- Visa minimum (degree)
- IELTS 5.0
- Trinity / UCC
- 6.5 (6.0 each)
- Critical Skills permit
- No test set
- Fee (IDP Dublin)
- EUR 220
Study visa: the immigration minimum
| Test | 2nd level, foundation or preparatory English course | All other courses |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic (or IELTS UKVI) | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| PTE Academic | 30 | 30 |
| TOEFL iBT | 47 | 61 |
| Duolingo English Test | 55 | 75 |
These are the Irish Immigration Service's minimums for visa purposes only. The service says the minimum set by your college may be different, and in practice universities ask far more. The certificate must be issued within two years of the expected course start, and you submit the test provider's certificate with the visa application. Applicants for an English language course do not need a test certificate, though a visa officer may ask for other evidence of basic English.
What universities ask
| University (own admissions page) | Standard entry | Higher-entry courses |
|---|---|---|
| Trinity College Dublin (UG and PG) | IELTS Academic 6.5, 6.0 in each band | 7.0, 6.5 in each band |
| University College Cork (UG and PG) | 6.5, 6.0 in each band | 7.0 for some programmes (e.g. Speech & Language Therapy) |
Trinity says most undergraduate and postgraduate courses accept its standard band and results must be issued within two years before the course starts. UCC also applies a two-year limit. Check the course page, because higher-entry courses ask more. Trinity accepts IELTS single subject retake results.
Working in Ireland
The Critical Skills Employment Permit page from the Department of Enterprise sets no English test. It sets pay: €40,904 a year for listed strategically important occupations (€36,848 if you qualified in the last 12 months), or over €68,911 for most other occupations.
IELTS fees in Ireland
IDP's Ireland site lists one test centre, the Exam Centre of Ireland in Dublin, where IELTS on computer (Academic or General Training) was EUR 220 for every session listed on 30 September 2026, with results in one to five days and One Skill Retake available.
BandLadder pricing in EUR for Ireland
BandLadder in EUR
One-time access, no automatic renewal. Free practice needs no card. Prices are shown in your currency at checkout as well.
| Plan | Access | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sprint Pass | 7 days | EUR 5.99 |
| Quick Pass | 15 days | EUR 9.99 |
| Boost | 30 days | EUR 16.99 |
| Professional | 60 days | EUR 28.99 |
| Professional | 90 days | EUR 36.99 |
Start preparing for Ireland
AI-scored mock tests built around your target score. Free account, no card.
Practice IELTS Academic →Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score is required for an Ireland study visa?+
The Irish Immigration Service minimum is IELTS Academic 5.0 for degree-level courses and 4.0 for second-level, foundation or preparatory English courses. Your college's requirement is usually higher: Trinity and UCC ask 6.5 with 6.0 in each band.
Do I need IELTS for an Irish work permit?+
The Critical Skills Employment Permit page sets no English test; it sets salary thresholds. Your employer or professional body may still ask for one.
Does Ireland accept PTE?+
Yes. PTE Academic 30 meets the visa minimum, Trinity asks 69 with 59 in each section and UCC asks 63 with 59 in each communicative skill.
IELTS or PTE for Ireland?+
Both cost EUR 220 in Ireland and both are accepted by Trinity and UCC. Trinity's PTE bar (69) is relatively high against its IELTS 6.5, so compare your mock scores on both before booking.
How much is the IELTS fee in Ireland?+
EUR 220 for IELTS on computer at the Exam Centre of Ireland in Dublin, per IDP on 30 September 2026.
Official sources
Reviewed 30 September 2026. This guide helps you plan test preparation; check the current rules for your own program.
- Irish Immigration Service: English language requirements for study visas
- Irish Immigration Service: how to apply for a long term study visa
- Department of Enterprise: Critical Skills Employment Permit
- Trinity College Dublin: English language requirements
- University College Cork: undergraduate English requirements
- University College Cork: postgraduate English requirements
- IDP IELTS Ireland: Exam Centre of Ireland sessions and fee
- Pearson: test centres and fees (price finder)
- PTE for Ireland compared
- PTE to IELTS score converter
- IELTS band score calculator
- Duolingo to IELTS converter
- What IELTS score do nurses need for Ireland (NMBI)?
- What IELTS score do doctors need for the Irish Medical Council?
- What IELTS score do pharmacists need for the PSI?
- What IELTS score do you need for an Irish study visa?
- What IELTS score do you need for Trinity College Dublin?
- What IELTS score do you need for UCD?
- What IELTS score do you need for University College Cork?
- What IELTS score do you need for the University of Galway?
- What IELTS score do you need for DCU?
- What IELTS score do you need for Maynooth University?
- What IELTS score do you need for TU Dublin?
- What IELTS score do you need for the University of Limerick?
- What IELTS score do you need for National College of Ireland?
- What IELTS score do you need for Dublin Business School?
- What IELTS score do you need for Griffith College?
- What IELTS score do you need for Atlantic Technological University?
- What IELTS score do you need for Munster Technological University?
- What IELTS score do you need for South East Technological University?
- What IELTS score do you need for the Technological University of the Shannon?
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy