What IELTS score do you need for an Irish study visa?

The certificate of your English standard must have been issued within 2 years of the expected start date of your course. The page also lists ETAPP, IELCA and the Skills for English Four Facet Test at B1 and B2.

Applicants for English language courses do not have to provide a test result, but the visa officer may ask for alternative evidence of a basic level of English. The page says that, because of difficulties with supervised tests during Covid-19, online test results from the listed providers are also accepted.

Second-level courses may only be taken at a private, fee-paying school or college, and 'foundation level' means Level 5 courses on the National Framework of Qualifications.

If you need an English course before your main course, extra rules apply: the preparatory English course must not exceed 6 months, you must submit a detailed study plan with the dates of both courses, and fees must be paid in full for the English course and the first year of the main course, with evidence of payment in your visa application.

The immigration page says its table is "for immigration purposes only" and that the onus is on each student to meet the language requirement of their college. Irish universities often publish their own scores per course; for an example, see our Trinity College Dublin IELTS guide or the IELTS for Ireland overview.

Rules change, sometimes at short notice. Confirm the current requirement on the Irish Immigration Service English requirements page before you book a test or apply. This guide restates that page as read on 6 October 2026; it is not migration advice.