Minimum IELTS Score for Ireland Universities in 2026
Curious to know about the Minimum IELTS Score to Study in Ireland Universities in 2026? Check out the list of Irish universities, IELTS score requirements, waiver, scholarships, and strategies to excel in the IELTS exam with a band 8+.
Table of Contents
- Minimum IELTS Score Requirements for Level of Study in Irish Universities in 2026
- List of Irish Universities with the Minimum IELTS Score Requirements in 2026
- IELTS Waiver and Exceptions to Study in Ireland Universities in 2026
- Scholarships Offered to Study in Ireland Universities in 2026
- How to Score an IELTS Band 8+ to Study in Ireland Universities in 2026?
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Ireland is a haven of culture and a land of picturesque scenic beauty with world-renowned universities which is gaining popularity among international students. One must be aware of the minimum IELTS score to study in Ireland universities in 2026, especially as international students due to their high level of education and friendly environment. One of the major aspects to keep in mind while preparing for studies in Ireland is meeting the criteria in the IELTS exam.
Therefore, if you plan to study in Ireland in 2026, you should know the minimum IELTS score prerequisites for the competition of your application. Thus, the minimum IELTS score requirements of several different Irish universities for undergraduate and postgraduate programs will be discussed in detail through this blog.
Minimum IELTS Score Requirements for Level of Study in Irish Universities in 2026
The minimum IELTS score requirements vary depending on the university as well as the program level such as undergraduate or postgraduate. However, most universities in Ireland have a general benchmark for admission:
The table below shows the minimum IELTS Score Requirement based on the level of study.
|
Level of Study |
Minimum IELTS Score Requirement |
|
Undergraduate Programs |
A minimum overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no individual band score below 5.5. |
|
Postgraduate Programs |
A minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no individual band score below 6.0. |
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List of Irish Universities with the Minimum IELTS Score Requirements in 2026
Before you proceed with the application to the Irish Universities, it is necessary to become familiar with the minimum IELTS score requirements based on the respective universities.
Let's look at the table below to understand the minimum IELTS Score Requirements in 2026.
|
Universities in Ireland |
IELTS Score Requirements in 2026 |
Courses Offered |
|
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) |
6.5 overall and no individual band below 6 Dental and medical courses: 7 overall and no individual band below 7. |
Medicine, Dental Science, Engineering, Business, Arts |
|
University College Dublin (UCD) |
6.5 overall and no individual band below 6 |
Business, Computer Science, Law, Medicine, Engineering |
|
University College Cork (UCC) |
6.5 overall and no individual band below 5.5 Architecture courses: 6.5 overall and no individual band below 6. |
Architecture, Arts, Medicine, Law, Engineering |
|
College Limerick (UCL) |
6.5 overall and no individual band below 6 |
Business, Arts, Science, Engineering |
|
Dublin City University (DCU) |
6.5 overall and no individual band below 6 |
Computer Science, Business, Communications, Engineering |
|
NUI Galway (NUIG) |
Arts/Business/Law/Medicine courses: 6.5 overall and no individual band below 6 Science/Engineering courses: 6 overall with no individual band below 6 |
Arts, Business, Law, Medicine, Science, Engineering |
|
Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) |
Engineering/Health Sciences/Science courses: 5.5 overall and no individual band below 5 Business/ Education & Humanities: 6 overall and no individual band below 5 |
Engineering, Health Sciences, Business, Education |
|
National College Of Ireland (NCI) |
UG Computing courses: 5.5 overall UG Business: 6.0 overall PG Computing: 6.0 overall PG Business: 6.5 overall |
Computing, Business, Finance, Marketing |
|
Dublin Business School (DBS) |
UG Business: 6.0 overall PG Business: 6.5 overall |
Business, Accounting, Psychology, Law |
|
Mary Immaculate College (MIC) |
6.5 overall and no individual band below 6 |
Education, Arts, Early Childhood Studies |
|
Maynooth University (MU) |
6.5 overall score |
Computer Science, Business, Arts, Law |
|
Irish university National College of Arts and Design |
6.5 overall and no individual band below 6 |
Fine Arts, Design, Visual Communication |
|
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
CEFR Level1: 6.5 overall CEFR Level2: 7 overalls |
Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy |
|
Shannon College Of Hotel Management |
6.0 overall |
Hotel Management, Hospitality, Tourism |
|
Cork Institute of Technology |
6.0 overall |
Engineering, Business, Science, Arts |
|
Athlone Institute of Technology |
UG programs: 5.5 overall and no individual band below 5 PG programs: 6.0 overall and no individual band below 5 |
Business, Engineering, Nursing, Design |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
Foundation Courses: 4.5 overall UG programs: 6.0 overall Masters programs: 6.5 overall |
Engineering, Business, Computing |
|
Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) |
UG programs: 5.5 overall Masters /PG programs: 6.0 overall |
Engineering, Business, Arts, Computing |
|
Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT) |
6.0 to 6.5 overall and no individual band below 6.0 |
Art, Design, Technology, Media |
|
Institute of Technology Carlow (IT Carlow) |
UG programs: 5.5 overall Masters /PG programs: 6.0 overall |
Engineering, Computing, Business |
|
Institute of Technology Sligo (IT Sligo) |
UG programs: 5.5 overall Masters /PG programs: 6.0 overall |
Engineering, Business, Science |
|
Institute of Technology Tallaght (ITT Dublin) |
6.0 overall |
Engineering, Science, Business |
|
Institute of Technology Tralee (IT Tralee) |
Foundation courses: 4.5 overall UG programs: 5.5 overall Masters programs: 6.5 overall |
Engineering, Business, Computing |
|
Limerick Institute of Technology |
6.0 overall |
Business, Science, Arts, Engineering |
|
Griffith College |
6.0 overall |
Law, Computing, Business, Journalism |
|
IBAT College Dublin |
6.0 overall and no individual band below 5.5 |
Business, Computing, Marketing |
|
ICD Business School |
6.0 overall |
Business, Management, Accounting |
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IELTS Waiver and Exceptions to Study in Ireland Universities in 2026
By 2026, there will be opportunities at various Irish universities for international students to utilize tests considered alternative to IELTS. These alternatives include:
1. Alternative English Proficiency Tests
There are many universities which accept other alternative English Proficiency Tests. The table below suggests a few such tests and its minimum requirements.
|
Alternative English Proficiency Test |
Minimum Score Requirement |
|
TOEFL |
Computer-based: 173 Paper-based: 500 Internet-based: 61 |
|
English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP) |
B2 |
|
Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic |
30 |
|
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) |
Pass |
|
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) |
Pass |
2. Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate:
In some universities, if an applicant previously completed an English education at the secondary level and intends to prove proficiency, the MOI certificate is likely to be granted as eligible proof.
3. University-Specific Preparatory Programs
In some institutions, students can fulfill their English language requirements with homegrown language courses, spoken exams, or tests, without taking standardized tests. Also, some universities run short courses in English before the academic term begins for the purposes of facilitating students in reaching their standards of language proficiency.
Scholarships Offered to Study in Ireland Universities in 2026
The Irish universities and government provide various scholarships aimed at attracting bright minds from across the globe and which can thus provide for a considerable reduction in the financial burden associated with studying abroad.
Scholarships in Ireland for international students are broadly categorized into three categories.
1. Government Funded Scholarships
There are two types of government funded scholarships available for individuals to apply in order to pursue their studies in Ireland Universities. The table below suggests the requirements for both the types of government funded scholarships available.
|
Scholarship |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
Deadline |
Application Process |
|
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships |
Available for non-EU/EEA students applying for a full-time program at an Irish higher education institution. |
A stipend of €10,000 for one year of study, full tuition fee waiver. |
Around March |
Candidates must apply through the official website and provide details of their academic achievements, personal statement, and future plans. |
|
Irish Research Council Scholarships |
For students applying for research-based postgraduate programs (Master’s and Ph.D.). |
Monthly stipend, travel allowances, and fee waiver. |
Around November |
Submission of a research proposal and other required documents through the official portal. |
2. Private and Organizational Scholarships
There is a reasonable possibility for students to earn scholarships that are provided in streams by NGOs or various other agencies in Ireland. Below is the table which suggests the list of scholarships provided by private and organizational scholarships.
|
Scholarship |
Eligibility |
Benefits |
Application Process |
|
The Walsh Fellowship |
Students pursuing research in agriculture, food, and rural development. |
Annual stipend of up to €24,000. |
Apply through Teagasc (Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority). |
|
The Naughton Scholarships |
Students pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. |
Financial support ranging from €5,000 to €20,000. |
Apply through the official Naughton Foundation website. |
How to Score an IELTS Band 8+ to Study in Ireland Universities in 2026?
As you prepare for the IELTS exam, you can incorporate a few strategies which will guide you towards success. In order to achieve an IELTS Band Score of 8+, you must focus on all the four sections in the IELTS exam. The following are some of the tips for you to use to achieve the desired scores to study in Ireland Universities in 2026.
- Familiarize yourself with the exam structure, different question types, and the marking criteria for each module.
- Develop a timetable or a study plan which will help you improve in each of the modules. Remember to start your preparation at least 6-12 months before the application deadline.
- IELTS Vocabulary is one of the most important aspects in the exam for which you can read newspapers, journals, or even books to develop your skills.
- Take mock tests under timed conditions which will help you receive a band score in real time.
- Note the areas of improvement which will help you to identify your weak areas and work towards them.
- Remember that you need to focus on the sentence structures as you must show varied sentences to score well in the exam.
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Remember that with consistent study, you will be able to achieve the minimum IELTS band score which will help you to apply to Irish Universities. However, it is important to understand the requirement first along with the necessary details before you start planning on the test date. By practising with the IELTS Recent Actual Tests on a regular basis, you will be able to acquire a band score of 8+.
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