Irish/UK Pathway

Overview:

Occasionally, a student who has graduated from medical school in Ireland will decide to apply for post-graduate (internship/residency) training outside of North America.

Residency in Ireland:

In Ireland the term ‘internship’ is equivalent to the term ‘residency.’

All graduates of Irish medical schools who hold EU Passports and who applied to Irish medical schools as an EU student are guaranteed an internship post. Graduates who hold EU Passports, but did not apply through the CAO, are ranked below those who hold CAO numbers. American and Canadian citizens are eligible to apply for the remaining internship positions.

In 2020 the Irish Health Service increased significantly the number of paid Internship Positions. Since then the majority of North American students who have applied for a position have received one.

Residency in Ireland and the EU is different from North America in that trainees need to apply for each successive stage of their post-graduate training. For example, a new graduate applies for an intern position in a teaching hospital in one of the six Intern Networks (affiliated with the six medical schools). The intern (or resident) year is comprised of a number of medical and surgical rotations. A Certificate of Experience is awarded on completion of the Intern year. (For additional information, please click here).

In the following year you apply for a Senior House Officer (SHO) position and begin Basic Specialist Training which usually lasts for two years. (For additional information, please click here).

Following Basic Specialist Training junior doctors can apply for Higher Specialist Training in the Registrar Training Programme. Higher Specialist Training is provided by a number of specialist postgraduate training bodies who are responsible for training and oversight in these specialties. Registrar training generally lasts from four to six years but can take longer depending on the specialty.

UK Foundation Year:

The UK Foundation Year Program (UKFP) is a two-year, work-based training program which is intended to bridge the gap between medical school and specialty or general practice training. Foundation Year 1 (FY1) is equivalent to an internship and Foundation Year 2 (FY2) is an additional year of experience. Importantly, it can then be followed by specialty training which ranges from 3 years (for General Practice) to 8 years (hospital-based specialties). This training should be recognized in North America. Foundation training is paid employment and is offered through British Health Service hospitals.

Graduates from Irish medical schools are eligible to apply to the UKFP. Irish graduates submit an Eligibility Application prior to the UKFP application on the Oriel website (national online application system). Eligibility applications are typically submitted in the month of August before the final year of medical school. Once the UK Foundation Program Office (UKFPO) deems that applicant as eligible, they may then pursue the main UKFP application.

UK Foundation Program (UKFP)

Health Education England (HEE)

Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW)

NHS Education for Scotland (NES)

Northern Ireland Medical & Dental Training Agency (NIMDTA)