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Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

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Entry Requirements:

  • A minimum 2.1 honours class degree from an Irish University or its international equivalent.
  • For candidates who are not native English speakers and have not completed a degree through the medium of English, a minimum IELTS score of at least 6.5 in each category is required.
  • Previous region-specific knowledge and additional foreign language skills are not required.
  • Applicants must demonstrate their ability to write clearly and persuasively in an academic register (via the writing sample, described below).
  • To support your application you will need to provide 2 academic references.

Application and next steps:

The application cycle remains open from Michaelmas Term until the deadline of 30 June each year. Applying early in the cycle is highly recommended, as places are limited, and applications are handled on a first-come first-served basis. So, you are strongly advised to apply early in order to avoid disappointment.

Applicants are normally notified of the outcome of their application within 3 weeks after receiving all required documentation. Partial applications can delay the process. See all requirements below.

Click this link to complete your application

Required materials

For this course, you will need to prepare these materials to apply:

Sample of academic writing

You will require a sample of no more than 2,500 words of your best academic writing in English.
When we assess your application, we would like to know:

  • that you are able to build an academic argument
  • that you are able to create a logical structure to your argument
  • that you can critically analyse others' options and the evidence you see
  • that you have a good understanding of the apparatus of academic writing, including referencing, quoting, signposting, avoiding plagiarism* and other forms of academic misconduct, and using a bibliography
  • that your command of academic English is strong

*we make use of Turnitin and other software to check for plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct in the samples submitted. An application may be rejected if samples of work submitted are found to include instances of such misconduct

English language qualifications

Unless you have completed a degree through the medium of English or are a native speaker, you are required to prove your proficiency with the language.
Trinity prefers IELTS, but will accept alternative tests run by international organisations, such as TOEFL (please see table below for further details).

Degree certificate(s)

You will require the certificates that prove you have completed all of the degrees you mention in your application. If you haven’t yet completed your degree, you can still apply and supply these when you have them.

Degree transcripts

You will need official transcripts showing all of the components you have completed as part of your degree(s).

Two reference letters

You should ask two people who are not related to you to write letters of reference, recommending you for this course and laying out why you would be a good candidate.

Online application form

Once you have all of these materials, please fill out the online application form in full and upload the materials as attachments.

 

International degree equivalents

A 2.1 honours class degree from an Irish university or its international equivalent is the minimum entry requirement. You may want to refer to the data provided by Quality Qualifications Ireland. It is your responsibility to verify that your degree corresponds to at least the minimum admission requirements for this programme. If in doubt, get in touch.

English language proficiency

All candidates who are not native English speakers and have not completed a degree through the medium of English are required to prove their proficiency with the language. Trinity prefers IELTS, but will accept alternative tests provided by international organisations, such as TOEFL. This table provides the minimum score for IELTS and some alternatives:

IELTS

Grade 6.5 (No less than 6.5 in any section)

Certificates are valid for up to three years

Duolingo English Test

Overall score of at least 120/160 with no less than 120 in any category

Certificates must be dated since January 2020

TOEFL

iBT = 88

Certificates are valid for up to three years

Computer based = 230

Paper based = 570

University of Cambridge

180+ with no less than 175 in each skill

Certificates are valid for up to three years

Proficiency Certificate

Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2)

Advanced Certificate

Grade C or better (CEFR Level C1 or C2)

First Certificate

Grade A (CEFR Level C1)

Pearson Test of English (Academic)

A minimum score of 63 (no less than 59 for any section)

Certificates are valid for up to three years