There are many reasons to study in Ireland, including its historical and cultural heritage, natural scenery, quality universities, and European setting. One of the greatest advantages is the chance to study in an English-speaking country in Europe, which can make it easier for international students to communicate locally and complete their studies in English.
However, international students whose first language is not English generally need to meet English language requirements before admission. Irish universities usually ask applicants to prove English proficiency through recognized language examinations, including TOEFL iBT. From January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT results are reported on a new 1–6 score scale, while some universities still list legacy 0–120 score requirements on their pages.
Read more to learn about Irish universities and colleges and their minimum TOEFL iBT score requirements to help you start your application for studying in Ireland. Always check the official course page before applying, because some programs have higher requirements.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at Irish Universities
An international student planning to study in Ireland may need to prove their English competence through a globally recognized English test. TOEFL iBT is one of the common ways to meet this requirement.
Below is a list of some of the best universities in Ireland accepting TOEFL scores. The requirements below are general minimums; program-specific requirements may be higher.
| INSTITUTION NAME | MIN. TOEFL iBT BEFORE JAN. 21, 2026 | MIN. TOEFL iBT ON OR AFTER JAN. 21, 2026 |
|---|
| Trinity College Dublin | 90 overall for standard Band B; 100 overall for higher Band C | 4.5 overall for standard Band B; 5.0 overall for higher Band C |
| Dublin City University | 92 overall | 4.5 overall; some programs may require section minimums |
| University College Dublin | 90 overall, with 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section | 4.5 overall, with no less than 4.5 in each section |
| University College Cork | 90 overall for standard programs; 100 overall for some higher-requirement programs | 4.5 overall for standard programs; 5.0 overall for some higher-requirement programs |
| University of Galway | 88 overall for standard requirements; 95 overall where higher English requirements apply | 4.5 overall for standard requirements; 5.0 overall where higher English requirements apply |
| St Patrick’s Pontifical University | 100 overall | Check the university or program page; the official page reviewed still lists the legacy TOEFL iBT score |
| University of Limerick | 90 overall | Check the university or program page; the official page reviewed still lists the legacy TOEFL iBT score |
1. Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin is one of Ireland’s highest-ranked universities and has worldwide recognition. Trinity is ranked first in Ireland and 75th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027. It is also known for notable alumni, including Nobel laureates, and for its international partnerships. Although all programs are competitive, some of Trinity’s well-known academic areas include Arts and Humanities, Business, Engineering, and Law. Trinity also offers several scholarship opportunities for international students.
Trinity is selective when accepting students from overseas, and English proficiency is one of the important admission requirements. For most undergraduate and postgraduate courses, Trinity lists Band B as the standard English requirement. For TOEFL iBT, Band B requires 90 overall before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 overall on the new scale from January 21, 2026. Some courses use higher Band C requirements, so applicants should check the official page for their chosen program.
2. Dublin City University
Dublin City University developed from the National Institute for Higher Education Dublin, which opened in 1980, and received university status in 1989. The university is known for career-focused and interdisciplinary programs. Popular study areas at Dublin City University include Communications, Finance, Accounting, Business, and more. Tuition fees vary by program and by EU or non-EU fee status, and DCU publishes annual fee schedules for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
International students whose first language is not English must prove their English proficiency level through accepted examinations, including TOEFL iBT. Dublin City University generally requires international applicants to obtain a total TOEFL iBT score of at least 92 before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 on the new scale. Certain programs can have different or higher language requirements, so applicants should review the university’s course catalog and the official English language requirements page.
3. University College Dublin
University College Dublin is a respected higher education institution in Dublin and one of Ireland’s major research universities. The university performs strongly in international subject rankings, with subjects listed in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. Tuition fees vary by program, level of study, and fee status, and UCD publishes course-level EU and non-EU fee information for each academic year.
University College Dublin requires applicants who need to meet English language requirements to provide accepted proof of English proficiency. For TOEFL iBT, UCD lists a minimum score of 90 before January 21, 2026, with 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section. From January 21, 2026, UCD lists 4.5 overall, with no less than 4.5 in each section.
4. University College Cork
University College Cork, formerly Queen’s College Cork, is one of Ireland’s oldest universities. It was established by charter in 1845 and opened in 1849. UCC has several popular study areas, including Nursing, Law, Physiology and Anatomy, Agriculture, and more. Tuition fees are set by program and fee category, and UCC publishes annual EU and international fee schedules for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
International students may need to prove their proficiency in English by providing evidence from an accepted English examination, including TOEFL iBT. For undergraduate applicants, UCC generally requires 90 overall before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 overall on the new scale, while some courses require higher scores. For postgraduate applicants, UCC lists a standard TOEFL iBT requirement of 90 overall before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 overall on the new scale, with higher requirements for some programs. UCC states that TOEFL iBT Home Edition is not accepted for postgraduate applications, so applicants should check the UCC program catalog and the official English requirements page.
5. University of Galway
- TOEFL Requirement
- TOEFL iBT Score: 88 to 95 before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 to 5.0 on the new scale, depending on the program
The University of Galway is a recognized Irish university with a strong research profile. Like University College Cork, the University of Galway was formerly known as Queen’s College Galway. It was founded in 1845, opened in 1849, and was renamed University of Galway in 2022. The university offers programs across areas such as Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Arts, and more.
The University of Galway requires international applicants who need to meet English requirements to provide an accepted English test result. For TOEFL iBT, the university lists 88 overall for standard requirements and 95 overall where higher English requirements apply before January 21, 2026. On the new TOEFL scale from January 21, 2026, the university lists 4.5 overall for standard requirements and 5.0 overall where higher English requirements apply, with component minimums. The language requirement can differ by program; the university’s course catalog has information about specific language requirements, tuition fees, scholarship options, and more.
6. St Patrick’s Pontifical University
- TOEFL Requirement
- TOEFL iBT Score: 100 on the legacy TOEFL iBT scale; applicants should check the university for any updated new-scale requirement
St Patrick’s Pontifical University, also known as Maynooth College, traces its history to 1795. The university is known for programs in Theology, Philosophy, Divinity, Canon Law, and related fields. Tuition fees vary by program and fee status. In the 2026–2027 fee schedule, some non-EU undergraduate bachelor’s programs list fees of €12,500, while postgraduate and other program fees vary by course.
St Patrick’s Pontifical University lists a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 for applicants who need to prove English language proficiency. Because the official English language requirements page reviewed still lists the legacy TOEFL iBT score, applicants should confirm any updated new-scale requirement with the university before applying.
7. University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a public research university located in Limerick and was established in 1972. The university offers more than 70 undergraduate programs and more than 100 taught postgraduate programs across areas such as Arts, Education, Health Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, and more.
If you want to pursue higher education at the University of Limerick, you may need to meet the university’s English language requirements. UL lists TOEFL iBT 90 as an accepted minimum score on the legacy TOEFL iBT scale. Some programs may have higher requirements, so applicants should check the official course page and confirm any updated new-scale TOEFL requirement with the university before applying.
Studying in Ireland can be a good choice if you want to experience higher education in an English-speaking country with a European atmosphere. Obtaining a strong TOEFL iBT score can be an important step toward meeting university admission requirements.
We hope this article has provided the information you are looking for. You can also find more information on different European universities and scholarship opportunities on the Available Programs for International Students.
