What level of English do I need?

The minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in examined English or equivalent English Language competence. Note applicants whose school-leaving examinations are more than two years old must present additional proof of English.

If you are sitting your Irish Leaving Certificate, you will need a minimum of a H7/O6 to meet the English language requirement. 

How do I meet the specific subject requirements?

All UCC courses have specific subject requirements that students must meet to be eligible to compete for a place. You can find a list of the Irish Leaving Certificate subject requirements on each course page, and then use the table below to compare your grades from Ukrainian qualifications to their Irish equivalent. 

Irish Leaving Certificate: Students should be aware of the Third/Other language requirement. Unfortunately, Ukrainian isn't currently offered as a language option for the Irish Leaving Certificate, but applicants are welcome to sit one of the languages offered in the Irish Leaving Certificate as part of their exams to meet the other language entry requirement (where applicable).

IEE/NMT: We will accept subjects at Attestat level to meet O6/H7 or O2/H6 requirements, as per the table above. However, please note that you must use IEE/NMT results to meet higher-level requirements. 

NB: The table above is NOT used for points conversion, only for entry requirement equivalence. For points conversion see "How do I work out my points score?" below.

How do I work out my points score?

If you meet the entry requirements, you are eligible to compete for a place on the course. Whether you are using the Irish Leaving Certificae, IEE, or NMT results, your score will be converted into CAO points. You can use the table below to convert the average IEE/NMT score to CAO points, based on the average of your best 3 results. 

Please note that the maximum points score available using the NMT/IEE is 525. To attain over 525 points, additional points will be awarded for successful completion of a first year university examination taken provided it is taken in a recognised 3rd level institution at a level equivalent to that of the programme applied for. Please note that in some cases, specific subjects may be needed to meet entry requirements.

There are no bonus points available for Mathematics with this qualification. 

How to Apply

The Central Applications Office (CAO) is the main applications processor for universities in Ireland. Applying through the CAO is done in the first place via their website. You can apply for 10 level 8 courses and 10 level 6/7 courses on one application, and these can be for a range of courses in UCC and in other universities at the same time. 

Completed applications must be received in the CAO normally on or before 1 February of the proposed year of entry.  A late application may be made to the CAO between 6 March and 1 May (5.15pm) inclusive (restrictions may apply).

We always advise all students to rank their courses in genuine order of preference. You will always be offered the highest course you are eligible for, so it is not possible to be offered a lower choice on your list. 

You will need to send a number of documents to support your application once you've completed it:

• Temporary Protection Letter
• If providing the IEE/NMT: 
  • Attestat certificate
  • IEE/NMT certificate
  • IEE/NMT results

All documents should be certified copies rather than originals where possible, with the CAO application number written at the top of the page. Any documents which aren't in English must be accompanied by an official translation. 

Supporting documentation can be posted to the CAO at Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway.

Offers for school-leaving students are made in Round 1, which is usually in August/September.  

EU Fees Eligibility

The information provided below is provisional and dependent on confirmation by the Department of Further and Higher Education. The following web pages: gov.ie; and IUA – provide  information regarding 2024 entry. It is the university’s  understanding that the scheme outlined on these pages will be amended for 2025 entry  and the information provided below will apply.

Ukraine is not currently part of the European Union and therefore students are not automatically eligible for EU Fees.  Prospective students should only apply to the Central Applications Office (CAO) if they meet the EU Fees criteria. Information on the assessment process in determining EU eligibility is available on the Fees Office webpages.

If you are uncertain about your fees status, you should seek to have a fees assessment carried out by the Fees Office. If the outcome of that fees assessment is that you meet EU Fees criteria, the confirmation you receive should be submitted to the CAO with your application.

EU applicants will be required to meet the EU Entry requirements as outlined above. Non-Irish qualifications are usually assessed in June or July, so all documents to be sent to CAO by this point. If documents are not submitted on time, your application will not be assessed. 

If your fees assessment determines your tuition fee status as non-EU, please apply via UCC Apply as an International student. For information on non-EU (international) tuition fees, please see visit International Undergraduate Fees 2025-26.

Medicine

Medicine is one of the most popular courses at UCC. The entry requirements for Medicine include a H4 in Chemistry and a H4 in Physics or Biology, as well as an O6/H7 in Maths and a third/other language. In the IEE, these equate to a 190 in Chemistry as well as Physics or Biology, and a minimum of 160 (or 4 in the Attestat) in Maths and another language. In reality, to achieve the high points needed for Medicine, candidates presenting IEE would need to present 190s across the board as well as having completed Year 1 of a university programme in order to be considered eligible. Entry to Medicine for CAO applicants also requires the HPAT. You can read more about entry to Medicine in the Undergraduate Entry to Medicine brochure.