Program Overview

The International Foundation Year at Dublin International Study Centre is a three-term undergraduate foundation programme. It’s designed for ambitious international students, who have good academic qualifications from their home country.

You will be based on UCD's main campus and prepare to make a confident start to your degree in Ireland.

We offer three subject routes for progression to UCD. Across each route, you will study a mix of modules designed to improve your English language and academic skills so you're ready to progress to university. You will also benefit from our dedicated support staff in-centre, who will work with you to ensure you're on the path to success.

Once you successfully complete your International Foundation Year and achieve the required grades, you will be able to progress to your chosen undergraduate degree.

Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities
This programme is tailor-made for international students that need to develop their English language and academic skills before starting their chosen degree in social sciences, arts, or the humanities at an Irish university.

Why study the International Foundation Year in Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities?

• UCD is ranked top 100 in the world in Law, Anatomy & Physiology, Social Policy & Administration, English Language & Literature, Politics and International Studies and more (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).
• Spend time studying what you’re passionate about and develop your subject knowledge around your chosen progression degree.
• UCD offers the opportunity to study abroad, for either a semester or a year, at one of its many prestigious partner universities.
• You will progress to the broadest and most diverse Social Sciences programmes in Ireland.

Progression to City Planning and Environmental Policy
Our degree in City Planning & Environmental Policy is about solving complex issues that we experience in our everyday lives. How can we provide housing for everyone? How can we reduce our climate impact and conserve our natural environment? Where should we build our schools and shops? This unique degree brings together a focus on the city, the environment and design and links them with clear routes to professions and careers.

So, if you are considering a career as a qualified planner or environmental policy analyst this degree is for you. These professions allow you to visualise new patterns and ideas for cities and to bring this vision to reality by activating social change and promoting sustainable development. This course gives you the skills to enable real world change.