STUDY MEDICINE IN IRELAND
Ireland has a worldwide reputation for high quality medical education and attracts international students from around the world. High school graduates can apply to 5-year Direct Entry Medicine programmes. Irish Medical degrees are accredited by the Irish Medical Council in accordance with the guidelines set by the World Federation of Medical Education. Medical students graduate with the degree of MB BCh BAO and this degree is recognised throughout the European Union, the UK, North America and Australia. This makes Ireland a highly sought-after location for international students.
The 5-year programme is available at all 4 IUMC universities. Graduates can transition into top roles in the Irish healthcare system and worldwide.
IUMC MEDICAL SCHOOLS
National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG)
Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin (TCD)
University College Dublin (UCD)
Click here to begin the process! We will advise on the exact procedure considering your education qualifications and location.
THE MEDICAL CURRICULA
Irish Medical Schools offer integrated Medicine programmes which teach scientific knowledge alongside clinical training. Integrated Medicine programmes give students the chance to get early clinical exposure, while still offering the support structure of scientific teaching. As students progress, they spend more and more time in hospitals, where much of the learning is small group bedside teaching.
TEACHING METHODS
There is an emphasis on small group learning which students really benefit from. Other teaching methods include problem-based learning, clinical skills and research skills, ethical debates, bedside and clinical tutorials, self-assessment, lectures and consultant clinics.
TEACHING HOSPITALS
The universities partner with the leading specialist hospitals in Ireland where students will spend most of the final 2.5 years of the course on rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Psychiatry etc. Ireland has a worldwide reputation for the quality of its bedside teaching led by highly experienced clinicians.
SUMMER ELECTIVE PROGRAMMES
Each year, many students apply for highly-prized international summer elective opportunities at locations all over the world. They experience a different healthcare system and get to work in many of the world’s top medical centers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Malaysia and many more.
RESEARCH
Irish universities are leaders in research and critical thinking. Students begin their research journey early on and receive structured teaching in research methodologies as they progress. All students complete a research project and some will receive undergraduate research scholarships.
Students will also have the chance to explore non-Medicine related elective subjects and take a year out to complete an Intercalated Master’s degree in Biomedical Science.
STUDENT LIFE IN IRELAND
Studying in an English-speaking country is very attractive for international students and Ireland is now the only English-speaking country in the European Union (EU).
Ireland is a very welcoming country for international students and the feedback is very positive from the beginning right through to graduation!
Irish Medical Schools have a worldwide reputation for providing excellent student welfare, support systems and personal mentoring which helps students succeed and become exceptional doctors.
MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
5-year Programmes: 36 points (excluding core points) to include 3 HL subjects with Chemistry and at least one other HL science subject (Physics or Biology).
All 4 IUMC universities have 5 Year Programmes.
6-year Programmes: Students who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for the 6-year programme. This is available at University College Dublin (UCD) and National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG).
A-Levels
5-year Programmes – AAA is the minimum entry standard (including Chemistry and at least one other science subject)
6-year Programmes – Students who do not meet the above requirements may be considered for the 6-year programme. The 6 year programme is available at University College Dublin and National University of Ireland, Galway
Other Qualifications
Click here if your education qualifications do not match the above criteria.
English Language Requirements
IELTS: 6.5 (minimum individual sections 6.5)
TOEFL: 90 (minimum – Listening 23 / Reading 21 / Speaking 22 / Writing 23)
Exemption: In certain cases, students may be exempt from IELTS or TOEFL if they can provide alternative proof of English proficiency. Exemptions will be decided by the Medical and Dental schools.
Interviews
Students must pass an admissions interview to be considered for a place.
APPLY IN 5 EASY STEPS
Step 1: Complete our short enquiry form and our team will contact you with relevant details in line with your background.
Step 2: After initial review our team will advise on requirements and send you application documents. One-to-one Zoom consultations can be arranged for students, parents and school counsellors.
Step 3: Our team will collect all required supporting documents from you and process your application (EUR 50 application fee)
Step 4: Shortlisted candidates interview with the leading Medical and Dental Schools in Ireland
Step 5: Successful applicants will receive an offer to a top Medical or Dental School in Ireland
Costs: Aside from the application fee of EUR 50, our services are completely free
All IUMC universities have well-developed student health, welfare and support services. As well as this, there is a strong emphasis on sports and recreation and all of the universities have outstanding sports and exercise facilities including state-of-the-art running tracks, sports fields, and gyms. With a large number of clubs and societies available, it is a fantastic way to learn new skills and make new friends.
University campuses have a range of onsite restaurants, cafes, banks, bookshops and convenience stores. All of the universities have advanced IT and e-learning platforms. Student accommodation consists of high-quality security-monitored residences either on campus or close by (usually self-catering apartments with en-suite bedrooms).
Our universities have excellent International Student Offices providing information on all aspects of living and studying in Ireland including pre-departure briefings, advice on arrival, support services, bank account opening, immigration registration, etc.
Orientation programmes for international students commence before term starts and all students are assigned experienced mentors. Students settle in quickly, helped by peer support from other students, in particular from a large number of international students.
Studying in Ireland is a 5-star student experience! Ireland is considered ‘The World’s Friendliest Country’ by the Lonely Planet Guide and is an extremely easy place to settle into as a new student. It is a beautiful country with an unspoiled natural landscape – full of rugged mountains, rivers, lakes and magnificent beaches. Ireland is ideal for hiking, cycling, surfing, golfing and other sports.
Ireland has a young population and Dublin, Cork and Galway are all vibrant cosmopolitan cities with great restaurants, cafes and nightlife. Ireland is a country steeped in history and culture and the country has numerous music, film, drama and literature festivals, attracting visitors from all over the world. The country is renowned for its singers, musicians, writers, poets and Irish dancers.
Tourism and agriculture have always been an important part of the Irish economy. Ireland has a reputation for its great food, which is hardly surprising considering the plentiful supply of fresh produce from the country’s lush pasturelands.
A growing economy, excellent airline connections, and a great quality of life are just some of the reasons why people from all over the world come to live and work in Ireland.
I was surprised by how friendly and helpful Irish people were – this helped me settle in immediately in this place I call home for the next five years. It was easy to adapt to the Irish culture as Irish people are warm and approachable and the food is nothing short of delicious!
Studying medicine in Ireland has vastly enhanced my knowledge and the structured clinical opportunities in different hospital rotations has allowed me to gain significant clinical skills. The lecturers are very helpful and the hospital doctors are always happy to include students in the team. Overall, the learning experience has been great and I am looking forward to completing my medical journey here.
Studying in UCC has been life changing. The campus is a short distance to Cork city centre and student accommodation is within walking distance. The Irish are renowned for their friendliness and I have found them to be extremely warm and welcoming, making it very easy to settle in. The medical faculty (professors and lecturers) have been really impressive, and actively engage students and promote class participation. They are always willing to assist with any problems and this really improves the quality of learning and understanding. Being in UCC also gives you the opportunity to explore new places and is definitely a wonderful and life-changing experience.
When I first came to Cork I was quite nervous as I was not sure what to expect. Having lived here for five years, I can now say that it is an experience I would trade with no other! The support system here is really strong and my journey was eased with the help of my classmates and lecturers. However, despite the busy schedule, I still manage to squeeze in some weekend trips around Cork which is surrounded by gorgeous places for a big fan of nature like me.
I chose UCD mainly for its campus life and also because UCD is known for its research work and the student summer research programme. The programme has been the most interesting aspect of my time here. Research prompts me to think, and it is an avenue where I can finally apply what I have studied so far in medical school.
Dentistry at Trinity College has been an extremely enriching experience. The Dublin Dental Hospital is well equipped with up- to-date facilities & cutting-edge technology. Highly qualified clinical supervisors and lecturers provide individual guidance and evidence-based training. Students have vast clinical exposure from 2nd year on, hence producing very clinically experienced graduates.
Personally, I enjoy being able to manage my own portfolio of patients, seeing them through to full health and managing every aspect of their oral health. The Bachelor of Dental Science degree opens a myriad of opportunities with graduates being able to practice dentistry almost anywhere in the world, testimony to the high quality of the undergraduate training programme.
Coming to University of Galway to study medicine has been wonderful. UG is unique not only in its location but also in the people who work here. People from every department, from lecturers to clinicians, from librarians to administrative staff, have made my journey that much sweeter. I would recommend University of Galway to any student.
