Study Medicine in Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful country which also offers excellent education for ambitious and hard-working young people.

Studying medicine in Ireland is an amazing opportunity to develop your knowledge and grow as a person. Ireland is famous for its wild and glorious scenery, its rich history and its musical and literary culture. The Irish are open-hearted and welcoming, enjoy life and believe in living it to the full.

Their myths speak of contrasts -giants and elves –  so whether you want to join in a chorus of Dubliners’ songs in a crowded and jolly pub, or take long solitary walks along the country’s pristine beaches, you will find a  part of Ireland to call your own.

It is also an excellent destination for studying medicine and, as  a member of the European Union, offers EU students the opportunity to take a degree in medicine – without paying often exorbitant tuition fees. Yes, you can qualify as a doctor in Ireland and practise all over the world.

Where can I study medicine in Ireland?

You can apply to one of five public -and one private -universities:

• Trinity College, Dublin
• University College, Dublin
• University College, Cork
• NUI (National University of Ireland),Galway
• University of Limerick (postgraduates only)
• Royal College of Surgeons (private university, so fees of approximately 18,000 euros a year apply).

If you have been living in the EU for three years, are enrolling on a full-time course  and this is your first undergraduate degree, then all you will need to pay to study medicine at an Irish public university  is a 3000 euro – or less – registration fee.

What are the entry requirements?

Medicine is a highly competitive and over-subscribed course all over the world and you will need to sit an entrance test, known as the HPAT, or Health Professions Admissions Test . This is a two and a half hour multiple choice-based exam , which evaluates your problem-solving and reasoning skills, as well as your empathy. Elab offers exam preparation in its GetinMed workshops, to ensure that you are familiar with the techniques and types of questions you will be facing – and help you to maximise your score.

You will also need to provide your secondary school reports, and predicted grades in the relevant subjects: biology, maths and chemistry. As a general guide, candidates sitting the IB must score 36 and above. EU qualifications are translated into their Irish points system equivalents and you must score 480 or more to be considered for a place. Contact Elab if you would like us to calculate your exams in points.

Since the courses in medicine are in English, universities require proof of language competency and accept TOEFL, Cambridge and IELTS certificates.

Finally, you will have to submit two academic references and a 500-word Personal Statement. Some courses ask for proof of immunity to hepatitis B and tuberculosis. Contact Elab and we will check this for you once you have decided where you intend to apply.

How do I apply to study medicine in Ireland?

The first thing you need to do is register online with the Irish central admissions system, the Complete Admissions Office at CAO.  Try and apply early, since medicine is a popular and restricted course. Applications should be submitted in February of the year you will be sitting your final secondary school examinations. Once you have paid the small fee to register, you will receive a CAO number, and this will allow you to add all your documentation and educational history online. Medicine is a Level 8 course.

The CAO number is also necessary to register for the HPAT test, which can be done at hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au

Remember  that you must register for the test between November and January, since you will be sitting it at the end of February. Results are published at the end of June.

How long are medicine studies in Ireland?

Courses run for five years, after which you do a year-long internship and finally register with the Irish Medical Council. Congratulations, you are now ready to practise medicine.

Where should I apply to study in Ireland?

This is, of course, is a matter of personal taste. Do you want to be in the capital or will a smaller city suit you better? Are you excited by the prospect of beautiful beaches, cobbled streets and castles, or do you want to live in the heart of a throbbing metropolis? Contact Elab today and speak to one of our experienced consultants, who can give you the inside track on Ireland and all it has to offer, and find you the ideal location for studying medicine!

If you have any questions, Elab is here to help. Drop us an email or call and we will provide you with the information you need to make the right choice of university in Ireland, and tell you more about our GetinMed workshops.

And finally...

“Go n-éirí an bóthar leat”…Good luck to you!