Postgraduate fees policy
This policy applies to all students undertaking postgraduate taught programmes at RCSI Dublin.
In order for students to be awarded a degree they must be registered on the Quercus student information system from the commencement of and for the duration of their programme.
Registration
All RCSI students are required to formally register on their programme on an annual basis. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that they register on time each year. Failure to do so may lead to automatic disqualification from the programme.
Students identified as having a previous outstanding balance on fees will not be permitted to register on the next year of a programme or on a different programme, without first settling all outstanding fees due.
In order to be able to register, students have to make payment of the amount applicable to the course of study (details are on the offer letter or invoice). Students doing a standalone module are required to pay all fees in advance of classes commencing. The only exception to the above are those students who have provided an official communication of sponsorship or a grant information form.
Payment of fees does not confirm registration. All students must register by the required deadline date(s). Full details of registration will be emailed to eligible students.
The payment of fees is the responsibility of the student and, in the event of a student’s sponsoring authority (if any) failing to make payment, the student will be held personally liable for payment.
Course fees
RCSI postgraduate fees are fixed each year and can be subject to an annual increase. The current fee rate can be found on the RCSI website.
EU and non-EU rates (where applicable)
Fee rates for postgraduate students are based on nationality or residency.
EU rates based on nationality:
A European Union passport grants automatic entitlement to the European Union fees.
EU rates based on residency:
For students aged under 23 on 1 September of year of entry:
- Parent(s) must have been permanently resident (that is, principal residence for the purpose of taxation) in an EU Member State for three of the five years prior to entry, and;
- Students must have been permanently resident in an EU Member State for three of the five years prior. Note: Any period of residence as a student, or as a holder of a student visa, is not included in the assessment of years of residence.
For students aged 23 or over on 1 September of year of entry:
- Student must have been permanently resident as a tax-payer (that is, principal residence for the purpose of taxation) in an EU Member State for three of the five years prior to entry. Note: Any period of residence as a student, or as a holder of a student visa, is not included in the assessment of years of residence.
A candidate may not defer a place on an RCSI postgraduate course or programme for the purposes of changing their fee status from non-EU to EU.
Fee assessment – documentation
Documentation supporting applications for EU fees could be required by RCSI.
For students aged under 23 on 1 September of year of entry:
- Letter from school confirming attendance for a minimum of three years of the five years prior to entry, or other proof of residence as stipulated by RCSI, and;
- P21 tax certificates and/or social welfare documentation for parent(s) of student must be submitted for each year of residence with other proof of residence as required.
For students aged 23 or over on 1 September of year of entry:
- P21 tax certificates and/or social welfare documentation for student must be submitted for each year of residence with other proof of residence as required.
- For non-EU students, visa permitting residence in Ireland for three of the five years prior to entry must be submitted.
Standard course duration
In order to graduate from an RCSI programme, students must have completed payment of at least the standard course duration.
Payment of fees
Invoices are issued all students prior to registration unless RCSI Student Fees Office has received proof of sponsorship/grant funding.
Non-receipt of an invoice by a student will not be accepted as a valid reason for non-payment or late payment of fees.
Fee collection
Student Fees are liable in full by all students at registration.
Students can pay in instalments. Payments can be made in numerous transactions but must be paid before the required instalment deadlines. Full details will be on the invoice email.
Note: RCSI reserves the right to correct the fee charged to a student in the event that an incorrect fee is notified as a result of human error, incorrect information being obtained at enrolment or a change in student circumstances which affect the fee due.
Deposit (if applicable)
On receipt of their letter of offer to a postgraduate programme, new candidates may be required to pay a deposit in order to secure their place.
A deposit is non-transferable except to another postgraduate programme within RCSI in the same academic session where such a transfer has been approved by the relevant programme directors and the School of Postgraduate Studies.
Methods of payment – RCSI bank account
Payments can be made via the TransferMate portal or electronic funds transfer to the student fees bank account.
All payments must include student number and/or invoice number.
Consequences of non-payment of fees by due date include, but are not limited to the following:
- Students may have their RCSI network, Moodle and buildings access withdrawn.
- Review/assessment results will be withheld.
- Any student with an outstanding balance will not be allowed to graduate, unless a post-graduation repayment plan has been agreed.
Repeat fees
All students who fail to progress on time or who repeat a year/module, may be liable to be charged full fees for the additional year/modules.
Refunds policy
Refunds will be issued to students in the following circumstances:
- Valid over-payment.
- Deposits made by students who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.
- Withdrawal (if applicable, for more information please refer to the withdrawal policy below)
Withdrawal policy
The official date of withdrawal will determine the financial implications when withdrawing from a programme.
| Date of withdrawal | Refund date |
| Two weeks after the start of the academic year | Students will be refunded an fee paid in the year withdrawn less and administration charge |
| Four weeks after the start of the academic year | Students are liable for payment of each module commenced |
Deferral/leave of absence/maternity leave
No refunds of any fees paid are due to students who have deferred their place. There is an official procedure which must be followed to apply for leave of absence (LOA)/maternity leave (ML) on a RCSI programme.
Candidates who are granted a LOA/ML do not receive any refund of fees. The fee amount paid is retained by RCSI and applied against the fee set in the subsequent period in which the candidate recommences his/her course or programme.
Students who are on preapproved LOA are not charged fees for any year where the LOA is longer than six months of their standard year of registration. Half-year fees will apply where LOA is less than or equal to six months.
RCSI scholarships/support
Where RCSI is the core funder of a student (e.g. staff of Penang Medical College, clinical educators), the fees will be charged at the prevailing EU level, regardless of the individual’s actual EU/non-EU status.
Tax relief on fees
Full information on tax relief and an application form (Form IT31) are available on the Revenue Commissioners website.
Ongoing students can request receipts for claim of a tax relief through Moodle. Former students can request receipts by email to studentfees@rcsi.ie.
Visa information
Guidelines and instructions for students who must obtain a visa to travel to Ireland for study purposes are available here.
Contact
Please contact the RCSI Fees Office if you have any queries regarding the payment of fees.
Address: RCSI Fees Office, 121 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Email: studentfees@rcsi.ie.