Minimum English Language Requirements

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Teaching in UCD is through the medium of English; therefore you must demonstrate a high level of competence in the English language to be admitted. UCD's minimum English language requirements are approved by the University Programmes Board and apply to all applicants and all levels of study.

Undergraduate Applicants: If you are presenting the Irish school leaving certificate you are required to have attained a H7/O6 in English. If you are studying in another education system you are required to show equivalent competency in English either through your school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard in a recognised English language test, as outlined below.

Graduate Applicants: The qualifications shown below are minimum requirements for graduate taught and graduate research degrees. However, for some graduate courses the requirements may be higher. In some cases, other evidence may also be taken into account, such as a degree taken through English, in an English-speaking country. Please contact the school to which you are applying if you need further information.

Currency of results: For all proficiency tests the results must normally have been issued within two years prior to the start of your course.

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IELTS

  • An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version.

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by Princeton University

  • A minimum score of 600 in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with Test of Written English at 475 +.
  • A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based TOEFL (iBT) with a score of at least 20 in each section

The TOEFL code for UCD is DI Code 0087

Cambridge Examinations

English language examinations administered by the University of Cambridge: 180+ 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)
  • First Certificate, Grade A (i.e. CEFR Level C1)

UCLES

  • University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES): English at grade C or above (incorporating the Oxford Examining Body's English as a Foreign Language (Higher Paper)
  • (Malaysia) Cambridge English Language (1119) conducted overseas by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate: B4 or better.

UK Examining Boards/Bodies

  • GCE O-Level English Language at Grade C or above
  • GCSE English Language at Grade C or above
  • GCSE English Literature at Grade C or above

ETAPP English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP)

  • Grade C1 (i.e. CEFR Level C1 or C2)

Pearson English Language Text

  • Minimum of 63 and at least 59 for each item

Trinity ISE

Trinity ISE with at least merit in each skill category

QQI FETAC ESL

  • Distinction in the module "English as a Second language"

School Leaving Examinations

Matriculation/school-leaving examinations from most European Countries and many non-EU countries will meet the requirements where English is presented as a subject at an acceptable level. For example, in the International Baccalaureate English A1, A2 or B: 5 at Higher Level (4 @ either Level if presenting IB through English) will meet the requirement.

Where the examination has been taken more than 2 years previously candidates may be required to take a proficiency test.

Where an English proficiency test which is scored on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is presented as part of a school-leaving qualification, grade must be C1/C2.

An equivalent level of English

Other evidence of proficiency in English may be accepted, e.g. degree through English. For further advice please contact

For EU applicants: UCD Admissions
For non-EU applicants: UCD International

Entry Requirements

EU Undergraduate
Non-EU Undergraduate
Graduate

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