International Foundation Year Entry Requirements

To study at University College Dublin International Study Centre, you will need to meet certain academic and English language requirements. Please see our table for details and consider this information before applying to study the International Foundation Year.

If you do not meet our English language requirements to study our International Foundation Year, we also offer an English language preparation course to improve your IELTS level before studying with us.

Entry requirements

You must have achieved the following:

English Language
  • IELTS 5.0 overall, with 5.0 in writing (English language preparation class available for students with a score of 4.5)
  • TOEFL - Listening 15, Reading 13, Speaking 18, Writing 15
Academic
  • IGCSE/GCSE: 5 passes at A-C, in relevant subjects with a C in Maths (excluding native language) assuming this is the only qualification being offered
  • Cambridge O Levels: 5 passes at A-C in relevant subjects, with a C in Maths (excluding native language).
  • New grades 9 - 4 in English and Maths.
  • Have good high school grades
Age
  • Be at least 17 years old at the start of the course

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 specific entry requirements

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
Albania Secondary School Leaving (Year 11): overall average 8/10 (Good) with minimum 8/10 in specific subject requirements.
Diploma of State Matura (Year 12): overall average 7/10 (Average) with minimum 7/10 in specific subject requirements.
Algeria Baccalaureat de l'Enseignment Secondaire: overall average 12/20 (Fairly Good) with minimum 12/20 in specific subject requirements.
Angola
Ensino Geral Certificado de Habilitações / Certificado de Habilitações: overall average 14/20 with minimum 14/20 in specific subject requirements.
Australia Completion of Year 11 with minimum 70% in 5 subjects including minimum 70% in specific subject requirements.
Completion of Year 12 with minimum 65% in 5 subjects including minimum 65% in specific subject requirements. Eligibility to be assessed by UCD in all cases.
Azerbaijan Tam Orta Təhsil Haqqında Attestati (Certificate of Complete Secondary Education): minimum grades 4 (Good) and 5 (Excellent) with minimum grade 4 (Good) in specific subject requirements.
Grade Scale: 1-5 (max), 3 Pass
Bahrain General Secondary Education Certificate/ Tawjahiya: overall average 80% (grade B) with 70% (grade C) in specific subject requirements.
Bangladesh Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) / Intermediate Certificate / Alim: minimum GPA 3.5/5.0 (grade average A-) with minimum 3.0 (grade B) in specific subject requirements.
Belarus Certificate of General Secondary Education: minimum GPA 7.0/10 (Very Good) with no grade below 6.0 (Good) including specific subject requirements.
Bhutan Bhutan Certiciate of Secondary Education/ Bhutan Higher Secondary Education Certificate: Consult with UCD.
Botswana Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE): overall average B (grades A*-C) in 5 subjects with minimum grade C in specific subject requirements.
Brazil Certificado de Conclusão de Ensino Médio: overall GPA 7/10 (grade B, Bom) with minimum GPA 7/10 in specific subject requirements, where pass mark is 5.0/10 (grade C, Regular).
Brunei Brunei / Cambridge GCE O Level: overall average B4 (grades A1-C6) in 5 subjects with minimum C6 in specific subject requirements. Brunei/Cambridge GCE A Level: minimum grades CCD with minimum grade D in specific subject requirements.
Bulgaria EU Member State - Not Eligible. If assessed for non-EU fees, consult with UCD.
Cambodia Diploma of Upper Secondary Education: overall average B (grades A-C) in 5 subjects with minimum grade C in specific subject requirements. Diploma of Upper Secondary Education: overall average B (grades A-C) in 5 subjects with minimum grade C in specific subject requirements. Grade Scale: A 90-100% Excellent, B 80-89% Very Good, C 70-79% Good
Cameroon Certificat de Probation: overall average 14/20 (Good) with minimum 14 in specific subject requirements. Baccalauréat: overall average 10/20 (Fair) with minimum 12 in specific subject requirements. Cameroon GCE A Level: 6 passing grades in A Level and O Level with minimum grades CC OR DDD at A Level.
Canada The following high school qualifications are acceptable if fully accredited and offered in schools outside of Canada (i.e. China).  Eligibility must be assessed by UCD in all other cases.
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD): minimum 65% in 6 Grade 12 U or M courses with minimum 65% in specific subject requirements (Grade 11 or 12 courses accepted).
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) Year 11: minimum 70% in 5 Grade 11 courses including specific subject requirements. OSSD Grade Scale: A* (95-100%), A (80-94%), B (70-79), C (60-69%)
British Columbia Certificate of Graduation / Dogwood Diploma: minimum 60% in 6 Grade 12 academic subjects with minimum 60% in specific subject requirements.
British Columbia Certificate of Graduation / Dogwood Diploma: minimum 60% in 5 Grade 12 academic subjects with minimum 60% in specific subject requirements (Grade 11 or 12 courses accepted).
British Columbia Certificate of Graduation / Dogwood Diploma Year 11: minimum 73% in 5 Grade 11 academic subjects includng specific subject requirements. Dogwood Diploma Grade Scale: A (86-100%), B (73-85%), C+ (67-72%), C (60-66%), C- (50-59%)
China Senior 3 / Gao San (Year 12): overall average 67% in 6 academic subjects with minimum 60% in specific subject requirements. Senior 2 / Gao Er (Year 11): overall average 75% in 6 academic subjects with minimum 70% in specific subject requirements. National College Entrance Exam / GaoKao to be assessed on case by case basis, if not eligible for direct entry can be considered for IFY.
Colombia Bachiller Academico: Desempeno Alto (Very Good) in 6 subjects including specific subject requirements. ICFES State Examination for Admission to Tertiary Education not required but should be submitted, if available.
Cyprus EU Member State - Not Eligible. If assessed for non-EU fees, consult with UCD.
Democtratic Republic of Congo Diplôme d'État d'Études Secondaires du Cycle Long: overall average 80% (Grande Distinction) with minimum 70% (Distinction) in specific subject requirements.
Egypt Certificate of General Secondary Education: overall average 80% with 75% in specific subject requirements.
Ethiopia The Ethiopian University Entrance Examination Certificate: overall 500/700 with minimum grade 70 in specific subject requirements.
France Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général / Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général (Option Internationale) / French Baccalaureate: minimum 10/20. Non-EU fee assessment must be confirmed.
Gambia West African Senior School Certificate: overall average B3 (grades A1-C6) in 4 or more subjects with minimum C6 in specific subject requirements.
Georgia Secondary School Leaving Certificate (sashualo skolis atestat): overall average 2.5/4.0 OR 8/10 OR B (Very Good) with minimum 2.5/4.0 OR 8/10 OR B (Very Good) in specific subject requirements.
Ghana West African Senior School Certificate Examination: overall average B3 (grades A1-C6) in 4 or more subjects with minimum C6 in specific subject requirements.
Ghana GCE A Level: 6 passing grades in A Level and O Level with minimum grades CC OR DDD at A Level.
Greece EU Member State - Not Eligible. If assessed for non-EU fees, consult with UCD.
Hong Kong Secondary 5 (S5) Top Schools: grade D / Level 2 in 4 distinct relevant academic subjects.
Secondary 5 (S5) Other Schools: 20% on top of the pass mark in 4 distinct relevant  academic subjects (i.e. 60% if pass mark is 40%), 2C and 2D in 4 relevant academic subjects, 2x Level 3 and 2x Level 4 in 4 distinct relevant academic subjects including maths.
HKDSE (Secondary 6 (S6)): minimum Level 3332 in 4 distinct relevant subjects (must have 3 in maths for Business pathway, must have 3 in maths or science for Science / Engineering pathway).
In all cases only academic subjects from categories A Senior Secondary Subjects (core (including Liberal Studies) and elective subjects) and C Other Language Subjects are acceptable. Category B: Applied Learning Subjects not accepted. (http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/hkdse/assessment/subject_information/)
India Indian School Certificate  (CISCE) / All India Senior  School Certificate Examination (CBSE) / Standard XII (Year 12): overall average 60% in 5 subjects with minimum 55% in specific subject requirements. All other exam boards refer to UCD.
Indonesia Ijazah - Sekolah Menengah Atas/Madrasah Aliyah (SMA/MA) (Certificate of Graduation from Academic/Islamic Secondary School):
SMU3 (Year 12) overall average 70% (Moderate) in 5 or more subjects with 70% (Moderate) in specific subject requirements OR SMU2 (Year 11) overall average 75% (Good) in 5 or more subjects with 75% (Good) in specific subject requirements.
Iran High School Diploma Theoretical Stream (3 years): overall average 14/20 OR B with minimum 14/20 OR B in specific subject requirements.
Iraq Certificate of Preparatory Education / Secondary School Certificate: overall average 70% (Good) in 5 academic subjects with minimum 65% (Medium) in specific subject requirements.
Grade Scale: 80-100% Excellent / Very Good, 60-79% Good / Medium, 50-59% Pass , 0-49% Fail
Jamaica Caribbean Examinations Council Secondary Education Certificate: Consult with UCD.
Japan Upper Secondary School Leaving Certificate (Kotogakko) / Upper Secondary School Equivalency Examination:
Senior 3/ Year 12: overall average 70% OR 3.0/5.0 with minimum 70% OR 3.0/5.0 in specific subject requirements.
Senior 2/ Year 11: overall average 75% OR 4.0/5.0 with minimum 75% OR 4.0/5.0 in specific subject requirements.
Jordan Certificate of General Secondary Education: overall average 75% with minimum 70% in specific subject requirements.
Kazakhstan Certificate of Completed Secondary Education (Attestat): overall average 4 (minimum grades 4/Good and 5/Excellent) with minimum 4 in specific subject requirements.
Kenya Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE): overall average B (grades A12-C6) in 6 or more subjects with minimum C in specific subject requirements.
Korea High School Diploma / High School Certificate of Graduation: overall average 65% / Rank 5 in Advanced Subjects only (Year 11 & 12) with minimum 65% / Rank 5 in specific subject requirements.
OR CSAT Stanine scores 66655 or equivalent (Consult with UCD if in doubt).
High School Equivalency Examination: Consult with UCD.
Kuwait Shahadat-al-thanawia-al-a'ama - General Secondary Education Certificate: overall 80% with minimum 70% in specific subject requirements.
Consult with UCD regarding Medicine applicants.
Laos Upper Secondary School Diploma / Baccalaureate: overall GPA 7.0/10 (grade B) in subjects with minimum 6.0/10 (grade C) in specific subject requirements. Grade Scale: 1-10 (Max), Pass Mark 5
Lebanon General Secondary Certificate / Baccalaureate Libanais: overall average 11/20 with minimum 11/20 in specific subject requirements.
Libya Secondary Education Certificate: overall 80% with minimum 70% in specific subject requirements.
Macau IGCSE: minimum grade B4 in 5 subjects including English (Native language, Religious Studies, PE excluded) and specific subject requirements.
Certificado de Ensino Secundário Complementar (Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate):
Completion of Form 6 / Senior 3 (Year 12): overall average 65% with 65% in specific subject requirements.
Completion of Form 5 / Senior 2 (Year 11): (Top Schools): overall average 65% with 65% in specific subject requirements.
Completion of Form 5 / Senior 2 (Year 11): (Other Schools): overall average 75% with 65% in specific subject requirements.
Malawi Malawi School Certificate of Education: overall average 4/9 (Credit) including minimum 4 in specific subject requirements.
Malaysia SPM (Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) (Malaysia Certificate of Education): minimum grades A+ (Super Distinction) - B (High Credit) in 5 academic subjects including  English and Maths and specific subject requirements.
UEC (Unified Examination Certificate) Senior Middle Level: minimum grade B6 in 6 academic subjects including minimum B6 / Credit in English and Maths and specific subject requirements. STPM: CCCC or equivalent (Consult with UCD if in doubt).
Mauritius Cambridge School Certificate / General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level: overall average B (grades A*-C / 100-60%) in 5 academic subjects including minimum grade B (70-79%) in specific subject requirements.
Cambridge Higher School Certificate / General Certificate of Education Advanced Level: CCD
Mexico Título Académico de Bachiller / Diploma de Bachiller / Bachillerato General: overall GPA  8/10 (Bien) with minimum 7 (Regular/ Sufficiente) in specific subject requirements.
Moldova Diplomă de Bacalaureat (Baccalaureate Diploma): overall GPA 6/10 (Good) with minimum 6 in specific subject requirements.
Mongolia Certificate of Complete Secondary Education: overall 80% (B) with minimum 70% (C) in specific subject requirements.
Morocco Attestation du Baccalauréat / Diplôme du Baccalauréat: overall GPA 11/20 (Passable) with minimum 11 in specific subject requirements.
Myanmar Basic Education High School Examination / Matriculation Examination: overall 60% in 5 academic subjects with minimum 60% in specific subject requirements.
Namibia Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate  (Ordinary Level) NSSC: Average B (grades A*-C) in 5 subjects with minimum C in specific subject requirements.
Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate  (Higher Level) NSSC: Average GPA 3/4 (grades 1-3) in 4 subjects with minimum 3 in specific subject requirements.
Cambridge Overseas Higher School Certificate (COHSC) / A Level: CCD.
Nepal Higher Secondary Education Board Examination (HSC/HSEB) / School Leaving Certificate Examination (Grade XI & XII): overall GPA 2.8/4.0 (grade B) with minimum 2.8 (from grade XI or XII) in specific subject requirements.
New Zealand NCEA Level 2: minimum 60 credits at Level 2 or above and 20 credits at any Level with no less than 12 credits at Level 2 in specific subject requirements.
National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3 with New Zealand University Entrance: Eligibility must be assessed by UCD in all cases.
Nigeria Senior School Certificate (awarded by National Examinations Council NECO): Average grade B3 (grades A1-C6) in at least 4 subjects with minimum C4 (Credit) in specific subject requirements.
West African School Certificate (awarded by West African Examinations Council WAEC): Average grade B3 (grades A1-C6) in at least 4 subjects with minimum C6 (Credit) in specific subject requirements.
Oman General Education Diploma - Thanawiya Amma (School Leaving Certificate): overall 80% with minimum 70% in specific subject requirements. Consult with UCD regarding Medicine applicants.
Pakistan Intermediate / Higher Secondary Certificate: overall average 60% (A & B grades) with minimum 60% / B in specific subject requirements.
Palestine General Secondary Education Certificate: overall average 60% with minimum 60% in specific subject requirements.
Peru Certificado de Educación Secundaria Común Completa: overall 14/20 with minimum 14 in specific subject requirements.
Philippines Certificate / Diploma (Katunayan / Katibayan) - Senior High School (Academic track):
Top Schools: overall 80% / Approaching Proficiency (AP) with minimum 80% / AP in specific subject requirements.
All Other Schools: overall 85% / Proficient (P) with minimum 80% / P in specific subject requirements.
Qatar Senior School Certificate QSSC: overall 700/1000 (grades A-C) in 5 subjects at Advanced Level with minimum 700/1000 in specific subject requirements.
General Secondary Education Certificate: overall 80% with minimum 80% in specific subject requirements.
Russia (+ Chechnya) Certificate of Secondary (Complete) General Education (Attestat): overall average 4/5 (Good) with minimum grade 4 in specific subject requirements.
Certificate of Unified State Examination (USE): 60% in Russian and Maths and one optional subject plus 4 in Attestat distinct subject.
Rwanda Rwanda Advanced Certificate of Education / Advanced General Certificate of Secondary Education / Certificat du Cycle Supérieur de l'Enseignement Secondaire: minimum grade C in 3 (Principal) subjects with minimum grade C in specific subject requirements.
Saudi Arabia Tawjihiya - General Secondary Education: overall 85% with minimum 75% in specific subject requirements. Consult with UCD regarding Medicine applicants.
Singapore Singapore / Cambridge GCE O Level: grades A-C in 5 or more subjects including English and Maths (excluding Mother Tongue Language, Religious Studies, Music, Physical Education, Art) with with minimum grade C in specific subject requirements.
Singapore / Cambridge GCE A Level: minimum grades DDDD (H2) OR minmum grades CC (H2) plus CC (H1) in 4 or more  subjects including English and Maths (excluding Mother Tongue Language, Religious Studies, Music, Physical Education, Art) with with minimum grade C in specific subject requirements.
Singapore Cambridge GCE Normal (N) (Academic ) Level not eligible for UCD ISC IFY.
Singapore Polytechnics to be assessed on a case by case basis. Refer to UCD.
South Africa National Senior Certificate (NSC): minimum Achievement Level 33334 (3:40-49%, 4:50-59%) or above in 5 subjects  (excluding Life Orientation) with minimum Achievement Level 3 (40-49%) in specific subject requirements.
Sri Lanka Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level): overall average B (65-74%, Very good pass) or above with minimum B in specific subject requirements.
Sri Lankan General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level): minimum grade C (50-64%, Credit pass) or above in two subjects with minimum grade B (Ordinary Level) in specific subject requirements.
Syria General Secondary Certificate:
Literary Stream: minimum 145 (60%) where maximum mark is 240 and minimum pass-mark is 102.
Scientific Stream: minimum 155 (60%) where maximum mark is 260 and minimum pass-mark is 104.
Consult with UCD in all cases (fee assessment critical).
Taiwan Senior High School Leaving Certificate:
Year 12: overall 60% (C, Pass) with minimum 60% (C, Pass) in specific subject requirements.
Year 11: overall 75% (B, Average) with minimum 75% (B, Average) in specific subject requirements.
Tanzania Certificate of Secondary Education / Secondary School Leaving Certificate: overall average B (grades A1-C6) in 5 or more subjects with minimum grade B in specific subject requirements.
Tanzania Advanced Certificate of Secondary Education: minimum grades CDD with with minimum grade D in specific subject requirements.
Thailand Certificate of Basic Education:
Year 12 (Maw 6): overall Achievement Level 2.0 with minimum Achievement Level 2.0 in specific subject requirements.
Year 11 (Maw 5): overall Achievement Level 2.5 with minimum Achievement Level 2.5 in specific subject requirements.
Tunisia (Baccalauréat)/Baccalauréat de l’Enseignement Secondaire: overall average 12/20 (Fairly Good) with minimum grade 12 (Fairly Good) in specific subject requirements.
Turkey Lise Diplomasi (High School Diploma): overall average 65% with minimum grade  60% in specific subject requirements.
UAE General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (General / Academic) - Secondary School Certificate (SSC): overall average grade 80% (B, Very Good) with minimum grade 70% in specific subject requirements.
Consult with UCD regarding Medicine applicants.
Uganda Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE): overall Division I award, grades 1-6 (Distinction: 1-2, Credit: 3-6) in 8 subjects including grade 3-6 / Credit in English, Humanities subject, Maths, Science subject. The total credit score must not be above 32.
Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE): minimum grades CCD in 3 Principal subjects with minimum grade C in specific subject requirements.
Ukraine Certificate of Complete General Secondary Education (svidotstvo pro zdobuttia povnoi zagalnoi serednoi osvity/ formerly Attestat): minimum GPA 7/12 point scale with minimum 7 (Good) in specific subject requirements.
Independent External Examination (IEE): 2 passes in Ukranian History or Maths and Ukranian Language & Literature plus one additional subject. Pass mark for each subject is published on the UCEQA website in June (Grade Scale: 100-200).
USA High School Graduation Diploma: minimum GPA 3.0/4.0 (grade B, 83-86%) with minimum GPA 2.7 (grade B-, 80-82%) in specific subject requirements. International American High Schools considered only.
Uzbekistan Certificate of Completed Secondary Education: overall average grade 4 (Good (4) or Excellent (5) grades) with minimum grade 4 in specific subject requirements.
Venezuela Título de Educación Media General (Humanities & Science streams): minimum overall 13/20 in 5 or more subjects with minimum 13/20 in specific subject requirements.
Vietnam Senior Secondary School Graduation Diploma/ Year 12 Completion Report (Bang Tu Tai): overall GPA 7.0/10 in 4 subjects including Maths and Literature and with minimum grade 7.0 in specific subject requirements.
Yemen General Secondary Education Certificate: overall average 85% with minimum grade 75% in specific subject requirements.
Zambia School Certificate / General Certificate of Education: overall average Merit (4) in 6 subjects including English and with minimum grade Merit (4) in specific subject requirements.

IB Diploma: 24 total points with minimum Standard Level 4 in specific subject requirements. (subject pass 3)

IB Certificate: 26 points with minimum Standard Level 4 in specific subjects requirements. (subject pass 3)

A Levels: CCD OR CDD + B (AS Level) unless otherwise specified in the country-specific entry requirements.

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 4.5 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.