One of Ireland's largest medical schools, on the Belfield campus, with both 6-year and 4-year graduate-entry routes.
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At a glance
University College Dublin traces its medical teaching to 1855 and is one of Ireland's largest medical schools, based on the Belfield campus in south Dublin.
It offers both a 6-year direct-entry programme (DN400) and a 4-year graduate-entry programme (DN401), both awarding the MB BCh BAO, which is recognised by the UK GMC.
Around 100th in the world (QS); one of Ireland's largest medical schools
University College Dublin is one of Ireland's largest and most international universities, and its medical school, founded in 1854, is among the biggest in the country with a large clinical teaching staff. UCD is ranked around 100th in the QS World University Rankings, and the combination of scale, a broad hospital network and a global outlook makes it a popular choice for international applicants who want a big, research-active medical school.
Its international footprint is unusually wide: UCD has long run an overseas twinning programme in Malaysia and sends students on clinical and research electives around the world, including to leading North American centres. For applicants that means an established system for international students rather than an afterthought.
UCD's medical school is based on the large, leafy Belfield campus in south Dublin, a self-contained parkland campus a few kilometres from the city centre with extensive sports, library and student facilities. It is a more traditional campus experience than the Dublin city-centre schools.
Where you train
Which route you use depends on where you are applying from, not which school you choose:
Applying from Canada or the US?
North American students apply to UCD through the Atlantic Bridge Programme: one application and one set of documents covering all six Irish medical schools. Our Atlantic Bridge Programme guide walks through eligibility, the MCAT or GAMSAT, Casper, deadlines, the personal statement and how to get in.
For the full picture across all six schools, see our guide to studying medicine in Ireland and the Irish medical schools comparison.
Non-EU and Atlantic Bridge applicants are interviewed; UCD conducts the interview online.
| Non-EU undergraduate | €61,430 per year (2025/26) |
|---|---|
| Non-EU graduate entry | €63,810 per year (2025/26) |
| EU / UK / EEA | Eligible EU undergraduates are covered by the Free Fees Initiative and pay the student contribution; EU graduate-entry students pay a higher GEM fee. |
US federal loans: UCD holds a US Federal School Code (G10188), but eligibility of the medicine programme for US Federal Direct Loans has been in flux in recent cycles. Do not assume federal loans are available for medicine: confirm the current position in writing with UCD's fees office, and budget for private loans as a fallback.
Compare costs across all six schools in our Ireland medicine fees breakdown. Fees rise most years, so confirm the figure for your year of entry on the official course page.
4-year Graduate Entry Medicine (CAO code DN401).
Graduate entry needs a 2:1 degree plus a GAMSAT or MCAT score. See our Graduate Entry Medicine guide and GAMSAT guide.
Complete medicine application support: UCAT tutoring, personal statement reviews and interview coaching from doctors.
An Irish medical degree from UCD is internationally recognised, but how you get home matters and is worth planning from your first year. Here is what the route back looks like:
North American applicants can read the full route home, including the USMLE, ECFMG and the residency match, in our Atlantic Bridge Programme guide.
From personal statement editing and interview coaching to our all-in-one Ultimate Package, we support applicants to UCD at every stage. Tell us where you are applying from and we will recommend the right option.
Work with doctors and admissions experts across every stage of your application.
North America (Canada and the US): apply through the Atlantic Bridge Programme (interview conducted online).
Other non-EU: apply directly to UCD Global / the International Office.
EU, UK and EEA: apply through the CAO. Graduate entry needs a 2:1 degree plus GAMSAT or MCAT, references and a short personal statement.
Non-EU undergraduate medicine at UCD costs €61,430 per year (2025/26), and graduate entry €63,810 per year (2025/26). Eligible EU undergraduates are covered by the Free Fees Initiative and pay the student contribution; EU graduate-entry students pay a higher GEM fee.
4-year Graduate Entry Medicine (CAO code DN401).
Yes. UCD graduates sit the USMLE and gain ECFMG certification to enter the US residency match as international medical graduates, and the school funds electives at US institutions including Harvard and Penn. UCD holds a US Federal School Code (G10188); medicine-programme eligibility for federal loans has changed in recent cycles, so US applicants must confirm the current position with UCD directly.
Canadian-resident graduates return through CaRMS, sitting the MCCQE Part I and usually the NAC OSCE; some provinces also accept the USMLE Steps. Plan electives and exam timing early, as the international medical graduate stream is competitive.
University College Dublin is one of Ireland's largest and most international universities, and its medical school, founded in 1854, is among the biggest in the country with a large clinical teaching staff. UCD is ranked around 100th in the QS World University Rankings, and the combination of scale, a broad hospital network and a global outlook makes it a popular choice for international applicants who want a big, research-active medical school.
Its international footprint is unusually wide: UCD has long run an overseas twinning programme in Malaysia and sends students on clinical and research electives around the world, including to leading North American centres. For applicants that means an established system for international students rather than an afterthought.
Yes. The MB BCh BAO is recognised by the UK GMC for registration. Graduates can register with the GMC and enter the UK Foundation Programme.
Ultimate Package students from our 2025/26 cycle, with their UCAT scores and offers, who trained with us for the UCAT, personal statements and interviews.
“Harry got my UCAT up to 2,590, working through the sections I kept dropping marks on week by week. Gemma then ran my interview practice so the MMI stations didn't catch me out, and Dr Akash mentored me the whole way through. I'm off to King's for Medicine.”
“The interview prep was the part that actually moved the needle. Proper mock MMIs, not just lists of questions, and feedback that was honest about what I was getting wrong. I ended up with four offers and firmed UCL.”
“The Ultimate Package kept me organised from UCAT through to interviews. They knew what dental schools actually ask and tightened up my personal statement. Four offers in the end, and I'm going to Birmingham.”
“Vet applications come down to the written SAQs as much as the interview. Dr Rebecca went through my SAQs line by line, sharpened my answers and prepped me for the panels. I came away with four offers and chose the RVC.”
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