Let’s unpack the boons and bonuses at NCI with its history and location. The National College of Ireland was established in 1951 with a very clear focus on shaping leaders of tomorrow, i.e., skilled individuals who meet the demands of the industry. The beautiful college campus is located right in the heart of Dublin City Centre at Mayor Square and Spencer Dock near the Samuel Beckett Bridge. The two buildings are conveniently located just 300m (or a 3-minute walk) from each other. With excellent connectivity, the campus is just a 15-minute walk away from Dublin’s main streets.
From lectures being held two nights a week, covering subjects such as the economic problems, the Christian state, trade union problems, public speaking, catholic social principles, etc., NCI today has evolved significantly, attracting and hosting students from across the world. With 93 student nationalities, NCI today is home to students hailing from more than 80 countries.
Several factors make NCI an excellent choice for Indian students. A few of them include the following:
September is usually the major intake at NCI, while a few programmes are also open in January intakes. The following postgraduate programmes are open for the January 2026 intake:
NCI has earned a strong reputation for its economical and student-friendly NCL fees. The institution is committed to delivering high-quality education at a cost that remains within reach. Its affordable programmes ensure that quality education is accessible to a wide range of students, contributing towards building a well-educated youth.
The tuition fee for undergraduate courses at NCI ranges from 12,000 to 14,000 Euros.
The fee for all NCL postgraduate courses is 17,000 Euros.
The students are required to score 70 per cent and above in their higher secondary (12th standard) exams to gain admission in NCI’s undergraduate courses.
For postgraduate applicants, candidates usually need to score 55 per cent or above in their qualifying bachelor’s degree. The background requirements may vary, largely depending on the discipline, as mentioned below:
The students wishing to study in Ireland must be proficient in English since the mode of instruction in classrooms is English. Students can easily prove their proficiency by attempting tests such as IELTS, PTE, etc. IELTS is one of the most acceptable proficiency tests.
To be eligible to apply to NCI, students need
Admission to these courses is highly competitive as the students need to fulfil prerequisites for each course. The competitiveness, though, depends on the course as well. Also, note that the college might conduct interviews, too, in certain cases, in order to determine the suitability of a candidate.
India Chevening / UCL Scholarship (India) Every year, UCL provides three Indian Chevening scholars with a contribution equal to 100% of their tuition. Selection is based on academic merit. This partnership significantly reduces the financial burden for exceptional Indian students.
A worldwide college-rating system, QS Stars, has awarded NCI a full five out of five stars as an overall score given its commitment to excellence in providing higher education. A brief breakdown of its strength and their ratings is as follows:
The students can follow the following simple steps to apply to NCI:
One may need the following documents to submit the application:
The application deadlines are highly crucial to take care of. Per the university website, courses for certain countries might close earlier than others.
The website mentions the following deadlines:
Applications for September 2026 have opened on November 24th, 2025.
Dublin, being the capital city, is a little costlier than the rest of the country. However, with apt planning and part-time jobs, the students can easily manage. The approximate cost of living for students in Dublin is 12,500 Euros per annum.
It is to be noted that NCI does not provide any accommodation of its own. In fact, the Hubble Living Student Accommodation on campus is completely owned and managed by the Exeter Property Group. However, there are ample private accommodations near the campus for students to explore.
Private Accommodations:
Private accommodation providers near NCI are:
The following is a brief breakdown of the total cost of living in Dublin on a monthly basis:
The total cost comes to around 1,200 Euros per month.
A true testament to the above statement is the fact that NCI has received three awards for excellence in employability. Harbouring a strong tradition of offering professional programmes, NCI firmly emphasises the employability skills as well as interpersonal skills in their students. They not only cater to the demands of the current employers but also take into consideration the changes that might impact employability in future. The following demonstrates the same:
NCI is well connected with industries, with close partnerships with a wide range of employers from sectors such as Professional Services / Consulting / Legal / Tax; Banking, Finance & Insurance; Government / Public Sector / State Bodies; Technology / Software / Digital Services; Telecommunications; Airlines / Travel / Transport; Manufacturing / Engineering / Industrial; Retail & Consumer, Healthcare; NGOs / Non-profits / Charities; etc.
Their recent graduates have gone to work with companies such as EY, Ryanair, Telefónica, The Central Bank, Syncreon, GOAL, Citco, Citi, Jaguar Landrover, Workday, The Revenue Commissioner, Irish Life, Irish Water, ERS, Travelport Digital, Smurfit Kappa, Special Olympics Ireland, Sandvik, McCann Fitzgerald, ESB, Ergo, OpenJaw, Arthur Cox, Kerry Group, Primark, eshopworld, Openet, Concern, Taxworld, Fusio, Flowforma, SAP, Ding, Fidelity International, Grant Thornton, Glanbia, Beaumount Hospital, Mater Private, etc.
The National College of Ireland stands out in 2026 for its strong academic foundation and deep industry relevance, making it an excellent choice for students aiming to build future-ready careers. The programmes are designed in close collaboration with industry experts, ensuring curricula stay aligned with evolving market needs across business, computing, data analytics, cybersecurity, and human resources. The fact that the college is time and again ranked as ‘Best for Jobs’ in the annual Sunday Times Good University Guide illustrates the same. NCI puts strong emphasis on practical learning through real-world projects, internships, and strong employer partnerships, giving students direct exposure to current industry challenges and trends.
An aspect that highly favours choosing NCI as your study abroad destination is its value for money and high return on investment. The college offers high-end courses with a very affordable fee structure that is further complemented by its automatic scholarships. With highly learned faculty members who bring both academic expertise and professional experience, NCI equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in the rapidly changing global industries. This ensures that the students are able to gain fruitfully from their investments.
NCI holds a 5-star overall rating from QS Stars, recognising its excellence in higher education. It scores 5 stars specifically for employability, internationalisation, facilities, social responsibility and inclusiveness. The college also earns 5 stars for programme strength in Accounting and Finance, while teaching receives 4 stars.
Popular undergraduate courses include Computing, Data Science, Business, Accounting and Finance, and Human Resource Management. At postgraduate level, students frequently choose Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Finance, Fintech and Marketing. These programmes blend academic rigour with strong industry connections.
Undergraduate applicants need 70% or above in their Class 12 exams. Postgraduate students typically require 55% or higher in their bachelor's degree. Some programmes ask for specific subject backgrounds—computing courses need computing degrees, while business programmes accept business-related disciplines. A few courses also require work experience.
Undergraduate courses range from €12,000 to €14,000 annually. All postgraduate programmes cost €17,000 per year. NCI requires a deposit of 50% of the tuition fee (€6,000 to €7,000) for visa eligibility. There's no application fee. Automatic merit scholarships can reduce costs by up to €5,000 for postgraduates.
Undergraduate courses require IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. Postgraduate programmes need IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in every section. NCI also accepts PTE and TOEFL scores. Students must demonstrate English proficiency since all instruction happens in English.
Apply directly through the course page on NCI's website. Research your chosen programme first, check eligibility criteria and take your English proficiency test. Submit your application with all required documents. Wait for your offer letter, then apply for scholarships if eligible. Accept your offer, pay the deposit and begin your visa process.
You need academic transcripts and degree certificates, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, English test results, your CV or resume and work experience letters if applicable. Some courses may ask for additional documents. Gather everything before you start your application to avoid delays during submission.
Applications for September 2026 opened on 24 November 2025. The deadline for students requiring an entry visa for Ireland is 1 July 2026. Some country-specific applications may close earlier. Apply well before the deadline to allow time for offer letters, scholarship applications and visa processing.
Yes, NCI accepts degrees from foreign universities for postgraduate admission. Your qualification must be recognised and equivalent to Irish degree standards. You need to meet the minimum percentage requirement of 55% or above, along with any subject-specific background the programme requires. Always verify equivalency before applying.
Response times vary depending on the programme and application volume. Generally, students receive updates within a few weeks of submission. Check your email regularly and monitor your application portal for status updates. If your course requires an interview, that may extend the timeline before a final decision arrives.