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Access to Science, Engineering, Agricultural Science and Medicine (SEAM)

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APPLY NOW to start in September 2025.

Scroll to the bottom of the webpage and click the yellow 'Apply' button to start your application. Please use this  How to Apply: Step by Step Guide to assist you in completing the application. 

The closing date for applications for the 2025/26 academic year is the 30th of June. 

SEAM+ – Your pathway to UCD begins here.

Access Science, Engineering, Agricultural Science, Computer Science, Sustainability, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine

SEAM+ Programme is a year long, part time foundation programme designed to introduce students to university-level study at UCD. It is a Special Purpose Level 6 Diploma Award. Whether you’re exploring your options or taking your first steps toward a degree, this programme helps you build confidence, develop academic skills and prepare for university life.

What SEAM+ Offers

✔ Student-Centred Learning – Benefit from small class groups and guidance throughout your University Access year.
 ✔ Diverse Learning Methods – Lectures, hands-on laboratory work, and class discussions.
 ✔ Multiple Pathways – Successfully completing SEAM+ opens the door to a range of degree programmes at UCD. Please see below sections - ‘Pathway to a UCD Degree’ and Progression for more information. 

Our Goals

SEAM+ is designed to:

✅Facilitate you in finding a degree course that best suits your aptitude and interest.

✅Give you the confidence and skills necessary to plan and organise study for your particular needs.

✅Provide you with analytical skills to fully understand the material presented in all subject modules.

✅Equip you with the skills and confidence to transition into a full time degree programme. 

🎯 Pathway to a UCD Degree

If you finish the programme with a GPA of 3.08 or higher, you’ll have the chance to apply for a set number of guaranteed places on the below UCD degrees. 

Where there are more qualified applicants (GPA > 3.08) than available places, offers will be made in order of highest GPA.

If there is an asterisk (*, **, ***) beside the degree, additional requirements apply — please refer to the Progression section for full details.

🎯 Ready to Get Started?

👉 Find Out More Below & APPLY NOW to Start in September 2025
Scroll to the bottom of the webpage and click the yellow 'Apply' button to start your application. Please use this  How to Apply: Step by Step Guide to assist you in completing the application. 

👉 Need Support or Have Questions?
We’re here to help — email us at (opens in a new window)all@ucd.ie 

The new 25/26 brochure will be published shortly, in the mean time, please see the 2024_25 UCD University Access Brochure

Age Requirement: 

  • University Access Mature applicants (You are 22 or over on January 1st of the year you apply) 

English Language Requirement

  • Applicants who do not have English as their first language must satisfy UCD’s English Language requirements. A score of 6.5 in an IELTS or equivalent exam is required. Please find full details on UCD’s Minimum English Language requirements as well as a list of acceptable qualifications on this webpage
  • If you do not have this formal qualification and want further information on the assessment options listed, please contact (opens in a new window)all@ucd.ie

There are no other formal entry requirements but applicants must 

  • Be able to demonstrate a readiness to pursue third level programmes and a level of learning ability suitable to do so.
  • Share life experience and any formal or informal learning undertaken. Provide as much information as you think is relevant on the application form and please include all educational history. Evidence of recent prior learning is most relevant, ability in maths, and prior learning in at least one of the science subjects is important. 
  • Complete the Maths & Written Assessment: The selection process includes a Maths assessment, Science lecture & written piece to be shortlisted for interview.

In the case that we have more applications than places on a progression route from SEAM+:

  • There are 7 progression routes from UCD SEAM+ to UCD degrees: Science, Computer Science, Agricultural Science, Sustainability, Engineering, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine.
  • Each degree route has a set number of places. On application if one route is oversubscribed, we will encourage applicants to consider the other degree paths/alternative pathways. 
  • If more students with a GPA over 3.08 apply than there are places available, the places will go to those with the highest GPAs first.

Please note: The purpose of this pathway is to provide an access route to those who have not yet had the opportunity to attend university. Those who have successfully completed a QQI Level 8 degree will not be considered. Those with a QQI Level 7 degree, who have no progression route to obtain a level 8 may be considered.

There are five steps in applying to the UCD SEAM+  Programme - UCD Access to Science, Engineering, Agricultural Science, Computer Science, Sustainability, Medicine and Veterinary Medicine:

  1. Complete the Online Application - scroll to the bottom of the webpage and click the yellow Apply Now button to start your application. Please use this  How to Apply: Step by Step Guide to assist you in completing the application. There is no application fee to apply. 
  2. Participate in four pre-entry maths workshops (including a maths assessment) in UCD
  3. Attend Maths Assessment in UCD
  4. Attend a pre-entry Science Lecture (including a short written assignment) in UCD
  5. Interview in person in UCD.

The closing date for applications for the 2025/26 academic year is the 30th of June. 

Participation in the Maths workshops, lecture and interviews is mandatory. Below are the proposed dates for 2025, these could be subject to change. 

Maths Workshops

(Including a maths assessment)
  • Wednesday, July 2nd at 18:00
  • Saturday, July 5th at 10:00
  • Monday, July 7th at 18:00
  • Wednesday, July 9th at 18:00

Maths Exam: Saturday, July 12th at 10.00

Science Lecture

(Including a short written assignment)
  • Monday, July 14th at 18:00

Interview dates
  •  TBC - Week of the 14th of July

SEAM+ is offered on Monday and Wednesdays evenings and on Saturday mornings.

You can review the SEAM+ Timetable 2024_25, but be advised that this is subject to change. Updates will be communicated via Brightspace. 

SEAM+ students take the following core modules during the academic year:

Autumn Trimester - (September to December)

Spring - (January to May)

Details of the modules on the SEAM+ course

Students who achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.08 or more can apply for a guaranteed minimum number of places on the following degree programmes in UCD.  Where there are more qualified applicants for entry (i.e., students with a GPA greater than 3.08) than there are places, the allocation will be made by highest GPA

* Entry to Engineering is also contingent on obtaining an A- or higher in each of the mathematics modules.

** Entry to Medicine is also contingent on obtaining a minimum grade of A- in the module "Introduction to Chemistry, Physics & Biology". Applicants will be required to submit a learning journal and obtain an expected HPAT Ireland score of 150. Two places will be offered per year and will be allocated on a competitive basis. Applicants to this course should also note the following guidelines: Access to Medicine for Mature Students

*** Entry to Veterinary Medicine is also contingent on obtaining a minimum grade A- in the module ‘Introduction to Chemistry, Physics & Biology’.

A minimum of 60 hours Animal Experience, with one or more species, will be required. The animal experience should be within the past two years. Applicants will be required to submit a report reflecting on this experience and their interest in the Veterinary profession.

Applicants will be interviewed to assess their Critical Thinking, Communication Skills and their Interest and Knowledge of the Veterinary profession and the veterinary course.

 The above is not an exhaustive list; all applicants are also referred to the UCD Prospectus 

In addition to meeting the required standard on the course, you must be eligible to apply on the grounds of mature years and make an application through (opens in a new window)the CAO. 

Please note: University Access results are valid for two years only i.e. results from this year are valid for entry in this year and next year only.

The fee for the UCD SEAM+  Programme is €1,800 for the 2025/26 academic year. 

Fees are paid in September when you begin the course; See "How to Pay" for more information on paying your fees.

If you are registered as unemployed and/or in receipt of a social welfare payment, you may be eligible for fee support. Please see the Scholarship and Financial Support section. 

There is no application fee for the Access Programme. . 

Scholarships:

  • Cothrom na Feinne Access Programme Fee Reduction Scholarship: If you are registered as unemployed and/or in receipt of a social welfare payment, you may be eligible for fee support. Fees will be reduced from  €1,800 to €600. 
  • ThinkAgain Scholarship: Think Again is a scholarship for women over the age of 23 from households on a low income. The Think Again scholarship is available to women studying any course in UCD, full-time or part-time, including women studying on an Access Programme. 
  • Sanctuary Programme Scholarship:Scholarship for International Protection (Asylum Seeker), Refugee, Subsidiary Protection, or Leave to Remain (except deportation stage) status and who are not eligible for other state support. Please visit the webpage for more details.

Bursaries:

Please see our Scholarships and Financial Support website for more information.

Please Note:

While studying on the UCD SEAM+  Programme, support and guidance will be offered by the University Access Student Support Officer. 

As a UCD student you will have access to UCD's wide range of Student Support Services and campus facilities.