Competency in English
International students whose first language is not English are required to have an appropriate score in an approved examination in English language (such as IELTS) before they can register on an academic course.
We can also accept degrees from selected other English-speaking countries as evidence of English proficiency.
For International students living in Ireland for more than 12 months, we offer the opportunity to undertake an English language assessment. For more details, please email international@ncirl.ie
As a guide, the IELTS English language requirements are as follows:
| Course |
IELTS Level |
| Undergraduate Business |
6.0 |
| Undergraduate Computing |
6.0 |
| Masters Business |
6.5 |
| Masters Computing |
6.0 (MSc in Fintech requires 6.5) |
We gladly accept a range of alternatives to IELTS, which you will find in the table below.
| IELTS Equivalents |
IELTS
Academic |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
| IELTS Online Sept 20 Intake Only |
4.5 |
5.0 |
5.5 |
6.0 |
6.5 |
| TOEFL Computer |
150 |
173 |
196 |
213 |
232 |
| TOEFL Paper Based |
53 |
64 |
70 |
78 |
86 |
| TOEFL Internet Based |
53 |
64 |
70 |
78 |
86 |
| TOELF Online Sept 20 Intake Only |
53 |
64 |
70 |
78 |
86 |
| PTE Academic |
29 |
35 |
42 |
50 |
58 |
| Cambridge European Framework |
B |
B1 |
B2 |
B2+ |
C1 |
| Cambridge Exams |
PET |
FCE |
FCE |
FCE |
CAE+CPE |
| Irish Leaving Certificate |
Ordinary Grade D |
Ordinary Grade D |
Ordinary Grade D |
Ordinary Grade D |
Ordinary Grade C |
| UK GCSE |
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
Pass |
n/a |
Duolingo English Test - September 2020
NCI will accept the Duolingo English test for the September 2020 intake. The test can be taken online anywhere in the world, costs US$49 and the result is available within 48 hours.
The following is a guide to the result you will need to achieve:
| Duolingo Score Band |
NCI Programme(s) |
| 95-100 |
All 3 and 4 year Undergraduate programmes in the School of Business and School of Computing |
| Higher Diploma in Science in Computing |
| MSc in Data Analytics |
| MSc in Cloud Computing |
| MSc in Cyber Security |
| 105-110 |
MSc in Fintech |
| All Masters in the School of Business |
Please note that the Duolingo test will be accepted for entry visa purposes by the Government of Ireland for September 2020 only. Find out more here - www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/eng-lang-reqs-study-visas.pdf/Files/eng-lang-reqs-study-visas.pdf