A pair of students smiling on UCD's green campus.

Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities

Who is this programme for?

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.

Intakes: January and September

Course length: Three terms

Study mode: On campus

Entry requirements: Check our academic and English language entry requirements

Fees and funding: Visit our fees page for full information.

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.

Modules

On this foundation programme, you will study core modules, aimed at developing key subject knowledge and English language skills to prepare you for studies at university.

  • Academic English Skills
  • Maths I
  • Critical Reading
  • Introduction to Globalisation
  • Introduction to Research
  • Introduction to Sociology
  • Introduction to Statistics
  • Principals of Macroeconomics
  • Electives – Digital Business, Data Analysis

Term dates

3 Term

January 2025

StartFinish
Term 17/1/202520/3/2025
Term 230/3/20255/6/2025
Term 38/6/202521/8/2025

September 2025

StartFinish
Term 121/9/20258/1/2026
Term 211/1/202619/3/2026
Term 329/3/202625/6/2026

January 2026

StartFinish
Term 16/1/202619/3/2026
Term 229/3/20264/6/2026
Term 37/6/202620/8/2026

Progression degrees

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

Degree Programme NameAwardOverall GradeEnglish GradeGrade Module
No Results
Nikita, an international student, on UCD's campus

"The International Foundation Year that at the International Study Centre is really helpful. The presentations skills we learn help to ease us into university life. If I had gone to university directly, I don't think I would have been eased into university life, as the International Study Centre helped with that."

Nikita from India
Studied the International Foundation Year
Progressed to BSc (Hons) Social Science

Two international students in front of a bright, purple wall

How to apply

Find out how you can apply to study at Dublin International Study Centre.

Student walking outside Dublin ISC

English Language Preparation

Improve your English skills with our programme designed for international students. Find out how we can help you to start your pathway programme.

Join us today

Our Student Enrolment Advisors are available to answer any questions you may have about your application. We can’t wait to meet you.