consultancy (MSc)
- Marketing (MSc)
- Marketing & Retail Innovation (MSc)
- Marketing Practice (MSc)
- Project Management (MSc)
- Quantitative Finance (MSc)
- Renewable Energy and Environmental Finance (MSc)
- Strategic Management (MSc)
- Supply Chain Management (MSc)
Engineering & Architecture
- Architecture, Urbanism and Climate Action (MSc)
- Biomedical Engineering (ME)
- Biosystems & Food Engineering (ME)
- Chemical Engineering (MEngSc)
- Civil Engineering (ME)
- Civil, Structural & Environmental Engineering (ME)
- Electrical Power Engineering (ME)
- Electronic & Computer Engineering (MEngSc)
- Electronic & Computer Engineering (ME)
- Energy Systems Engineering (ME)
- Engineering Management (MEngSc)
- Environmental Policy (MSc)
- Environmental Technology (MSc)
- Food Engineering (MEngSc)
- Materials Science & Engineering (MEngSc)
- Materials Science & Engineering (ME)
- Mechanical Engineering (ME)
- Optical Engineering (ME)
- Regional & Urban Planning (MRUP)
- Structural Engineering (MEngSc)
- Sustainable Energy & Green Technologies (MSc)
- Urban Design & Planning (MSc)
- Water Waste & Environmental Engineering (MEngSc)
Health & Agricultural Sciences
- Artificial Intelligence for Medicine & Medical Research (MSc)
- Coaching Science in Sport (MSc)
- Data Analytics for Precision Medicine (MSc)
- Environmental Resource Management (MSc)
- Healthcare Informatics (MSc)
- Horticulture (MSc)
- Humanitarian Action (MSc)
- Medical Imaging (MSc)
- Precision Medicine (MSc)
- Sports Management (MSc)
- Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (MSc)
- Wildlife Conservation & Management (MSc)
Law
- Criminology & Criminal Justice (LLM)
- Criminology & Criminal Justice (MSc)
- European Law and Public Affairs (LLM)
- International Commercial Law (LLM)
- International Human Rights (LLM)
- International Law and Business (MSc)
- IP & IT Law (LLM)
- Law (LLM)
- Masters in Common Law (MCL)
Science
- Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics (MSc)
- Environmental Science (MSc)
- Biological & Biomolecular Science (Negotiated Learning) MSc
- Biotechnology & Business (MSc)
- Biotechnology (MSc)
- Biotherapeutics & Business (MSc)
- Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) (MSc)
- Computational Physics (MSc)
- Computer Science (Negotiated Learning) (MSc)
- Computer Science (Conversion) (MSc)
- Data & Computational Science (MSc)
- Financial Mathematics (MSc)
- Mathematical Science (MSc)
- Nanobio Science (MSc)
- Nanotechnology (MSc)
- Plant Biology & Biotechnology (MSc)
- Physics (Negotiated Learning) (MSc)
- Space Science & Technology (MSc)
- Statistics (MA)
- Statistics (MSc)
- Subsurface Characterisation & Geomodelling (MSc)
- Synthetic Chemistry for the Pharmaceutical & Fine Chemicals Industry (MSc)
Social Sciences
- Applied Economics (MSc)
- European Politics and Policy (MA)
- European Politics and Policy (MSc)
- European Public Affairs & Law (MEconSc)
- Experimental Archaeology & Material Culture (MSc)
- Gender Studies (MA)
- Geography (MA)
- Geopolitics and the Global Economy (MA)
- Human Rights (MSc)
- International Development (MA)
- International Development (MSc)
- International Political Economy (MA)
- International Political Economy (MSc)
- International Relations (MA)
- International Relations (MSc)
- Middle East Politics (MA)
- Peace and Conflict (MA)
- Peace and Conflict (MSc)
- Political Theory (MA)
- Politics (MA)
- Politics (MSc)
- Public Policy (MPP)
- Quantitative Economics (MSc)
- Sociology (MSc)
- World Heritage Management and Conservation (MSc)
Academic requirements
The academic entry requirements for each International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme is the same as those applying to the associated Master's. The normal requirement for entry to a taught Master’s Degree programme is a second class honours degree in a relevant subject. However intending applicants should check the individual requirements listed on the School website, since some degrees may require a higher standard for entry.
English language requirements
September entry: IELTS 5.5 overall with no component less than 5.0
January entry: IELTS 6.0 overall with no component less than 5.5
Please note that some International Pre-Master's Pathway Programmes in Business may require higher English language scores.
English Language Test Comparison | |||
---|---|---|---|
IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Pearson | Duolingo English Test |
5.5 (with no band less than 5.0) | 66 with a minimum of 17 in Writing and 15 in every other section |
47 with no component below 43 |
90 with no |
6.0 (with no band less than 5.5) |
80 with a minimum of 19 in Writing |
55 with no component below 51 | 100 with no component below 90 |
Academic Requirements
In order to successfully complete their International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme and progress to their graduate studies, students are required to achieve a passing grade (D-) in their academic modules.
English Language Requirements
In order to successfully complete their International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme and progress to their graduate studies, students are required to achieve specific grades in their English language modules. This requirement is determined by your masters English language requirement. IELTS (Overall/No component less than)
Autumn Trimester:
Internatioanl Pre-Master's Pathway Programme students are required to achieve a passing grade (D-) in their first trimester English language modules.
Spring Trimester
IELTS 6.5/6.0
Minimum progression requirement: C+ overall grade and no component below C-.
IELTS 7.0/6.0 (Smurfit)
Minimum progression requirement: B- overall grade and no component below C-
IELTS 7.0/6.5
Minimum progression requirement: B- overall grade with no component below C.
IELTS 7.5/7.0
Minimum progression requirement: B overall with no component below C+
Please contact premasters@ucd.ie for further information.
Schools/Colleges also have discretion to admit students to their masters programme should they fail to obtain the progression requirements outlined above.
Two Trimester International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme starting in September - €12,600
One Trimester International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme starting in January - €8,400
Please see the How to Appy Guide for assistance; IPMPP How to Apply
International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme Brochure
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