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The IS1 is the equivalent to the first year of a four-year Scottish undergraduate degree. This programme is designed to help you develop your academic knowledge and skills within your subject area. You will also focus on improving your English academic literacy in preparation for continuing onto your chosen University of Dundee undergraduate degree. Typically studied across three terms, you will continue straight onto Year two* of your degree course at the University once you have successfully completed your IS1. For Business, Computing, Life and Biomedical Sciences and Nursing, two term ‘accelerated’ options are available for students with higher English language levels.

Your IS1 journey at ICD

Your IS1 journey at ICD

Pathways

Depending on your chosen undergraduate degree, you will study subject-specific modules which relate to your degree course. You can choose a specialist pathway in the following subjects:

IS1 Continuation Degrees

When you apply to International College Dundee you make your continuation degree choice from a wide selection of well-regarded academic routes.

View our full list of continuation degrees

Core modules

As well as modules unique to your specific route, you will also study several core modules common to each course. The core modules vary for the three term and two term course options.

For the three term IS1 the following core modules are studied:

For the two term IS1 the following core modules are studied:

Course start dates

Flexible enrolment dates with robust catch-up plans in place to support students who might experience travel delays.

IS1 (3 term)  Apr-25*  Sep-25  Nov-25 Jan-26 Apr-26*
IS1 Course Start  7 April 2025   29 September 2025 10 November 2025   12 January 2026 30 March 2026
Last Enrolment Date   28 April 2025  20 October 2025  17 November 2025  2 February 2026 20 April 2026
IS1 End Date  19 December 2025 19 June 2026 4 September 2026 4 September 2026 TBC
University Start of Teaching  19 January 2026 21 September 2026 21 September 2026 21 September 2026 18 January 2027

* April start date only available for IS1 (3 term) Business 

IS1 (2 term)  April-25  January-26  April-26 
Course start  7 April 2025  12 January 2026  30 March 2026 
Last Enrolment Date   21 April 2025  26 January 2026 13 April 2026 
IS1 End Date  22 August 2025  19 June 2026   4 September 2026 
University Start of Teaching  22 September 2025 21 September 2026 21 September 2026

*Preparation for Jan-25 intake for IS1 Accelerated Two Term

Entry Requirements

 

Course Academic Requirements English Language Requirements
IS1 (2 term) High school diploma or equivalent from your home country IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 (6.0 in Writing)
IS1 (3 term) High school diploma or equivalent from your home country IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.5

Pre-Sessional English (PSE) options delivered online by Oxford International Education Group are also available for interested applicants who don’t meet the minimum English language requirements as detailed below: 

Course Academic Requirements English Language Requirements
IS1 + 6 week PSE  High school diploma or equivalent from your home country  IELTS 5.0 with no less than 4.5 
IS1 + 12 week PSE High school diploma or equivalent from your home country  IELTS 4.5 with no less than 4.0 

Full details on Entry Requirements can be found on the ICD Entry Requirements page

Faye from India IS1 Life and Biomedical Sciences
“I think Dundee is a beautiful place with a lot going on. Everything is also quite convenient. I’ve honestly not felt homesick since I came to Dundee as everyone has been very welcoming and you feel like you are at home.”

Faye from India IS1 Life and Biomedical Sciences