Undergraduate English Language Entry Requirements
UCC Undergraduate English Language Entry Requirements
Teaching in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) is normally through the medium of English; therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English Language.
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of equivalent competence in the English Language, through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard (there may be higher levels for matriculation and/or particular programmes in individual institutions) in a recognised English language test, as specified below.
Notes
- Time Limits: Certain tests (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL and Pearson PTE) have a two-year time limit in their validity and these will be applied. English language tests must be undertaken no more than two years prior to the commencement of a programme.
- SELT: Please note that the Secure English Language Test (SELT) scores must be achieved from one sitting of the relevant qualification (e.g. IELTS and TOEFL). We will not accept a combination of individual component scores from multiple tests.
- College of Medicine & Health: Non-EU Applicants to programmes in the College of Medicine and Health (CoMH): IELTS; TOEFL; Duolingo; University of Cambridge and Pearson PTE Academic are the only English language proficiency tests accepted to satisfy the English language requirement for entry to programmes in the College of Medicine and Health.
Recognised English Language Tests for Undergraduate Full Degree Programmes
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Duolingo English Test (DET) |
College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences; College of Business and Law; College of Science, Engineering and Food Science Undergraduate Degree Programmes
College of Medicine and Health All UG Programmes (except Speech & Language Therapy) DET 120 with a minimum score of 120 in each individual section.
|
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| English Test for Academic & Professional Purposes (ETAPP) |
|
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - IELTS Indicator Test |
College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences; College of Business and Law; College of Science, Engineering and Food Science Undergraduate Degree Programmes Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each band College of Medicine and Health All UG Programmes (except Speech & Language Therapy) Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.5 in each band
IELTS Indicator Test UCC accepts the IELTS Indicator Test for the 2024 intake. See the minimum requirements above. |
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| LanguageCert International (ESOL) |
|
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
|
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Pearson PTE Academic (PTE) |
College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences; College of Business and Law; College of Science, Engineering and Food Science Undergraduate Degree Programmes
College of Medicine and Health All UG Programmes (except Speech & Language Therapy) Minimum of 63 (with at least 63 for each item in the Communicative Skills section)
|
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| QQI FET (ESL) |
|
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences; College of Business and Law; College of Science, Engineering and Food Science Undergraduate Degree Programmes
College of Medicine and Health All UG Programmes (except Speech & Language Therapy) TOEFL 90 (Listening 23; Reading 21; Speaking 22; Writing 23)
TOEFL iBT Home Edition TestUCC accepts the TOEFL iBT Home Edition test for the 2024 intake. For more details see the TOEFL iBT Test page. See the minimum requirements above. |
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
|
| Cambridge |
College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences; College of Business and Law; College of Science, Engineering and Food Science Undergraduate Degree Programmes 176+ on the Cambridge English scale with no less than 169 in each skill and use of English i.e.
College of Medicine and Health All UG Programmes (except Speech & Language Therapy) 176 overall with not less than 176 in each element of the test
|
|---|
| Examining Body | Requirement |
|---|---|
| University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES) |
|
Other Examinations
Matriculation Examinations from European Countries will meet the requirements where English is presented as a subject at an acceptable level.
- Where the examination has been taken more than two years previously candidates may be required to take a proficiency test.
- Where an English proficiency test that is scored on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is presented as part of a school-leaving qualification, the grade must be C1/C2.
The minimum acceptable level of English on the International Baccalaureate scale is English A1, A2, or B5 at Higher Level (4 at either Level if presenting IB through English) or equivalent English Language competence.
Note
- Applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old should present additional proof of English.
- GCE O Level English Language at Grade C or above
- GCSE English Language at Grade C or above
- GCSE English Literature at Grade C or above
- CSE Grade 1 Pass in English
The UCC Language Centre can help you to acquire the English language skills you will need in your undergraduate studies. For more information on the English courses which are offered at the Language Centre, please visit the UCC Language Centre page.
- See our Pre-sessional Programmes page with information on the 6-week, 12-week, or 16-week pre-sessional programme at UCC's Language Centre.