UCD University Access Courses
Applicants of mature years age who have achieved a specified Level in a UCD University Access course (Access to Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences and Law or Access to Science, Engineering, Agriculture and Medicine) are eligible to apply for a number of reserved places in year 1 of specified linked programmes.
All EU/EFTA applicants to start stage 1 of a course in the Autumn Trimester apply via (opens in a new window)CAO. Application is made to (opens in a new window)CAOand applications open in mid-November. The normal closing date is 1 February. The late closing date is 1 May. Please see www.ucd.ie/maturestudents for further information.
UCD Open Learning Certificate
Applicants who have achieved the UCD Open Learning Certificate who meet the requirements shown below are eligible to apply for a place in year 1 of the following programmes, subject to availability of places:
| Code | Programme | Requirement | Reserved Places |
|---|---|---|---|
| DN130 | City Planning & Environmental Policy | Minimum GPA 2.6 The certificate must be composed of 4 compulsory modules along with 2 other 5 credit modules: Compulsory Modules: PLAN10010 Intro to Spatial Planning PLAN10040 Research Methods ENVP10010 Environment Change & Policy PLAN10020 History of City Planning |
3 |
| DN200 | Science | Minimum GPA 3.08 6 modules must be completed for credit. At least 2 of these should be Science modules which are available through Open Learning. A minimum of 15 credits may be offset against the degree programmes. Applicants must meet the Leaving Certificate Mathematics requirement or have taken equivalent Mathematics modules offered through Open Learning.* |
10 |
| DN201 | Computer Science | Minimum GPA 3.08 6 modules must be completed for credit. At least 2 of these should be Science modules which are available through Open Learning. A minimum of 15 credits may be offset against the degree programmes. Applicants must meet the Leaving Certificate Mathematics requirement or have taken equivalent Mathematics modules offered through Open Learning.* |
2 |
| DN240 | Sustainability | There will be a route for entry to DN240 in 2025 |
|
| DN250 | Agricultural Science | Minimum GPA 3.08 6 modules must be completed for credit. At least 2 of these should be Science modules which are available through Open Learning. O6/H7 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics or equivalent Mathematics modules offered through Open Learning. Please contact UCD ALL for guidance on selecting an appropriate Mathematics module. |
2 |
| DN261 | Food Science | Minimum GPA 3.08 6 modules must be completed for credit. At least 2 of these should be Science modules which are available through Open Learning. O6/H7 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics or equivalent Mathematics modules offered through Open Learning. For students who require a Maths module, the following are recommended: • MATH00030 Access Maths Other students may wish to consider the following Maths modules: Please contact UCD ALL for guidance on selecting an appropriate Mathematics module. |
2 |
| DN262 | Human Nutrition | Minimum GPA 3.08 6 modules must be completed for credit. At least 2 of these should be Science modules which are available through Open Learning. O6/H7 in Leaving Certificate Mathematics or equivalent Mathematics modules offered through Open Learning. For students who require a Maths module, the following are recommended: Other students may wish to consider the following Maths modules: Please contact UCD ALL for guidance on selecting an appropriate Mathematics module. |
1 |
| DN520 | Arts | Minimum GPA of 2.6 |
5 |
| DN530 | Humanities | Minimum GPA of 2.6 |
5 |
| DN600 | Law | Minimum GPA of 2.6 Applicants must be at least 23 on 1 January prior to entry, and your Open Learning Certificate must include at least 20 credits from Law modules. |
5 |
| DN620 | Criminology with Psychology | Minimum GPA of 2.6 Applicants must be at least 23 on 1 January prior to entry, and your Open Learning Certificate must include 15 credits (3 out of 6 modules) of criminology modules (i.e. those with a LAWXXXXX module code) and a 5 credit (1 out of 6 modules) psychology module (i.e.PSY10050 or PSY10080). |
1 |
| DN650 | Commerce | Minimum GPA 3.08 The certificate must be composed of 5 compulsory modules along with one additional 5 credit module. Compulsory Modules: |
5 |
| DN700 | Social Sciences | Minimum GPA of 2.6 |
10 |
| DN710 | Economics | There will be a route for entry to DN710 in 2025 |
|
| DN720 | Psychology | Applicants must achieve the Certificate in Open Learning, with a Grade Point Average of 3.08 and completion of 2 core modules, alongside 20 additional credits. Students must study 2 modules from the 5 Core first year Psychology modules listed below. They must achieve a minimum B- (3.02 GPA) in the 2 Psychology modules.
|
2 |
| DN750 | Social Policy & Sociology | Minimum GPA of 2.6 |
5 |
Important Note: Where there are more qualified applicants than places available, applicants will be ranked by Certificate GPA.
*Mathematics Requirement
Please note for DN200 and DN201 evidence of ability in Maths, at minimum O2/H6 level, is required.
Applicants who have not achieved an O2/H6 grade in the Leaving Certificate, (or equivalent in another recognised school leaving examination), must present at least one Mathematics module from the following list
- MATH00030 or
- MATH00040
Any of the following three modules will also be accepted but these are more appropriate for those who have already attained O2/H6 standard in mathematics
- MATH00010 or
- MATH10310 or
- MATH10290
Application is made to (opens in a new window)CAO and applications open in mid-November. The normal closing date is 1 February. The late closing date is 1 May. Applicants must indicate previous third level on the CAO form and specify that they are applying on this basis (and include a copy of the Certificate if already completed).
UCD Certificate in Equality Studies
Applicants who have successfully completed the UCD Certificate in Equality Studies with a GPA of 2.6 are eligible for admission to:
- 1st Arts (DN520)
- 1st Humanities (DN530)
Application is made to (opens in a new window)CAO and applications open in mid-November. The normal closing date is 1 February. The late closing date is 1 May.
UCD Level 7 Certificate in Women, Gender and Social Justice
Applicants who have successfully completed the level 7 University Certificate in Women, Gender and Social Justice with a GPA of 2.6 are eligible for admission to:
- 1st Arts (DN520)
- 1st Social Sciences (DN700)
- 1st Social Policy and Sociology (DN750)
and, (opens in a new window)upon RPL application, will be granted exemption from up to 10 level 1 credits.
Application is made to (opens in a new window)CAO and applications open in mid-November. The normal closing date is 1 February. The late closing date is 1 May. Please see www.ucd.ie/maturestudents for further information.
UCD Level 7 Diploma in the History of European Painting (from 2024)
Applicants who have successfully completed the level 7 University Diploma in the History of European Painting with a GPA of 2.6 are eligible for admission to:
- 1st Arts (DN520)
- 1st Humanities (DN530)
and, (opens in a new window)upon RPL application, will be granted exemption from up to 20 level 1 credits.
Application is made to (opens in a new window)CAO and applications open in mid-November. The normal closing date is 1 February. The late closing date is 1 May. Please see www.ucd.ie/maturestudents for further information.
UCD Level 7 Diploma in Women, Gender and Social Justice
Applicants who have successfully completed the level 7 University Diploma in Women, Gender and Social Justice with a GPA of 2.6 are eligible for admission to 1st Social Sciences (DN700) and, upon RPL application, may be granted exemption from up to 15 level 1 credits.
Application is made to (opens in a new window)CAO and applications open in mid-November. The normal closing date is 1 February. The late closing date is 1 May. Please see www.ucd.ie/maturestudents for further information..
UCD Diploma in Community Drugs Work or Drugs Counselling Theory and Intervention Skills
Applicants who have successfully completed a Diploma in Community Drugs Work or a Diploma in Drugs Counselling Theory and Intervention Skills may apply for progression to year 2 of the Social Policy & Sociology degree programme (DN750). A GPA of 3.08 is generally required.
Please refer to the Internal Transfer, stage 2 Autumn Trimester webpage for application dates and the list of courses with available places. Apply using the link for the Social Policy & Sociology programme (DN750).
UCD Level 6 Diploma in Inclusive School Support (from 2024)
Applicants who have successfully completed the level 6 University Diploma in Inclusive School Support with a GPA of 2.6 or more may apply for a guaranteed minimum number of places in first year of:
- (opens in a new window)BSc Social Sciences (DN700)
- (opens in a new window)BSoc Social Policy & Sociology (DN750)
- (opens in a new window)Bachelor of Education (DN760)
Where there are more qualified applicants for entry (i.e., students with a GPA greater than 2.6) than there are places, the allocation will be made by highest GPA.
Special Entry Recommendations for Bachelor of Education (DN760):
- BEd Education, Gaeilge and Modern Languages: To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H5 in Gaeilge and a Grade H4 in the Modern Language in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).
- BEd Education and Modern Languages: To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H4 in one or more Modern Language(s) in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent). Two languages will be studied as part of this degree option. Both languages can be taken at non-beginners level or one of German, Italian or Spanish can be taken at beginners level.
- BEd Education and Gaeilge: To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H5 in Gaeilge in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).
Application is made to (opens in a new window)CAO and applications open in mid-November. The normal closing date is 1 February. The late closing date is 1 May.
If you are considering applying for a transfer, please check the fees implications at www.ucd.ie/fees.
Some programmes will not normally consider applicants who have been unsuccessful in a similar programme - full details are on the restrictions page.
All offers of a place are subject toUCD's Terms and Conditions of Offer. In line with the(opens in a new window)Admissions Policy, offers for taught programmes will not be made after the third week of a trimester. Deferral or Leave of Absence is not permissible for the trimester following acceptance of a transfer/re-admission offer.
In some cases, students may wish to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning in addition to that granted by the transfer process (see Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy).
All students must comply with the regulations of the University.
The above is summary information only. Full regulations are included in the (opens in a new window)Transfer Policy.