Prospective Students

Pre-Masters International Foundation Programme

Fact File

Contact:	Ms Fiona Gallagher
Fee information	Click Here
Indicative Timetable	(Weeks 20-31)

Degree Information:

These Programmes are for non-native English speakers who wish to prepare themselves for a Masters degree in Dublin City University. The IFP helps students to achieve the English language skills necessary for DCU postgraduate programmes, prepares students for the adjustment to university learning, and allows them to sample modules from the Masters degree they wish to pursue. Students who successfully complete this course will be guaranteed a place on their target degree programme in DCU. They will also be entitled to exemptions from modules successfully completed during the Foundation programme. This will improve the chances of obtaining excellent grades in the postgraduate programme and ease the strain of transition to a new education system. There is a corresponding reduction in fees.

Aims and Objectives:

To bring your English language skills (reading, listening, note-taking, academic writing, oral skills etc.) to the required level. It will also help you to adapt to a new educational and cultural environment.
Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their academic potential and suitability for entry to DCU postgraduate degree programmes.
To reduce the burden on students who obtain a place on a postgraduate degree programme, by granting them exemptions in modules already studied.

Programme Structure:

The programme is taken on a full-time basis over one either one semester or one academic year. Students take a mixture of core and specialist modules. Core Modules All IFP students take modules in:

Academic English
English Language Development
Communication and Presentation Skills.
Individual Specialisms (Streams)

IFP students take modules from their chosen postgraduate degree programme worth approximately 10 (single semester) or 20 (year-long) credits. They are entitled to exemptions from these modules the following year, on successful completion of the IFP. (Note: A full Masters degree requires the student to complete 90 credits, including a final dissertation or project).

The following taught Masters degree programmes accept IFP students:

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

MA in Intercultural Studies (IFPIS: year-long and IFPSIS: single semester)
MA in Comparative Literature (IFPCL: year long and IFPSCL: single semester)
MA in International Relations (IFPSIR: single semester only)
MA in International Security and Conflict Studies (IFPSIC: single semester only)
MA in Development (IFPSDE: single semester only)

Faculty of Engineering and Computing

Masters in Electronic Systems (IFPES: year long and IFPSES: single semester)
Masters in Telecommunications Engineering (IFPTE: year long and IFPSTE: single semester)
MSc in Computer-Aided Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (IFPCAMM: year long and IFPSCM: single semester)
MSc in Security and Forensic Computing (IFPMSSF: (year long and IFPSMSSF: single semester)
MSc in Software Engineering (IFPMSC: year long and IFSPMSE: single semester)

DCU Business School

MSc in Business Management (IFPBM: year long and IFPSBM (single semester)
MSc in Finance and Capital Markets (IFPFCM year long option only)

Faculty of Science and Health

MSc in Financial and Industrial Mathematics (IFPFIM: year long option only)
MSc in Biomedical Diagnostics (IFPBMD: year long option only)

To view the modules taught on each programme use the following url http://www.dcu.ie/registry/module_contents.php?function=4&programme= and after the = sign add the programme code that you would like to study.For example put in http://www.dcu.ie/registry/module_contents.php?function=4&programme=IFPIS for the MA in Intercultural Studies year long programme.

View the subjects currently taught on each of the streams for this programme

2012 - 2013

You are guaranteed a place on your chosen Masters degree programme when you successfully complete the course.
You will be exempt from at least one module on your chosen Masters degree programme the following year, and will pay a reduced fee.
Your academic English skills will improve so that you can engage fully with your studies in an English-speaking university.
You will study with other Irish students for your Masters degree course modules and with other International students for your English language modules.
You will experience DCU university life first-hand and will be well-prepared for continuing your studies in the university the following year.

Cost of the IFP

In 2010/2011 the year long Pre-Masters IFP fee* is €4,500 for EU students and €8,557 for non-EU students. In 2010/2011 the single semester Pre-Masters IFP fee* is €2,275 for EU students and €4,550 for non-EU students. This fee is payable upon acceptance of a place. Link to fees: http://www.dcu.ie/finance/fees/schedule.shtml

IFP students who successfully complete the course will receive a corresponding reduction in fees for their chosen postgraduate course at DCU.

* Fees are subject to annual review.

This fee includes:

Intensive English language tuition
Postgraduate modules
Tuition fees
Examination fees
On-campus student support services (Health Centre, Careers Service etc.)

See target degree programmes:

Career Prospects:

Successful participation in the Pre-Masters Foundation course will help you make the transition to your target university course and thereafter to your chosen career.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the IFP?

There are two Pre-Masters options. The first is a year-long programme running from September to May for students who have a level of English equivalent to IELTS 5.5 or higher; the second runs for one semester, from February to May, and is suitable for students who have a level of English equivalent to IELTS 6.0 or higher. Repeat exams will take place in late August 2009.

What will I achieve from the IFP?

IFP students take modules from their chosen postgraduate degree programme worth approx. 20 Credits. They are entitled to exemptions from these modules the following year, on successful completion of the IFP.

Do I need to take IELTS or TOEFL again if I successfully complete the IFP?

If you successfully pass all modules in the IFP, it is deemed that you have met the minimum English language requirements for admission to DCU degree programmes, so you won't need to take IELTS or TOEFL again in order to continue your studies at DCU.

What if I don't fulfill the IELTS or TOEFL requirements?

DCU is arranging a special English examination for students who do not have satisfactory evidence of competency in the English language.

Can you tell me more about the DCU Foundation English Language Test?

Please contact the Chairperson of the programme (Tel: +353 1 7005794 / e-mail: fiona.gallagher@dcu.ie) if you wish to apply to sit the DCU Foundation English Language Test.

The DCU Foundation English Language Test focuses on reading and writing skills. The duration of the examination is 2 hours. We would advise you to arrive at least 15 minutes before the commencement of the examination.

Download English language test application form: http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/files/ifc_language_test.pdf

Are there any extra costs in addition to the application fee and tuition cost?

No, the programme fee includes all costs.

When will I know if I have been accepted?

A decision on your application will be made within two weeks after you have provided all required supporting documents to DCU. Please ensure that you always keep DCU up to date on your correspondence address and telephone number.

DCU Language Test application and information (PDF 33K)

Entry Requirements:

Specific requirements for the targeted degree programmes and English language requirements: Year long Pre-Masters

IELTS: 5.5 with no component less than 5.0 or TOEFL: 500 (paper based) / TOEFL 173 (computer based) / TOEFL 61 (iBT) or DCU Foundation English Test: above 50%
(http://www.dcu.ie/prospective/files/ifc_language_test.pdf)

Single Semester Pre-Masters

IELTS: 6.0 with no component less than 5.5 OR

TOEFL: 531 (paper based) / TOEFL 200 (computer based) / TOEFL 73 (iBT) or DCU Foundation English Test: above 60% (Download Foundation English Test application form).

Dates for Submission of Applications 2012

EU Applicants

Apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) by 3rd September 2012 (year long programme) and 13th January 2012 (single semester programme). (DC512)

Non-EU Applicants

Apply online through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) by 13th July 2012 (year long programme) and 16th December 2011 (single semester programme).

Applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of gaining entry into Ireland are advised to apply as early as possible. Applying through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (http://www.pac.ie/dcu) When applying for this programme use the PAC code applicable to stream of your target degree programme.

Study Visas - Important Information Applicants who require a student visa for entry to Ireland are encouraged to seek clarification from the relevant Irish embassy regarding the closing date for application for such a visa. Applicants who do not secure a study visa in time will be unable to take up their offer of a place on any DCU programme.

Queries on Completed Applications Queries on completed applications can be made by email to registry.pac@dcu.ie .

View the subjects currently taught on each of the streams for this programme

2012 - 2013

Full list of degrees >

Fee information

Indicative Timetable
(Weeks 20-31)