General Requirements
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
香港中學文憑
5 passes in recognised subjects required with two at Grade 3 or better. Please note, liberal studies not accepted.
If you're following international curriculum, please see the following links for entry requirements:
- Cambridge A Level
- International Baccalaureate Diploma
Please contact us for further information
English Language Requirements
HKDSE level 4 or equivalent
For additional information, please refer to
UCD Minimum English Language Requirements
This page provides information and guidance on entry requirements for international (non-EU/ non-EEA) students only.
Please be advised that your fee assessment status determines how you should apply.
In all cases, UCD applicants who are granted EU fee status will only be admitted through the Central Applications Office (CAO) system and in line with CAO policies and procedures and National University of Ireland (NUI) matriculation regulations.
If you are eligible for EU fees please contact UCD Registry-Admissions for further advice (www.ucd.ie/askus).
Specific subjects and grades required for programme are detailed below.
The equivalences are provided as guidance and are indicative only. In addition, please note that the equivalences shown are the minimum required to be eligible for consideration on a competitive basis.
The information provided below is subject to change and annual review.
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Other Language | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Business | BSS1 | Commerce | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Extended Level | |
B722 | BSc Business | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Extended Level | ||
BSS2 | Economics & Finance | HKDSE 5*5555 or equivalent | 4 at Extended Level | ||
BSW1 | Commerce International | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Extended Level | If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 3 in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 4 in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level. |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Other Language | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Law | BSJ4 | Business & Law | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Extended Level | |
LWS2 | Law with French | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | Grade 5* in French | ||
LWS6 | Law | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | |||
LWW1 | Law with Philosophy | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | |||
LWW2 | Law with History | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | |||
LWW3 | Law with Politics | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | |||
LWW4 | Law with Economics | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Extended Level | ||
LWW9 | Law with Social Justice | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | |||
LWWC | Law with Chinese | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | Note: No prior knowledge of Mandarin required. Those with prior knowledge of Mandarin are most welcome. | ||
LWWD | Criminology with Psychology | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent |
Code |
Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Other Language | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Arts & Humanities | BAU4 | BA Modern Languages | HKDSE 44433 or equivalent |
At least one Advanced Level language must be selected, a 4 in that language required. If studying two at Advanced Level, a 4 is required in both. |
BAU5 | BA Arts (2 Subjects) | HKDSE 33333 or equivalent |
If choosing a language at Beginners Level, a 3 in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 4 in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level. |
|
AYS1 |
Languages, Linguistics and Cultures |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 3 in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 4 in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level. | |
HSS5 |
Global Studies |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 3 in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 4 in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level. | |
HSS6 |
European Studies |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | If choosing a language at Beginners Level, 3 in Other Language is required. If at Advanced Level, a 4 in that language is required. French is only available at Advanced Level. | |
ISS1 |
Irish Studies |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
CAS1 |
Classics, Art History and Archaeology |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
CAS2 |
Classics, English and History |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
CCS2 |
Creative & Cultural Industries |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
ENS5 |
English Literature |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
ENS6 |
English with Creative Writing |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
ENS7 |
English, Drama and Film |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
MCS4 |
Music, Film & Drama |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
HPS1 |
History And Politics |
HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | ||
HSS3 | History | HKDSE 33333 or equivalent |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | |
---|---|---|---|
Liberal Arts & Sciences | LBS1 | Liberal Arts & Sciences | HKDSE 33332 or equivalent |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Math | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sustainability | STS1 | BSc Sustainability | HKDSE 44433 or equivalent | 3 at Extended Level |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Other Language | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Social Sciences | COS1 | Philosophy, Politics & Economics | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | |
ECS4 | BSc Economics | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 4 at Extended Level | ||
EMS1 | Economics, Mathematics & Statistics | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent |
3 at Compulsory Level Note: If you obtain less than 4 at Extended Level in mathematics, you must pass a “Level 0” UCD mathematics module in semester 1 |
||
PCS2 | BSc Psychology | HKDSE 55544 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | ||
SBU2 | BSocSc Social Policy & Sociology | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | ||
SBU3 | BSc Social Science (2 Subjects) | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent |
3 at Compulsory Level Please Note: In order to study Mathematics, 4 at Extended Level in Mathematics is required. In order to study Economics, 3 at Compulsory Level in Mathematics is required. |
German: In First Year two streams are offered, one for absolute beginners and another for non-beginners. For the non-beginners level a minimum of Grade 4 or equivalent is required. |
|
SCS1 | Computational Social Science | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent |
3 at Compulsory Level Note: If you obtain less than 4 at Extended Level in mathematics, you must pass a “Level 0” UCD mathematics module in semester 1 |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Lab Science | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Engineering | NUS1 | Engineering Omnibus | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 4 at Extended Level | Grade 3 |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Architecture | LDS2 | Landscape Architecture | HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level |
RCS1 | City Planning & Environmental Policy | HKDSE 33333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | |
ATS4 | Architecture | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Lab Science | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Science, Computer Science & Actuarial Science |
BSS3 | Actuarial and Financial Studies | HKDSE 5*5555 or equivalent | 5* at Extended Level | |
CSSA | Computer Science | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Extended Level | ||
Science programmes, including: | |||||
SCU1 | Science - Explore Multiple Streams | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Extended Level | Grade 3 | |
BLS1 | Biological, Biomedical & Biomolecular Sciences | ||||
CHS2 | Chemistry (includes Medicinal/Sustainable/Biophysical) | ||||
EES1 | Earth & Environmental Sciences | ||||
MHS2 | Mathematics (includes Applied/Financial/Statistics) | ||||
PYS2 | Physics (includes Theoretical/Astronomy & Space Science) | ||||
Check out the Science Brochure for details! |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Lab Science | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agricultural Science | ANS1 | Animal Science | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 |
CPS1 | Animal& Crop Production | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
DBS1 | Dairy Business | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
EQS1 | Animal Science - Equine | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
ESS1 | AgriEnvironmental Science | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
ETS2 | Agricultural Systems Technology | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
FAS1 | Food and Agribusiness Management | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
FAW1 | Food Business with Chinese Studies | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
FOS1 | Forestry | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
FSS2 | Food Science | HKDSE 44433 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
HLS6 | Horticulture | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
HMS1 | Human Nutrition | HKDSE 55554 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
UAS1 | Agricultural Science - Omnibus (You can decide on your area of study during first year). |
HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
CPS3 | Crop Science | HKDSE 44333 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Lab Science | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Health Science | BHS1 | Biomedical, Health & Life Science | HKDSE 5*5555 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 |
MDS2 | Medicine | HKDSE 55555 or equivalent + Interview Successful applicants often present with stronger academic background. |
3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
MDS4 | Radiography | HKDSE 55544 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
MDS5 | Physiotherapy | HKDSE 55544 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 | |
MDS9 | Medicine (Graduate Entry) |
The 4-year graduate entry programme is open to applicants who hold or are expected to hold an Upper Second Class Honours degree (NFQ Level 8) in any discipline with a CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or above, or equivalent. Additionally, all applicants are required to submit a current GAMSAT* or MCAT* score (minimum 57 and 503 respectively). Although only graduates are eligible to apply for this programme, the graduate Medicine degree is equivalent in standard to the undergraduate Medicine degree. Eligible applicants will also be required to complete an interview. *Currency of Results: GAMSAT and MCAT must have been taken within two years from 01 September prior to the start of programme (i.e. for admission in September 2024, the earliest acceptable test date would be 01 September 2022). Students who have previously been unsuccessful in any Medicine programme (i.e. have not met academic or other requirements within the programme) or have any issues which would affect their registration with the Irish Medical council will only be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis in exceptional circumstances, to be considered by the Medicine programme board. |
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MDSJ |
Diagnostic Radiography (Graduate Entry) |
The 2.5-year graduate entry programme is open to applicants who hold an NFQ Level 8 degree at the minimum award level of 2.2 or equivalent. Applicants are also required to have a Science subject at minimum 3 Compulsory Level |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Lab Science | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sports and Performance | MDS8 | Health & Performance Science | HKDSE 55544 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 |
SMS2 | Sport & Exercise Management | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Grade 2 |
Code | Description | 2024 Entry Requirements | Maths | Lab Science | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Veterinary medicine | VTS1 | Veterinary Medicine | HKDSE 5*5555 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | Chemistry Grade 4 |
Applicants must normally have at least 60 hours practical experience relevant to animal handling. This must have been undertaken in the last three years i.e. for entry in 2024, between 1st February 2021 and 5th July 2024, and all details must be submitted by 5th July 2024 to be taken into consideration. This must include experience with at least two of the following four animal categories: Pets, Horses, Farm Animals, Wildlife/Zoos. For full details and to complete your records of experience, please click here for more information. | |||||
VTS2 | Veterinary Nursing | HKDSE 54444 or equivalent | 3 at Compulsory Level | 3 at Compulsory Level | |
VTS3 | Veterinary Medicine (Graduate Entry) |
The 4 year graduate entry programme is open to applicants who hold or are expected to hold an honours degree in a biological / biomedical / animal science discipline with a CGPA of 3.0/4.0 or above [or equivalent]. For full details about the application and assessment procedures, including information about pre-requisites, please refer to the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine website: www.ucd.ie/vetmed |
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