The National College of Ireland or NCI was founded as an Irish based public college in Dublin in 1951. It has been accredited by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland. The college ranked #182 in the Europe University Rankings - Northern Europe 2026. It also received an overall 5 stars by QS, including 5 stars for internationalisation, facilities, social responsibility, inclusiveness as well as programme strength in Accounting & Finance.
The NCI courses consist of 50 full time UG courses and 58 full time PG courses. Check more details on the National College Ireland acceptance rate below-
National College of Ireland Acceptance Rate 2025
According to the Higher Education Authority of Ireland, NCI houses upto 6,200+ students as of 2024/25. This is a slight decrease from the stats of 2023/24, with a total enrollment of 6,255. Upto 65.1% of the student population is enrolled in a full-time course, whereas about 7.3% are enrolled in a part-time course. There were a total of 510 new entrants in 2025.
The National College of Ireland acceptance rate stands at around 50-52% according to various unofficial sources, making the NCI admissions criteria moderately selective. Check the enrollment stats for the university below-
| Particulars |
2025 Headcount |
|---|
| Total Students |
6,205 |
| Undergraduates |
2,940 |
| Postgraduates |
3,265 |
| Acceptance Rate |
Around 50-52% |
Source: HEA
National College of Ireland Acceptance Rate for International Students
As of 2024, there were a total of 2,122 international students housed at the NCI campus grounds, representing 55 different nationalities, including India. India stood to be one of the top countries of origin with an enrollment of 1,515 students. Moreover, the Indian-origin enrollment at NCI saw an increase of 88.4% since 2022 (804 Indian-origin students), which points towards increased fututre prospects for Indian aspirants. Check the enrollment stats for international students below-
| Particulars |
Headcount |
|---|
| Total Students |
6,205 |
| International Students |
2,122 (2023/24) |
| Countries Represented by Student Body |
55 (2023/24) |
Source: Annual Report 2023/24
National College of Ireland Acceptance Rate Trends
The no. of total students enrolled by the National College of Ireland has decreased by -2.2% since 2021, whereas the no. of international students enrolled has increased by 80.1% since 2022. This suggests that despite a decline in the overall student population of NCI, the institute is becoming more welcoming towards international applicants. Check the enrollment trends below-
| Year |
Total Enrollment |
International Enrollment |
|---|
| 2025 |
6,205 |
NA |
| 2024 |
6,255 |
2,122 |
| 2023 |
6,016 |
1,178 |
| 2022 |
6,031 |
1,178 |
| 2021 |
6,354 |
NA |
Also check NCI Placements
National College of Ireland Requirements for International Students
All Indian students must adhere to certain guidelines and fulfil the basic NCI admission requirements mentioned below-
General documents required:
- Academic transcripts
- Official graduation certificates in the original language and English
- CV/Resume
- Passport
- Other course specific requirements
UG:
-Average score of 70% or above in Standard XII (All boards) OR
-Recognized International Foundation course from an Indian institution following a validated Irish/UK syllabus (minimum score of 60-65%) OR
-Irish/UK Higher National Diploma (HND) with Distinctions and Merits (for entry into year 2 of UG studies)
- English language proficiency proof
- Personal Statement
PG:
- English language proficiency proof
- Bachelor's degree from a recognized Indian institute equivalent to 2.1 or higher (60%+) with no more than 7 backlogs throughout enrollment
- Personal statement (MSc in Fintech and the MSc in AI for Business)
Also check NCI cost for Indian students
Tips to get selected at National College of Ireland
Students can refer to the tips given below to maximise their chances of selection at NCI:
- Most courses have their own specific grading as well as subject requirements. Before applying, ensure that your academic record fulfils the eligibility stated by the university for your course of choice.
- Both UG and PG Indian students are required to present proof of English language proficiency. Ensure that you start building on your language skillset early on to be able to perform well on the required English tests.
- NCI has early deadlines for a few countries due to reasons like visa processing times. Ensure you cross check the application deadlines for your preferred intake thoroughly.
Also check NCI Scholarships
National College of Ireland Acceptance Rate vs Queen Mary University of London Acceptance Rate
The QMUL acceptance rate stands at around 44% according to unofficial sources, making the admission criteria rather moderately selective. On the other hand, the NCI acceptance rate stands at around 50-52%, making the admission criteria a bit more lenient than QMUL. However, students shouldn't take the admission process of either of the universities lightly and try to build an all rounder profile to maximise their chances of selection.
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