International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme
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Statement on Programme Delivery 2020/21
UCD is committed as always to ensuring the best possible student experience, learning and academic success for the coming year 2020/21.
Throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic, UCD has proven its adaptability to changing circumstances while continuing to provide classes and student support through at-distance methods. Recognising that larger lectures and classes will not be able to run at normal physical capacity, students across the university will have a mix of online, blended and face-to-face classes and tutorials with variations depending on subjects and stages. From an educational perspective, UCD are planning for a range of scenarios, each of which prioritises the highest quality of teaching and learning.
In line with current UCD and HSE guidelines, Core English language Modules as part of the Pre-Master's Programme will adopt a blended approach using online teaching and resources until such time allows for a return to face-to-face teaching.
The Optional Modules which make up an engaging and diverse element of both Programmes are delivered by Schools across the six Colleges in UCD and they each have developed their own arrangements which maximise student engagement within health and safety guidelines. It is expected that most students will be in physical and virtual classrooms depending on capacity and programme requirements. We will have full details on these arrangements available to students before the start of the trimester.
Incoming students from abroad should arrange to arrive in Ireland 14 days prior to the start of the trimester to allow time to self-isolate and decrease the risk of spread of Covid-19. Information for incoming non-EU students is available on the UCD Global website. If you have applied for on-campus accommodation, UCD Residences have arrangements in place to allow for students to self-isolate. Please contact internationalaccommodation@ucd.ie should you have any queries in relation to on-campus accommodation.
The University is also planning to maximise campus activities, including sports and societies, so that you can enjoy your college-life experience to its fullest potential, consistent with public health requirements.
Should you have any concerns or queries, please contact us at premasters@ucd.ie
We look forward to welcoming you to UCD in the near future.
International Pathway Programmes Team
Further information;
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.
Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine
- Environmental Resource Management (MSc)
- Horticulture (MSc)
- Humanitarian Action (MSc)
- Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development (MSc)
- Wildlife Conservation & Management (MSc)
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)
- 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)
- Water Waste & Environmental Engineering (MEngSc)
Health Sciences & Agriculture
- Coaching Science in Sport (MSc)
- Healthcare & Informatics (MSc)
- Sports Management (MSc)
Social Sciences
- Applied Economics (MSc)
- Development and the Global South (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)
- Urban Environment (MSc)
- World Heritage Management and Conservation (MSc)
Law
- Criminology & Criminal Justice (LLM)
- Criminology & Criminal Justice (MSc)
- European Law and Public Affairs (LLM)
- International Human Rights (LLM)
- International Commercial Law (LLM)
- International Law and Business (MSc)
- IP & IT Law (LLM)
- Law (LLM)
- Masters in Common Law (MCL)
Science
- Applied Mathematics & Theoretical Physics (MSc)
- Applied Science (Environmental Science) (MSc)
- Biological & Biomolecular (Negotiated Learning) MSc
- Biotechnology & Business (MSc)
- Biotechnology (MSc)
- Biotherapeutics & Business (MSc)
- Biotherapeutics (MSc)
- Chemistry (Negotiated Learning) (MSc)
- Computational Physics (MSc)
- Mathematical Science (MSc)
- Nanobio Science (MSc)
- Nanotechnology (MSc)
- Physics (Negotiated Learning) (MSc)
- Plant Biology & Biotechnology (MSc)
- Space Science & Technology (MSc)
- Statistics (MA)
- Statistics (MSc)
Arts and Humanities
- Archives and Records Management (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)
- MA Classics (MA)
- Medieval Studies (MA)
- Writing for Theatre (MA)
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 Science, Business and Law require higher English language scores. UCD also accepts other English language testing examinations.
Entry Requirements Comparison | ||
IELTS Academic Overall Bands | PTE Academic Overall Score | TOEFL Internet Based |
5.0 | 41 | 61 |
5.5 | 49 | 66 |
6.0 | 59 | 80 |
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
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:
Internatioanl Pre-Master's Pathway Programme are required to achieve an overall grade of C with no components less than D- in their second trimester English language modules*
Students taking Pathway Programmes leading to Master’s in the College of Business must achieve a grade of B- overall with no components below C-.
Students taking Pathway Programmes leading to Master’s in the College of Social Sciences and Law must achieve a grade of C overall with no components below C-
Students taking Pathway Programmes leading to Master’s in the College of Arts and Humanities must achieve a grade of C+ overall with no components 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; International Pre-Master's Programme Application guide
International Pre-Master's Pathway Programme Brochure
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