Graduate Entry Medicine

Graduate entry medicine programmes in Ireland offer pathways for students seeking a medical career within a high-quality healthcare and education system. Ireland provides strong clinical training across modern teaching hospitals, offering broad clinical exposure.

Graduate entry programmes are intensive and outcomes focused, enabling graduates to qualify as doctors in a shorter timeframe. Ireland’s medical education system aligns with international standards, preparing graduates for internship, postgraduate medical training and long-term careers in Ireland and internationally.

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is a specialist health sciences university with a long tradition in medical education. The Graduate Entry Medicine MB, BCh, BAO (Honours) offers an integrated, accelerated curriculum designed for graduates. Students benefit from early clinical exposure, advanced simulation facilities and teaching led by experienced clinicians and researchers. Located in Dublin, RCSI provides access to a network of teaching hospitals, supporting an immersive learning experience and preparing students for internship and postgraduate training.

Graduate Entry Medicine at RCSI is open to graduates from a wide range of academic backgrounds. Applications are welcome from Irish, EU and international candidates who meet the relevant criteria. Applicants must hold, or expect to hold, an honours bachelor’s degree at a competitive standard. Selection is based on academic performance, and GAMSAT results are required where applicable, in line with programme entry requirements. All applicants must meet the required English language competence and demonstrate the commitment, motivation and aptitude needed to succeed in an accelerated medical programme.

The GEM programme at RCSI is a four-year, full-time accelerated programme designed for graduates. The curriculum builds on prior academic experience and delivers an intensive, integrated medical education in a shorter timeframe than traditional undergraduate routes. Students progress from core medical sciences to extensive clinical training in hospitals and community settings, gaining early and sustained patient exposure.

Over four years, students develop the knowledge, clinical competence and professional skills required to enter internship and pursue postgraduate medical training in Ireland or internationally.

EU applicants for GEM at RCSI must apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO) using course code RC101. Applicants must hold, or expect to hold by July prior to entry, a minimum upper second-class honours (2H1) in their first accredited undergraduate honours bachelor’s degree. The degree can be in any discipline.

Applicants must also present a GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admission Test) score. The GAMSAT-Ireland test is held in March and September each year. As a guide, the minimum GAMSAT score on which students were admitted to RCSI in 2025 was 58.

Non-EU applicants for GEM at RCSI must hold, or expect to hold, an honours bachelor’s degree at a competitive standard in any discipline; a prior science background is not required. International applicants must present a competitive GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admission Test) or MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) score. Applicants must also meet English language requirements, where applicable, and are required to participate successfully in the selection and interview process.

Entry to the programme is competitive and based on academic achievement, aptitude for medicine and suitability for an accelerated medical degree.

RCSI’s Graduate Entry Medicine Degree is internationally recognised. The programme is aligned with international standards in medical education and combines academic training with intensive clinical experience. The degree is a major award positioned at Level 8 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

It is accredited in Ireland by the Irish Medical Council (IMC), the National University of Ireland (NUI) and RCSI.

Professional recognition and registration outside Ireland are determined by the regulatory authorities in each jurisdiction and may involve additional requirements, such as licensing examinations.

International students are eligible to apply for Graduate Entry Medicine at RCSI. The programme is open to Irish, EU and non-EU applicants who meet the academic and admissions requirements.

International applicants must hold, or expect to hold, an honours bachelor’s degree at a competitive standard in any discipline. A prior science background is not required.

Applicants must present a valid GAMSAT (Graduate Australian Medical School Admission Test) or MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) score and meet English language proficiency requirements, where applicable. Successful applicants must also meet visa and immigration requirements to study in Ireland and participate in the selection and interview process.

RCSI’s medical curriculum is designed to provide a student-centred and supportive learning environment that prepares graduates for modern medical practice. The curriculum emphasises small-group learning, continuous assessment and early clinical exposure. It is structured around three core pillars: medical knowledge, clinical skills and the development of professional identity.

This approach supports students in building confidence and competence, while also developing empathy, resilience and reflective practice. The curriculum includes a focus on well-being, leadership and communication, creating an environment where students are supported to achieve academically, clinically and personally as future doctors.