English Language Policy

Dublin City University (DCU) is committed to fair, transparent and consistent admissions processes. 

All applicants to DCU are carefully assessed on the basis of published entry requirements and entry paths outlined on the DCU website and in relevant publications.

The purpose of this policy is to set out DCU requirements and standards for evaluating the English language proficiency of prospective international learners applying for admission to a programme of study at DCU, and to describe the English language supports provided to international applicants in receipt of an offer to accept a place on their chosen programme of study at DCU.  

This policy applies to all programmes of study at DCU leading to an award by the University that is included in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) that admit international learners. In the context of this policy international learner refers to “a person who is not an Irish citizen but is lawfully in the State primarily to receive education and training” (see Section 6.1).  

The Vice-President for Academic Affairs/Registrar is responsible for ensuring this policy is implemented for all programmes of study at DCU leading to an award by the University that is included in the NFQ that enrol international learners.

The following committees and units are responsible for specific approvals and procedures that support the implementation of this policy:

• Academic Council: responsible for the design, development, and approval of new programmes.

• University Standards Committee: approves the university’s minimum entry requirements, including minimum requirements in English language, and requests for derogations to same.

• Registry: responsible for processing applications by prospective international learners for all programmes of study and advising the University regarding benchmarking entry requirements within the Irish Higher Education sector, maintaining and publishing approved minimum requirements in English language proficiency, and monitoring and reporting on trends and offering expert advice on the admission of international learners.

• Office for the Vice-President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA): responsible on behalf of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs/Registrar for the review of this policy and, where necessary, amendment and approval. 

• DCU International Academy: delivers Pre-Sessional and International Foundation Year programmes.

• International Learners: responsible for ensuring that their application fulfils all entry requirements, including the minimum requirement in English language proficiency, and that all the necessary test certifications are provided in their valid form. 

6.1 International Learner

An international learner is defined in Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (as amended 2019) as “a person who is not an Irish citizen but is lawfully in the State primarily to receive education and training” (Section 2.1). 

In accordance with the Quality and Qualification Ireland (QQI) Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners[1] and in the context of this policy, international learner comprehends the following categories of students:

• EU/EEA students in the state undertaking a DCU programme that leads to a major or non-major award that is included in the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). 

• Non-EU/EEA students in the state undertaking a DCU programme that leads to a major or non-major award that is included in the NFQ. 

• Learners outside the state enrolled on a DCU programme that leads to an award in the NFQ, whether offered in a transnational education setting and/or through remote, fully online modes of learning. 

In the context of this policy, international learner does not comprehend the following categories of learners: 

• Erasmus exchange students.

• Learners enrolled on DCU study abroad programmes that do not lead to awards included in the NFQ. 

• Learners enrolled on continuous professional development programmes, and other professional training programmes, which do not lead to awards included in the NFQ. 

• Citizens of Great Britain and Northern Ireland undertaking a DCU programme that leads to a major or non-major award that is included in the NFQ.

[1] QQI Policy Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners

• The European Union (EU) is a supranational political and economic union of twenty-seven member states that are located primarily in Europe.  The EU countries are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

• The European Economic Area (EEA) includes European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. It allows them to be part of the EU 's single market. Switzerland is not an EU or EEA member but is part of the single market.

• The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) describes what learners need to know, understand and be able to do to achieve a qualification. It lists the main qualifications awarded at each level and pathways from one NFQ level to the next. The NFQ allows applicants to compare qualifications to help with their choice of programme or course, knowing that it will be recognised at home and abroad. All qualifications included on the NFQ are listed in the Irish Register of Qualifications. 

• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the national state agency responsible for promoting the quality, integrity and reputation of Ireland's further and higher education system.

This policy should be read in conjunction with DCU’s ‘Admissions Appeals Policy,’ ‘Recognition of Prior Learning Policies’ and Supplementary Admissions Policy. 

• DCU Admissions Principles

• DCU Admissions Appeal Policy

• Recognition of Prior learning for Research Degrees

• Recognition of Prior Learning Policy

• Supplementary Admissions Policy

Any queries relating to this policy should be directed, in the first instance, to the Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA).

This policy will be reviewed as and when changes are required to ensure that DCU remains compliant with QQI’s Code of Practice for Provision of Programmes of Higher Education to International Learners. The Office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs (OVPAA) is responsible for the review of this policy.