Pre-Masters International Foundation Programme

Course details

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 Comparative Literature (PAC Code: DC680 year long / PAC Code: DC651 single semester)
  *Please note an IELTS 6:0 is required for the year long Comparative Literature programme
• MA in International Relations (PAC Code: DC683 year long / PAC Code: DC656 Single Semester)
• MA in International Security and Conflict Studies (PAC Code: DC682 year long / PAC Code: DC653 single semester only)
• MA in Development (PAC Code: DC684 year long / PAC Code DC654 single semester only)
  * Please note that IELTS 5.5 in the writing component is required for the year-long International Relations, International Security & Conflict Studies and Development Studies programme.
• MA in Social Media Studies (PAC Code: DC639- single semester only).
• MA in Film & Television Studies (PAC Code: DC661 - single semester only).
• MA in Science Communication Studies (PAC Code: DC660 - single semester only).

Faculty of Engineering and Computing

• Masters in Electronic Systems (PAC Code: DC828 year long / PAC Code: DC659 single semester)
• Masters in Telecommunications Engineering (IPAC Code: DC829 year long / PAC Code: DC658 - single semester only)
• MEng in Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering (PAC code: DC827 year long / PAC Code: DC671 - single semester only)
• MSc in Computing (with Major) [Majors include Software Engineering; Cloud Computing; *Data Analytics, Human Language Technology]
  (PAC Code: DC840 year long / PAC Code: DC835 - single semester only)
  *Please note basic computer programming skills are required for Data Analytics

DCU Business School

• MSc in Business: Management (PAC Code: DC512 year long / PAC Code: DC650 - single semester only). This course is suitable for non business graduates. The Immersion week for will take place from 15th - 19th September.
• MSc in Business: Strategy PAC Code: DC512 year long / PAC Code: DC650 - single semester).
• MSc in Business: Digital Marketing C Code: DC512 year long / PAC Code: DC650 - single semester).
• MSc in Business: Cloud Computing and Commerce PAC Code: DC512 year long / PAC Code: DC650 - single semester)
• MSc in Finance and Capital Markets (PAC Code: DC513 year long option only)

Faculty of Science and Health

• MSc in Financial and Industrial Mathematics (PAC Code: DC681 year long option only)
• MSc in Biomedical Diagnostics ( PAC Code: DC728 year long option only)
  * Please note applications for Biomedical Diagnostics will not be processed until June 2014. IELTS 6:0 is required for this programme.
• MSc in Bioprocess Engineering( PAC Code: DC7 37 year-long option only

2014 - 2015

• Applied Language and Intercultural Studies (IFPLIS)
• Business Management (IFPBM)
• Computer-aided Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (IFPCME)
• Electronic Systems (IFPES)
• Intercultural Studies (IFPIS)
• Telecommunications Engineering (IFPTE)

Why DCU:

• 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.