Courses
English Language and Entry Requirements
Discover the English language and entry requirements for international students who wish to study undergraduate or postgraduate courses in ATU
English Language Requirements
English Language Requirements
All courses in ATU are delivered through English and applicants must provide evidence of their language competency through an accepted English language qualification.
A list of accepted qualifications and minimum grade requirements for international undergraduate and postgraduate courses is provided in the table below. English language qualifications are only valid if they have been completed within 2 years of the course start date.
For CAO Applicants to undergraduate programmes, please see the English language requirements available in this Entry Requirements Document
If you require a visa to study in Ireland, you should also check the English Language requirements of the Irish Immigration Services as these may be different from university requirements.
Accepted Qualifications and Minimum Grades
IELTS Academic
Undergraduate: A minimum score of 5.5. overall (with score of 5.0 in each component)
Postgraduate: A minimum score of 6.0 overall (with a score of 5.5 in each component)
DuoLingo English Test
Undergraduate: A minimum score of 95 (with a minimum of 90 in each section)
Postgraduate: A minimum score of 105 (with a minimum of 100 in each section)
Pearson PTE Academic
Undergraduate: A minimum score of 59
Postgraduate: A minimum score of 76
TOEFL Paper
Undergraduate: A minimum score of 550
Postgraduate: A minimum score of 575
TOEFL IBT
Undergraduate: A minimum score of 70
Postgraduate: A minimum score of 80
TOEFL CBT
Undergraduate: A minimum score of 196
Postgraduate: A minimum score of 213
TOEIC
Undergraduate: A minimum score of 605
Postgraduate: A minimum score of 660
Cambridge Exams
Undergraduate: A minimum score of FCE High Grade C
Postgraduate: A minimum score of FCE High Grade B
Cambridge Cert (Advanced)
Undergraduate: A minimum score of Grade C
Postgraduate: A minimum score of Grade B
Trinity College London
Undergraduate: A minimum score of Trinity GESE 8 or ISE 11
Postgraduate: A minimum score of Trinity GESE 9 or ISE 11
ETAPP
Undergraduate: A minimum score of B2+
Postgraduate: A minimum score of C1
Oxford Test of English
Undergraduate: A minimum score of 111 (No component less than 100)
Postgraduate: A minimum score of 125 (No component less than 100)
O-Level English (SPM 119)
Undergraduate: A minimum score of Grade C
WAEC English
Undergraduate: A minimum score of Grade C
Other Qualifications
Some secondary school qualifications can be accepted if English has been delivered as a subject at an appropriate level.
Please contact the ATU Global Office for further information about what secondary school qualifications are accepted.
Entry Requirements
This following information is a guide to the minimum international qualification requirements for full-time, on-campus undergraduate and postgraduate courses at ATU. This information is intended as a guide only. Obtaining the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to your chosen course.
Courses will have specific admissions criteria in addition to the minimum requirements. This can include subject requirements, grade requirements, portfolios and interviews. Please see the Entry Requirements section on the relevant course page for further information.
Applicants also have to meet the English language requirements for their chosen course.
Non-EU Qualifications
Bangladesh
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Higher Secondary Certificate Examination (HSC) with a minimum CGPA 4.5/5.0 AND a recognised foundation programme with a minimum score of 60%.
Postgraduate
Four-year Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Brazil
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Certificado de Conclusao de Ensino Medio with a minimum score of 70% and ENEM/PAS
OR
Certificado de Conclusao de Segundo Grau with a minimum score of 70%.
Postgraduate
Bacharel / Licenciado / Licenciatura / Bachelors Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Canada
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Canadian High School or Secondary School Diploma with a minimum score of 65-75% in five acceptable Grade 12 subjects (Grade B or above).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s Honours in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
China
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Senior High School Certificate (three years) with a minimum score of 70% overall including 70% in Maths and English
OR
Certificate of Graduation from Specialised Senior School (three years) with a minimum score of 70% overall including 70% in Maths and English.
Postgraduate
4-year Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Ghana
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Senior Secondary School Certificate with six subjects at Grade C6 or above AND a recognised foundation program with minimum score of 60% is required for Bachelor Honours Degrees (NFQ Level 8).
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s Degree in in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to an Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
India
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Standard XII examinations from CBSE, CISCE or State Boards of Higher Secondary Education with a minimum score of 70% overall including 65% in Maths and English.
Postgraduate
Three or four year Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NQF Level 8).
Indonesia
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Secondary School Certificate / Ijazah Sekolah Menengah Atas / Madrash Aliyah (SMA/MA) with a minimum score of 75% AND a recognised foundation programme with minimum score of 60%.
Postgraduate
Bachelor Degree (Sarjana S1) / Diploma IV (D4) in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor Honours Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Kenya
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) with Grade B average AND a recognised foundation programme with a minimum score of 60%.
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognized higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Malaysia
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Sijil Tingii Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM). Minimum of three relevant subjects at Grades A-C.
OR
Unified Examination Certificate (UEC – Senior Middle Level) with a minimum score of 65% including English and Maths.
OR
Matrikulasi (Matriculation Certificate) with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
OR
Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) with a Grade B Average AND a recognised foundation program with minimum grade of 60%.
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Nepal
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) with minimum grades of 65% AND a recognised foundation programme with minimum scores of 60%.
Postgraduate
A Bachelor Degree AND a Masters Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor’s Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Nigeria
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Senior Secondary School Certificate with six subjects at Grade C6 or above AND a recognised foundation programme with minimum score of 60% will be required for Bachelor Honours Degrees (NFQ Level 8).
Postgraduate
Four year Bachelor’s Degree or Postgraduate Diploma in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Pakistan
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Intermediate/Higher Secondary School Certificate (Year 12) AND a recognised foundation programme with minimum 60%
OR
General Certificate of Education Advanced Levels (A-Levels). Three subjects at Grade A-C
OR
Diploma of Associate Engineer (DAE) with minimum grade of 50%
OR
Two years of Bachelor (Pass) Degree with minimum score of 55% or CGPA 2.5 Division 1.
Postgraduate
Four year Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Saudi Arabia
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Tawjihiyah (General Secondary Education Certificate) with a minimum grade of 75% AND a recognised foundation program with a minimum grade of 60%
OR
College of Technology Diploma / Higher Technology Diploma / Junior Health College Diploma / Associate Degree with a minimum GCPA of 2.75.
Postgraduate
Four year Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
South Africa
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
National Senior School Certificate with Matriculation. A minimum requirement of five subjects with grades 66655 (65%).
Postgraduate
Four year Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Sri Lanka
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Sri Lankan General Certificate (Advanced Level). A-Level requirements will vary depending on the course you want to study. However, as a guide to minimum requirements, applicants should have achieved at least three A-Levels (Grade C or above) for Bachelor Honours (NFQ Level 8) courses
OR
General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) with a minimum score of 75% / Distinction AND a recognised foundation program with minimum score of 60%.
Postgraduate
Bachelor Special / Honours Degree (four years) in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Turkey
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Meslek Lisesi Diplomasi (12 Years) / Lise Diplomasi / Lise Bitirme Diplomasi / Devlet Lise Diplomasi / Devlet Lise Bitirme / Anadolu High School Diploma with a minimum requirement of 80%.
Postgraduate
Lisans Diplomasi / Bachelor Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Uganda
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) / East African Certificate of Education / Cambridge Overseas Higher School Certificate (COHSC). As per A-Level requirements.
A-Levels requirements will vary depending on the course you want to study. However, as a guide to minimum requirements, applicants should have achieved at least three A-Levels (Grade C or above) for Bachelor Honours (NFQ Level 8) courses
OR
Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) with Grades 3 to 6 (Pass with Credit) AND a recognised Foundation program with a minimum score of 60%.
Postgraduate
Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
Ukraine
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
High School Qualifications (Attestat / Certificate of Independent External Examination) with a minimum score of 7 out of 12 (or 4.0 out of 5.0) AND a recognised foundation program with a minimum score of 60%.
Postgraduate
Bachelor Degree (Honours) in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
USA
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
High School Diploma with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and one of the following:
SAT with a minimum score of 1000+ (1800 prior to 2016)
OR
ACT with a composite score of 22 or above
OR
2-3 Advanced Placement Examinations in relevant subjects with grades 3 and above
Postgraduate
Bachelor Degree (Honours) in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor (Honours) Degree (NFQ Level 8).
EU and Worldwide Qualifications
EU Countries
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
Please see the Central Admissions Office (CAO) ‘Entry requirements criteria for EU/EFTA Applicants’ for further information about minimum entry requirements.
Postgraduate
Bachelor Degree in a relevant subject from a recognised higher education institution that is considered comparable to a 2:2 Irish Bachelor Honours Degree (NFQ Level 8).
A-Levels
Undergraduate – Year 1 Entry
A-Level requirements will vary depending on the course you want to study. However, as a minimum guide applicants should have a achieved at least three A-Levels (Grade C or above) for a Bachelor Honours (NFQ Level 8) degree.