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National College of Ireland Admissions 2026: Requirements, Application Deadlines & Fees
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For the National College of Ireland admissions, there are two main intakes (September and January). Given below are NCI application deadlines for Indian students in 2026 –
- September 2026 Intake: Jul 1, 2026
- January 2026 Intake: Oct 31, 2026
Postgraduate Admissions at National College of Ireland (varies as per the program).
- National College of Ireland Admissions 2026
- National College of Ireland Admission Dates 2026
- National College of Ireland Admission Requirements 2026
- How to Get Into National College of Ireland?
- National College of Ireland Enrollment Statistics
- + 2 more items
National College of Ireland Admissions 2026
Known for its strong graduate employability, the National College of Ireland is one of the most popular universities in Ireland. International students choose this institution because of its career focus, location in Dublin (European tech hub) and the 2-year post-study visa.
As per an unofficial source, the National College of Ireland acceptance rate is 53%, so it is a little difficult to get into this university. The admissions can definitely be competitive. To get in, applicants should meet the NCI eligibility criteria like having a minimum GPA of 3.0 in 12th grade, English proficiency exams like IELTS (overall 6.0+), TOEFL iBT (60 overall) or Duo lingo (105 overall), for some programs, students might also need SAT or ACT and GMAT or GRE for the PG programs. Also, one of the most important requirements includes evidence of sufficient funds along with the minimum age of 18 years.
National College of Ireland Admission Highlights 2026
International students can apply via the ‘official admission portal’ for both UG and PG courses for the National College of Ireland admissions. Also, international students need to pay NCI application fee of EUR 25 (INR 2.6K) for most of the UG and PG courses.
Look at the admission highlights of the National College of Ireland admissions 2026 in the table given below -
|
Parameters |
Particulars |
|---|---|
|
Application Portal |
UG & PG: Official Portal |
|
Application Fee |
UG & PG: EUR 25 (INR 2.6K) |
|
Acceptance Rate (unofficial source) |
53% |
|
English Language Tests Accepted |
IELTS, PTE, Duo lingo or TOEFL |
|
International Application Deadlines |
· September 2026 Intake: Jul 1, 2026 · January 2026 Intake: Oct 31, 2026 |
(EUR 1 = INR 105.79)
Commonly asked questions
The National College of Ireland is a public non-profit, funded institute for higher education in Dublin, Ireland. The university was started in the year 1951 and is known for its focused study and specialised courses at different levels of study which include UG, PG, 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 very well known and are mostly in industry-focused areas including -
- Business
- Psychology
- Education & Computing etc.
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 UG 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 4.7 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.
(EUR 1 = INR 105.79)
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 at NCI -
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.
Yes, international students can apply without having their English language test results to the National College of Ireland. They generally receive a conditional offer letter that will require them to submit proof of English proficiency (tests like IELTS, PTE or Duolingo).
These test scores are also important for students to apply and secure an Irish visa. To guide students throughout the process, connecting with Shiksha Study Abroad counsellors can be fruitful.
National College of Ireland Admission Dates 2026
There are two main intakes for international student at the National College of Ireland. International students should apply as early as possible as the application portal is open for admission from Nov 24, 2025. The main intake is the Ireland September one for which the NCI admission deadline is the July 1, 2026. For January 2026, international students can apply via the admission portal by Oct 31, 2026.
National College of Ireland Admission Deadlines 2026
The UG courses at the National College of Ireland have two deadlines only. The visa student’s deadline is generally on July 1, 2026. January. Once the application is made, international students are then required to fill the registration form via the admission portal by Jan 9, 2026.
Look at the table given below to know about the NCI admission deadlines for UG courses:
|
National College of Ireland UG Semesters |
Admission Deadline |
|---|---|
|
September 2026 Intake |
Jul 1, 2026 |
|
January 2026 Intake |
Oct 31, 2026 |
Commonly asked questions
If the student is not able to fulfil the entry requirement of the National College of Ireland (NCI), then the college offers them to either apply for their foundation courses which helps the students to -
- First, improve their academic qualification
- And, able to understand the student life and teaching standards of the college.
Also, 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 NCI, Dublin.
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 Jul 1, 2026 for September 2026.
The National College of Ireland admissions for the UG 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.
Yes, students at National College of Ireland are allowed to apply for multiple intakes. There are two major intakes at the college in Jan, 2026 and Sept, 2026. where the Jan intake is for few of the courses and majors and sept intake is considered as the standard intake for most or all the course depending on the availability and the department of the course.
Students looking to apply for multiple intake should check the programme availability before applying at the college.
National College of Ireland Admission Requirements 2026
In total, there are 27 National College of Ireland courses. These courses can be pursued at UG and PG levels by international students. These courses are offered in areas like IT and Software, Business Administration, Accounting & Commerce, Humanities & Social Science, Teaching & Education, International Studies and more.
International students would require 12 years of schooling with a minimum of 70% marks, a well-recognized UG degree for the PG courses here, the English language proficiency and a good performance for some programs might be required (like AAB/ABB or Equivalent), typically for subjects like Math and Science.
National College of Ireland PG Admission Requirements 2026
NCI Postgraduate level courses like MSc in Cloud Computing, MSc in Artificial Intelligence, MSc in Data Analytics, MSc in Cybersecurity, MSc in Entrepreneurship are quite popular among international students.
In general, international students need to meet the eligibility criteria to get in like having an undergraduate degree, English test scores with tests such as IELTS, TOEFL or PTE. The students may also have to face interviews, auditions, tests or portfolios.
Look at the table below for the PG admission requirements as an international student:
|
PG Programs |
Academic Qualifications |
English Proficiency Requirements |
Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
|
M.Sc.( 12 months-1 year) |
UG degree from a recognized university with minimum of 70% |
IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 60 - 86, PTE: 50 - 58, Duolingo: 105 - 120 |
· Academic transcripts · Letters of recommendation · Statement of purpose · Updated resume/CV · Work experience (highly recommended)
|
|
MBA/PGDM(1 year) |
UG degree from a recognized university with minimum of 70% |
IELTS: 6 - 6.5, TOEFL: 79 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above |
· Academic transcripts · Letters of recommendation · Statement of purpose · Updated resume/CV |
|
PG Diploma(12 months) |
UG degree from a recognized university with minimum of 70% |
IELTS: 6 & Above, TOEFL: 60 & Above, PTE: 50 & Above, Duolingo: 95 & Above |
· Academic transcripts · LOR · Statement of purpose · Updated resume/CV
|
National College of Ireland UG Admission Requirements 2026
International students can choose from 11 bachelor courses that are offered in areas like BTech, BBA, UG Diploma etc. National College of Ireland UG courses like BA (Honours) in Accounting and Finance, BSc Honours in Computing, BSc in Data Science, BA (Hons) in Business, BA in Human Resource Management, BA in Marketing Practice and more of these courses.
Look at the table below for UG courses and admission requirements -
|
UG Programs |
Academic Qualifications |
English Proficiency Requirements |
Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
|
BBA(4 courses) |
Class 12th completion |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 60 - 78, PTE: 50 & Above, Duolingo: 95 & Above |
· Teacher recommendation · Statement of purpose · Updated resume/CV · Academic transcripts · Proof of financial stability · SAT for Math-heavy subjects |
|
B.E. / B.Tech(2 courses) |
Class 12th completion |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 60 & Above, PTE: 50 & Above, Duolingo: 95 & Above |
· Teacher recommendation · Statement of purpose · Updated resume/CV · Academic transcripts · Proof of financial stability · SAT for Math-heavy subjects |
|
UG Diploma(2 courses) |
Class 12th completion |
IELTS |
· Teacher recommendation · Statement of purpose · Updated resume/CV · Academic transcripts · Portfolio for creative courses like Art, Design, Music or Architecture programs |
National College of Ireland Visa Requirements for International Students
International students are required to get an Ireland study visa to be able to study in this country. A long term Irish student visa is needed to be precise. Mentioned below is the list of documents for the Ireland Study Visa:
- Two color passport-sized photographs, not more than 6 months’ old
- Current passport along with a complete copy of all the previous passports.
- A signed letter and dated application form including your full contact details.
- An agreement stating that the candidate intends to return to their home country upon finishing their course in Ireland.
- Additional documentation for unaccompanied students under 18 years.
(EUR 1 = INR 107.87)
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
The decision on application form at National College of Ireland is shared to the students within 3 working days. However, most of the programs have different processing duration.
After processing and acknowledging the application of the student, National College of Ireland may have sent an invitation mail to the applicants for the online interview as a part of their selection process along with their application details and asked the students to provide other necessary documents.
Additionally, for most of the master’s courses the NCI share the decision within 5 working days for most of the programs.
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 international students who should 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.
The National College of Ireland master's fees for the international students vary as per the department of the course. The tuition fees for 2026 is between INR 15L and INR 17L 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 NCL -
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees |
|---|---|
INR 15 L - 17 L | |
INR 15 L - 17 L | |
INR 12 L |
Yes, Indian students can get a conditional offer from the National College of Ireland with impending final semester results.
It is possible with the previous year marksheet, its transcript and by meeting the English language exam results.
For PG courses, Indian students should have a minimum of 2.2 GPA.
National College of Ireland MSc Admissions 2026
National College of Ireland offers 12 months to 1 years of NCI Master’s courses for international students in the top specialization which includes Management, International Business, Artificial Intelligence for Business, Marketing, Accounting, Finance, Data Analytics, Cybersecurity and many others.
The National College of Ireland master’s fee ranges between INR 18 L.
Moreover, the Master’s course at National College of Ireland requires certain documents involving -
- English language certificate
- CV or resume
- Passport
- Official transcripts
- Official graduation certificate
- Work experience
- Personal statement along with 60% of scores in a UG degree for recognized university.
Eligibility Criteria
- Undergraduate Degree with 55% aggregate
- Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo
Commonly asked questions On M.Sc. Admissions
To apply at the National College of Ireland for the MS programs, students can directly submit their applications through the university portal along with the documents asked at the university according to the course.
Steps for the MS course at the National College of Ireland -
- Check out the university website
- Check the MS courses and the document requirements course specialization.
- Go to the Apply section and fill the form
- Provide the required documents.
- Recheck the application form and submit the form.
After applying wait for the college's response to the application, which will be received through email, and then apply for a visa to study in Ireland.
The National College of Ireland MS courses are highly recognised and have various popular specialisation involving the following courses given below, take a look -
- MSc in Management
- MSc in International Business
- MA in Human Resource Management
- MSc in Entrepreneurship
- MSc in Finance
- MSc in Accounting
- MSc in Marketing
- MSc in Business Analytics for Decision Makers
- MSc in Management
- MSc in International Business
- MA in Human Resource Management
- MSc in Entrepreneurship
- MSc in Finance
- MSc in Marketing
- MSc in Business Analytics for Decision Makers and more.
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 |
|---|---|
Academic – 6.0 – 6.5 Online – 6.0 – 6.5 | |
PBT – 78 – 86 iBT – 78 – 86 Online – 78 – 86 | |
50 – 58 | |
DUOLINGO | 85-105 |
National College of Ireland MBA Admissions 2026
Among the top courses in Ireland, the National College of Ireland MBA offers an exclusive range of specializations for a course duration of 2 years for students who have at least three years of work experience.
The course has a specialization in Entrepreneurial Dynamics; Macro-economics in a Global Context; Managing Financial Resources; Strategic Management of Human Capital; Effective Leadership in the Organization; Sustainable Business Leadership and more.
Students must have the given qualifications -
- A minimum of a 2.2 honors degree in either a cognate or non-cognate area at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent qualification
- Other important documents like recommendation letters and personal statement
- 3 years of professional experience
Eligibility Criteria
- Undergraduate Degree with 60% aggregate
- Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo
Commonly asked questions On MBA/PGDM Admissions
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 non-cognate area at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications or equivalent degree with 3 years of professional experience.
The application documents requirements are 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, which includes marketing, human resource management, entrepreneurship, international business, project management and many others.
The National College of Ireland MBA course is a good choice for students who are seeking great opportunities and advanced learning facilities. With a wide range of specialisation in the MBA courses. The NCI Ireland is very well known for its award-winning career services.
Also, the colleges aim to provide a learning experience outside the classroom and offer various internship and placement opportunities.
The employment rate of the college defines that graduates from the National College of Ireland are in high demand in the top industries because of their great academic, professional skills, and various industry-focused MBA specializations that makes the MBA course of NCI Ireland popular among other colleges or university in Ireland.
How to Get Into National College of Ireland?
International students are required to follow the National College of Ireland application process. For UG and PG both levels, international students can apply via the official portal of this university.
Dive deeper in the process given below:
- Firstly, you should go through all the important admission requirements and also check the NCI eligibility of yours for the chosen program.
- Then, the students need to gather all the required documents and upload all of them on to the portal. The checklist is given below -
|
National College of Ireland UG Application |
National College of Ireland PG Application |
|---|---|
|
Academic Transcripts (Of all the completed courses and grades for all semesters) |
Transcripts |
|
A copy of valid Passport |
Proof of Financial stability |
|
English language proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE or Duolingo) |
Work experience letter |
|
Health Insurance |
Letters of recommendation |
|
A completed visa application |
English proficiency tests (TOEFL and IELTS) |
|
Passport-sized photographs |
Completed application |
|
Documents like 2 LORs, essays and personal statement |
Updated resume or a CV |
- Now, to submit the application, you should pay the National College Ireland application fee of EUR 25 (INR 2.6K) for most courses.
- At the end of the NCI application process, all that is left is to wait for the application decision from the university.
(EUR 1 = INR 105.79)
Commonly asked questions On Application Process
National College of Ireland may require Interview for some of their programs including competitive or research based programs. But, 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.
Indian students have to follow a stricter admission process for the National College of Ireland. The whole focus is generally on the English language proficiency, the academic minimums along with the strict visa documentation.
The international students are generally required to pay a good amount of tuition fee which can go as high as 50% of the total tuition fee (often around EUR 6K to 7K).
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 which includes the given exams -
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- PTE
- Duolingo
This depends 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.
National College of Ireland Enrollment Statistics
As per the enrolment stats at NCI, the total number of students studying here are always around 6K with a lot of international students.
The National College of Ireland acceptance rate can be considered lower and also quite competitive (it is 53%). The tells that the students should meet the eligibility criteria to study here.
Given below are the observations that can be made here, take a look -
- For the past 5 years, the total enrolment has been steady and constant
- This data shows that the popularity of this college has remained constant.
Look at the table given 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 |
Commonly asked questions On Admission
As per the National College of Ireland official data of 2025, the college recorded 6,205 students comprising different levels of study from certificate to professional degree, out of which nearly 2000 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.
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 12 L - 17 L | MSc in Cybersecurity and MSc in Data Analytics |
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 UG courses the tuition cost ranges between INR 5–14 lakhs.
- Similarly, the PG courses can cost between INR 12–17.92 lakhs.
Moreover, there can be other additional charges at the college depending on the department and the course for the facilities and specializations.
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National College of Ireland FAQs 2026
The National College of Ireland fees can vary depending on the main factors, such as course level of study (UG and PG). However, International students considering this university could be a little higher than compared to EU citizens. The UG programme Academic tuition fee for international students is around ( INR 8.8 L) per annum, depending on the course. It’s (INR 13.2 L) for PG programs.
The National College of Ireland (NCI) is considered as a well-known college in Ireland for pursuing the master's program. The college also has some award winning degrees and is known for affordability, practical approach, industry-focused and for its professional faculties. The postgraduate courses fee at National College of Ireland ranges between INR 11- INR 15 L.
The National College of Ireland offer a wide range of master's degree programs include MSc in Management; MSc in International Business; MA in Human Resource Management; MSc in Artificial Intelligence; MSc in Artificial Intelligence for Business; MSc in Data Analytics; MSc in Cloud Computing and many other.
The National College of Ireland application fee for the undergraduate courses is EUR 45 (INR 4.1 K) as per the CAO portal. However, for the postgraduate courses the college has not stated any application fee for the international students.
Candidates need to submit their application fee at the CAO portal through a credit or debit card by filling out the required payment details and confirming the payment.
However, students can check the additional charges required to pay as a part of their course or departmental requirement.
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Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered Yesterday
EUR 15-EUR 20 (INR 1.6 K-INR 2.1 K) per hour is the average part-time salary in Ireland. The national work hour wage is EUR 14.50 (INR 1.55 K).
Retail, Call Center Agent, Administration, Tutoring, and Waiters are some popular part-time work options for Indian students in Ireland.
1 EUR = INR 106.99
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Getting on online job search portals, university career services portals, networking with seniors or peers, or joining social media groups.
Sales assistants, cashier, delivery person, graphic designing, and campus tour guides are popular part-time job options for Indian students.
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
No, Indian students are not guaranteed housing at NCI Ireland. There is very high competition for rooms on-campus. Rooms are usually allotted on a first-come, first-served fashion. To have a good chance of getting a room, students should apply early for the same.
It is also advisable to look for off-
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Indian food is not known to be available at NCI Ireland. However, there are many places nearby that serve Indian food. Some popular ones include.
| Restaurant/Dining Place | Known for | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Govinda's |
| 4 Aungier Street, Dublin |
| Spice N Rice |
| 16, Dorset Street Lower, Rotunda, Dublin |
| Desi Crew Restaurant |
| 27a Richmond Street South, Dublin |
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
Yes, Indian students who have reached or with the potential to reach a very high level in athletics at the international, national, inter-provincial or inter-country level in Ireland can apply for the NCI Ireland Sports Scholarship.
The scholarship is worth EUR 2,000 (INR 2.14 Lakhs) and can be take
A
Contributor-Level 10
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NCILocation
| University City | Dublin, Other - Ireland, Ireland |
| Size of city | Medium |
| Population of City | 5,53,165 |
NCIContact Information
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Dublin ( Other - Ireland)
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