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National College of Ireland Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

  • Private College
  • Institute Icon0.8 acre campus
  • Estd. 1951
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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 2 Oct '25

NCI Admissions
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Oct 31, 2025, is the last date for international students to apply at the National College of Ireland in their Jan 2026 intake

National College of Ireland Admission Overview 2026

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National College of Ireland Courses: Eligibility and Fees 2025

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National College of Ireland Admission Process 2026

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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   What are the document requirements to study in Ireland as an international student?
A: 

To study in Ireland international students must follow certain eligibility requirements of the country along with the specific requirement of the university or college they are applying at. The National College of Ireland requirements for the international students that must follow are as follows.

  • Students should have a valid passport.
  • Must enroll in the university or the college and have their letter of acceptance.
  • Evidence of their finances or funds.
  • Proof of the English Language Proficiency (for the students whose native language is not English, generally and IELTS or TOEFL tests are accepted).
  • Recent passport-size photograph.
  • Visa application form.
  • Academic transcripts.
  • Health insurance (overseas) and many others.
Q:   Does National College of Ireland require interview for admission?
A: 

National College of Ireland may require Interview for some of their programs including competitive or research based programs. However, the interview conducted at the college is to understand whether student is taking course of their interest and they are best suit for the course at the college which helps the college to make decision on the application. Selected students on the basis of application may be invited for an online interview.

It is suggested to the students to prepare for the interview and understand the benefit and requirement of the course applying for to manage the interview round of the college.

Q:   What is the fee for Masters at National College of Ireland for international students?
A: 

The National College of Ireland master's fees for the international students vary as per the department of the course. The tuition fees for 2025 is between INR 11L and INR 15L for the post-graduation courses.

Additionally, the college may ask for some extra or additional departmental changes for specialised facilities, supplies and other, which can be checked with the specific department on the official website of the college. Here is the detailed table for the fisrt- year tuition fees at  NCI:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

MS (6 courses)

INR 13 L - 15 L

M.Sc. (7 courses)

INR 13 L

MBA/ PGDM (7 courses)

INR 13 L

PG Diploma (1 course)

INR 11 L

 

National College of Ireland MBA Admissions 2025

9 courses 1 year
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15.7L - 17.8L

iconEligibility Criteria

  • Undergraduate Degree with 55% aggregate
  • Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo
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Commonly asked questions
On MBA/PGDM Admissions
Q:   What is the requirement for admission to MBA at National College of Ireland for international students?
A: 

Students applying for the Master of Business Administration (MBA) course in the National College of Ireland must have a minimum of a 2.2 honors degree in either a cognate or noncognate area at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent degree with 3 years of professional experience.

The application documents requirements include an English Language Certificate; CV; passport; official transcripts; work experience letter and more. The MBA course at the National College of Ireland has certain specializations including marketing, human resource management, entrepreneurship, international business, project management and many others.

National College of Ireland Application Process 2026

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National College of Ireland Enrollment Statistics 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Admission
Q:   How many international students are enrolled in National College of Ireland?
A: 

As per the National College of Ireland official data of 2022-2023, the college recorded 6,016 students comprising different levels of study from certificate to professional degree, out of which nearly 1,179 students hold international nationality from more than 80 countries. NCI is a non-profit public university and has a lower tuition cost than most of the universities or colleges in Ireland along with great academic experience; professional skills; and better social and campus life at the college which attracts a lot of international students.

Additionally, with the help of merit-based scholarships; other financial aid; career services and many specialised programs for students, the National College of Ireland gained recognition and high value among the international students.

NCI
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.9/5
Verified Icon100 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 73% students never faced discrimination in this university
Vibe of Campus
Academically oriented
Friendly
Easy going
Multi-dimensional
Internships3.2
Part time work3.7
Post study jobs3.6
Quality of faculty4
Student Life4.1
Value for money4
Public transportation4.4
Safety4.1
Indian Food3.9
Permanent Immigration3.9
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MSc in Data Analytics - Batch of 2025
3.3
Part time job is really hard to find.
Tips: Do some research on your own, do not trust any consultancy blindly because they'll surely manipulate by showing old data, so know about the current statistics, and do a lot of networking, which is going to help you a lot after reaching Ireland. The international ratio is also not that good, as more and more indians are moving to Ireland, so if you're applying to this university for the international student ratio, then I'd suggest not to.
Likes (Student Life): Student life is so vibrant and awesome, filled with lots of opportunities to connect with many working professionals and also a lot of activities to keep us engaged. I learned a lot through these activities. Student life is also so much fun with a lot of international students and we get to know about different cultures.
Dislikes (Part time work): Part time job is really hard to find. I thought of repaying my loan and taking care of my monthly expenses using my part time as my consultancies suggested, but in reality, it's totally different. So don't trust any consultancies, they are just manipulating you with old data, do some research on current statistics.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 2000
Prepping time for classes15 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro
Reviewed on 28 Sep 2025Read more
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D
Devendrakumar Rajput Verified Icon
MSc in Data Analytics - Batch of 2025
5
Fun and vibrant campus life.
Tips: There's a cultural shift, so students need to be adaptable. The college offers scholarships. I am very satisfied with the knowledge and career growth opportunities. Experience is beneficial; freshers may struggle to find good jobs. Students should be open to new challenges and build connections.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1250
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 45425
Reviewed on 23 Aug 2025Read more
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L
Lalitha Ginjupalli Verified Icon
MSc in Management - Batch of 2026
3.3
A practical and supportive learning experience in a global city.
Tips: Students should know that NCI has a strong academic structure with industry-aligned courses, but self-discipline is crucial. Accommodation near the campus can be expensive, so plan early. Also, engage actively in class and network for better opportunities. The transition was smooth academically, but there was definitely a cultural shift—people are more informal, independent, and value punctuality. Group work expectations and communication styles were different, but I adapted over time by being open and observant. I availed of an academic merit scholarship offered by NCI. I received it based on my undergraduate grades and Statement of Purpose during admission. The allowance was a tuition fee reduction of €2,000, which helped significantly with expenses. I am quite satisfied with my experience at NCI—the course is practical and relevant to industry needs, and the faculty is supportive. Ireland is safe, multicultural, and offers great post-study work opportunities, making it a worthwhile academic destination.
Dislikes (Safety): I rated 3 on Safety because while the campus itself is secure with access-controlled entries and CCTV surveillance, the surrounding areas of the city can sometimes feel unsafe during late hours, particularly in less crowded zones, which affects the overall sense of security. Apart from campus security, NCI offers student support services including mental health assistance, emergency contact protocols, and safety briefings. The college also collaborates with local authorities to ensure a safe commute and provides safe travel advice. A good experience I had was attending the vibrant cultural festivals around Dublin—people are welcoming and it’s easy to socialize. However, I once faced a minor theft incident in the city center, which made me more cautious about carrying valuables.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1150
Prepping time for classes26 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 13100
Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MSc in Finance - Batch of 2026
3
Securing internships here is challenging due to limited opportunities.
Tips: NCI offers scholarships based on your background. It was a great experience living with people from different nationalities and learning about their cultures, languages and way of life. Overall, the experience was good, but not as amazing as I expected.
Likes (Safety): The campus and city are generally safe, especially since the college is situated in a prime, central location. CCTV cameras are installed throughout, and the friendly security guards are always available to assist.
Dislikes (Internships): We have a careers team that provides guidance with CVs, LinkedIn profiles, and mock interviews. We will be assigned career coaches to assist and provide personalised support, but securing internships here is challenging, regardless of background and experience. Obtaining a graduate role is also very difficult.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1500
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 20425
Reviewed on 25 Jul 2025Read more
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I
Ishita Kundu Verified Icon
MSc in Data Analytics - Batch of 2024
2.4
The job market is very competitive; very few sponsored jobs are available.
Tips: I got the scholarship based on my grades. The university is fair, I would say. There are many things to learn, but that needs to be done by ourselves. The college won't help much, but the exam papers are tough, and strict rules are followed. There are many Indian students in the college, so the environment is good, however the part-time job situation is not so good now.
Likes (Public transportation): NCI is in the city centre and is well connected by Luas, Train and Bus. Public transport is affordable. A ride costs only 1 euro for 90 minutes. So college travel costs 2 euros, but it's not always reliable because buses get cancelled frequently. I suggest the Luas or train options instead of the bus.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): Market is very competitive now. There are many students coming every year, but there are only a few jobs available, and they require experience. Supply of data roles is less than demand. Very few sponsored jobs are available. Even with experience, students are struggling.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1100
Prepping time for classes15 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 40000
Reviewed on 24 Jul 2025Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MSc in Finance - Batch of 2026
4.2
NCI is very good and well reputed in the Ireland's market. Faculty are highly qualified.
Tips: At first, things were a little different because I was shifting to a different culture. But in Ireland, people are very friendly and supportive. My overall experience at the university is amazing. Multiple groups within the students' union are always there to help in every way they can.
Likes (Quality of faculty): The faculty at my university is well qualified and available whenever you need them. The support is great, and the facilities are easily accessible on teams or on campus. The professors are kind enough to explain anything you don't understand. They will walk you through it again and again, even the simple things.
Dislikes (Internships): I couldn't get an internship for this course, but the NCI support team helped me by sending out my resume to different companies, which is hard to get done these days in Ireland.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 900
Prepping time for classes16 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 150000
Reviewed on 27 Jun 2025Read more
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View All 108 ReviewsRight Arrow Icon

National College of Ireland Admission FAQs

Q:   What are the English test requirements for National College of Ireland?
A: 

The English language test requirements at the National College of Ireland for the international students differs as per the level of department and the course applying for. However, the general requirements are as mentioned below:

English language test requirements

Exams

Minimum Scores

IELTS

6.0 or above, with no section less than 5.5

TOEFL

78 or above

PTE

50 or above

Duolingo

95 or above

Moreover, the above mentioned scores may be subject to change as per the specific college requirements.

Q:   What are the requirements for an MSc in Cloud Computing course at NCI?
A: 

Below is the MSc in Cloud Computing at the National College of Ireland:

1.An honours primary in computing discipline with a 2.2 or higher GPA. Students in their final year of UG study can be admitted on the condition that their degrees are awarded before they enrol at the National College of Ireland. 

2. The college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme. Applicants who do not meet the normal academic requirements may be considered based on relevant work and other experience. This may be assessed using a portfolio of learning, demonstration of work produced, and an interview.

3. Applicants must meet the English requirements as mentioned below:

English Language Requirements

Minimum Required Score

IELTS Academic

Academic – 6.0 – 6.5

Online – 6.0 – 6.5

PTE dir="ltr">CBT – 213 – 232

PBT – 78 – 86

iBT – 78 – 86

Online – 78 – 86

PTE Academic

50 – 58

DUOLINGO

85-105

Q:   How do I get into National College of Ireland?
A: 

To get enroll into the National College of Ireland, students must fulfil the admission criteria that involves the academic requirements, along with proof of English language test for the selected course. The steps required to fill the application for the UG courses are mentioned below:

  • The undergraduate application needs to be submitted through the CAO portal.
  • Visit the official site of the portal.
  • Select the university and then start filling the form.
  • Select the course and submit the documents including passport, education qualification and other as mentioned in the official college website.
  • Pay the CAO application fees EUR 45 (INR 4.1 K) and submit the application for the review.

For the postgraduate course, students can directly apply from the college's portal under the selected course section. 

Q:   Is National College of Ireland a public institute?
A: 

The National College of Ireland is a public non-profit, funded institute for higher education in Dublin, Ireland. The university was established in 1951 and is known for its focused study and specialised courses at different levels of study including undergraduate, postgraduate, certificate and Diploma levels. The NCL also provides scholarships to its students to help them ease their financial burden during study.
The courses offered at the National College of Ireland are highly recognised and are mostly in industry-focused areas including Business, Psychology, Education & Computing and more

Q:   Is National College of Ireland expensive for international students?
A: 

The National College of Ireland can be considered expensive for the students depending on the tuition cost; accommodation type; transportation; meal expenses and many other expenses. The tuition cost at the National College of Ireland varies as per the level of the programme and the department of course. However, the tuition fee ranges for the UG course and the PG courses are as mentioned below:

  • For the undergraduate courses the tuition cost ranges between INR 5–9 lakhs.
  • Similarly, the Post-graduation courses can cost between INR 11–15 lakhs.

Moreover, there can be other additional charges at the college depending on the department and the course for the facilities and specializations.

Q:   What will happen if I do not meet the admission requirements of National College of Ireland?
A: 

If the student is not able to fulfil the entry requirement of the National College of Ireland, then the college offers them to either apply for their foundation courses which helps the students to improve their academic qualification and able to understand the student life and teaching standards of the college.

Additionally, if the student meets all the entry requirement but unable to fulfil the English language requirement of the college need to provide the documents as mentioned in their condition letter to be eligible to study at national College of Ireland.

Q:   Which is better for an MS course among National University of Ireland and National College of Ireland?
A: 

As per the National College of Ireland reviews, the National University of Ireland, also known as the University of Galway, offers a diverse range of MS courses for international students as compared to the NCI that provide an extensive output in the specialised fields and help the students to explore their interest in depth. Whereas, the National College of Ireland has certain MS courses that have key majors and are known for the enhancement of professional skills.

 Therefore, students who are looking for a depth field study and diverse range of courses can choose National University of Ireland and students seeking for industry- focused study can choose National College of Ireland (NCI). Here is the comparison table for the same for detailed reference.

University

Ranking 2025

Tuition Fees

Popular Program

National University of Ireland

273

INR 7.22 L – 44.71 L

MSc in Biomedical Science & Engineering; Master in Computer Science (Data Analytics); MSc  in Applied Mathematics; MSc in Medical Physics and MSc in Genomics Data Science

National College of Ireland

-

INR 9 L - 15 L           

MSc in Cybersecurity and MSc in Data Analytics

Q:   Is Duolingo accepted in NCI Ireland?
A: 

Yes, the National College of Ireland accepts Duolingo test scores as a part of the English language requirements for the admission of international students whose native language is not English. The minimum Duolingo scores required at the college are 95 or above. The college accepts certain English language test scores including IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo that depend on the level of course students are applying to.

However, it is recommended to the students to check the English language requirement for the Visa application as mostly the Visa approval require either TOEFL or IELTS exam scores.

Q:   What are the application deadlines to apply at National College of Ireland?
A: 

The application deadline to apply at the National College of Ireland varies as per the department and the type of students along with the intake, student wants to enroll. For the international students the application deadline for the undergraduate courses are closed. However, for the postgraduate courses the application deadline at NCI is Jul 1, 2025 for the Sep 2025 Intake.

The National College of Ireland admissions for the undergraduate courses are mostly placed through the Central Applications Office (CAO) portal; therefore, the university follows the same deadline for the UG course as applicable at the CAO portal.

Q:   What are the IELTS requirements for admission at National College of Ireland?
A: 

The National College of Ireland (NCI) IELTS requirements can vary as per the department and the level of course. Students can refer to the minimum test scrores required from the the table given below:

IELTS test requirements

Courses

IELTS Minimum Scores

UG Business

6.0 with no section less than 5.5

UG Computing and the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing

6.0 with no section less than 5.5

BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education and Care

6.5 with 6.5 in Speaking and no section less than 6.0

School of Business Masters Programs (excluding MSc in AI for Business)

6.5 with no section less than 6.0

School of Computing Masters Programs (excluding MSc in AI for Business)

6.0 with no section less than 5.5

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Loveleen Sharma

Study Abroad Expert

Loveleen is a seasoned content writer with 4+ years of experience, currently writing for Shiksha. When he is not writing and helping students, he can be found at the movies, reading fiction, and learning a new language.
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NCI
Location

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University CityDublin, Other - Ireland, Ireland
Size of cityMedium
Population of City5,53,165

NCI
Contact Information

Address

Mayor Street Lower, International Financial Services Centre, Dublin, Ireland
Dublin ( Other - Ireland)

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