Applicants from non-Irish EU/EEA/Swiss States should see the information contained in the this document which pertains to their country's exams (with the exception of those sitting A-level exams in the UK). For further information, contact Lynn Bannon, Deputy Admissions Officer, Admissions Office, West Wing, UCC; email l.bannon@ucc.ie; telephone +353 (0)21 490 2909.

EU Non-Irish Entry Requirements Document: EU / EEA Entry Requirements (761kB)

English Language requirements

Teaching in UCC is normally through the medium of English; therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of Competence in English Language. Applicants who have not passed English as a subject in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination must provide evidence of equivalent Competence in English Language through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard (there may be higher levels for particular programmes) in a recognised English language test, as outlined below:

The appropriate minimum score in the following English Language Examinations

1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A minimum score of 600 (250 computer based, 100 Internet based) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by Princeton University, with Test of Written English at 475 +.
2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS): Test Patterns A and B, with an average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.00 in each band.
3. University of Cambridge: Advanced Certificate, Grade B; Proficiency Certificate, Grade C.
4. English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP): With grade C1

UK Examining Boards/Bodies

•  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

University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES)

with English at grade C or above (incorporating the Oxford Examining Body’s English as a Foreign Language (Higher Paper)

EU Countries’ Matriculation Examination

Matriculation Examinations from European Countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved. Where an English proficiency test which is scored on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is presented as part of a school-leaving qualification, the grade must be C1 or C2.

National University of Ireland Matriculation

English at Level 4 or above before 1985; at Level D or above in or after 1985

Or an equivalent level of English in a recognised examination

Proficiency tests are used to meet entry requirements but do not count towards points scores. Where an applicant shows evidence of hearing impairment which meets the requirements for access, the English language requirements can be met without the hearing and speaking components

Application Process

Applicants must apply through the Central Applications System (CAO). Complete information on the CAO system is available in teh CAO Handbook and on the CAO website at http://www.cao.ie. Each application must be accompanied by appropriate documentation as outlined below.

Documentation to be submitted with CAO Application Form

When submitting an application to the CAO it must be accompanied by the following documentation (or followed by the documentation if applying online):

• Certified true copy of official transcripts of academic results
• Notarised English translations of qualifications not issued in English

In the absence of these documents and translations the application will not be processed. Applicants who are awaiting current year examination results must forward their results as soon as they become available to the CAO and if they are available after 1st August applicants are advised to also FAX a copy to the relevant Admissions Officer. For applicants who are successful in their application, original copies of the above documentation will be required at Registration. Offers of places are provisional until such time as all Registration formalities have been completed within the University.