In This Section
UCC Postgraduate English Language Entry Requirements
Postgraduate English Language Tests/Exams
Minimum Requirements
The minimum English language entry requirements for admission onto a postgraduate programme at UCC are outlined below. These requirements are for postgraduate applicants whose first language is not English. If Gaeilge (Irish) is your first language these requirements do not apply to you.
There are a small number of programmes with a higher minimum English language entry requirement and we list these below under Programmes with a Higher Minimum English Language Requirement.
Time Limit for Certain English Language Tests/Exams
Certain tests/exams have a 2 year time limit on their validity. Where such a time limit is indicated this means that the test/exam must be undertaken no more than two years prior to the commencement of the postgraduate course.
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge Examinations |
176 overall with no less than 169 in each element of the test. |
No time limit |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test (DET)
|
|
2 Years |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 35 overall with a minimum score of 33 in sub-skills (academic version) |
2 Years |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| LanguageCert IESOL |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
No time limit |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 Overall with 65 in each skill |
No time limit |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational English Test |
|
2 Years |
- Note this is only applicable to Nursing programme applicants.
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Oxford Test of English |
|
No time limit |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Pearson PTE |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
2 Years |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | B2 Pass with Merit in all components (4 component test) |
2 Years |
| For exams taken before 21 January 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Examining Body | Requirements | Time Limit |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition |
90 0verall Listening 20; Reading 19; Speaking 21; Writing 20 (MyBest® scores accepted) |
2 Years |
| For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
| TOEFL iBT
Including the at Home Edition |
4.5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years
|
| Examining Body | Requirement | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 96-104 Individual sections 90-95 |
No time limit |
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
Programmes with a Higher Minimum English Language Requirement
Minimum English language requirements for MSc Audiology
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition |
For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted For exams taken before 21 January 2026 100 Overall Listening 23; Reading 21; Speaking 22; Writing 23 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years |
| Cambridge Examinations |
185 overall with no less than 176 in each element of the test |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English | No time limit | |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
|
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
| DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 35 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 96-104 Individual sections 90-95 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for MSc Diagnostic Radiography
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted For exams taken before 21 January 2026 100 Overall Listening 24; Reading 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years
|
| Cambridge Examinations |
185 Overall with no less than 185 in each element of the test. |
No time limit |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
|
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
|
DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 40 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| Oxford Test of English |
No time limit | |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital |
Overall 105-114 – individual scores 105-114 | No time limit |
The minimum english language score for the MSc MSc Human Anatomy
| Examining Body | Requirement | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Test Centre and Online versions accepted IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
6.5 Overall 6.5 Individual Skills (academic version)
|
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 4.5 Overall Listening 4.5 Reading 4.5 Speaking 4.5 Writing 4.5 MyBest® scores accepted Exams taken before 21 January 2026 90 Overall Listening 23 Reading 21 Speaking 22 Writing 23 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years MyBest* scores accepted
|
| Cambridge |
C2 Proficiency C1 Advanced B2 First 176 overall with no less than 176 in each element of the test.
|
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English |
|
No time limit |
| UCC Language Centre |
Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
Minimum score of 63 with no section score below 63 |
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
B2 Communicator High Pass with no less than 38 in each skill Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted
|
No time limit |
| LinguaSkill General |
185 Average Score Minimum 185 individual skills. However, one of the skills may be as low as 176.
|
No time limit |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT |
C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) |
2 Years |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment |
40 overall with a minimum score of 40 in sub-skills (academic version) One individual skill can be 35
|
2 Years |
| DET (Duolingo English Test) |
DET 130 with a minimum score of 120 in each individual section |
2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 96-104 Individual scores 96-104 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for MSc Human Nutrition & Dietetics
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted For exams taken before 21 January 2026 100 Overall Listening 23; Reading 21; Speaking 22; Writing 23 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years |
| Cambridge Examinations |
185 overall with no less than 176 in each element of the test. |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English | No time limit | |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
|
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
| DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 35 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 105-114 Individual scores 96-104 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for MSc Marine Biology
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted For exams taken before 21 January 2026 100 Overall Listening 23; Reading 21; Speaking 22; Writing 27 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years
|
| Cambridge Examinations |
185 Overall with no less than 185 in Writing and 176 in each other element of the test. |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English | No time limit | |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
|
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
| DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 35 in sub-skills* (academic version) *Writing must be 40 |
2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital
|
Overall 105-114 - writing 105-114 and all other individual sections 96-104 | No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for Medical Imagining and Radiation Sciences
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
Exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted Exams taken before 21 January 2026 100 Overall Listening 24; Reading 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years
|
| Cambridge Examinations |
185 Overall with no less than 185 in each element of the test. |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English | No time limit | |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
|
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
|
DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 40 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 105-114 Individual scores 105-114 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for MSW Master of Social Work
| Examining Body | Requirement | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
7.0 OVERALL 7.0 Individual Skills (academic version) |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest* scores accepted
|
100 Overall Listening 24; Reading 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27 |
2 Years MyBest* scores accepted |
| Cambridge | C2 Proficiency, C1 Advanced 185 Overall with no less than 185 in each other element of the test |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English |
|
No time limit |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre | Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE | Minimum score of 72 with no section below 72 | 2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) | C1 Expert Pass with no less than 33 in each skill (Both Test Centre and Online version accepted) |
No time limit |
| LinguaSkill General | 185 Average Score Minimum 185 individual skills |
No time limit |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 40 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| DET (Duolingo English Test) | DET 130 with a minimum score of 130 in each individual section | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 105-114 Individual scores 105-114 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for MSc Physiotherapy
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted For exams taken before 21 January 2026 100 Overall Listening 23; Reading 21; Speaking 22; Writing 23 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years |
| Cambridge Examinations |
185 overall with no less than 176 in each element of the test. |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English | No time limit | |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
|
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
| DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 35 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 105-114 Individual scores 96-104 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for MSc Radiation Therapy, College of Medicine & Health
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
Exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted Exams taken before 21 January 2026 100 Overall Listening 24; Reading 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years
|
| Cambridge Examinations |
185 Overall with no less than 185 in each element of the test. |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English | ||
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
|
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
| DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 40 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 105-114 Individual scores 105-114 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies
| Examining Body | Requirement | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
7.0 OVERALL 7.0 Individual Skills (academic version) |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest* scores accepted
|
100 Overall Listening 24; Reading 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27 |
2 Years MyBest* scores accepted |
| Cambridge | C2 Proficiency, C1 Advanced 185 Overall with no less than 185 in each other element of the test |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English |
|
No time limit |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre | Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE | Minimum score of 72 with no section below 72 | 2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) | C1 Expert Pass with no less than 33 in each skill (Both Test Centre and Online version accepted) |
No time limit |
| LinguaSkill General | 185 Average Score Minimum 185 individual skills |
No time limit |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 40 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| DET (Duolingo English Test) | DET 130 with a minimum score of 130 in each individual section | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 105-114 Individual scores 105-114 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for Postgraduate Diploma Public Health Nursing
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 5 Overall
However, one individual scores can be 4.5 MyBest® scores accepted For exams taken before 21 January 2026 100 Overall Listening 24; Reading 24; Speaking 23; Writing 27 However, one of the following lower individual scores can be accepted. Listening 23; Reading 21; Speaking 22; Writing 23 MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years
|
| Cambridge Examinations |
185 Overall with no less than 185 in each element of the test. However, one of the elements of the test can be as low as 176. |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English | No time limit | |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
However, one of the sections can be as low as 63. |
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
However, one of the skills can be as low as 25. Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
| DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
However, one of the Skills can be as low as 176. |
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 40 overall with a minimum score of 40 in sub-skills (academic version) One individual skill can be 35. |
2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | C1 Pass in all components (4 component test) | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 105-114 Individual scores 105-114 however one individual score can be 96-104 |
No time limit |
Minimum English language requirements for MSc Nursing Non EU
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including the at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 4.5 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted Exams taken before 21 January 2026 90 Overall
MyBest® scores accepted |
2 Years |
| Cambridge Examinations |
176 overall with no less than 176 in each element of the test. |
No time limit |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
|
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. |
No time limit |
| LanguageCert Academic |
|
No time limit |
| DET (Duolingo English Test)
|
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
|
No time limit |
| IELCA International English Language Competency Assessment | 35 overall with a minimum score of 35 in sub-skills (academic version) | 2 Years |
| PSI Skills for English: SELT | B2 Merit in all components (4 component test) |
2 Years |
| OET | Minimum 300 in each sub-skill |
2 Years |
| Oxford Test of English | Minimum 140 in all skills |
No time limit |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital | Overall 96-104 Individual scores 96-104 |
No time limit |
Exemption from English Language Testing
Applicants who are either from a country that is deemed by UCC to have English as its acknowledged primary language, or who hold an undergraduate (level 8) or a postgraduate (level 8 or 9) qualification from a recognised institution that was taught in a country deemed by UCC to have English as its acknowledged primary language, will normally be assumed to have met the UCC language requirements. See our Majority English-Speaking Countries list below.
Note, in some circumstances, the Admissions team may require further evidence of English language skills.
For the purposes of admission, UCC has deemed English to be the acknowledged primary language of the following Majority English-Speaking Countries: |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Samoa | Anguilla | Antigua & Barbuda | Australia | Bahamas |
| Barbados | Belize | Bermuda | Botswana | British Virgin Islands (BVI) |
| Canada | Cayman Islands | Dominica | Falkland Islands | Fiji |
| The Gambia | Ghana | Gibraltar | Grenada | Guam |
| Guyana | Jamaica | Kenya | Lesotho | Liberia |
| Malta | Marshall Islands | Montserrat | Namibia | New Zealand |
| Nigeria | Seychelles | Sierra Leone | Singapore | Solomon Islands |
| South Africa | St Helena | St Kitts & Nevis | St Lucia | St Vincent & the Grenadines |
| Tanzania | Trinidad & Tobago | Turks & Caicos Islands | Uganda | United Kingdom |
| USA | US Virgin Islands | Zambia | Zimbabwe | |
Discretionary Measures
Applicants with professional practice relevant to the postgraduate programme of study
In circumstances where the applicant has a minimum of 2 years of professional practice (professional practice relevant to the postgraduate programme of study) working through the medium of English in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language, and verified in writing by the applicant’s employer(s), the applicant may be deemed to have met the English language requirements subject to the successful completion of a written piece of work or/and an interview.
These steps are managed by the programme team/program coordinator/lead supervisor who liaise directly with the applicant to request the following:
- A suitable piece of written work as defined by the programme team/programme coordinator/lead supervisor of approximately 500 words.
- An interview in person or virtually.
Expired English language certification
In circumstances where the applicant previously met the minimum English requirements but the certification has expired, the applicant will not be required to re-take the examination if the applicant continued to work in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language from the date of expiry, as indicated on the certificate, and verified in writing by the applicant’s employer(s).
This step must be verified by the programme team/programme coordinator/lead supervisor. It will be at the discretion of the programme team/programme coordinator/lead supervisor to decide if the work undertaken since the expiry of the certification is relevant to the programme to which the person has applied.
Postgraduate research applicant on a minimum 2-year programme
If you are a postgraduate research applicant on a minimum 2-year programme and are considered an academically suitable research applicant who fails to reach the minimum score by a certain margin, as detailed in the table below, the following conditions may apply:
If the programme team/programme director /lead supervisor supports the admission then the applicant is approved for admission, subject to them attending a UCC Language Centre course in parallel with the postgraduate programme. In this case, the applicant will be issued with a full offer with a requirement to attend an approved English language support course.
The type, level and duration of the English language course is determined by language acquisition experts at our Language Centre. Payment is usually the responsibility of the applicant but a School/Department may decide to cover the cost in certain circumstances. The Language Centre will guarantee a place in a suitable English language programme and students will have to report on their language programme in their Annual Progress Review.
| English Language Minimum Scores for Research Applicants on a Minimum 2-Year Programme | ||
|---|---|---|
| Examining Body |
Requirement |
Time Limit |
| IELTS Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted. IELTS One Skill Retake accepted |
|
2 Years |
| TOEFL iBT Including at Home Edition MyBest® scores accepted |
For exams taken before 21 January 2026 90 Overall One of the following lower individual scores can be accepted:
All other individual scores must be at the standard minimum levels:
MyBest® scores accepted For exams taken on or after 21 January 2026 4.5 Overall One of the individal scores can be 4 but all others must be at 4.5. |
2 Years |
| Cambridge Examinations |
176 overall. One element of the test can be as low as 162. All other elements must be at the standard minimum of 169. |
No time limit |
| Oxford Test of English | No time limit | |
| UCC Language Centre | Successful completion of a Pre-sessional at the UCC Language Centre. |
Year of completion |
| Pearson PTE |
One section score can be as low as 51. All other section scores must be at the standard minimum of 59. (Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted.) |
2 Years |
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
One skill can be as low as 25. All other skills must be at the standard minimum of 33. (Both Test Centre and Online versions are accepted.) |
No time limit |
| DET (Duolingo English Test) |
|
2 Years |
| LinguaSkill General |
One skill can be as low as 160. All other skills must be at the standard minimum of 169. |
2 Years |
| Oxford Test of English |
One module can be as low as 126. All others must be at the standard minimum of 140. |
no time limit |
| Occupational English Test This is only applicable to Nursing programme applicants. |
One sub skill can be as low as 240. All other sub skills must be at the standard minimum of 250-299. | 2 Years |
| Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Paper Edition and ISE Digital |
Overall 96-104 80-89 in one individual skill, however all other individual skills must be at the standard minimum 90-95 |
No time limit |
Exceptional circumstances
In exceptional circumstances, the Admissions Offices may consider an applicant to have met the English language requirements if:
the applicant has successfully completed a Master’s programme (Level 9). The dissertation component must have been presented (orally and written) and defended in English. In this instance, the applicant must submit the dissertation for review, and a decision will be made by the admitting School/Department. Applicants may also be required to undergo an interview, a skills test, and an assessment of their written work.
Visa Requiring Applicants
English language requirements for applicants who require a visa for entry to Ireland
In addition to meeting the UCC English language entry requirements for admission, as detailed above, if you present from a country that requires a visa for entry into Ireland you must also meet the English language requirements, if there are any, as set out by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) (Department of Justice).
For more information please see the Department of Justice page on English language requirements for study visas.