Highly qualified Applied Language Centre tutors, all of whom have considerable English language teaching experience, provide tuition on the course. Our staff are on hand to offer all the necessary support to students throughout the course. Teaching will be conducted in small groups, lectures, seminars and tutorials. This is an intensive course, and students are expected to engage in guided self-study in the form of homework and assignments; such independent learning forms an essential element of this course.
Choosing the right course
Pre-Sessional courses offer language proficiency pathways to undergraduate and graduate programmes without the need to re-take IELTS. The length and type of course you need will depend on your current level of English, and the language requirements for your chosen degree programme here in UCD. Our experienced team can advise applicants based on their individual profile and requirements.
Course Details
| COURSE NAME | DURATION | Dates | FEES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 Week Combined |
18 Weeks |
17th April - 18th August 2023 (must be on campus from 12th June) |
€6,120 |
| 10 Week On-Campus | 10 Weeks | 12th June - 18th August 2023 |
€3,400 |
| 7 Week On-Campus | 7 Weeks | 3rd July - 18th August 2023 |
€2,380 |
| 7 Week Online | 7 Weeks | 12th June - 28th July 2023 |
€2,380 |
English Language Requirements
| Direct Entry Requirements | Pre-Sessional Entry Requirement | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Week | 10 Week | 18 Week | |
| IELTS - 6.5 with no component below 6.0 |
IELTS - 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 |
IELTS – 5.5 with no band less than 5.0 | IELTS - 5.5 (with 5.0 in writing and a minimum of 4.5 in other components) |
| IELTS - 6.5 with 6.5 in Reading & Writing and 6.0 in all other components |
IELTS - 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in Reading & Writing and no other component below 5.5 | IELTS - 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading & Writing and no other component below 5.0 | IELTS - 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading & Writing and no other component below 4.5 |
| IELTS - 7.0 with no component below 6.0 (Graduate Business School) |
IELTS - 6.5 with no component below 6.0 | IELTS - 6.0 with no component below 5.5 |
IELTS - 5.5 with 5.0 in all other components |
Alternative English Language Requirements
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT | Pearson | Duolingo English Test |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.5 with 5.0 in writing and a minimum of 4.5 in other components |
55 overall with a minimum of 17 in Writing, 13 in Speaking, 4 in Reading & 4 in Listening | 47 overall with a minimum of 43 in writing and 35 in all other communicative skills | Overall 100 with 90 in Production and Literacy |
| 5.5 with no band less than 5.0 | 60 overall with a minimum of 17 in Writing, 15 in Speaking, 8 in Reading & 7 in Listening | 47 overall with no communicative skill below 43 | Overall 100 with no component below 90 |
| 6.0 with no band less than 5.5 | 70 overall with a minimum of 20 in Writing, 17 in Speaking, 12 in Reading & 11 in Listening |
55 overall with no communicative skill below 51 | Overall 110 with no component below 100 |
| 6.5 with no band less than 6.0 | 90 overall with a minimum of 21 in Writing and 19 in every other section |
63 overall with no communicative skill below 59 | Overall 120 with no component below 110 |
Course Assessment
Students are tested on entry and on a regular basis throughout the course. Ongoing feedback is provided. At the end of the course, there will be a final assessment: this includes a written examination, a written research project on a relevant academic subject with an accompanying oral presentation, as well as a review of the portfolio of tasks built up by the student during the programme. A transcript of final results and a report on the student’s English language competence will be forwarded to the UCD Degree Programme to which the student is applying.
Attendance
In order to successfully complete the Pre-Sessional course, students must have 90% attendance and complete all of the assignments and assessment on the course to a level appropriate to their chosen course of study. By the end of the course, students should be in a position to gain the maximum benefit from their academic programme of study and successfully complete their UCD degree.
Progression Requirements
Students who enter onto the Pre-Sessional EAP Programme with the following IELTS (or equivalent) scores, must achieve the below grades in order to successfully complete the programme and progress onto their UCD undergraduate or graduate degree. IELTS (Overall/No component less than)
IELTS 6.5/6.0
Minimum progression requirement for PSP: C+ overall grade and no component below C-
IELTS 7.0/6.0 (Smurfit Master’s)
Minimum progression requirement for PSP: B- overall grade and no component below C-
IELTS 7.0/6.5
Minimum progression requirement for PSP: B- overall grade with no component below C
IELTS 7.5/7.0
Minimum progression requirement for PSP: B overall with no component below C+