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EAP Pre-Masters & Pre-PhD Pathway

Pre-Masters & Pre-PhD Pathway will allow students whose first language is not English, the opportunity to develop English Language proficiency, whilst taking modules from those offered across the University in their chosen discipline.
- ILEP number: 0341/0009 For visa-dependent students
Who is this programme for?
This programme is intended for students who wish to pursue postgraduate studies at UCC.
It is aimed at those who meet the academic requirements of their chosen master’s degree or PhD programme but who require additional support in English language skills and/or have not yet met the UCC requirements in the English Language.
Entry requirements
- All applicants must first have a conditional offer letter from UCC for their chosen Masters/PhD programme.
Applicants for the Pre-Masters & Pre-PhD Pathway should first meet the academic requirements for their chosen postgraduate programme and have a conditional offer letter from UCC for this programme. Please see UCC’s offerings of taught postgraduate programmes which include specific academic entry requirements for the chosen postgraduate programme.
Programme summary and content
Programme | Dates | Fee | Current English Level |
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Version 1 |
Semester 1 & Semester 2 September 2020 to April 2021 |
€10,000 | IELTS Overall 5.5 with no skill less than 5.0 |
Version 2 |
Semester 2 only January 2021 to April 2021 |
€5,000 | IELTS Overall 6.0 with no skill less than 5.5 |
Version 1
Is taken on a full-time basis over one academic year and comprises 60 credits. It combines English language modules with academic modules from the University’s undergraduate degree programmes, chosen in consultation with the relevant head of the academic unit and the Head of the Graduate School in the relevant College. The English Language modules will cover academic writing, reading, listening and speaking skills; grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation development and preparation for the IELTS examination.
Version 2
Is a full-time programme of 30 credits. Topics covered in the Pathway Programme include learner independence, learning preferences, critical thinking, the meaning of culture, culture shock, different academic culture, avoiding plagiarism, quoting and paraphrasing, techniques for oral presentations, research sources and methods, research ethics and using technology in postgraduate study.
Programme Content | Credits | |
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Semester 1 September to December 2020
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Semester 2 January to April 2021 |
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Progression |
Students who achieve 700/900 marks in the English language modules in the Version 1 option, or 385/500 marks in the Version 2 option, may be exempt from the requirement to submit a satisfactory IELTS score for progression purposes. This option is available in some UCC colleges/departments. The existing IELTS progression route for all UCC colleges/departments continues to be valid, i.e. students may progress by achieving the required IELTS scores - usually 6.5 overall, with no band less than 6.0. Results for the IELTS examination must be notified to the International Office in UCC by 30 June 2021. One IELTS examination fee is included in the course fee. |
How to apply
Applicants for the EAP pre-Masters & pre-PhD Pathway should first meet the academic requirements for their chosen postgraduate programme and have a conditional offer letter from UCC for this programme. Please see UCC’s offerings of taught postgraduate programmes at http://www.ucc.ie/en/study/postgrad/taughtcourses/ which include specific academic entry requirements for the chosen postgraduate programme.
All applicants must first have a conditional offer letter from UCC for their chosen Masters/PhD programme.
Please click Pre-sessional 2020 Application FormPathway App Form 2020-21 to download the form.
If you have any further queries on this course please email academicenquiries@ucc.ie.
IT Requirements: a computer, tablet or smartphone with audio and video. A reliable internet connection. You will need to be able to access MS Teams, Zoom or Canvas for your classes, depending on the course applied for.
On-Campus, students may be expected to have their laptop or smartphone available to them in class.