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 Landscape Architecture
Landscape architecture is undoubtedly one of the most relevant design disciplines today. Global climate change is altering everything - everywhere in the world. We are faced with necessary tasks relating to the design and build of our surrounding environments and ecologies. The landscape and its functions, its ecosystem services and its appearance, will inevitably change, not slow but rapidly. Landscape architects must contribute to the design of this future landscape - urban, semi-urban, and rural.

As the necessary energy transition accelerates, the landscape is developing into a global powerhouse. Simultaneously, the landscape, with its plants, soils, peatlands, wetlands, and oceans, must be assisted in its capacity as a major global carbon sink. Rising sea levels pose enormous challenges for entire cities and coastal regions. Increasingly dense settlement structures require intelligent open space solutions and efficient public transport systems. All of this must be carefully thought out and designed.