Study abroad › Ireland
Bachelor’s degrees take 3–4 years, teaching is in English, and both major universities publish exactly what they want from an NSC or IEB certificate.
South African applicants are normally “non-EU” (this depends on where you live, not your nationality), which means you apply directly to the university, not through Ireland’s central CAO system – the CAO is for EU/EEA/UK/Swiss applicants. Trinity College Dublin applies through my.tcd.ie; University College Dublin through UCD Global.
Publishes four NSC/IEB “bands” based on your five strongest subjects (excluding Life Orientation): Special Entry 77777, Band 1 77776, Band 2 77766, Band 3 77666. You must also meet minimum matriculation requirements: passes in English, Mathematics and a language other than English. Needs “a high level of competence in English” via a recognised exam system.
Source: tcd.ie (opens the official page)
Asks for the award of the NSC (or the old Senior Certificate with matric endorsement), plus whatever grades the specific course sets. Its NSC English requirement is reported as 40% if taught through English or Home Language level, otherwise 60%.
Source: ucd.ie (opens the official page)
Genuinely programme-tiered: Band 1 programmes need a minimum NSC average of grade 7, Band 2 grade 6, Band 3 grade 5. Where Mathematics or a lab science is required, those need at least grade 6.
Source: ucc.ie (opens the official page)
Five bands by NSC achievement: Band I 60–64%, Band II 64–69%, Band III 70–79%, Band IV 80–90%, Band V 90–100% (Life Orientation excluded). Specific programmes may need a higher band.
Confirms it accepts the NSC (AS level), but publishes no specific percentages or grade bands – only that some programmes may set a higher bar, and a portfolio, and that meeting minimum grades doesn’t guarantee a place. Worth contacting directly.
Source: ul.ie (opens the official page)
Both Trinity and UCD also offer an International Foundation route (the Trinity International Foundation Programme and the UCD International Foundation Year) if your marks fall short of direct entry.