International Foundation Year Entry Requirements

To enrol on a pathway programme, you should:

• Be at least 17 years old at the start of the course
• Have good high school grades

Get in touch with one of our advisors. They can explain the entry requirements that apply to your country's education system.

If you think you're ready you can fill in our online application form straight away.

Entry requirements

You must have achieved the following:

Find out more about valid test providers and approved test centre locations for tests taken on or after 6 April 2015. To find out if you are exempt from the SELT requirement, and to find out about acceptable English language tests, please contact us.

Country of residence/nationality

Country of residence/nationality 

You must be what is defined as an ‘overseas student’ and not eligible for EU fees to enrol on a pathway programme. If you have a European passport, please read the pages for EU applicants on the UCD website.

In order to make the most of your time at the International Study Centre, we ask applicants to attain a minimum level of education. Use the table below to find out the relevant qualifications for your country.

Country	Qualifications
Bangladesh	Successful completion of High School Certificate at an average grade of 60%
Botswana	Successful completion of the Cambridge Overseas School Certificate grades 1-6 in 4 or more subjects
China (Mainland)	Successful completion of SH2 at an average of 75% (80% for Business and Management) in 5 or more subjects, or SH3 at an average of 70% (75% for Business and Management) in 4 or more subjects (in both cases must include key subjects)
Hong Kong	Successful completion of the HKCEE with 3 x D's and 1 E in academic subjects or Form 5 in a minimum of 4 academic subjects (grades will be assessed on a case by case basis). HKDSE with minimum grades 223 in relevant subjects
China (Macau)	Successful completion of Form 5 with average grade 75%, or iGCSE / 'O' Levels with grade C or above in 5 relevant subjects including English
Ghana	Successful completion of the West African School Certificate (WAEC) or Senior School Certificate average grade 6 or above in 4 or more subjects
India	Year 12 (HSC) 60%, with 65% required for relevant subjects e.g. English, Math and Sciences
Indonesia	Successful completion of SMU 2/Sikolah Menegah at grade 7.0 or above, or SMU 3 with an average of 6.5 out of 5 academic subjects
Iran	Successful completion of High School Diploma (3 years) with a GPA of 14 including relevant subjects
Japan	Successful completion of Kotogakko with grade average of 70% or GPA of 3.5
Jordan	Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80%
Kazakhstan	Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with GPA of 4.0
Korea	Korean High school graduation equivalency exam - 70%+ including relevant subjects, SH3 with an average score of at least 4/9 in the High School Leaving Certificate with scores of at least 3/9 in subjects that are relevant to the intended undergraduate degree programme NB 1st Grade (highest) to 9th Grade (lowest)
Libya	Successful completion Secondary Education Certificate with average of 80%
Malaysia	SPM school: Form 5, Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths
Mexico	Successful completion of Bachillerato with average score of 75%
Nigeria	Successful completion of West African School Certificate (WAEC) with grades A - C in 4 or more relevant subjects
Pakistan	Successful completion of High Secondary Certificate with passes in 4 or more subjects with an average of 60%
Qatar	Successful completion of Thanawaya Aam Qatari with average grade 80%, or QSSC - minimum 5 subjects with 3 subjects at Advanced Level with grades A-C
Russia	Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with a GPA of 4.0
Singapore	Secondary 4: Term 2 or Mid-Year transcript - Grades of A- C achieved in 5 relevant academic subjects to include English and Maths
Saudi Arabia	Successful completion of Tawjihi with average of 80% including relevant subjects
Sri Lanka	Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) are GCSE comparable on subject for subject basis (excluding English Language) - at least 6 x O Levels at Grade B or above
Taiwan	Senior High School Year 3 pass with 'good' grades (60%). Senior High School Year 2 with outstanding grades (75%). Student's High school will be also considered as a part of evaluating the application
Thailand	Successful completion of MAW5 with grade 2.5 or MAW6 with grade 2.0 in academic subjects including at least 2.0 in Maths and Science subjects
Turkey	Devlet Lise Diploması (High School Completion) with 65% overall with minimum 60% in relevant subjects
UAE	Successful completion of Tawjihiyya with average of 80%, including relevant subjects
Ukraine	Successful completion of ATTESTAT/Certificate of Secondary Education with a GPA of 7.0
Vietnam	Successful completion of Secondary School/Year 12 or a National University Entrance Examination score of 7.0

English language preparation course

If you haven’t achieved an IELTS score of 5.0 you can take our Language for Study modules at the International Study Centre. Students with an IELTS score of 4.0 will need to study at least one term of Language for Study to meet entry requirements. Courses start in June or September. If you achieve the required grades in the Language for Study module, you will be able to start your pathway programme.