Basket Login

City Colleges welcomes Non-EU Students

With easily accessible online diplomas and qualifications, we make learning readily available to all our students, regardless of location or timezone. Find out more about studying in Ireland with City Colleges…

Full-time courses available for international learners within City Education Group

BA (Hons) in Business Studies – ILEP reference 0374/0001

BA (Hons) in Early Childhood Education & Care – ILEP reference 0375/0001

Diploma in Cybersecurity (Special Purpose Award NFQ Level 7) – ILEP reference 0374/0002

Higher Diploma in Data Analytics – QQI accredited (Level 8) ILEP reference 0374/0003

City Colleges welcome applications from international students.


Currently, City Colleges use the Irish Qualification Recognition Service and the UK’s National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) to map international qualifications onto the Irish Framework.

For applicants whose first language is not English an IELTS certificate may also be required. International applicants who require a Visa should use the services of an overseas education consultant/education agent. City Colleges works closely with selected agencies overseas.

For a list of our trusted agents, please contact our International Admissions team by emailing international@citygroup.ie.

  1. Graduate starting salaries are at a high of €33k*
  2. Dublin is home to large and prestigious organisations such as Google, Facebook, Accenture, Hubspot, Mastercard and Salesforce – the perfect place for you, an aspiring global business professional
  3. In late 2018, employment levels reached an all-time high* in Dublin, which along with the prestigious organisations based in Dublin, offers huge employment potential for graduates
  4. A 12-month post-student work permit enables graduates to gain invaluable experience with these companies or one of the numerous start-ups based in the city
  5. A city-centre campus in the heart of Dublin – equipped with modern facilities and positioned perfectly, connecting you to work opportunities

City Colleges welcome applications from international students. Please contact our International Admissions team by stating your nationality, current location, name and phone number. Currently, City Colleges uses the Irish Qualification Recognition Service and the UK’s National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC) to map international qualifications onto the Irish Framework.

For entry requirements, please check the individual course information pages on this site or contact a member of our Admissions Team. For applicants whose first language is not English an IELTS certificate or equivalent recognised English proficiency examination may also be required.

International applicants are advised to use the services of an City Colleges authorised education agent. City Colleges works closely with selected agencies overseas. For a list of our trusted agents, please contact our International Admissions team by emailing international@citygroup.ie.

Visa required students can apply directly through a relevant application form on our website or may be guided to submit application through an City Colleges approved education agent.

Students should provide the following documents to have the application considered:

  • Completed Application form
  • Supporting educational documentation
  • Copy of Passport
  • Copy of Valid IELTS or equivalent English certification (minimum IELTS requirement of 6.0 Bands)

Once your application is received, we will send you on the following information:

  • Summary of the course programme contents
  • Applicable programme fee, payment requirements and refund conditions (if applicable)
  • Course Academic entry requirements
  • Course English language entry requirements
  • Details of City Colleges’ protections arrangements and refunds policy
  • Details of any scholarship offered (if available)

Once your application has been reviewed by our Admissions team, should your application be accepted, we will then send you a Conditional Offer letter which will become an Unconditional Offer/Final offer once the applicant has fulfilled any additional requirements.

Your Unconditional offer letter will include:

  • Confirmation of an offer of a place on your chosen programme
  • Details of our Induction process, academic calendar and support services available to our students.
  • A link to our Code of Practice for the Provision of Education to International Learners.
  • Procedures that apply when a student withdraws or fails to attend or participate as required by the college.
  • Circumstances in which the College may terminate its tuition contract with a student.
  • These circumstances may include the submission of fraudulent documentation by the student.

Depending on your nationality you may be required to apply for a visa to study in Ireland. For full and complete information on visa requirements please visit the Irish Immigration website.

It is the enrolling student’s responsibility to inform us when they have submitted their visa application. A visa reference number and date of submission of visa application is required. A full list of the required documents for visa application can be seen here.


Should your visa application be refused a refund (Less a €150 administration fee) will be returned to you. Please note that we reserve the right not to refund fees where false, fraudulent, or fake documents have been submitted as part of a visa application.

Should your visa application be successful you are required to send confirmation to us directly with a copy of the stamp on your passport.

Please allow sufficient time to process the visa application as this can take anything from 4-16 weeks to process.

You will also need to advise us when you hope to travel before the start of the course so that we can provide additional details to you such as; accommodation, timetables, registration and induction schedule and possible part-time job opportunities available (if required)

All Visa requiring international students are required to have private medical insurance, either personally or through a group scheme at time of registration. To support you meeting this requirement City College’s tuition fees for visa requiring international students includes payment for an approved insurance policy, which the College purchases for you upon receipt of full tuition fee payment.

Learner Protection is provided by Arachas Learner Protection Programme and underwritten by Aviva Insurance Ltd. The current fee is 3.5% of the tuition fee. Protection of Enrolled Learners in accordance with section 65(4)(b) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 (hereafter the 2012 Act), are covered under this agreement for the duration of the agreement. 

Our dedicated accommodation team will help you find the right accommodation for your budget.

We will consider your special requirements, likes and dislikes and will match the best accommodation option to your needs.

We offer a choice of onsite student residence, homestay accommodation and student apartments/flats

Level 7 & Level 8 (QQI Awarded Programmes)


For applicants whose first language is not English, the minimum English language requirement for entry to our higher education programmes and the minimum requirement is outlined below

Title of AwardGeneral or Academic EnglishMinimum Level Required
AcademicIELTS6
AcademicETAPPC1
AcademicTOEFLPBT 550
CBT 213
IBT 60
AcademicBritish Council -UCLES/IDP6
AcademicJMB University Entrance test in English (Overseas)Pass
AcademicAEBC
AcademicOEB -English as a Foreign Language (Higher Paper)Pass
GeneralTIEC1
GeneralCouncil of EuropeC1
GeneralTrinity College (UK)10
ISE – Level III
GeneralTOEIC750
GeneralLondon Tests of English (Edexcel) Pearson Language AssessmentLevel 4
GeneralCambridge ESOL
CAE
CPE
 165
Grade C
GeneralPitman UKLevel 5 (Advanced)
GeneralARELS/Oxford UKHigher – Good
AcademicPearson Test of English46 or above
AcademicPassword Skills (for non-visa requiring students)Band 6
 DuoLingo Online English Test  – for Sept 2023.
*score updated post February 2023 intake
Score 105
AcademicOxford Test of English120

Further Information

Please call the College on +353 1 416 0034 or email info@citycolleges.ie.

Why City Colleges?

Study options that Suit your Schedule

Study where you want when you want. On Campus, Live Online, and On Demand.

Industry Expert-Led Courses

100+ courses, across subject areas in Business, IT, Psychology, Criminology, Law, Media, Arts & Science with over 16,000 graduates

World Class Teaching

City Colleges Lecturers are industry leaders in their chosen fields

Our commitment to student experience

Our Programme Teams engage, support, and guide our students throughout their programme to ensure that their learning experience is a positive one and prepares them to use their new skills in the workplace.

Cutting Edge Programme Content

Our students enjoy some of the most contemporary and industry-relevant course content, developed by our industry-based practitioners to close skills gaps in the global workforce

Premium courses at affordable prices

City Colleges is committed to ensuring that our education and training programmes are accessible and affordable.