Teaching in Irish Universities is normally through the medium of English, therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in the English language. Applicants who have not passed English as a subject in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination must provide evidence of equivalent competence in English language through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard in a recognised English language test, as outlined below.

The below qualifications and minimum scores are required to meet our English Language entry requirements.

English Language Tests

Taught Master's:  A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version.  The non-academic version is not accepted.

Research Programmes:  A minimum overall  score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version. The non-academic version is not accepted.

IELTS Indicator: A minimum overall score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band. This test will be accepted for 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake.

Taught Master's: A minimum score of 100 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

Research Programmes: A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section.

TOEFL iBT Home: A minimum score of 100 is required with a score of at least 20 in each section. This test will be accepted for 2022/23 and 2023/24 intake.

English language examinations administered by the University of Cambridge: 185+ on Cambridge English scale (with no less than 175 in each skill and use of English)

Acceptable Examinations:
• Proficiency Certificate, Grade C (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2)
• Advanced Certificate, Grade C (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2)

Minimum of 65 and at least 59 for each item.

Trinity ISE IV (C2) with at least merit in each skill category.

UCD has approved the use of the Duolingo Test of English (DET) for the 2024/25 intake.
An overall score of 130 will be accepted with no section below 110.

Please note that this does not apply to the CEMS MiM / MSc in International Management. In the case of the CEMS MiM the Duolingo English Test will not be accepted.

Important Information:

 

Undergraduate degrees in English

For applicants who completed the whole of their undergraduate degree in a native, English speaking country. If you did in one of the countries listed here, you do not need to meet our requirements by sitting IELTS, TOEFL, etc. The countries are: Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Guyana. 

English language test validity

Some English Language test results are only valid for two years. It is our policy not to accept an English language test score that has not been taken in the last 24 months.

UCD Pre-Masters Pathway Programme
Students who are admitted onto the UCD Pre-Master's Pathway Programme (either the certificate or diploma) in advance of their UCD Smurfit MSc and who successfully complete this programme in Dublin with the performance requirements as set down by UCD and UCD Smurfit, will progress automatically upon successful completion. The performance on the UCD Pre-Masters Programme should not to be lower than a B minus grade.

UCD offers a range of Pathway Programmes designed to offer students the best preparation for undertaking their studies at Ireland's Global University. 

Learn more about the range of pathway programmes here.

UCD MBA and EMBA

The minimum English language test results required for these programme are as follows: An average minimum score of 7.0 over all components and a minimum of 6.5 in each band on the Academic Version.   For the TOEFL itb an overall minimum score of 100 out of 120 and a minimum of 20 in each of the four components to this test. 

Master of Accounting

The Master of Accounting programme requires an IELTS 7.5 overall (6.5 components) and a TOEFL 105 overall (minimum 20 components).  Other English Language Certifications are not accepted.

Discover our Rankings and Accreditations