Applicants who do not have English as their first language must include the following additional documents with their application form:

  • English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts
  • English language competency certificate

Applicants from non-English speaking countries are required to have a high level of competence in English. 

Requirements for Taught Postgraduate Programmes and Research Programmes

Candidates may be required to demonstrate their competence in the English language by interview. In addition, candidates must either provide certified confirmation that they have completed a primary or a master’s degree through the medium of English from a country where English is an official language or submit the official results of English proficiency tests as per the requirements specified in the list below. The University may consider English proficiency tests other than those listed in the table as meeting the English language requirements for pursuing a higher degree at UL.

Acceptable English Language qualifications include the following:

LANGUAGE CERT ESOL

 B2 Communicator High Pass with no less than 33 in each skill.
DUOLINGO
  • The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 120 with no less than 110 in any component.  
  • An interview may be required in conjunction with this for certain programmes.
MATRICULATION EXAMINATIONS From European countries where English is presented as a subject and an acceptable level is achieved
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE ENGLISH Ordinary Level Grade D or above
TOEFL 580 (paper based) or 90 (internet based)
IELTS

Minimum score of 6.5* with no less than 6.0 in any component.
*Please note some programmes have a higher IELTS requirement.

**Please note, we can only accept Academic IELTS. General IELTS will not be accepted. 
ETAPP) ENGLISH TEST FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES Grade C1
GCE ‘O’ LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE/ GCSE ENGLISH LANGUAGE Grade C or above
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ESOL Certificate of Proficiency in English - Grade C /
Certificate in Advanced English - Grade C
GCE EXAMINATION BOARDS Oxford Delegacy of Local Examinations - Grade C / Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate - School Certificate Pass 1-6 /
University of London Entrance and School Examinations Council - School Certificate Pass 1-6
PEARSON TEST OF ENGLISH (ACADEMIC) - PTE ACADEMIC: a minimum score of 61 (with no section score below 59)

Results in examinations other than those listed above may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements.

Further to this, offer holders who do not meet the English language requirements above, can if they wish study pre-sessional English language classes at the UL Language Centre which is located on the UL Campus. For more information on preparatory language classes, please email language.centre@ul.ie