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 at the same time 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 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
Version 1	September 2020 to April 2021 (Semester 1 & Semester 2)	€10,000	IELTS Overall 5.5 (with no skill less than 5.0)
Version 2	January 2021 to April 2021 (Semester 2 only)	€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 and pronunciation development; and preparation for the IELTS examination.

Version 2

Is a full-time programme of 30 credits and consists of the content in Semester 2 shown above. 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
Semester 1 September to December 2020	LC3001 English for Academic Purposes 1 LC2004 English Academic Writing Skills 1 10 credits to be chosen from modules available to Undergraduate Degree Programme students	15 5 10
Semester 2 January to April 2021	LC3002 English for Academic Purposes 2 LC2005 English Academic Writing Skills 2 LC1006 Advanced English Grammar 5 credits to be chosen from modules available to Undergraduate Degree Programme students	15 5 5 5
Progression	New from 2018-9: 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.

Programme Content

Credits

Semester 1

September to December 2020

LC3001 English for Academic Purposes 1
LC2004 English Academic Writing Skills 1
10 credits to be chosen from modules available to Undergraduate Degree Programme students

Semester 2

January to April 2021

LC3002 English for Academic Purposes 2
LC2005 English Academic Writing Skills 2
LC1006 Advanced English Grammar
5 credits to be chosen from modules available to Undergraduate Degree Programme students

Progression

New from 2018-9: 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 Form Pathway App Form 2020-21 to download the form.

If you have any further queries on this course please email academicenqueries@ucc.ie.

A computer, tablet or smartphone with audio and video. Reliable internet connection. You will need to be able to access MS Teams, Zoom or Canvas for your classes (dependent on course applied for)

IT Requirements on Campus, students may be expected to have their laptop or smartphone available to them in class

We look forward to welcoming you to study at UCC Language Centre