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National College of Ireland Admissions 2026: Requirements, Application Deadlines & Fees

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NCI Admissions
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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).

NCI Admissions
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National College of Ireland Admissions 2026

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Commonly asked questions
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 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.
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 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)

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 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.

Q:   Can students apply with pending English results to National College of Ireland?
A: 

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

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Commonly asked questions
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 (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.

Q:   When can I apply at the 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 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.

Q:   Can I apply for multiple intakes at National College of Ireland?
A: 

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

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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
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 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 -

Courses1st Year Tuition Fees
INR 15 L - 17 L
INR 15 L - 17 L
INR 12 L
Q:   How long does National College of Ireland take to provide decision on application?
A: 

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.

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 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.
Q:   Does NCI accept students with pending final semester results under conditional admission?
A: 

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

15 courses 12 months - 1 year
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₹ 19L - 19.1L

iconEligibility Criteria

  • Undergraduate Degree with 55% aggregate
  • Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo
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Commonly asked questions
On M.Sc. Admissions
Q:   How can I apply for MS programme at National College of Ireland?
A: 

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.

Q:   What are the MS courses offered at National College of Ireland?
A: 

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.
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

View course details







How to Get Into National College of Ireland?

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Commonly asked questions
On Application Process
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. 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.

Q:   What additional steps do Indian applicants follow when applying to NCI?
A: 

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). 

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 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

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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 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.

 

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 12 L - 17 L           

MSc in Cybersecurity and MSc in Data Analytics

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 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.

NCI
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.9/5
Verified Icon104 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 74% 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 jobs3.5
Quality of faculty4
Student Life4.1
Value for money4
Public transportation4.4
Safety4
Indian Food3.9
Permanent Immigration3.9
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MSc in Cloud Computing - Batch of 2026
4.9
Life at National college of Ireland.
Tips: We can expect a practical, industry-focused environment and diverse students. I adapted quickly despite a small cultural shift. I received a merit scholarship with tuition support. I'm very much satisfied with course, college as well as the life in Ireland.
Likes (Indian Food): There are many Indian restaurants nearby the campus. All those are budget friendly with great food and good ambiance. I would mostly prefer to cook myself because it save money and as I'm a chef it will be easy for me to cook myself. I can get all the groceries in less than 100euros per month.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 850
Prepping time for classes24 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 35075
Reviewed on 10 May 2026Read more
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M
Mohan Morla Verified Icon
MSc in Cloud Computing - Batch of 2026
3.1
Good for Masters in IT Courses because you will complete masters in one year.
Tips: You won't feel major cultural shift once you came here because students will share accommodation with indians and in part-time jobs as well there will be one or two indians doing part-time job there. Scholarships will completely depends on the college if they like student profile they will offer scholarships, there are some government bodies in india those will also offer scholarships or less interest on the education loan, coming to my college experience it is good all lectures are welcoming and ready to help and my course is bit tough because we have pen and paper exams only for my course rest all courses have assignments and projects. If you have good skills and experience students can get good opportunities and weather is not that good here.
Likes (Indian Food): In Ireland, you've got maybe five or six main types of Indian spots that cover the usual veg and non-veg stuff. To be honest it’s a bit of a hit or miss situation as you might find one place with a great curry but their other dishes are just okay. No single spot really nails the whole menu. Thankfully there’s actually plenty of Indian grocery stores around here these days, so you can pretty much find all the right spices and stuff to just cook everything yourself at home anyway.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): Job searching is hard here after a master's. If a candidate has 5-plus years of experience, then chances of getting a job are somewhat good; otherwise, it's tough to get a job. If a candidate doesn't have any prior experience, it's better not to choose Ireland. Most of the companies are not ready to sponsor. If a candidate got a good package, they can do self-sponsorship only if the company is willing to give a proof-of-work letter.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1025
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 30000
Reviewed on 10 May 2026Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MSc in Cloud Computing - Batch of 2026
3.7
Gateway to come and stay in ireland
Tips: There will be little nervousness after coming here. Later it will be as usual, like in India, after a few months; for me, I felt nothing bad till now. There will be some default scholarships for every student based on the marks in earlier courses. It's not the best I can say, but overall it's okay to study here and stay in Ireland.
Likes (Public transportation): Public transportation is the best in Dublin City. There are many transportation options to reach anywhere in Ireland from Dublin. There are trains, buses, Luas cycles, etc. Public transportation can be many ways, covering many areas in Dublin's city center to multiple parts.
Dislikes (Internships): Internships are less in number and have a huge competition. It's very better to apply before start of going college as it's takes almost 8-10 months of application process, so when already graduated, they no longer consider for internships. Student must be in college while joining internships.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 900
Prepping time for classes29 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 33000
Reviewed on 6 May 2026Read more
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MSc in Artificial Intelligence - Batch of 2026
4.3
Great place to learn and network.
Tips: Students can know everything from the college website. If students are looking for budget education, then this college is the right place. If they have money, they can prefer universities otherwise, this college is a great place.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): Now it is tough to get placed easily. If you have the right skills, you need to try and work hard for the job in semester 1. In 1G, you need to get placed in a good company and try to get the critical skills visa. Then you can apply for stamp 4.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 10000
Prepping time for classes24 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 70000
Reviewed on 15 Apr 2026Read more
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S
Sai Shruthi Yadavalli Verified Icon
MSc in Cloud Computing - Batch of 2025
4.3
Diverse environment and good learning experience.
Tips: Students should be prepared for independent learning and active participation. Dublin can be expensive, so plan finance well. The environment is diverse and welcoming and adapting to a new culture and academic style may take time. Overall a positive experience.
Dislikes (Internships): Because while there is support from the college, a lot of the responsibility falls on the students to find opportunities themselves. The career services team shares openings and conducts workshops on CV writing and interviews. Some internships are relevant to the course especially in business, computing and data related fields, but securing one depends heavily on individual effort and networking.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 1000
Prepping time for classes24 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 60000
Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026Read more
Thumbs Up IconThumbs Down Icon
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
MSc in Cloud Computing - Batch of 2026
4.7
A Supportive, Diverse, and Career-Focused Learning Experience.
Tips: Look, if you’re actually thinking of coming over, just know it’s a really welcoming spot—especially if you're moving from abroad like I did. My first few weeks were honestly way smoother than I'd expected. There was definitely a bit of a culture shock at first, mostly just getting used to how much they expect you to do on your own and even just the way people talk, but it wasn't nearly as scary as I’d feared. The staff are so helpful and everyone is really chill, so I ended up settling in way faster than I thought I would. I checked out the scholarship stuff when I was applying and the uni is actually pretty open about how it all works. Obviously, not everyone gets one, but as long as you keep an eye on the dates, it’s easy enough to figure out. I'm just really glad I made the move. The course feels like it’ll actually be useful for a real job, and Ireland itself is great—it feels safe and the vibe is just super inclusive. If you're ready to just dive in, you’ll have a blast.
Total Monthly ExpenseEuro 850
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryEuro 40000
Reviewed on 18 Feb 2026Read more
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View All 114 Reviews
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National College of Ireland FAQs 2026

Q:   What are the National College of Ireland fees for Indian students?
A: 

 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.

Q:   How is the National College of Ireland for a master's?
A: 

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.

Q:   How much is the application fee at NCI Ireland?
A: 

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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NCI

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Is National College of Ireland a good university?

Answered a week ago

The National College of Ireland is considered a good and career-focused institution. It is generally known for its strong industry connections, 5-star QS rating for employability and Dublin city as a central location. 

As per Shiksha Popularity rankings in 2026, at the country level, NCI is ranked #

...Read more

M

Mayank Katariya

Contributor-Level 10

Is the National College of Ireland ranked in 2026?

Answered a week ago

Yes, the National College of Ireland also known as NCI, is ranked in the year 2026.

The QS rankings 2026 for the National College of Ireland are available for Indian students. According to them, this college is ranked #701 in Europe. 

K

Kanika Pandey

Contributor-Level 10

Can I get a full scholarship at National College of Ireland?

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, it is rare to get a 100% funding for your education at NCI Dublin. However, Indian students can secure a really good amount scholarship at this institution. 

The students can apply for the NCI 75th Anniversary International Student Scholarships, which is roughly around EUR 7,500 (INR 8.25L). Or t

...Read more

R

Rachit Arora

Contributor-Level 10

What is the acceptance rate for National College of Ireland for Indian students?

Answered 3 weeks ago

The NCI acceptance rate for Indian students is not released but as per an unofficial source, which is around 53%. 

This would mean that the National College of Ireland is a difficult institution to get into and international students are required to meet the admission requirements as given below - 

  • A

...Read more

D

Divya Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Will my scholarship stay if I defer my intake at the National College of Ireland?

Answered 3 weeks ago

No, deferring the course at NCI Ireland means students will also have to forfeit their scholarship. They will need to re-apply and be reassessed for any scholarship for the new intake.

Students are recommended to consult the NCI Admissions Office for their specific scholarship conditions.

A

Akash Gaur

Contributor-Level 10

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Study Abroad Expert

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

NCI
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Address

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

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