Dentistry

Applicants must present a minimum of six subjects (2 x H4 and 4 x O6/H7) in the Irish Leaving Certificate, to include a minimum of an O6/H7 in Irish (unless exempt), English, Mathematics and a third language, plus a minimum of a H4 in Chemistry and a H4 in either Physics or Biology.

• H indicates minimum grade at Higher Level Leaving Certificate
• O indicates minimum grade at Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate

Eligible applicants are awarded Irish Leaving Certificate points on the basis of their best six recognised subjects, from a single Irish Leaving Certificate sitting, as follows:

Note:

• Bonus points for Mathematics: Students presenting a H6 or above in Higher Level Mathematics have 25 points added to their score for Mathematics. The six highest subject scores will be counted to achieve a cumulative points score. The bonus points for Mathematics will only be relevant in cases where the subject Higher Level Mathematics is scored as one of the applicant's six best subjects for points scoring purposes.

If you are an EU A-Level applicant, you must:

1. Meet the following minimum subject requirements:

• Applicants must present a minimum of six subjects [2 x A Level subjects (Grade C or above) and four passes (Grade 4/C or above at GCSE level or Grade E or above at A Level)] to include a minimum grade C in A Level Chemistry, a minimum grade C in either A Level Physics or A Level Biology, and a minimum Grade 4/C in GCSE English, Mathematics, a second language and one other subject.

AND

2. Meet the minimum Irish Leaving Certificate equivalent points calculated on the basis of the following:

• The best four A Level subject results from a single sitting. If four A Levels are presented, the fourth subject (lowest grade) is scored at the lower rate (see table below).
• The best three A Level subjects results from a single sitting, plus the best AS Level result from the previous or same sitting.
• A maximum of four distinct recognised subjects will be counted. Grades in the same subject in A Level and AS Level cannot be combined.

As a guide, Irish Leaving Certificate equivalent points are calculated using the following conversion table:

Note:

• Bonus points for Mathematics: Students presenting a Grade E or above in A Level Mathematics will be awarded 25 additional Irish Leaving Certificate equivalent points. This will only apply to one Mathematics subject out of the following: Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Pure Mathematics and is only where that subject is used as one of the subjects for points scoring purposes. (Note: Mathematics and Pure Mathematics cannot be combined for points purposes).
• Points guide 2025: As a guide, the 2025 Irish Leaving Certificate equivalent points score required for admission to RCSI’s Undergraduate Dentistry programme was 613*, which is approximately equivalent to 3 x A* in your three best A Levels plus an E in your fourth best A Level/AS Level (if the applicant was awarded the 25 bonus points for Mathematics).

*If the minimum points requirement has an asterisk (*), this indicates that all applicants with a score greater than that score (e.g. 614 and higher) were offered a place. In 2025, all applicants who achieved a combined score of exactly 613 were not guaranteed an offer however and random selection was applied instead.

If you are an EU International Baccalaureate (IB) applicant, you must:

1. Meet the following minimum subject requirements:

• Present three subjects at Higher Level (minimum Grade 5) and three subjects at Standard Level (minimum Grade 4) to include English, Mathematics, a second language, one other subject, along with a minimum Grade 5 in Higher Level Chemistry and a minimum Grade 5 in either Higher Level Biology or Higher Level Physics.
• The minimum acceptable level of English is: English Language A (3 at Higher Level or 4 at Standard Level) or English Language B (4 at either level if presenting IB through English, or 4 at Higher Level/6 at Standard Level if not presenting IB through English).
• Alternatively, applicants must meet the English language requirements as outlined in the 'Entry requirements criteria for EU/EFTA/UK applicants (other than the Irish Leaving Certificate) booklet linked above.
• Both Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation are acceptable for entry.

AND

2. Meet the minimum Irish Leaving Certificate equivalent points, the calculation of which is outlined below:

Please note

• Bonus points for Mathematics: Students presenting a Grade 4 or above in Higher Level Mathematics only will be awarded 25 additional Irish Leaving Certificate equivalent points. The subject Mathematics Studies is not acceptable for bonus points purposes.
• Points guide 2025: As a guide, the 2025 Irish Leaving Certificate equivalent points score required for admission to RCSI’s Undergraduate Dentistry programme was 613*, which is approximately equivalent to an overall score of 43 IB points (on the basis that the applicant was awarded the 25 bonus points for Mathematics).

*If the minimum points requirement has an asterisk (*), this indicates that all applicants with a score greater than that score (e.g. 614 and higher) were offered a place. In 2025, all applicants who achieved a combined score of exactly 613 were not guaranteed an offer however and random selection was applied instead.

For specific information on points conversion of European examinations other than those listed above, please consult the document below:

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

Applicants must present a minimum of three A Level subjects* with minimum grades of AAB, to include Chemistry, one additional laboratory science subject (Biology or Physics), plus one other from the following group: Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology.

All applicants must also have completed a minimum of six subjects at GCSE level, which must include a minimum Grade 4 / C in English and Mathematics.

Six-year track

Applicants who have completed three A Levels* and meet the grade requirements for the five-year track (AAB), but do not meet the subject requirements, may be considered for the six-year track. Applicants must present at least one subject from the following: Chemistry, Physics or Biology.

*All A Level subject examinations must be taken within two consecutive academic years (i.e. school years 12 and 13). Any repeat examinations taken outside of these two years will not be considered.

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

Applicants must present a minimum of three H2 subjects with minimum grades of AAA, to include Chemistry, one additional laboratory science subject (Biology or Physics), plus one other from the following group: Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology.

Six-year track

Applicants who have completed three H2 subjects and meet the grade requirements of the five-year track (AAA), but do not meet the above subject requirements may be considered for the six-year track. Applicants must present at least one subject from the following: Chemistry, Physics or Biology.

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

Applicants must present a minimum score of 38 IB Diploma points (inclusive of bonus points).

The IB Diploma must comprise a minimum of six subjects* (three subjects at Higher Level and three subjects at Standard Level), which must include Chemistry at Higher Level (with a minimum score of 5) and another laboratory science subject (Biology or Physics) or Mathematics** at Higher Level.

If Mathematics is presented with Chemistry at Higher Level, another laboratory science subject (Biology or Physics) must also be presented at Standard Level.

Six-year track

Applicants must present a minimum score of 38 IB Diploma points (inclusive of bonus points).

The IB Diploma must comprise a minimum of six subjects* (three subjects at Higher Level and three subjects at Standard Level), which must include English, Mathematics** and at least one Higher Level laboratory science subject (Chemistry, Biology or Physics).

*All IB Diploma subject examinations must be taken within two consecutive academic years (i.e. school years 11 and 12). Any repeat examinations taken outside of these two years will not be considered.
**Both Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches and Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation are acceptable for application to RCSI.

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

ATAR required: minimim 95.0

Applicants must present a minimum of 80% in Chemistry and in two of the following three subjects: Physics, Biology or Mathematics in Year 12.

Six-year track

Canadian High School Diploma: Applicants must present a minimum average score of 85% in their top five Grade 12 academic subjects, which must include minimum scores of 80% in Biology, Chemistry and either Physics, Mathematics or Calculus. 

Applicants currently attending University who will have completed a minimum of one year of study in a science degree are eligible to apply to the Dentistry programme. Candidates must have completed university-level Biology and Chemistry courses with competitive grades. Eligibility for either the 5-year or 6-year track will be determined by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants presenting the CAPE examinations must have achieved the following scores in unit 2:

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

CAPE Exam scores of I, I, II (subjects must include Chemistry and two from the following group: Mathematics, Biology, Physics or Environmental Sciences).

Six-year track

CAPE Exam scores of I, II, II (with at least two subjects from the following group: Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, Physical Education or Environmental Sciences).

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

All applicants will be expected to take the four core subjects plus three elective subjects. Applicants must present Chemistry with a minimum score of Level 5. In addition, they must achieve a minimum Level 5 score in two subjects from the following group: Biology, Physics and Mathematics. A minimum score of Level 3 must be achieved in all remaining subjects. 

Six-year track

All applicants will be expected to take the four core subjects plus three elective subjects and to achieve minimum scores of Levels 5, 5 and 4 from the following group: Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Mathematics. Minimum scores of Level 3 must be achieved in all remaining subjects.

Please note: Applicants to the five and six-year tracks must also achieve a minimum score of Level 5 in HKDSE English Language or meet the minimum English language requirements outlined below.

Applicants must hold a bona-fide certificate of completion issued by the CBSE or CISCE:

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

Applicants must achieve a minimum average score of 90% or above across five subjects in Grade 12, to include minimum scores of 75% in Chemistry, Biology and either Physics or Mathematics. 

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

Applicants must present S.T.P.M minimum grades of A, A, B, to include Chemistry and Biology, and one other subject from Mathematics or Physics.

Six-year track

Applicants who meet the S.T.P.M minimum grade requirements of the five-year track (A,A,B) but do not meet the above subject requirements may be considered for the six-year track. Applicants must present at least one subject from the following: Chemistry, Physics or Biology.

Please note: Applicants to the five and six-year tracks must also have completed a minimum of six subjects at S.P.M level, which must include a minimum Grade C in English and Mathematics. 

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

Applicants must present three subjects (in any combination) as follows:

• Chemistry (A Level, International Baccalaureate (HL) or Advanced Placement)
• Biology or Physics (A Level, International Baccalaureate (HL) or Advanced Placement)
• A third subject from Biology, Physics, Mathematics or Psychology (A Level, International Baccalaureate (HL) or Advanced Placement)

Applicants must present minimum grades of AAB at A Level or equivalent (International Baccalaureate HL665 or AP 554). 

Six-year track

Applicants who have completed a combination of three A-Level/IB/AP subjects and meet the grade requirements of the 5-year track (AAB/HL665/AP554) but do not meet the subject requirements, may be considered for the six-year track.

Six-year track

US High School Diploma: Applicants must present a minimum overall cGPA of 3.5, including minimum GPA scores of 3.0 in Biology, Chemistry and either Physics, Mathematics or Calculus. 

SAT/ACT requirement: Please note that students who are applying to RCSI via Atlantic Bridge (who are resident in the USA in the year of application) and are applying directly from high school are required to submit either an ACT or SAT score. Applicants must present either a minimum ACT score of 25, or a minimum SAT score of 1,200. 

Applicants currently attending University who will have completed a minimum of one year of study in a science degree are eligible to apply to the Dentistry programme. Candidates must have completed university-level Biology and Chemistry courses with competitive grades. Eligibility for either the 5-year or 6-year programme will be determined by the Admissions Committee.

Five-year track (exempt from Foundation Year)

Non-EU applicants must present a minimum of six subjects (2 x H4 and 4 x O6/H7) to include Chemistry at H4, and either Physics or Biology at H4 and a minimum of an O6/H7 in four other subjects including English, Mathematics and one foreign language. Candidates must meet the above minimum subject requirements and achieve a minimum score of 550 points in a single sitting.

Six-year track

Non-EU applicants must present a minimum of six subjects (2 x H5 and 4 x O6/H7) to include a minimum of a H5 in Chemistry or Physics or Biology and a minimum of an O6/H7 in English, Mathematics, a second science and one foreign language. Candidates must meet the above subject requirements and achieve a minimum of 550 points in a single sitting.