Ireland has some of the top universities in the world, offering 5 to 6-year-long medical programs to international students. All higher education institutes in Ireland are ranked among the top 3% of universities globally. Additionally, Ireland currently holds more than 30,000 international students pursuing courses across various study areas.
Ireland is the only country in the EU where English is widely spoken among the population. Hence, their medicine and related programs, including clinical rotations, happen entirely in English.
MBBS and medical studies in Ireland are at par with international standards. Students can access world-class medical facilities, equipment, teaching methodology, and clinical practice. Most medical universities in Ireland also prepare students to pursue further research and help them crack country-specific exams to become official medical practitioners.
Medical degrees from Irish universities are globally acknowledged and respected. Moreover, there are many lucrative career prospects after medical studies in Ireland for international students.
Annual tuition for international students for medical programs in Ireland ranges between EUR 50,000-60,000. While this might seem expensive when compared to an MBBS in Czech Republic or medical studies in Poland, the value of a medical degree from Ireland far outweighs its cost.
Top 5 Medical Schools in Ireland for International Students (h2)
Compiled below is a list of the top Irish Universities offering medical programs to international students. Along with the basic information about the university, the university rankings, program cost, admission and entry requirements, etc., have also been covered.
University College Dublin (UCD) School of Medicine
The University College of Dublin is a research-intensive university ranked among the top 1% of higher education institutions worldwide. Some other prominent rankings of the university include:
- 236 in US News Global University Ranking 2023
- 228 in US News Clinical Medicine Ranking 2022
- 201-250 in Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2023
- 181 in QS World Ranking 2023
- 301-400 in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.
The UCD School of Medicine was established in 1854 and is among the top medical schools in Ireland.
They offer undergraduate programs in Medicine, Biomedical Health & Life Sciences, and Radiography. UCD School of Medicine also has a range of 40 graduate-level programs for healthcare professionals.
Medicine Programs at UCD
There are two types of programs for international students to choose from:
- Medicine (undergraduate entry)
- Medicine (graduate entry)
Details of both types of programs have been tabulated below
| Name of program | Degree Awarded | Duration | Previous Qualifications | Annual Tuition for 2023 |
| Undergraduate Entry Medicine (UEM) | MB, BCh, BAO (HONS) | 6 yrs | Completed 12th grade with at least 90% in all the core subjects, along with English proficiency test scores. (Waived off if previous education was in English). | EUR 56,800 |
| Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) | MB, BCh, BAO (HONS) | 4 yrs | A minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 in an undergraduate degree of any discipline. Also, need to submit the scores of GAMSAT or MCAT tests. | EUR 59,000 |
Admission eligibility & entry requirements
International students (non-EU) have different admission requirements than domestic students. Details of entry requirements for medicine programs at UCD are mentioned below.
- Where to apply: University online application portal or via Gyanberry
- Application deadline: 1st July / 30th January (for September Entry)
- Application Fee: EUR 50
- Documents Required: School leaving transcripts, academic scores, two letters of reference, a short personal statement
- Minimum High School scores: 90% average (class 12th avg for Indians); IB Diploma total score of 35 or more; Cambridge A-Level (AAA / AABC / AAB + B AS Level). Students must also possess decent grades in Maths and Laboratory Science.
- Standardized Test Requirements: SAT- 1200 minimum score
- Interview required
- English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 90
- Additional Program Requirements: Health Screening, Garda Vetting, Commitment to Ethical & Professional Conduct including Confidentiality, Requirements for Participation in Clinical Education
For admission to Graduate Entry Medicine Program, candidates must possess an undergraduate degree in any discipline with an average GPA of 3.0 out of 4. They must also provide scores of currently taken GAMSAT or MCAT tests.
Undergraduate medicine students that do not meet the eligibility requirements for entry can apply for the pathway foundation program offered by UCD.
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI)
The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland is a world leader when it comes to studies in Health Sciences. Medical graduates from the institute are highly in demand and currently, work in about 100 countries worldwide. RCSI offers a 5 to 6-year undergraduate medicine program at their Dublin city center campus. 240 of the total seats are reserved for non-EU students, making RCSI a great place to pursue medicine for international candidates.
A few of RCSI’s rankings are
- 1254 in US News Global University Ranking 2023.
- 629 in US News Clinical Medicine Ranking 2023.
- 201-250 in Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2023.
Medicine Programs at RCSI Dublin
| Name of program | Degree Awarded | Duration | Previous Qualifications | Annual Tuition for 2023 |
| Undergraduate in Medicine | MB, BCh, BAO (HONS) | 5 to 6 yrs | 80% or above across five subjects in Grade 12, including minimum scores of 75% in Chemistry, Biology, and either Physics or Mathematics; | EUR 58,135 |
| Graduate Entry Medicine | MB, BCh, BAO (HONS) | 4 yrs | A bachelor’s degree along with a score of either MCAT (minimum 500) or GAMSAT (58). No specified cut-off for GPA at the bachelor’s level. | EUR 59,635 |
Admission Eligibility & Entry Requirements
The undergraduate program in Medicine offered at RCSI can be pursued in 5 years or 6 years, depending on the academic history of the candidates. Admission and entry requirements for the same have been outlined below.
- Where to apply: Apply online at the university website or via Gyanberry.
- Application dates: Non-EU applicants must apply between 1 November and 1 February
- Application Fee: EUR 75
- Documents Required: Academic transcripts; non-academic reference; academic referee contact; copy of passport; personal statement; passport-sized photograph; documents reflecting any life experience such as work or extracurricular activities
- Minimum High School Scores
| Country or Board | GCE A Levels | IB Diploma | India (CBSE or ICSE) | UAE |
| Entry Requirements (5-year program) | Minimum 3 A-level subjects with AAC or ABB grades including Chemistry and Physics or Biology | Minimum 36 IB Diploma points with Chemistry and Maths or Biology or Physics | Minimum 90% average score in grade 12 with at least 75% in Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics or Physics | Foundation program is required if the student has completed their schooling from a government or bilingual program |
| Entry Requirements 6-year program) | Minimum 3 A-Level subjects with grades BBB | Minimum 32 IB Diploma points which must include English, Mathematics, and one Lab Science Subject | Minimum 80% average score in grade 12 with at least 75% in Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics or Physics | Foundation program is required if the student has completed their schooling from a government or bilingual program |
- English Language Requirement: IELTS 6.5 with no band score lower than 6.0; or its TOEFL equivalent
If any undergraduate medicine applicant does not meet the entry requirements, they have the option to pursue a 6-9 month pathway program offered by the Dublin International Foundation College. The tuition fee for the foundation program is 20,741 USD, and it offers entry to the RCSI medicine program.
Trinity College Dublin (TCD) School of Medicine
The School of Medicine at TCD was established in 1711. It offers 6 undergraduate degrees and 18 postgraduate programs to students worldwide. The QS World University Rankings has included TCD School of Medicine among its top 100 universities for medical studies.
The undergraduate medicine program offered here has a 5-year duration. However, students need one year of internship after the program to become registered medical professionals in Ireland. A total of 121 seats are available for the undergraduate Medicine program at Trinity College Dublin.
Some prominent rankings of TCD are as follows:
- 98 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
- 83 in QS Subject Rankings for Medicine 2023.
- 215 in US News Global University Ranking 2023.
- 234 in US News Ranking for Clinical Medicine 2023.
- 161 in Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2023.
- 151-200 in the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities 2022.
Medicine program at TCD School of Medicine
| Name of program | Degree Awarded | Duration | Previous Qualifications | Annual Tuition for 2023 |
| Undergraduate in Medicine | MB, BCh, BAO | 5 yrs | Overall average of 80% – 85% in six subjects in Grade XII. | EUR 55,000 |
Admission Eligibility & Entry Requirements
- Where to apply: University online application portal or via Gyanberry.
- Application dates: 1 February to June 30th
- Application Fee: EUR 55
- Documents Required: School leaving transcripts, academic scores, two letters of reference, passport
- Minimum High School scores: 85% average (class 12th avg for Indians with minimum 75% in relevant subjects); IB Diploma 40 points (must have physics/chemistry with biology); GCSE A-Level AAAA (Grade B & Grade C in two of physics, chemistry, biology); Students must also possess decent grades in Maths and Laboratory Science.
- English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 90 (other test scores such as PTE, Duolingo, IB English grade, GCSE A levels, etc., are also accepted).
Candidates from UAE who do not have the required qualifications for entry to the program can apply for the International year foundation program.
University College Cork (UCC) School of Medicine
The University College Cork was established in 1849 and currently has more than 22,500 registered students in its various courses. UCC is highly ranked (among the top 2% of Universities worldwide) by several ranking agencies. Its medicine and nursing programs are considered among the best in Ireland. Various rankings of the university are mentioned below.
- 303 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
- 301-350 in THE World University Rankings 2023.
- 397 by US News Global University Ranking 2023.
- 151-200 in QS Subject Rankings for Medicine 2023.
Medicine Programs at UCC School of Medicine
There are two medical programs that the University College Cork offers for its prospective students. Details of both have been tabulated below.
| Name of program | Degree Awarded | Duration | Previous Qualifications | Annual Tuition for 2023 |
| Undergraduate in Medicine | MB, BCh, BAO (HONS) | 5 yrs | An average score of 90% in 12th grade along with 85% in the core subjects. For the IB diploma, a minimum of 36 points. | EUR 46,900 |
| Graduate Entry Medicine | MB, BCh, BAO (HONS) | 4 yrs | A minimum of Second Class Honours, grade one result in their first honors bachelor degree or equivalent score as per their country’s grading system | EUR 49,100 |
Admission Eligibility & Entry Requirements
- Where to apply: Apply via registered agents of UCC
- Application deadline: NA
- Application Fee: EUR 50
- Documents Required: School leaving transcripts, academic scores, two academic references, copy of passport; passport size photograph, statement of purpose up to 500 words, CV
- Minimum High School scores:
| Indian School Leavers | UAE | IB Diploma | GCSE A-Level |
| 90% average (class 12th avg for with minimum 85% in relevant subjects) | Minimum 95% average in Tawjihiyah and good grades in 1st year of Bachelor degree level | 36 points (must have 3 HL subjects with chemistry and biology/physics or maths) | AAA (including chemistry and another science subject); Students must also possess decent grades in Maths and Laboratory Science. |
- English Language Requirements: IELTS 6.5; TOEFL iBT 90 (other test scores such as PTE Academic, Duolingo, and University of Cambridge are also accepted).
High school leavers from the UAE who do not have IB or GCE A-levels curriculum can pursue the International Foundation Program at DIFC to enter the UCC medicine program.
University of Limerick School of Medicine
The University of Limerick was established in 1972 and currently enrolls nearly 16,500 students. It is a research-intensive university with global educational standards and facilities. The University rankings are:
- 531-540 in QS World University Rankings 2023.
- 351-400 in QS Subject Rankings for Medicine 2023
- 601-800 in THE World University Rankings 2023.
- 889 in US News World University Rankings 2023.
- 696 in US News Ranking for Clinical Medicine 2023.
The School of Medicine at the University of Limerick was established in 2007. It offers 6 programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, our focus will be on the BMBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) graduate entry program. The university has 600 students currently enrolled in its BMBS 4-year program.
Medicine Program at the University of Limerick
| Name of program | Degree Awarded | Duration | Previous Qualifications | Annual Tuition for 2023 |
| Graduate Entry Medicine | BM BS | 4 yrs | Candidates must hold a minimum 2.1 (second class honors, grade one) result in their first honors bachelor’s degree or an equivalent score as per their country’s grading system. | EUR 52,620 |
Admission Eligibility & Entry Requirements
- Candidates must hold a minimum 2.1 (second class honors, grade one) result in their first honors bachelor’s degree (NFO Level 8).
- For candidates who meet this requirement, GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical Schools Admissions Test), or in the case of North American applicants, MCAT will be used as an instrument for selection.
- Non-EU applicants must also attend for interview as part of the selection process.
Students can apply for admission via the Atlantic Bridge application form.
In addition to the universities mentioned above, the National University of Ireland, Galway is another recognized institute awarding medical degrees to interested students. There are numerous reasons to pursue medicine programs in Irish Universities. Don’t let the cost of medical studies in Ireland deter you from applying to a medical school of your choice, as many scholarships are awarded to deserving candidates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ireland boasts some of the best medical universities that offer world-class education and training for aspiring medical professionals. It is also the only European country that teaches the entire program in the English language- including theory and clinical rotations. The country’s commitment to excellence in medical education is evident through its cutting-edge research facilities, experienced faculty, and comprehensive curriculum. Institutions like Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland consistently rank among the top medical universities globally.
Keep in mind that the top medical universities in Ireland are also quite selective when it comes to admissions. International applicants must also meet other eligibility and documentation requirements to proceed with their admission journey to an Irish medical university of their choice.
For a comprehensive guide on the admission process, cost and funding opportunities, and your chances of admission, please get in touch with Gyanberry.
