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INTERNATIONAL PRE-MASTER’S 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-MASTER’S DIPLOMA - 60 ECTS credits -

The Diploma programmes is a two-semester 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. 

Programme content:

International Pre-Master’s programme (Diploma)

Semester 1

Core Modules

  Credits  Optional Modules  Credits

LANG 10590 - Academic Listening & Speaking I ( 10 credits)

 LANG 10600 - Academic Reading & Writing I (10 credits)

20

2 modules from the list below:

IRST30200 - Modern Ireland: Culture and Society (5 credits)

 IA20010 - Introduction to Creative Thinking (5 credits)

1 Academic module related to chosen Master’s (5 credits)

10
Semester 2
Core Modules

Credits

 Optional Modules Credits

LANG 00280 - English for Academic Writing (5 credits)

LANG 00320 - English for Academic Purposes II (10 credits)

 15 

3 modules from the list below:

IRST30200 - Modern Ireland: Culture and Society (5 credits)*

IA20010 - Introduction to Creative Thinking (5 credits)*

HUM 40020 - Thesis Planning, Writing and Presentation (5 credits)

1 or 2 Academic modules related to chosen Master’s (5 credits)

* This cannot be selected if chosen in Semester 1  

 15
Total core credits 35 Total optional credits 25

 INTERNATIONAL PRE-MASTERS CERTIFICATE - 30 ECTS credits -

The International Pre-Master’s Certificate is a one semester 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.

Semester 2
Core Modules

Credits

 Optional Modules Credits

LANG 00280 - English for Academic Writing (5 credits)

LANG 00320 - English for Academic Purposes II (10 credits)

 15 

3 modules from the list below:

IRST30200 - Modern Ireland: Culture and Society (5 credits)

IA20010 - Introduction to Creative Thinking (5 credits)

HUM 40020 - Thesis Planning, Writing and Presentation (5 credits)

1 or 2 Academic modules related to chosen Master’s

 15
Total core credits 35 Total optional credits 25

Please see progression requirements section below for specific information on progression requirements

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UCD Pre-Master's Prog brochure

 

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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

Business

Engineering & Architecture

Health Sciences & Agriculture

Social Sciences

Law

Science

Arts and Humanities

Academic requirements

The academic entry requirements for each 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 no section lower than 5.0

January entry IELTS 6.0 no section below 5.5

Please note that some Pre-Master's Pathway Programmes in Science, Business and Law require higher English language scores. UCD also accepts other English language testing examinations. 

 

Academic Requirements

In order to successfully complete their 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

First semester:

Pre-Masters Pathways students are required to achieve a passing grade (D-) in their first semester English language modules.

Second semester:

Pre-Masters Pathways students are required to achieve an overall grade of C with no components less than D- in their second semester 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 semester Pre-Master's pathway programme starting in September - €12,000

One semester Pre-Master's Pathway programme starting in January - €8,000

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