About Ireland

There are several British Council test centres in Ireland's capital Dublin. Besides the capital, there are several other IELTS test centres across the country.

IELTS data

Several universities in Ireland require IELTS as proof of English proficiency to enrol in an English-taught programme

• Lowest IELTS score required: 5.0
• Highest IELTS score required: 8.0
• Average IELTS score required: 6.2
• Number of universities accepting IELTS: 98
• Number of studies accepting IELTS: 2073

Background of Ireland

Ireland has a long and respected tradition in European learning, dating back to 500 AD when its monks and monasteries were centers of knowledge. Today, educational attainment rates are among the highest globally, with over 85% of young people completing secondary education and over two-thirds pursuing higher learning. Ireland ranks first in Europe for graduates per 1,000 inhabitants.

Government investment supports world-class facilities at its seven universities, 14 Institutes of Technology, and numerous research centers. Irish research ranks in the top one percent globally in 18 fields, and all universities are within the top three percent worldwide. Students from 160 countries comprise 12% of the student population. English language proficiency, typically proven by IELTS, TOEFL, or C1 Advanced, is required for university admission.

English requirements in Ireland

To study in English at one of the universities in Ireland you may need proof of English proficiency. There are several standardised English tests that you can take to prove your English level, such as the PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), CAE (Cambridge Advanced English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System), offered by British Council and IDP. IELTS is the most popular of these tests, with British Council offering more than 1,000 test locations and being accepted by more than 11,500 organisations worldwide.

4 most popular study destinations for students in Ireland