Course Summary
The Graduate Diploma in Languages and Image Studies invites students to acquire new language skills, and/or to refresh or extend their knowledge of language(s) already studied from a choice of: French; German; Italian; Portuguese; Spanish; Catalan.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a min. 2.2 in their primary degree (NFQ Level 8 or international equivalent) ideally ( but not compulsorily) in a cognate area. It is not necessary to have previously studied Languages at Third Level before applying to GDLI.
Application requirements for GradDip:
1. Personal Statement (500 - 1000 words max: Why do you wish to take this GradDip in Languages and Image Studies? Any prior experience of Image Studies? Any prior experience of Language Study e.g. BA level studies OR travel OR school OR self-taught OR hobby OR other?) Please also list which 1 or 2 languages you might wish to study (and estimated level).
2. One Academic Reference.
3. English Language Test (in line with UCD language requirements). Applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit evidence of their English language proficiency. IELTS (Academic) Overall Band Score of 6.5 with no component band score below 6.0 and 6.5 in Writing and Speaking bands normally required or equivalent. The School may waive the requirement for an IELTS or equivalent English language test score (typically 6.5 in all four components) if you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have completed a university degree (BA, BSc, MA) taught entirely in English or at an English-speaking institution. Please submit appropriate documentation to support your claim, along with all other required materials. The School will review your submission and inform you of the outcome.
4. Short writing sample in English (max 1000 words), e.g. Essay/ Assignment from current degree work. Where the degree is historic, or has no link at all with GradDip in Languages and Image Studies, applicants are requested to watch a film in their target foreign language, e.g. French/German/Spanish/Catalan/Italian/Portuguese, and to write and submit an original close analysis (max 1000 words) of the final portion of that film. All uploaded work must be accompanied by a statement that this is entirely the applicant's own work, without the use of AI or other tools.
5. A short online interview exchange should be expected in advance of final acceptance to GDLI.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Application Details
Online Application.
Who Should Apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
Z370 Grad Dip Languages & Image Studies Graduate Diploma Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Z371 Languages & Image Studies Graduate Diploma Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Fees
GradDip Languages and Image Studies (Z370) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 7000
nonEU fee per year - € 15070
GradDip Languages and Image Studies (Z371) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 4190
nonEU fee per year - € 7540
***Fees are subject to change
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Career Progression
The foreign-language and visual/analytical focus of MALI offers valuable opportunities to graduates who wish to simply challenge themselves to enhance their language skills and to think critically through cultural engagement with images, as well as to graduates who wish to consider a range of career areas with an international dimension, from the arts, culture and education, to business, diplomacy, travel and more.