Study Medicine in Ireland

Ireland is noted for its world-class medical training. Graduates from Irish Medical Schools consistently secure residencies in top tier residency programs throughout North America. We encourage you to view the residencies secured by our graduates in recent years on the Residency Placements page (see below).

Students can apply to all six Irish medical schools, as well as RCSI – Bahrain with one common application and one set of supporting documents (transcripts, letters of reference, etc.).

The medical programs in Ireland range from four to six years in length. Students can apply from High School, with one or more years of university or as a College Graduate (or soon to be graduate). So essentially students at all stages of their academic career can apply to a program suitable for their academic background.

When you submit an Application Request you will receive specific application instructions outlining the programs where you are eligible to apply as well as specific admissions requirements, deadlines, and other guidelines.

You can also review the Entry Requirements section below for further guidance on the programs where you are eligible to apply.

Students who are eligible for EU tuition fees must apply via the Central Applications Office. For further information on eligibility for EU tuition fees, please click here.

Admission Committees

The medical programs in Ireland range from four to six years in length and eligibility will be determined by your academic background.

The Irish Medical schools assess applicants based on their highest level of education that you have achieved. Please reference the sections below for more information about program eligibility. Atlantic Bridge will provide specific guidance on your eligibility based on the information you submit on your Application Request Form. After we receive your submission, we will write to you regarding program eligibility, application instructions, admissions requirements, deadlines, and other guidelines.

Universities frequently update and refine admissions requirements/guidelines. Consequently the information provided on these pages should be used as a guideline.

Entry Requirements

The following Irish Medical Schools require an interview:

– The University of Limerick (in-person in Canada)

– University College Dublin (online)

– The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland* (online)

– The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Bahrain (in-person in Toronto)

*For The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, if applying to the 5- and/ or 6-year programs, an online assessment may be required. If you are selected for the online assessment process, there will be an additional fee of USD $85.

For specific entry requirements, please click on the link for each school below.

Students with an undergraduate degree and MCAT/GAMSAT are eligible to apply to the 4-year graduate entry medical degree programs. The MCAT/GAMSAT must be written no later than January 31st of the year of entry. Scores may be submitted beyond that date. An undergraduate degree must also be awarded by August of the year of entry to apply to the following 4-Year Programs.

*University College Cork: Minimum undergraduate cGPA of 3.3 and minimum MCAT requirement of 505 or minimum GAMSAT requirement of 58. The MCAT/GAMSAT must be written within 3 years of the date of entry. e.g. test dates no earlier than August 2023 for 2026 entry.

**University College Dublin: Minimum undergraduate cGPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) and minimum MCAT requirement of 503 or minimum GAMSAT requirement of 57. The MCAT must be written within 2 years of the date of entry. e.g. test dates no earlier than August 2024 for 2026 entry. The GAMSAT must be written within 2 years of the date of entry. e.g. test dates no earlier than September 2024 for 2026 entry.

***University of Limerick: The MCAT must have been written within 3 years. e.g. test dates no earlier than 2023 for 2026 entry. The GAMSAT must have been written within 2 years. e.g. test dates no earlier than 2024 for 2026 entry. University of Limerick’s minimum MCAT requirement is 500 and minimum GAMSAT requirement is 58.

**** The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland requires a minimum undergraduate cGPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and minimum MCAT requirement of 503 or minimum GAMSAT requirement of 60. The MCAT/GAMSAT must have been written within 4 years. e.g. test dates no earlier than August 2022 for 2026 entry.

Additionally, applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree before September Entry are eligible to apply to the following 5-Year programs. (MCAT/GAMSAT not required)

Atlantic Bridge will provide specific guidance on your eligibility based on the information you submit on your Application Request Form.

For specific entry requirements, please click on the link for each school below.

Applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree before August of the year of entry are eligible to apply to the 5-Year programs. (MCAT/GAMSAT not required)

Students who have completed an undergraduate degree before August of the year of entry are not eligible to apply to the 5-year programs at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University College Dublin, and University College Cork. Students with an undergraduate degree are expected to take the MCAT/GAMSAT and apply to the 4-year graduate entry programs at these three universities or apply to the 5-year programs listed above.

Atlantic Bridge will provide specific guidance on your eligibility based on the information you submit on your Application Request Form.

For specific entry requirements, please click on the link for each school below.

Applicants currently attending College/University but will not have an undergraduate degree by the August of the year of entry are eligible to apply to the following 5- year programs:

Applicants are expected to present university level courses in Chemistry, Biology, and either Math or Physics.

Please note: RCSI requires that students must be 18 years of age by December 31st of the year of entry (2026).

*For RCSI 5/6-year program applicants: The Casper Situational Judgement Test is required for the 5-year and 6-year programs at The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. An additional fee of $85 is required to register for the exam. Information on how to register for the test will be provided when you submit your application.

Atlantic Bridge will provide specific guidance on your eligibility based on the information you submit on your Application Request Form.

For specific entry requirements, please click on the link for each school below.

Students who have taken biology, chemistry, and either physics or mathematics and present AP Examinations may apply to the following 5-Year Programs. Specific requirements vary by school although AP Chemistry is required by all schools.

Students who are presenting an IB Diploma may apply to the following 5-Year and 6- Year Programs. Specific requirements vary by school, although Chemistry at Higher Level is required for the 5-Year program.

*To be considered for the 5-year programs, applicants are required to undertake all six IB examinations in one examination session.

Students presenting AP examinations or an IB Diploma can also be considered for the 6-year programs. There are many variables, including the mix of subjects and scores obtained; therefore, on occasion students may be considered for a 6-year offer.

Please note: RCSI requires that students must be 18 years of age by December 31st of the year of entry (2026).

For RCSI 5/6-year program applicants: The Casper Situational Judgement Testis required for the 5-year and 6-year programs at The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. An additional fee of $85 is required to register for the exam. Information on how to register for the test will be provided when you submit your application.

Atlantic Bridge will provide specific guidance on your eligibility based on the information you submit on your Application Request Form.

For specific entry requirements, please click on the link for each school below.

The following 6-Year programs are designed for applicants entering directly from High School and who have taken biology, chemistry, and either physics or mathematics.

Please note: RCSI requires that students must be 18 years of age by December 31st of the year of entry (2026).

*For RCSI 5/6-year program applicants: The Casper Situational Judgement Test is required for the 5-year and 6-year programs at The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. An additional fee of $85 is required to register for the exam. Information on how to register for the test will be provided when you submit your application.

Atlantic Bridge will provide specific guidance on your eligibility based on the information you submit on your Application Request Form.

Medical Schools

Within this section are overviews of the Irish medical schools which annually admit full complements of North American students and links to their respective websites.

Irish Medical Curricula

The programs are organized into two broad phases: preclinical and clinical years. There is some variation in courses among the schools, but all the essential preclinical and clinical subjects are covered. Instruction in preclinical years is through individual combinations of lectures, problem-based learning, evidence-based medicine and small-group seminars, tutorials, practicals, laboratories and computer-aided learning. Early patient contact is integrated into the curriculum with more emphasis on problem-based learning which is very popular with students.

Find out More

Practicing in the USA & Canada

The medical degrees awarded in Ireland are recognized by the medical licensing authorities in Canada, the United States and the European Union. However, you should check with your national and state/provincial licensing authorities for specific details on applicable licensing procedures and any additional training that may be required of foreign-trained doctors. See below for more details on North American licensure.

Find out More

Residency

Financial Aid

North American students attending medical schools usually make use of available financial aid to cover the costs of their training.

The United States

FOR STUDENTS FROM

The United States

Students from the United States may be eligible for Federal loans as well as private loans.

US Financial Aid
Canada

FOR STUDENTS FROM

Canada

Students from Canada can utilize a Student Line Of Credit for Professional Students, and the Canada Student Loan Program.

Canadian Financial Aid

Moving to Ireland

All you need to know about transitioning to live and study in Ireland.

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1600+

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