Entry Requirements for Irish Institutes
Your comprehensive guide to admission criteria, application processes, and deadlines for top Irish universities and colleges.
Irish Institutes Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
| Institute | UG Requirements | PG Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| University College Cork | 80% | 3.3 minimum, 75% |
| University College Dublin | 70% | 3.3 minimum, 75% |
| University of Galway | 75% | 3.0 minimum, 70%, vary from courses some needed 2.7 |
| University of Limerick | 70% | 3.0 minimum, 70% |
| Atlantic Technological University | 60% | 2.8 minimum |
| Dublin City University | 60% | 3.0 minimum, 70% |
| Dundalk Institute of Technology | 55-60% | 60% |
| Galway Business School | 60% | 3.0 minimum, 70% vary from courses some needed 2.7 |
| Maynooth University | 55-60% | 3.0 minimum, 70% |
| Munster Technological University | 55-60% | 2.8 minimum |
| South East Technological University | 55-60% | 2.7 minimum, vary from courses some needed 3.0 |
| Technological University Dublin | 60-70% | 3.0 minimum, vary from courses some needed 3.2 |
| Technological University of the Shannon | 70-80% | 2.7-3.2 minimum |
| Trinity College Dublin | 60% | 3.3 minimum, 75% vary from courses some needed 3.5 |
| IBAT | 55% | 2.5 minimum, 60% atleast |
| DIFC | 50% | Nil |
| UniHaven | 50% | Nil |
| CCT College Dublin | 60% | 2.5 minimum, 60% |
| Dorset College | 60% | Nil |
| Dublin Business School | 55% | 2.2 minimum, or 60% |
| Griffith College | 55-60% | 2.4 minimum, or 60% |
| ICD Business School | 60% | 2.5 minimum, or 60% |
| Independent College Dublin | 60% | 2.5 minimum, 60% |
| National College of Ireland | 75% | 2.8 minimum, 60% |
Application Fees for Public Institutes
| Institute | Fees (Euros) |
|---|---|
| University of Limerick | 50 |
| University of Galway | 35 |
| SETU (South East Technological University) | Waiver |
| UCC (University College Cork) | 50 |
| UCD (University College Dublin) | Waiver |
| DCU (Dublin City University) | Waiver |
| TCD (Trinity College Dublin) | 55 |
| Maynooth University | 50 |
| MTU (Munster Technological University) | 0 |
| ATU (Atlantic Technological University) | 30 |
| TU Dublin (Technological University Dublin) | 50 |
| NCAD (National College of Art & Design) | 55 |
| Technological University of the Shannon | Waiver |
| RCSI | 75 |
Entry Requirements for A-Level & IB Students
Guidelines for counselors and students applying to competitive universities in Ireland
General Guidelines for Counselors
TCD and UCD are among Ireland's most competitive universities, therefore students should be encouraged to maintain strong academic performance, ideally above the minimum requirements, to improve admission chances.
University College Dublin (UCD)
IB students are required to achieve a minimum of 24 total points to be considered for undergraduate admission. Specific programs may have higher requirements depending on the level of competition and subject prerequisites.
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
IB students are typically expected to obtain 30–40 total points. Applicants must complete three Higher Level (HL) subjects with a minimum grade of 5 and three Standard Level (SL) subjects with a minimum grade of 4. Certain courses may demand higher scores, particularly in relevant subjects.
A Level Equivalency to CAO, UCAS & IB
| A Level Grade | CAO Points (Ireland - Best 3) | CAO 4th A-Level / AS Bonus | UCAS Points (UK) | IB Equivalent (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A* | 192 | 24 | 56 | 40 - 45 |
| A | 165 | 24 | 48 | 36 - 39 |
| B | 142 | 20 | 40 | 32 - 35 |
| C | 120 | 18 | 32 | 28 - 31 |
| D | 100 | 16 | 24 | 24 - 27 |
| E | 67 | 14 | 16 | 20 - 23 |
Official Sources & References
To ensure your presentation or document has full credibility, you can use these official links:
- UCAS (United Kingdom Admissions): Official UCAS Tariff Calculator & Tables
- CAO (Ireland Admissions): Official CAO Scoring for GCE A Levels
- Trinity College Dublin (IB & A Level Benchmarks): Admission Requirements for International Students
- Cambridge International: Recognition and Acceptance of A Levels Worldwide
General Entry Requirements for Public Universities
| University | Detailed Entry Requirements & Subject Notes |
|---|---|
| TU Dublin (TUD) |
Minimum Grades: Pass grade is Grade E at A-Level, Grade D at AS Level, or Grade 4/C at GCSE. English Language: Minimum level is Grade 4/C at GCSE, Grade E at A-Level, or Grade D at AS Level. |
| DCU (Dublin City University) |
Minimum Grades: Pass grade is Grade E at A-Level, Grade D at AS Level, or Grade 4/C at GCSE. Subject Rule: Generally requires 6 distinct subjects including A-Level Grade C in 2 subjects and passes in English and Mathematics. |
| UCD (University College Dublin) |
Minimum Grades: Requires at least 3 subjects at A-Level Grade C or better. Subject Rule: Total of 6 distinct subjects required; remaining subjects at GCSE must be Grade C or better. IB Students: Requires 24+ total points and the award of the IB Diploma. |
| UOL (University of Limerick) |
Minimum Grades: 2 subjects at A-Level Grade C AND 4 subjects at GCSE Grade C. Subject Rule: Total of 6 distinct subjects which must include English, Mathematics, and another language. |
| UCC (University College Cork) |
Minimum Grades: Minimum of 2 subjects at A-Level Grade C and 4 subjects at GCSE Grade C. Subject Rule: A total of 6 distinct subjects must be presented for Level 8 degree eligibility. |
| University of Galway |
Minimum Grades: At least a Grade 4 (C) in four recognised subjects (GCSE level). A-Level Rule: Typically requires at least 2 subjects at Grade C at A-Level to matriculate. |
| Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) |
Required Subjects: Three A-Levels (taken in one sitting) including Chemistry (mandatory) and one additional Lab Science (Biology or Physics). The third A-Level can be Biology, Physics, Mathematics, or Psychology. Minimum Grades: ABB or AAC. GCSE Requirements: Minimum of 6 subjects including English and Maths. A minimum Grade C/4 is required specifically in GCSE Maths. |
| Trinity College Dublin (TCD) |
Minimum Grades: Range from A*A*A to ABB depending on the course. At least 2 subjects must be at Grade C or above at A-Level. Subject Rule: Total of 6 distinct subjects across GCSE/AS/A-Levels. Mandatory Subjects: Must include Grade 4/C in English, Mathematics, and a Language other than English. IB Students: 30–40 points total. Requires 3 subjects at HL (Grade 5) and 3 at SL (Grade 4). |
🎓 National College of Ireland (NCI)
Admission Policy for Pakistan
Effective for the January 2026 and future intakes, please note that we will only consider applications from the universities listed below.
✅ Approved Universities – All Campuses
| University | Website | Campus Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Air University | 🔗 au.edu.pk | Islamabad, Multan, Kharian, Kamra |
| Bahria University | 🔗 bahria.edu.pk | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore |
| Beaconhouse National University (BNU) | 🔗 bnu.edu.pk | Lahore |
| COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | 🔗 comsats.edu.pk | Islamabad, Lahore, Abbottabad, Wah, Attock, Sahiwal, Vehari |
| GIKI Swabi (Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute) | 🔗 giki.edu.pk | Top in KP |
| Government College University (only Lahore campus) | 🔗 gcu.edu.pk | Lahore |
| Habib University | 🔗 habib.edu.pk | Karachi |
| Indus Valley School of Arts | 🔗 indusvalley.edu.pk | Karachi |
| Institute of Business Administration (IBA) | 🔗 iba.edu.pk | Karachi |
| Institute of Business Management (IOBM) | 🔗 iobm.edu.pk | Karachi |
| Iqra University | 🔗 iqra.edu.pk | Karachi, Islamabad, Gulshan, Bahria Town, Malir, North, Chak Shahzad |
| Karachi School of Business and Leadership | 🔗 ksbl.edu.pk | Karachi |
| Kinnaird College for Women | 🔗 kinnaird.edu.pk | Lahore |
| Lahore School of Economics | 🔗 lahoreschoolofeconomics.edu.pk | Lahore |
| Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) | 🔗 lums.edu.pk | Lahore |
| National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST) | 🔗 nu.edu.pk | Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Chiniot-Faisalabad, Peshawar |
| National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) | 🔗 nust.edu.pk | Islamabad |
| NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi | 🔗 neduet.edu.pk | Karachi |
| Quaid-i-Azam University | 🔗 qau.edu.pk | Islamabad |
| SZABIST (Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology) | 🔗 szabist.edu.pk | Islamabad, Larkana, Hyderabad, Dubai, Gharo |
| PAF-KIET | 🔗 kiet.edu.pk | Karachi |
| UET Taxila | 🔗 uettaxila.edu.pk | Taxila |
| University of Karachi | 🔗 uok.edu.pk | Karachi |
🎓 Undergraduate Entry Requirements
| Qualification | Leads to entry into |
|---|---|
| HSC / FA / FSc from any board with an overall average of 70% or above | Foundation (please contact us for Foundation year options) |
| Diploma of Associate Engineer (DAE) with an overall average of 58% or above | Year 1 |
| Associate Degree / 2 year Bachelor degree (pass) with CGPA of 3.0+ or Division 1 or above depending on the University | Year 1 |
| A recognised International Foundation course from an Irish/UK institution following a validated Irish/UK syllabus. Entry requirements vary but we normally ask for between 60% and 65% | Year 1 |
| 3 year Bachelor degree (Hons) with an overall average of 60% or CGPA 3.0+ or Division 1 or above depending on the University |
Year 2 of undergraduate business or computing
degrees OR Year 3 of undergraduate computing degrees if in a closely related subject area |
📚 Entry onto Postgraduate Courses
If you are applying for a Masters (e.g. MA, MSc) programme at NCI, you will be required to meet the English Language Requirements and will typically have one of the following qualifications:
- 4 year Bachelor degree from an accredited university with a minimum CGPA 2.8 out of 4 depending on the university
- 2 year Master degree (following completion of an Honours Degree) from an accredited university with CGPA of 2.8 out of 4 or Division 1 depending on the university
🏆 Masters Academic Scholarship Criteria
€3,000 Scholarship
Awarded to applicants with a Bachelor Honours Degree with a GPA of 2.8 out of 4 or equivalent
€5,000 Scholarship
Awarded to applicants with a Bachelor Honours Degree with a GPA of 3.0 out of 4 or equivalent
❗ Important Note: Students from universities
not listed above will NOT be considered for
admission to NCI starting from the
January 2026 intake.
National College of Ireland (NCI) Entry Rules
Foreign Degrees Accepted
NCI does accept foreign academic degrees (e.g., from the UK, US,
Australia, Canada, and other recognized countries). As long as the
degree is from an accredited university and comparable to an Irish
Level 8 Honours Bachelor's degree, it is valid for postgraduate entry.
ACCA Affiliates/Members
NCI does not grant entry on the basis of ACCA Affiliate or Membership
status alone. ACCA is a professional qualification, not an academic
degree.
Combination Cases
If a student has ACCA plus a
recognized degree (e.g., Oxford Brookes BSc in Accounting), then they
meet the requirements.
University Entry Criteria for TUS
Category 1 Universities: Standard Entry Criteria
| Universities | Website | Campus Locations |
|---|---|---|
| National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST) | https://nust.edu.pk/ | Islamabad |
| Institute of Business Administration (IBA) | https://www.iba.edu.pk/ | Karachi |
| Institute of Business Management (IOBM) | https://www.iobm.edu.pk/ | Karachi |
| Habib University | https://habib.edu.pk/ | Karachi |
| NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi | https://www.neduet.edu.pk/ | Karachi |
| Indus Valley School of Arts | indusvalley.edu.pk/home | Karachi |
| Karachi School of Business and Leadership | https://www.ksbl.edu.pk/ | Karachi |
| Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) | https://lums.edu.pk/ | Lahore |
| Kinnaird College for Women | https://kinnaird.edu.pk/ | Lahore |
| Lahore School of Economics | lahoreschoolofeconomics.edu.pk/ | Lahore |
| Beaconhouse National University (BNU) | https://www.bnu.edu.pk/ | Lahore |
| National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences (FAST) | https://www.nu.edu.pk/ | Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Chiniot-Faisalabad, Peshawar |
| GIKI Swabi (Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute) | https://giki.edu.pk/ | Top in KP |
Category 2 Universities
| Universities | Website | Campus Locations |
|---|---|---|
| Quaid-i-Azam University | https://qau.edu.pk/ | Islamabad |
| Government College University (only Lahore campus) | https://gcu.edu.pk/ | Lahore |
| COMSATS Institute of Information Technology | https://comsats.edu.pk/ | Islamabad, Lahore, Abbottabad, Wah, Attock, Sahiwal, Vehari |
| Bahria University | https://www.bahria.edu.pk/ | Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore |
| SZABIST (Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology) | https://szabist.edu.pk/ | Islamabad, Larkana, Hyderabad, Dubai, Gharo |
| Air University | https://www.au.edu.pk/ | Islamabad, Multan, Kharian, Kamra |
| Iqra University | https://iqra.edu.pk/ | Karachi, Islamabad, Gulshan, Bahria Town, Malir, North, Chak Shahzad |
University College Cork Entry Requirements
POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
| DISCIPLINE / PROGRAMME | Entry Requirements | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Finance & FinTech* | ||
| MSc Finance (Corporate Finance) | CGPA 3.2/4 | Bachelor's degree with quantitative elements: /Science/Computing/Information Systems/BCOM/Finance/Accounting/Economics/Math/ Engineering / STEM |
| MSc Finance (Investment Asset Management) | CGPA 3.2/4 | |
| MSc Finance (Banking and Risk Management) | CGPA 3.2/4 | |
| International Business (NEW) | ||
| MSc International Sustainable Business | CGPA 3.2/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline |
| Accounting | ||
| MAcc Accounting | CGPA 3.2/4 | Accounting degree and must have completed the following six ACCA exams: MA(F2)/FA(F3)/PM(F5)/FM(F9)/TX +UK & IRL version+ (F6)/LW(F4)- you can sit these exams in your home country. |
| MSc Management Information & Managerial Accounting Systems | CGPA 2.7/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline except all IT qualifications and Accounting degrees |
| Management, Marketing and Human Resources | ||
| MSc in Marketing | CGPA 3.2/4 | Bachelor's degree with quantitative elements |
| MSc Human Resources & Management | CGPA 3.2/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline |
| MSc Management & Marketing | CGPA 2.7/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline except Management or Marketing qualifications |
| Business Information Systems | ||
| MSc Design & Development of Digital Business | CGPA 2.7/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline except all IT degrees, CS, Software Dev. etc. |
| MSc Information Systems for Business Performance | CGPA 2.7/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline except all IT degrees, CS, Software Dev. etc. |
| MSc Business Analytics | CGPA 2.7/4 | Bachelor's degree with quantitative elements BComm, CS, IT, STEM, Maths etc. |
| Economics | ||
| MSc Business Economics | CGPA 2.7/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline |
| Food Business & Development | ||
| MSc Food Business and Innovation | CGPA 2.7/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline |
| MSc Co-operatives, Agri-Food & Sustainable Dep | CGPA 2.7/4 | A Bachelor's degree in any discipline |
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
| Programme | A LEVELS | IB | Foundation year | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BSc (Hons) Finance | ABB | 36 | We accept all NCUK foundation programmes / for foundation programmes in Ireland contact me on Tarik.elamoud@ucc.ie | 4 Years |
| BSc (Hons) Accounting | BBC | 31 | 4 Years | |
| BA (Hons) Applied Economics | CCC | 26 | 4 Years | |
| BSc (Hons) Business Information Systems | BBC | 31 | 4 Years | |
| BSc (Hons) International Business & Languages | BBC | 31 | 4 Years | |
| BSc (Hons) Commerce | BBC | 31 | 4 Years | |
| BSc (Hons) Food Marketing & Entrepreneurship | BBC | 31 | 4 Years | |
| BSc (Hons) International Development | CCC | 26 | 4 Years |
Pakistan List of Universities For UCD
Tier 1 Universities
Universities List
UK Grade Equivalents
| UK Grade Required | GPA Equivalent | Percentage Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| First Class | 3.6+ | 90%+ |
| Upper Second (2.1) | 3.2-3.59 | 80-89% |
| Lower Second (2.2) | 2.6-3.19 | 65-79% |
Tier 2 Universities
Universities List
UK Grade Equivalents
| UK Grade Required | GPA Equivalent | Percentage Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| First Class | 3.7+ | 93%+ |
| Upper Second (2.1) | 3.5-3.69 | 88-92% |
| Lower Second (2.2) | 3.0-3.49 | 75-87% |
Maynooth University
International Entry Requirements
Direct Admission Qualifications
Applicants with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or A-Levels will be considered for direct admission to Maynooth University undergraduate programs.
Please refer to our detailed A-Level and IB entry requirements for specific grade requirements by program of study.
Pakistan Qualification Equivalency
For applicants with qualifications from Pakistan, the following equivalencies apply for admission to Maynooth University:
Minimum Degree Requirements
-
Minimum 4 Year Bachelor Degree (awarded from 2016 onwards)
-
A 2-3 Year Bachelor together with a 2 Year Masters may be considered for entry on a case-by-case basis.
-
Bachelor Degree/Masters must be from a recognised institution and recognised by the Pakistan Higher Education Commission.
Grade Equivalency Table
The following table shows how Pakistani degree classifications correspond to Maynooth University's grading system:
| University of Maynooth Grade | Minimum Overall Percentage | Minimum GPA (4.0 Scale) |
|---|---|---|
| 2H2 Second Class Honours, Grade 2 | 60% | 2.7/4.0 |
| 2H1 Second Class Honours, Grade 1 | 70% | 3.2/4.0 |
| 1H First Class Honours | 85% | 3.7/4.0 |
University of Galway Entry Requirements
Please check individual programme pages to see whether the entry requirements are a 2:2 or 2:1.
| Entry Level | Qualification | Band I | Band II | Band III | Band IV | Band V |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Level | ||||||
| Undergraduate | Applicants with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or A-Levels will be considered for direct admission | as per Cambridge A'level/ IB requirements | as per Cambridge A'level/ IB requirements | as per Cambridge A'level/ IB requirements | as per Cambridge A'level/ IB requirements | as per Cambridge A'level/ IB requirements |
| Applicants with the HSSC with an overall average of 75% and a Bachelor (Pass) degree with a minimum of 60% will be considered for entry onto undergraduate degree programmes. | ||||||
| Intermediate/Higher Secondary Certificate PLUS successful completion of one of the University of Galway recognised foundation programmes. |
| Entry Level | Qualification | 2:2 Equivalent | 2:1 Equivalent | 1st Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate | Bachelor Degree (4 years) Note: Degree must be from a recognised Higher Education Commission Pakistan |
Minimum grade of 60% or 2.7 CGPA on a 4 point scale | Minimum grade of 70% or 3.2 CGPA on a 4 point scale | Minimum grade of 85% or 3.7 CGPA on a 4 point scale |