Competency in English

Students whose first language is not English are required to have an appropriate score in an approved examination in English language before they can register on a programme at NCI.

The English Language certificate must have been issued within 2 years of the expected start date of the NCI programme.

Student who have been taught and examined through the medium of English for their full degree in the following countries are exempt from NCI's English language requirements - Ireland, the UK, the US, Canada, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. Applicants should note that they may still be required to show a recognised English language certificate for visa purposes with the Irish Immigration authorities.

Please note: English Language Requirements are subject to change from intake to intake.

IELTS One Skill Retake accepted: Details of the test are available at IELTS One Skill Retake

English Language Certificate Requirement:

School of Business and Social Sciences Undergraduate Programmes (Except BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care)

IELTS Academic     6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill    
Duolingo English Test     105 overall, with no less than 95 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken from 2026 onwards)     3.5 overall, with no less than 3.5 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken in 2025 and before)     60 overall, with no less than 12 in each skill    
PTE Academic     50 overall, with no less than 40 in each skill    
Cambridge     169 overall, with no less than 162 in each skill    
Oxford Test of English     111 overall, with no less than 111 in each skill    
UK GCSE 4

 

BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care

IELTS Academic     6.5 overall, with 6.5 in speaking and no less than 6.0 in each skill.    
Duolingo English Test     120 overall, with 120 in speaking no less than 105 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken from 2026 onwards)     4.0 overall, with 4.0 in speaking and no less than 3.5 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken in 2025 and before)     79 overall, with 79 in speaking and no less than 15 in each skill    
PTE Academic     58 overall, with 58 in speaking and no less than 48 in each skill     
Cambridge     176 overall, with 176 in speaking, and no less than 169 in each skill    
Oxford Test of English     140 overall, with 140 in speaking and no less than 111 in each skill    
UK GCSE 5

 

School of Computing Undergraduate Programmes (Including Higher Diploma)

IELTS Academic     6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill    
Duolingo English Test     105 overall, with no less than 95 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken from 2026 onwards)     3.5 overall, with no less than 3.5 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken in 2025 and before)     60 overall, with no less than 12 in each skill    
PTE Academic     50 overall, with no less than 40 in each skill    
Cambridge     169 overall, with no less than 162 in each skill    
Oxford Test of English     111 overall, with no less than 111 in each skill    
UK GCSE 4

 

School of Business and Social Sciences Master Programmes

IELTS Academic     6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each skill.    
Duolingo English Test     120 overall, with no less than 105 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken from 2026 onwards)     4.0 overall, with no less than 3.5 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken in 2025 and before)     79 overall, with no less than 15 in each skill    
PTE Academic     58 overall, with no less than 48 in each skill     
Cambridge     176 overall, with no less than 169 in each skill   
Oxford Test of English   
 		 140 overall with no less than 111 in each skill    
UK GCSE 5

 

School of Computing Master Programmes (Except MSc. In AI for Business)

IELTS Academic     6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill    
Duolingo English Test     105 overall, with no less than 95 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken from 2026 onwards)     3.5 overall, with no less than 3.5 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken in 2025 and before)     60 overall, with no less than 12 in each skill    
PTE Academic     50 overall, with no less than 40 in each skill    
Cambridge     169 overall, with no less than 162 in each skill    
Oxford Test of English     111 overall, with no less than 111 in each skill    
UK GCSE 4

 

MSc. In AI for Business

IELTS Academic     6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each skill.  
Duolingo English Test     120 overall, with no less than 105 in each skill   
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken from 2026 onwards)     4.0 overall, with no less than 3.5 in each skill    
TOEFL Internet Based (Taken in 2025 and before)     79 overall, with no less than 15 in each skill    
PTE Academic     58 overall, with no less than 48 in each skill     
Cambridge     176 overall, with no less than 169 in each skill    
Oxford Test of English     140 overall with no less than 111 in each skill    
UK GCSE 5

 

English Language Requirements Policy

For further information on NCI's English Language Requirements, please visit the NCI Support Hub.