Admissions

Disabled students should apply directly through the College. Documentation from appropriately qualified professionals relating to the disability should accompany the application and the student will be requested to attend an interview to determine the level of assistance needed. Every effort will be made by the Admissions Office, Student Affairs, and the faculty to facilitate students’ special requirements as recommended in medical reports.

Disabled students who have attended Irish secondary schools may apply through open competition with the CAO, without seeking special assistance; those who do so must meet the minimum Leaving Certificate entry requirements, but are exempted from meeting point requirements.

American College Dublin admits students of every race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, physical limitation, national and ethnic origin, in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and other official programs.

American College Dublin is committed to implementing policies governing equal access and equal opportunity in the area of admissions, recruitment, course offerings, extra-curricular programs and activities, facilities, counseling, advising, health-referral services, and employment.

For our 4-year programs, applicants need to have successfully graduated from high school or its equivalent with a diploma that is comparable to an Irish Level 5 Leaving Certificate. They need to have a strong academic record that demonstrates their potential to succeed in their chosen program of study. We evaluate this based on their final transcript.

For current high school students, evidence from transcripts and/or report cards must show a promising path toward graduation. In such cases, conditional acceptance may be granted, pending successful completion of their final year.

Students who have studied their secondary school outside of Ireland, will have their results assessed for equivalency to the Irish Level 5 Leaving Certificate. To evaluate diplomas, American College Dublin uses the information on the NARIC Ireland website.

Some programs have additional entry requirements:

Musical Theatre & Performing Arts applicants must complete an interview and audition. The audition involves:



Creative Writing applicants must submit the following with their application:

 

The following entry requirements apply for our 3-year programs:

Irish School Leavers
Students need to have an Irish Level 5 Leaving Certificate and obtain a minimum grade of H5 in two subjects and a grade of O6/H6 in four subjects. This is equivalent to the previous requirements, which was a minimum grade of C3 in two Higher-level subjects and a grade of D3 in four Ordinary-level subjects. Students must pass mathematics and a language (English, Irish or a European language).

Further Education (FE) students
Students from an Irish Further Education College need to have a full Level 5 or Level 6 award and achieved three Distinctions in a cognate area of the degree program that they wish to study. The award may have been studied over a number of years.

Mature Students
Mature students are defined as those who have reached the age of 23 by 1 January of the year of application AND do not have a sufficient diploma that allows for admission to a Bachelor’s program.

Mature students do not need to fulfil minimum academic requirements. They submit an application directly through the college. These students may be asked to attend an interview (online) so that the admissions team can assess their work and academic experience, personal ambition and/or suitability for their chosen program.

International Applicants
Students who have studied outside of Ireland for their secondary school results will be assessed for equivalency to the Irish Level 5 Leaving Certificate. To evaluate diplomas, American College Dublin uses the information on the NARIC Ireland website.

For current high school students, evidence from transcripts and/or report cards must show good grades. In such cases, conditional acceptance may be granted, pending successful completion of their final year.

MB in International Business/ MBA in International Business / MBA in Energy Management Applicants applying for one of our business programs should have a degree that is comparable to an Irish Level 8 Bachelor (Honours) degree in a cognate discipline. We may also consider a degree comparable to an Irish Level 8 Bachelor (Honours) degree in a non-cognate discipline with three years of relevant managerial experience; or significant, documented relevant executive managerial experience.

All applicants are asked to complete the same application process whether or not they have a sufficient degree. The application will be assessed for direct admission and if not possible, students may be offered a place on our bridging year.

The bridging year is meant to build a foundation for the Master’s program or to increase a student’s level of education to Level 8. The length of this bridging program varies but normally will not exceed one year.

MFA in Creative Writing / Creative Writing Practice
The MFA in Creative Writing has an open admissions policy. An honours bachelor’s degree in a cognate discipline may be an advantage but is not necessary for entry to the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing. The principal requirements for admission to the program are a demonstration of sufficient interest in the activity of creative writing and furnishing evidence of an ability to undertake and benefit from a course of master’s level study in creative writing. In addition to completing an application online, applicants are asked to upload a 500-word personal statement of their interest in undertaking the program and a 3,000-word portfolio of their prose writing. The portfolio may consist of a single piece of writing or a collection of up to four samples.

Master of Fine Arts in Performance
An honours bachelor’s degree in a cognate discipline may be an advantage but is not necessary for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Performance. In addition to completing an application online, applicants are asked to upload a portfolio of work demonstrating their experience and skills in the field in which they propose to work. Applicants will be invited to an interview.

Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Design
An honours bachelor’s degree in a cognate discipline may be an advantage but is not necessary for admission to the Master of Fine Arts in Fashion Design. In addition to completing an application online, applicants are asked to upload a portfolio of work demonstrating their experience and skills in the field in which they propose to work. Applicants will be invited to an interview.

Master of Fine Arts in Performance Coaching
Candidates who hold an undergraduate degree or higher may be admitted to the program, with preference given to applicants with related subjects such as, but not limited to:

Physiotherapists/ Physical Therapists Strength & Conditioning Coaches Athletic Trainers/ Athletic Therapists Applied Sports Scientists Sports Therapists Biomechanists Chiropractors Performance Coaches Kinesiologists/ Biokineticists, All other performance and rehabilitation professionals

….OR
An appropriate professional qualification and at least five years of relevant experience

….OR
Special Case Registrations: Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) entry will be available for those without a related degree. Individual assessment will apply and applicants will be subject to interview.