About the university
National College of Ireland (NCI) is a third-level college in Dublin's International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), in the Docklands. It dates from 1951 and marks its 75th anniversary in 2026. NCI receives funding from the Higher Education Authority and its degrees are QQI awards.
NCI teaches business, computing, psychology and education. Its School of Computing runs master's courses in data analytics, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cyber security and fintech, and its School of Business offers master's courses in management, international business, finance, accounting, marketing, HRM and business analytics.
Indian students mostly look at NCI for a tech or business master's. Every master's costs €17,000 for international students, automatic merit scholarships of up to €5,000 are available, and seven master's courses also start in January.
The campus is in the IFSC in central Dublin. NCI has no residence of its own and estimates €200–€400 a week for a private room in a student residence, so plan your housing early.
- Founded
- 1951 (75th anniversary in 2026)
- Type
- Independent, HEA-funded third-level college; QQI awards
- Campus
- IFSC, Dublin Docklands (Dublin 1)
- Intakes
- September and January (seven master's courses start every January)
- Ratings
- QS Stars five-star rating overall (NCI)
- Accreditations
- ACCA, CIPD and PSI on relevant programmes
Rankings
Popular courses with Indian students
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €17,000
- Duration
- 1 year full time over three semesters, including a practicum or internship
- Intakes
- January 2027 (18 January); check the course page for September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (min. 5.5 per skill), PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale) or Duolingo 105
- Postgraduate
MSc in Artificial Intelligence
- Fee / year
- €17,000
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- January; check the course page for September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (min. 5.5 per skill), PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale) or Duolingo 105
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €17,000
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- January; check the course page for September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (min. 5.5 per skill), PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale) or Duolingo 105
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €17,000
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- January; check the course page for September
- English
- IELTS 6.0 (min. 5.5 per skill), PTE 58, TOEFL iBT 72 (pre-2026 scale) or Duolingo 105
- Postgraduate
MSc in Business Analytics for Decision Makers
- Fee / year
- €17,000
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- January; check the course page for September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.0 per skill), PTE 66, TOEFL iBT 86 (pre-2026 scale) or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
MSc in Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Fee / year
- €17,000
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- January; check the course page for September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.0 per skill), PTE 66, TOEFL iBT 86 (pre-2026 scale) or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €17,000
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.0 per skill), PTE 66, TOEFL iBT 86 (pre-2026 scale) or Duolingo 120
- Postgraduate
- Fee / year
- €17,000
- Duration
- Full time; see course page
- Intakes
- January; check the course page for September
- English
- IELTS 6.5 (min. 6.0 per skill), PTE 66, TOEFL iBT 86 (pre-2026 scale) or Duolingo 120
Fees for international students
| Course | Duration | Fee / year (EUR) | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc in Data Analytics | 1 year full time over three semesters, including a practicum or internship | €17,000 | ≈ ₹18 lakh |
| MSc in Artificial Intelligence | Full time; see course page | €17,000 | ≈ ₹18 lakh |
| MSc in Cybersecurity | Full time; see course page | €17,000 | ≈ ₹18 lakh |
| MSc in Cloud Computing | Full time; see course page | €17,000 | ≈ ₹18 lakh |
| MSc in Business Analytics for Decision Makers | Full time; see course page | €17,000 | ≈ ₹18 lakh |
| MSc in Artificial Intelligence for Business | Full time; see course page | €17,000 | ≈ ₹18 lakh |
| MSc in Management | Full time; see course page | €17,000 | ≈ ₹18 lakh |
| MSc in International Business | Full time; see course page | €17,000 | ≈ ₹18 lakh |
Fees are for international students for the entry year shown on each course page and can rise each year. Approximate exchange rates (based on ECB reference rates, March 2026). Actual rates on your payment date will differ.
Want a course shortlist with fees?Our counsellor will compare courses at National College of Ireland with similar universities in Ireland.
Scholarships
- Master's
Masters Academic Merit Scholarship
Value: Up to €5,000
Eligibility: International students with a master's offer for September or January; assessed automatically on previous academic performance, no form needed.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Higher Diploma
Higher Diploma Scholarship
Value: €4,000
Eligibility: Offer holders for the Higher Diploma in Science in Computing or Data Analytics (International); assessed automatically on academic performance.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Undergraduate
Undergraduate Academic Scholarship
Value: €2,000–€3,000 a year
Eligibility: International students starting a full undergraduate programme from year 1, assessed on academic transcripts and other criteria.
Official page (opens in a new tab) - Master's
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarship (GOI-IES)
Value: See the HEA scheme for the award
Eligibility: Up to 2 places at NCI; priority to high-calibre applicants with a full offer, including School of Business master's and the MSc in AI, AI for Business, Fintech and Open Data Practice.
Official page (opens in a new tab)
Admission requirements
Undergraduate
- International applicants apply directly to NCI; see NCI's academic entry requirements page for the Class 12 standard for your course.
- All scholarships need full fee payment by the published deadlines.
Postgraduate
- Master's courses usually need a level 8 honours degree at 2.2 or higher, or equivalent; ask NCI how your Indian degree percentage maps to a 2.2.
- The MSc in Data Analytics also needs evidence of programming experience and technical or mathematical problem-solving skills; non-cognate graduates can be considered under RPEL.
- Graduates without an IT degree can take the one-year Higher Diploma in Science in Computing first.
Documents
- Passport copy
- Degree certificates and transcripts
- English test certificate (issued within 2 years of the start date)
- CV and statement as listed on the course page
Check if you are eligibleShare your marks and test scores and our counsellor will tell you which courses you can apply for.
English language requirements
| Test or route | Typical requirement |
|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | 6.0 (min. 5.5 per skill) for undergraduate and School of Computing master's; 6.5 (min. 6.0) for School of Business master's and the MSc in AI for Business |
| PTE Academic | 58 (min. 47 per skill) or 66 (min. 58 per skill) |
| TOEFL iBT | 72 or 86 on the pre-2026 scale; 4.0 or 4.5 on the new scale (min. 17 or 4.0 per skill) |
| Duolingo | 105 (min. 95 per skill) or 120 (min. 105 per skill) |
| Waiver | Only for full degrees taught and examined in English in the countries NCI lists (India is not on the list) |
Accommodation and living costs
NCI does not own a student residence or run a placement service. Students use purpose-built student residences, private flat or house shares, or homestays; NCI advises booking early and checking commute times to the IFSC in Dublin 1. Figures below are NCI's own estimates.
| Item | In EUR | Approx. in rupees |
|---|---|---|
| Student residence, private room | €200–400per week | ≈ ₹21,200 – ₹42,400 |
| Student residence, shared room | €110–200per week | ≈ ₹11,660 – ₹21,200 |
| Private rented room | €600–1,200per month | ≈ ₹63,600 – ₹1.3 lakh |
| Shared room in a private rentalPer person | €500–900per month | ≈ ₹53,000 – ₹95,400 |
| Studio | €1,200–1,800per month | ≈ ₹1.3 lakh – ₹1.9 lakh |
Campus and location
NCI's campus is in the IFSC in Dublin's Docklands, Dublin 1, in the city centre.
- Fees include library, Students' Union and on-campus gym membership.
- Small class sizes with academic support (NCI prospectus).
- Eight national careers service awards (NCI prospectus).
- Pre-arrival programme with an accommodation webinar for international students.
Careers and graduate outcomes
Several NCI master's courses include a practicum or internship, and NCI's careers service has won eight national awards. NCI master's degrees are QQI level 9 awards, which usually make graduates eligible for Ireland's Stamp 1G stay-back route; see our Ireland guide.
| What | Figure | Source |
|---|
Studying in Ireland
Visa rules, work rights and living costs apply to every university in Ireland. Our country guide covers them in detail:
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FAQs
How much is a master's at NCI for Indian students?
NCI's international fee is €17,000 for every master's course. Automatic merit scholarships of up to €5,000 may lower it. Fees are revised annually, so confirm the figure for your intake.
Which NCI master's courses start in January?
The MSc in Data Analytics, Artificial Intelligence, AI for Business, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Business Analytics for Decision Makers and International Business start every January.
What IELTS score does NCI need?
IELTS 6.0 (no skill below 5.5) for School of Computing master's and undergraduate courses, and 6.5 (no skill below 6.0) for School of Business master's and the MSc in AI for Business.
Does NCI accept an English-medium degree from India instead of IELTS?
No. NCI's waiver covers only full degrees taught in English in the countries it lists, and India is not one of them, so you need a test such as IELTS, PTE, TOEFL or Duolingo.
Can I study computing without an IT degree?
Yes. NCI's one-year Higher Diploma in Science in Computing (€12,000) is a conversion course for graduates of non-IT subjects.
Does NCI have student housing?
No. NCI does not own a residence; it estimates €200–€400 a week for a private room in a student residence.
Sources
- NCI: international fees (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: international scholarships (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: master's programmes for international students (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: January intake (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: undergraduate courses for international students (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: English language requirements (international) (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: MSc in Data Analytics (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: international accommodation (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: international prospectus 2026-27 (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
- NCI: about (opens in a new tab)
- Wikipedia: National College of Ireland (opens in a new tab)
Official website: www.ncirl.ie (opens in a new tab)
Check the latest details