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.

Engineering & Sciences
This engineering and sciences foundation year programme is perfect for students wanting to study an innovative undergraduate degree at an Irish university. You will have good subject knowledge, and want to develop it further, while also improving your English language skills.

Why study the International Foundation Year in Engineering and Sciences?

• When you progress to UCD, you'll benefit from world-class facilities in both the UCD College of Science and College of Engineering & Architecture.
• Each school within the College of Engineering & Architecture is individually accredited by prominent organisations so you can be confident in the quality of your degree.
• UCD offers a range of internship opportunities, as well as professional placements in industry for specific disciplines.
• UCD is ranked No.1 in Ireland for Chemical Engineering, Civil & Structural Engineering, Architecture and Built Environment, Veterinary Science and other Engineering and Sciences subjects. (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024).

Progression to Biomedical, Health and Life Sciences
This course will appeal to those with a keen interest in science and in how research and technology can impact on human health. It is training scientists at the interface of science and medicine. You will learn how scientifically driven investigations can advance our knowledge of disease prevention, detection and treatment and translating these into clinical utility.

The course will immerse you in modern medical and biological sciences and focus on the application of scientific developments. BHLS offers students a unique opportunity to complete a research project with a Principal Investigator in a biomedical research area that interests you and an opportunity to be involved in peer-reviewed publications.

The small course size enables students from this course to form close friendships and strong connections for life. The flexible, modular structure of this degree allows you to specialise in the areas of investigative biomedical science that interest you, particularly in the later stages of the degree.