UCAS
Studying Medicine In Ireland: The Ultimate Guide To Applying In 2026 & The Atlantic Bridge Programme
Yes, international students can study medicine in Ireland, and the majority of applicants who contact us about it are from outside the EU. There are six medical schools: the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork (UCC), the University of Galway and the University of Limerick. How you apply depends entirely on where you are applying from.
Students from North America (Canada and the US) apply through the Atlantic Bridge Programme, a single application that covers all six schools plus RCSI Bahrain. Other non-EU students (for example from the UAE and Dubai, India, the wider Middle East, Asia and Africa) apply directly to each university. EU, UK and EEA applicants apply through the CAO and sit the HPAT. This guide breaks down the requirements, fees, deadlines and admissions tests for each route, updated for the 2026/27 cycle.
A note from the author. I am Dr Akash Gandhi, an NHS GP and the founder of TheUKCATPeople, and I have spent years helping students into medicine, including in Ireland. It is one of the routes I am asked about most, and also one of the most misunderstood, because the rules genuinely change depending on where you are applying from. I have written this guide to give you straight answers: what each route actually requires, what it costs, and how to give yourself the best chance. Where figures move year to year, I have said so and linked the official source.
Why Should You Study Medicine In Ireland?
Ireland is one of the most popular destinations for international students who want an English-language medical degree that is recognised worldwide. Irish medical schools are internationally accredited, their degrees are recognised by the UK General Medical Council (GMC), and graduates go on to practise in Ireland, the UK, North America, the Middle East and beyond.
The teaching is delivered in leading teaching hospitals, with early clinical exposure and a strong research culture, several Irish schools require a research project during the degree. For applicants who narrowly miss a place at home, or who want a globally portable qualification, Ireland is an attractive and well-trodden route.
If you are weighing Ireland against the UK, it is worth reading our UK medical school rankings and our guide to studying medicine abroad alongside this page.
For the wider picture, compare the UK medical school rankings and our guide to studying medicine abroad, and if you are also looking at continental Europe, read applying to study medicine in Europe.
Which Universities Offer Medicine In Ireland?
There are six universities in Ireland offering a medical degree. Four also offer a four-year Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme, and the University of Galway will admit its first GEM cohort in autumn 2027.
University | Location | Courses offered | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences | Dublin | Undergraduate + Graduate Entry (also RCSI Bahrain) | 5 or 6 yrs / 4 yrs |
University College Dublin (UCD) | Dublin | Undergraduate + Graduate Entry | 6 yrs / 4 yrs |
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) | Dublin | Undergraduate | 5 yrs |
University College Cork (UCC) | Cork | Undergraduate + Graduate Entry | 5 or 6 yrs / 4 yrs |
University of Galway | Galway | Undergraduate (Graduate Entry from 2027) | 5 or 6 yrs / 4 yrs |
University of Limerick (UL) | Limerick | Graduate Entry only | 4 yrs |
RCSI, UCD, Trinity and UCC are the most internationally recognised Irish medical schools in the global rankings, but all six degrees are GMC-recognised and equally accredited for practice.
Compare The 6 Irish Medical Schools
We have built a dedicated profile for each Irish medical school, with international entry requirements, fees, admissions tests and how to apply. Start with the Irish medical schools comparison, or go straight to a school:
Use our Study Medicine in Ireland hub to compare all six Irish medical schools side by side, then open the profile for the school you are interested in. North American applicants should also read our Atlantic Bridge Programme guide.
Which Is The Best Medical School In Ireland?
All six Irish medical schools award a degree recognised by the UK GMC and accredited for practice, so there is no wrong choice. In the international league tables, RCSI, Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin tend to rank highest, with RCSI consistently placed among the world’s leading universities for medicine.
"Best" really means best for you, though. The city, the campus, the course structure (5-year, 6-year or graduate entry) and your realistic chances on your route matter more than a ranking. Use our Irish medical schools comparison to weigh them side by side.
How Do International Students Apply To Medicine In Ireland?
This is where most confusion arises, because there are three separate application channels and which one you use depends on where you are from, not which school you want.
Where you are from | How you apply | Admissions test |
|---|---|---|
North America (Canada & US) | Atlantic Bridge Programme (one application, all six schools) | AP/IB for undergraduate; MCAT or GAMSAT for graduate entry; Casper for RCSI |
Other non-EU (UAE/Dubai, India, wider Middle East, Asia, Africa) | Directly to each university, assessed case by case (Galway routes most non-EU applicants via the agency OnCampus Ireland) | Usually no HPAT for undergraduate; interview if shortlisted; GAMSAT/MCAT for graduate entry |
EU, UK & EEA | CAO (Central Applications Office) | HPAT for undergraduate; GAMSAT for graduate entry |
Deadlines differ by route and are unforgiving. Atlantic Bridge closes at the end of January, the CAO opens the previous November, and direct non-EU deadlines vary by university. Always confirm the current-cycle dates on the official sites before you commit.
What Are The Entry Requirements For International Students?
Undergraduate entry
Undergraduate medicine is open to school-leavers. Through Atlantic Bridge, North American applicants apply with AP exams or the IB, and AP Chemistry is required by every school, alongside biology and either physics or mathematics. Non-EU applicants from elsewhere apply directly and are usually exempt from the HPAT, but shortlisted candidates are typically interviewed.
EU, UK and EEA applicants apply through the CAO: your best A-level or equivalent results are converted to a points score, and you must sit the HPAT, a 2.5-hour aptitude test. The HPAT score is combined with your academic points to rank you.
Graduate entry
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) requires a bachelor’s degree, usually at second-class honours grade 1 (2:1) or above, plus a competitive GAMSAT or MCAT score. As an indication, RCSI typically looks for around MCAT 503 or GAMSAT 60 to reach interview, and UCC around MCAT 505 or GAMSAT 58 (MCAT within three years, GAMSAT within two). Thresholds move each year, so treat these as a guide, not a guarantee.
If you are taking the graduate route, our GAMSAT guide explains the test in full, and our Graduate Entry Medicine guide covers the four-year route in detail.
Our Graduate Entry Medicine guide and GAMSAT guide go into the detail of the graduate route.
Typical academic requirements by qualification
Your qualification | Typical requirement for medicine |
|---|---|
A-levels (UK) | AAA including Chemistry, usually with Biology |
IB Diploma | Around 36 to 38 points, with Higher Level Chemistry |
AP (North America) | Strong AP scores including AP Chemistry, plus Biology and Maths or Physics |
Irish Leaving Certificate | High points including H1 Chemistry, combined with the HPAT |
Graduate (any degree) | A 2:1 honours degree plus GAMSAT or MCAT |
These are typical expectations, not guarantees. Exact subjects, grades and points vary by school and change each year, so always confirm on the official course page.
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Do You Need The HPAT, GAMSAT, MCAT Or Casper?
There is no single Irish medical admissions test. Which one you sit depends on your route and level of entry:
- HPAT: undergraduate applicants applying through the CAO (the EU/UK/EEA route). Most non-EU applicants are exempt.
- GAMSAT or MCAT: graduate entry applicants, on every route.
- Casper: a situational judgement test now required for RCSI’s 5-year and 6-year programmes via Atlantic Bridge (North American applicants). It costs about $85 and has a hard cut-off date.
How the HPAT works
The HPAT-Ireland is a 2.5-hour aptitude test sat once a year through ACER, with the 2026 sitting running across a window in mid to late February (13 to 22 February 2026). It has three sections: Logical Reasoning and Problem Solving, Interpersonal Understanding, and Non-Verbal Reasoning. You need a CAO number before you can register.
For CAO applicants, your HPAT result is added to your Leaving Certificate points (A-level and other qualifications are converted to points). For 2026 entry, Leaving Certificate points above 550 are moderated before HPAT is added. From 2027 entry this moderation is removed, so full Leaving Certificate points up to 625 count and the HPAT contribution is halved.
Medicine is one of the highest-points courses in the country. For 2026 entry the combined Leaving Certificate and HPAT score is marked out of 865 (565 Leaving Certificate points plus up to 300 HPAT), and successful CAO applicants typically need around 730 or more, alongside a minimum HL2 in two subjects including a laboratory science. Important change: from 2027 entry the scheme is being rebalanced towards the Leaving Certificate. The maximum HPAT score falls from 300 to 150, points above 550 are no longer moderated, and the combined maximum becomes 775 (625 Leaving Certificate plus 150 HPAT). Always confirm the current points scheme on the CAO and university sites before you apply.
Casper, the situational judgement test RCSI requires from North American applicants, is explained in full in our Casper test guide.
Casper is the newest requirement and the one applicants most often miss. For the 2027 intake, RCSI stops accepting new Atlantic Bridge applications from 16 January 2026 because the Casper test sits on 18 January. Book Casper before you finalise an RCSI application.
Key Dates And Application Deadlines
Deadlines differ by route and are unforgiving, so work backwards from them. These are the key dates for 2027 entry; always confirm the current cycle on the official sites.
Route | Opens | Key deadline | Tests and interviews |
|---|---|---|---|
EU, UK & EEA (CAO) | Early November | 1 February (CAO) | HPAT registered separately via ACER and sat in late February |
North America (Atlantic Bridge) | Autumn | 31 January (first round 15 December) | Casper for RCSI in mid-January; interviews late January to late March |
Other non-EU (direct) | Autumn | Varies by university, often around 1 February | Interview if shortlisted, usually online |
Apply as early as you can. Assessment is rolling from the first-round date on Atlantic Bridge, places at every school are limited, and RCSI’s Casper deadline comes before the main application deadline.
English Language Requirements
If English is not your first language, you will usually need to prove your proficiency. Most Irish medical schools accept IELTS, with a typical requirement of around 6.5 to 7.0 overall (often with no individual band below 6.0 to 6.5), or an equivalent such as TOEFL or the Duolingo English Test. Medicine tends to sit at the higher end of a university’s range.
Applicants who are native English speakers, or who completed their schooling through English, are usually exempt. Check the exact score and any per-section minimums each school requires before you apply.
The Atlantic Bridge Programme: Applying From Canada & The US
The Atlantic Bridge Programme is the single application route for North American students. One form and one set of documents are sent to all six Irish medical schools (plus RCSI Bahrain), and it has admitted North American students for over 30 years. See our full Atlantic Bridge Programme guide for the step-by-step process, deadlines and the personal statement.
Who can apply
- School-leavers: AP exams or the IB, with AP Chemistry required, plus biology and physics or maths, for 5 to 6 year programmes.
- After some university: university-level chemistry, biology and maths or physics can support a 5-year application.
- Graduates: a bachelor’s degree plus a competitive MCAT or GAMSAT score for the 4-year graduate entry programmes at RCSI, UCD, UCC and UL.
Key dates for the 2027 intake
- Applications close at the end of January 2027; nothing is processed after 31 March 2027.
- RCSI closes earlier (mid-January 2026) because of the fixed Casper test date.
- Interviews run from late January to late March, MMI-style at several schools.
Graduates of Irish schools are still treated as international applicants for residency in the US and Canada, so factor in the licensing route home before you commit.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) In Ireland
Four Irish universities offer an accelerated four-year graduate entry medicine programme: RCSI, University College Dublin, University College Cork and the University of Limerick. The University of Galway has announced its own GEM programme with a first intake in autumn 2027.
GEM is built for students who already hold a degree. You need a 2:1 (second-class honours, grade 1) or better, plus a GAMSAT or MCAT score. The University of Limerick’s programme is GAMSAT-led and is one of the longest-established in the country.
GEM fees are higher than undergraduate fees because graduate entry students are not eligible for the Free Fees Initiative. See the fees section below.
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Interviews And What Makes A Strong Application
Most shortlisted applicants are interviewed, and several Irish schools use the multiple mini interview (MMI), a circuit of short stations that test communication, ethics, motivation and situational judgement. For non-EU and Atlantic Bridge applicants, interviews are often conducted online.
Unlike the UK’s UCAS process, Ireland does not place heavy weight on a long list of work experience, and most routes do not ask for a personal statement. What counts is your academic record, your admissions test score, and, where you are interviewed, genuine insight into medicine and clear, thoughtful communication.
Our medicine interview coaching and interview questions guide prepare you for MMI and panel formats.
How Much Does Medicine In Ireland Cost For International Students?
Fees depend on your status. EU, UK and EEA students who meet the residency criteria pay very little; non-EU students pay the full international rate, which for medicine is among the highest of any degree.
Student type | Undergraduate medicine | Graduate entry (GEM) |
|---|---|---|
EU / UK / EEA (Free Fees eligible) | Student contribution only, around €3,000/yr | Not eligible for Free Fees |
EU / UK / EEA (not Free Fees eligible) | Around €6,500/yr fee + contribution (~€10,000 total) | Around €16,000–€17,000/yr after the HEA contribution |
Non-EU (international) | Around €55,000–€61,000/yr | Around €60,000+/yr |
As a concrete benchmark, RCSI’s published non-EU undergraduate medicine fee for 2026/27 is €61,000 per year. Trinity’s international medicine fee is banded by year of study, rising from the high €20,000s in the early years into the high €50,000s in the clinical years. Always check the exact figure on each university’s fees page, as non-EU fees rise by roughly 2% a year.
Additional costs
- Student contribution charge: roughly €2,000–€3,000 per year.
- IT / student levy: typically around €500.
- One-off health screening charge for healthcare courses: around €380.
UK students may still qualify for EU fee rates and the Free Fees Initiative if they meet the residency criteria, so confirm your status with the HEA and the university. For a fuller picture of international medicine costs, see our international student tuition fees guide.
Funding, The Free Fees Initiative And Scholarships
How you fund medicine in Ireland depends on your status:
- Free Fees Initiative: eligible EU, UK and EEA students have tuition paid by the State and pay only the annual student contribution (around €3,000). Eligibility depends on nationality and residency, so check with the HEA and the university.
- EU students not eligible for Free Fees: pay the EU fee, around €6,500 plus the student contribution.
- Graduate entry: not covered by Free Fees, so EU graduate-entry students pay the full GEM fee (around €16,000 to €17,000 a year after the HEA contribution).
- Non-EU students: pay the full international fee and are not eligible for Free Fees.
- US students: several Irish medical schools, including RCSI, are approved for US Federal Direct (Stafford) Loans, and you complete the FAFSA, though you should confirm with each school. Canadian students typically use provincial loans and bank lines of credit. Our Atlantic Bridge Programme guide covers this in detail.
- Scholarships: some schools offer international or merit scholarships, but they are limited and competitive, so apply early.
Visas, Health Insurance And The Cost Of Living In Ireland
Non-EU students from visa-required countries need an Irish study visa (a long-stay "D" visa) before travelling. After you arrive, you register with Irish immigration and obtain an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) within 90 days. The IRP costs around €300 and is renewed each year, and to register you must show adequate funds (around €10,000) and private medical insurance.
- Private health insurance: required for all non-EU students; basic cover costs roughly €200 to €500 a year and must meet the minimum cover Irish immigration requires.
- Cost of living: budget roughly €12,000 to €18,000 a year on top of tuition, more in Dublin. Accommodation is the biggest cost, with student accommodation in Dublin often €8,000 to €14,000 or more a year.
Visa rules and living costs change, so check the Irish Immigration Service Delivery website and your university’s international office for the current requirements.
How Competitive Is Medicine In Ireland? Acceptance Rates
Medicine in Ireland is highly competitive on every route, but the picture differs by channel. Non-EU places are capped at each school, which is why early, complete applications matter so much. Through Atlantic Bridge, up to around 350 North American students are admitted across all schools each year.
There is no single published "acceptance rate" that applies to everyone, the odds depend on your route, your academic record, your admissions test score and, where required, your interview and Casper. The most reliable way to improve your chances is to apply early, hit the test thresholds comfortably, and prepare properly for interview.
For non-EU applicants applying directly, each university assesses case by case and may interview or ask for further evidence. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an offer.
How Long Is A Medical Degree In Ireland?
Undergraduate medicine is 5 or 6 years. The 6-year route includes a pre-medical foundation year covering the basic sciences; the 5-year route assumes that grounding already. Both build through anatomy, physiology and pathology into clinical skills and hospital placements.
Graduate Entry Medicine is an accelerated 4-year degree for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree.
Is It Called MBBS In Ireland?
Not exactly. Irish medical schools award the MB BCh BAO (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Obstetrics), which is the Irish equivalent of the MBBS awarded in the UK and much of the Commonwealth. The University of Limerick awards the BM BS. Whatever the name, it is a primary medical qualification recognised internationally, including by the UK GMC, so when people search for "MBBS in Ireland" this is the degree they mean.
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Studying Medicine In Ireland Vs The UK
For UK students especially, Ireland is a popular parallel or backup route. Both produce GMC-recognised degrees you can practise on in the UK, but the application differs in a few important ways:
- Application: the UK uses UCAS (one platform, four medicine choices, the UCAT and a personal statement); Ireland for UK students uses the CAO plus the HPAT, with no personal statement.
- Admissions test: the UK uses the UCAT, Ireland uses the HPAT for undergraduate entry. They are different tests, so plan to prepare for both if you apply to both.
- Fees: UK home students pay £9,535 a year; UK students in Ireland may qualify for the Free Fees Initiative (paying mainly the student contribution) if they meet the residency criteria, otherwise the EU fee.
- Why Ireland: an English-speaking country close to home, with a strong clinical and research reputation and a globally portable degree.
Ireland is not an easier route, but it widens your options. Compare it with our UK medical school rankings and our studying medicine abroad guide.
Applying To Medicine In Ireland From Your Country
The exact route depends on where you are applying from:
- From Canada and the US: the Atlantic Bridge Programme, one application to all six schools. Our apply to the UK from Canada guide helps if you are weighing both.
- From the UAE and Dubai: apply directly to each university as a non-EU applicant (Galway via an agency). See also our medicine in the UK from the UAE guide.
- From India and South Asia: apply directly to each university; the MB BCh BAO is recognised internationally. See our medicine in the UK from India guide.
- From the UK: apply through the CAO and sit the HPAT; you may qualify for EU fee rates.
- From the wider Middle East, Asia or Africa: apply directly or through a designated agency, depending on the school.
How To Become A Doctor In Ireland (And Work In The UK After)
After graduating, you register with the Medical Council of Ireland and complete a one-year paid internship in an Irish hospital, which leads to full registration. From there, doctors apply for Basic Specialist Training (usually 2 to 3 years) and then Higher Specialist Training in their chosen specialty, much like the UK pathway.
Irish degrees are internationally portable, so you are not tied to Ireland:
- Work in the UK: Irish degrees are recognised by the GMC. Graduates register with the GMC and enter the UK Foundation Programme (2 years).
- Work in the US or Canada: possible after the relevant licensing exams (for example the USMLE), though you are treated as an international medical graduate for residency.
- Work elsewhere: Irish degrees are widely recognised internationally, sometimes subject to local licensing exams.
As a guide to pay, a first-year intern in Ireland earns around €45,700 (2026 basic), often 30 to 50 per cent more once overtime and on-call are included, rising steadily through training, while consultants earn considerably more. Check the HSE pay scales for the current figures.
How Can We Help You Apply To Medicine In Ireland?
We have supported medical and dental applicants since 2012. Whether you are applying through Atlantic Bridge, directly as a non-EU student, or through the CAO, the components overlap heavily with the UK applications we work on every day: your personal statement or supporting essays, your interviews (including MMI), and your overall application strategy.
You can book a free consultation to talk through your route and the schools that fit you, explore our mentoring packages, or get tailored interview coaching ahead of the January to March interview window. Tell us where you are applying from and we will point you to the right requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can international students study medicine in Ireland?
Yes. Ireland actively recruits international medical students, and most non-EU applicants who contact us are from outside the EU. North American students apply through the Atlantic Bridge Programme; other non-EU students (from the UAE, India, the wider Middle East, Asia and Africa) apply directly to each university; EU, UK and EEA students apply through the CAO and sit the HPAT. All six schools award a GMC-recognised degree.
Which universities offer medicine in Ireland?
There are six: the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), University College Dublin (UCD), Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork (UCC), the University of Galway and the University of Limerick. Four also run a four-year Graduate Entry Medicine programme (RCSI, UCD, UCC and Limerick), and Galway admits its first graduate-entry cohort in autumn 2027.
What are the entry requirements for medicine in Ireland for international students?
Undergraduate entry needs strong school-leaving results plus, for the EU/UK/EEA route, the HPAT through the CAO. North American applicants apply with AP exams or the IB through Atlantic Bridge, and AP Chemistry is required by every school alongside biology and physics or maths. Graduate entry needs a 2:1 degree plus a competitive GAMSAT or MCAT score. Non-EU undergraduate applicants are usually exempt from the HPAT.
How much does medicine in Ireland cost for international students?
Non-EU students pay the full international rate, among the highest of any degree. RCSI's published non-EU undergraduate medicine fee for 2026/27 is EUR 61,000 a year, and most schools sit in the EUR 55,000 to EUR 61,000 range. On top of tuition, budget a student contribution charge of roughly EUR 2,000 to EUR 3,000, a student levy of around EUR 500, and a one-off health screening charge of around EUR 380.
What is the cheapest medical school in Ireland for international students?
Fees are broadly similar across the six schools for non-EU students, typically EUR 55,000 to EUR 61,000 a year, so there is no dramatically cheaper option. Differences in living costs matter more: studying outside Dublin (for example in Cork, Galway or Limerick) usually means lower rent. EU, UK and EEA students who meet the residency criteria pay far less under the Free Fees Initiative, mainly the annual student contribution.
What is the Atlantic Bridge Programme?
The Atlantic Bridge Programme is the single application route for students from Canada and the US. One form and one set of documents are sent to all six Irish medical schools plus RCSI Bahrain. Applications for the 2027 intake close at the end of January 2027 and nothing is processed after 31 March 2027, but RCSI closes earlier (mid-January) because of its fixed Casper test date.
Do you need the HPAT to study medicine in Ireland?
Only for the undergraduate CAO route used by EU, UK and EEA applicants. The HPAT-Ireland is a 2.5-hour aptitude test sat once a year through ACER, usually in February. Most non-EU undergraduate applicants are exempt. Graduate-entry applicants on every route sit the GAMSAT or MCAT instead, and RCSI also requires Casper from North American applicants.
Is the HPAT scoring changing for 2027 entry?
Yes. For 2026 entry the combined score is out of 865 (565 Leaving Certificate points plus up to 300 HPAT), with points above 550 moderated. From 2027 entry the scheme is rebalanced towards the Leaving Certificate: the maximum HPAT score falls from 300 to 150, moderation above 550 is removed, and the combined maximum becomes 775 (625 Leaving Certificate plus 150 HPAT). Always confirm the current scheme on the CAO and university sites.
Do you need the GAMSAT or MCAT for graduate entry medicine in Ireland?
Yes. Graduate Entry Medicine in Ireland requires a 2:1 bachelor's degree plus a competitive GAMSAT or MCAT score, on every route including Atlantic Bridge. The University of Limerick's programme is GAMSAT-led. The GAMSAT or MCAT must usually be sat by the application deadline in the year of entry, so plan your test date carefully.
Which is the best medical school in Ireland?
All six award a GMC-recognised, internationally accredited degree, so there is no wrong choice. In global league tables, RCSI, Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin tend to rank highest, but the best school is the one that fits you: the city, campus, course structure (5-year, 6-year or graduate entry) and your realistic chances on your route matter more than a ranking.
How competitive is medicine in Ireland?
Medicine in Ireland is highly competitive on every route. Non-EU places are capped at each school, so early, complete applications matter enormously. There is no single published acceptance rate that applies to everyone; your odds depend on your route, academic record, admissions test score and, where required, your interview and Casper. The CAO route is among the highest-points courses in the country.
How long is medical school in Ireland?
Undergraduate medicine is 5 or 6 years. The 6-year route includes a pre-medical foundation year covering the basic sciences; the 5-year route assumes that grounding already. Graduate Entry Medicine is an accelerated 4-year degree for students who already hold a bachelor's degree. After graduating you complete a one-year paid hospital internship to reach full registration.
Is the degree called MBBS in Ireland?
Not quite. Irish medical schools award the MB BCh BAO (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Bachelor of Obstetrics), the Irish equivalent of the MBBS awarded in the UK. It is recognised internationally and accredited by the UK GMC, so graduates can register and work in the UK through the Foundation Programme.
Can you work in the UK after studying medicine in Ireland?
Yes. Irish medical degrees are recognised by the UK GMC. After your Irish internship and Medical Council of Ireland registration, you can register with the GMC and enter the two-year UK Foundation Programme. Irish degrees are also portable to the US, Canada and elsewhere, usually subject to local licensing exams such as the USMLE, where you are treated as an international medical graduate.
Do Irish medical schools use the UCAT?
No. Irish medical schools do not use the UCAT. Undergraduate entry through the CAO uses the HPAT, and graduate entry uses the GAMSAT or MCAT. The UCAT is the UK admissions test. If you are applying to both Ireland and the UK, plan to prepare for both the HPAT and the UCAT, as they are different tests.
What funding is available for studying medicine in Ireland?
Eligible EU, UK and EEA undergraduate students can have tuition paid by the State under the Free Fees Initiative, paying only the annual student contribution (around EUR 3,000); graduate entry is not covered. Non-EU students pay the full international fee and are not eligible. US students can often use US Federal Direct (Stafford) Loans at approved schools including RCSI via the FAFSA, and some schools offer limited, competitive scholarships.
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