National College of Ireland for Nigerian Students
Entry Requirements by Level
Academic Requirements
Foundation Year required via NCI Foundation Programme. WAEC/NECO accepted as O-level equivalent. Located in Dublin's IFSC financial district — ideal for finance and tech sector students.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: €10,000–€14,000. Application deadline: Rolling.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 2.5/4 (2:2 or work experience UK equivalent). Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
English Language
IELTS: 6.5+ overall, 6+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: €11,500–€15,000. Application deadline: Rolling. Decision time: 2–4 weeks.
Documents Required
Available Scholarships
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES)
by Irish Government (HEA) · Masters
Learn more →NCI Scholarship Fund
by National College of Ireland · Masters
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Does National College of Ireland accept WAEC?
WAEC/NECO is accepted as a secondary school qualification for undergraduate entry at NCI. For Masters, a recognised Nigerian Bachelor's degree is required, though relevant professional work experience may be considered for mature applicants — making NCI accessible for mid-career professionals.
What GPA is needed for Masters at National College of Ireland?
NCI accepts a minimum 2:2 (GPA 2.5/4.0) or equivalent work experience for Masters programmes. Located in Dublin's IFSC financial district, NCI specialises in Business, Computing, Data Analytics, and Finance — highly relevant for Nigerian graduates in banking, tech, and data sectors.
Are there scholarships for Nigerian students at National College of Ireland?
Yes. NCI offers a merit-based Scholarship Fund for qualifying students. As a public college, NCI is also eligible for the Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES) which provides full tuition waiver plus €10,000 stipend for Masters students.
Tips for Applying to NCI
NCI's location in Dublin's IFSC — Ireland's international financial services hub — makes it particularly relevant for Nigerian students in banking, data analytics, and technology. The acceptance of professional work experience as an alternative to GPA requirements opens doors for mid-career Nigerian professionals seeking to upgrade qualifications. After completing a Masters, the 24-month Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G) is especially valuable for students in NCI's specialisms, given that IFSC companies and Dublin tech firms are major employers of international graduates in Ireland.
Official source: National College of Ireland ↗Cost of Living in Dublin
IFSC is in central Dublin. Student accommodation options across the city.