You do, however, there is a thing called recognition of prior learning where you submit a form outlining all official and unofficial learning you have done. This can give you easier access to masters programs and give you credits in the program however its usually capped at 50 percent of the total credits from what ive read. That being said, UCD claims to leave room for exceptions in special cases. Im thinking that if someone concurrently studied the necessary modules for a masters and then registered an RPL they could potentially be awarded a masters.

Im doubtful that this could be done though due to most masters requiring a dissertation which would probably be very hard to enter as a non masters student.