Invest in your future at University College Dublin
Dublin International Study Centre offers pathway programmes designed to help international students like you prepare for university and life in Ireland.
Why choose Dublin International Study Centre?
Dublin International Study Centre is an excellent place to begin your study abroad journey. Here are some of the reasons why you should choose to study a pathway programme at Dublin International Study Centre:
University preparation
The programmes at Dublin International Study Centre are expertly designed to prepare you for university learning. After you’ve completed your programme at the International Study Centre, you’ll be ready to progress to University College Dublin with the confidence and skills you need to succeed.
Progress to University College Dublin
University College Dublin is the largest university in Ireland and has 16 subjects in the world top 100 (QS Rankings by Subject 2024). The University is is home to over 38,000 students, including 10,000 international students from 152 countries and is the ideal place for you to launch your career. Many of Dublin’s degrees offer internship or work placement opportunities and the University has industry links all around the world, including more than 1,200 multinationals based in Dublin.
Beautiful leafy campus
Dublin's Belfield campus is on 133 hectares of landscaped parkland – making it the largest urban campus in Europe. This beautiful leafy setting has everything you need in one place including state-of-the-art facilities such as:
- Olympic-sized swimming pool
- 3D Cinema
- 600-seat auditorium
- TV studio
- The National Hockey Stadium
- 17 natural grass sports pitches
- Climbing wall
- Drama theatre
- Support services
Get work ready
Your pathway programme and the degrees at University College Dublin integrate work experience opportunities and development of employability skills. The University maintains strong ties with over 1,200 multinational companies based in Dublin, giving students valuable exposure to global industries. The University was ranked 1st in Ireland for Graduate Employability five years in a row (2018 - 2022 QS Graduate Employability Rankings).
Ireland is home to numerous multinational companies, particularly in technology, pharmaceuticals, finance, and engineering, offering ample internship and job opportunities.
Key facts
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Pathway programmes delivered and term dates:
- International Foundation Year – September, January
Ranking: 126th in the world (QS World University Rankings 2025)
89%
of students who completed their programme at Dublin International Study Centre were eligible to progress to a degree course at University College Dublin in 2024
“The foundation that we study at the International Study Centre is really helpful. The presentation skills we learn help to ease us into university life. If I had gone to University College Dublin directly, I don’t think I would have been eased into university life, as the ISC helped with that.”
Nikita from India
Studied International Foundation Year in Business, Economics and Social Sciences
Progressed to BSc Economics at University College Dublin
Programmes on offer at Dublin International Study Centre
Dublin International Study Centre has undergraduate programmes available for international students.
Undergraduate
International Foundation Year
- Prepares international students for undergraduate study at University College Dublin.
- Ideal for students who need to strengthen their academic or English language skills.
- Validated as a Level 5 qualification by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), ensuring high academic standards.
- Offers a globally recognised foundation for further study and credit transfer.
- Successful completion allows progression to the first year of your chosen undergraduate degree at UCD.
Subject routes include:
- Business, Social Science, Arts & Humanities
- Engineering & Sciences
Entry requirements
View full entry requirements on the Dublin International Study Centre site.
Fees
Check tuition fees on the Dublin International Study Centre site.