Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
IADT English requirements
From IADT's English Language Policy Statement (V1.0, approved by Academic Council on 7 April 2025).
| Programme level | IELTS | Other accepted tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (NFQ Level 6-8) | 6.0, no band below 5.5 | TOEFL iBT 79; Duolingo 110; Cambridge B2; others per the CAO list |
| Postgraduate (NFQ Level 9-10) | 6.5, no band below 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 90; Duolingo 120; Cambridge C1; LanguageCert ESOL |
Other ways to meet the requirement
You can also qualify if you have completed a full qualification of at least one academic year taught in English at NFQ Level 5 or higher, which can cover an English-medium degree from India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh. For first-year undergraduate entry, recent English grades in international school qualifications count, such as IB English SL5 or HL4.
The policy says English requirements for Irish immigration purposes are separate from IADT's academic requirement and must be checked independently. PTE is not named in the policy table.
Free test: are you at IADT's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
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No pre-sessional course
IADT says it has not offered pre-sessional English courses, because students who meet the entry requirement are judged ready to start. During your studies it runs free, non-credit English classes for international students plus academic writing support through its Student Learning Centre.
Requirements vary by programme and change between intakes. The score that binds you is the one on your IADT programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where the Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS does IADT need for a master's?+
IELTS 6.5 with no band below 6.0, or TOEFL iBT 90, Duolingo 120 or Cambridge C1.
What IELTS does IADT need for an undergraduate degree?+
IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, or TOEFL iBT 79, Duolingo 110 or Cambridge B2.
Does IADT accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 110 for undergraduate and 120 for postgraduate study.
Does IADT accept a degree taught in English instead of IELTS?+
Yes, a full qualification of at least one academic year taught in English at NFQ Level 5 or higher meets the requirement.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in Ireland accepting IELTS 6.0
- IELTS for Ireland
- TU Dublin IELTS requirement
- Dorset College IELTS requirement
- Duolingo vs IELTS for universities
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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