Two RCSI medical students in discussion in university corridor)

Graduate Entry Medicine

MB, BCh, BAO (Hons)
School of Medicine

Why Graduate Entry Medicine at RCSI Dublin?

RCSI was the first medical school in the Republic of Ireland to introduce a Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme. This programme enables students from a range of undergraduate backgrounds to study medicine. Please read the entry requirements to see if you are eligible for this programme.

At RCSI, we aim to graduate truly international healthcare professionals. This is why we work to ensure that our programme equips our students to respond to the future of healthcare in an increasingly global, digital and climate-focused world.

With this in mind, RCSI’s Graduate Entry Medicine curriculum is innovative, future-focused and integrated. Our programme is centred around our students and is delivered in our state-of-the-art healthcare education facilities in Dublin. During your time with us you will be taught by RCSI academics, clinicians and researchers primarily in small groups or in an interactive manner when you are in large group settings.

As an RCSI GEM graduate, you will be career-ready. In fact, your clinical skills training starts from day one of the programme, with simulated patient sessions a weekly feature of the curriculum.

You will also have many opportunities to build your career – via undergraduate research opportunities, overseas clinical electives in prestigious institutions and a four-week sub-internship programme in final year, in which you will work as a resident-in-training in a hospital in Ireland, the US or Canada. 

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Small group teaching

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Our small group teaching method helps you know your lecturers and get regular feedback in a supportive learning environment.

State-of-the-art facilities

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Practice your clinical skills in one of Europe's most advanced clinical simulation centre before starting hospital rotations full-time.

Licensing examination support

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Receive support and guidance from the University while taking USMLE and Canadian Board licensing examinations during your medical studies.

Elective opportunities

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Join clinical and research electives programmes at top hospitals globally and improve research skills at the RCSI Summer Research School.

Anatomy

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Study anatomy by dissecting cadavers in the traditional RCSI Anatomy Room, where healthcare leaders have been trained for centuries.

Career readiness

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Receive intensive support in choosing your ideal career and securing a residency post when you graduate from RCSI.

Research opportunities

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Improve research skills with RCSI Research Summer School, funded projects, and overseas research opportunities.

Supportive environment

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Our CoMPPAS team will provide you with one-to-one support and also facilitates workshops and events to promote students’ positive health and well-being.

Clinical experience

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Attend a wide variety of public, private and specialist teaching hospitals and clinical sites where you will learn to hone your clinical and professional skills.

RCSI’s Graduate Entry Medicine MB, BCh, BAO (Hons) is a major award positioned at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). It is accredited by the Irish Medical Council (IMC), the National University of Ireland (NUI) and by RCSI.

Frequently asked questions

All applicants to RCSI are categorised as either EU or Non-EU for admissions purposes. This category determines the relevant entry requirements, application process and fees category. To determine your EU/Non-EU applicant category, please see RCSI’s EU vs Non-EU policy.

Yes, all Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) students will undertake multiple clinical placements as part of their degree. This begins in Year 1, when GEM students complete a month-long hospital placement in June following their end-of-semester exams.

GEM students are primarily based in Connolly Hospital for Year 2 and complete a 12-week clinical placement during this year, which occurs predominantly in Connolly Hospital.

During Years 3 and 4, GEM students alongside undergraduate Medicine students (in their Years 4 and 5) spend most of their time on clinical placement, gaining exposure to medical specialties ranging from General Practice and Surgery to Psychiatry. Further details of the GEM programme including a year-by-year module breakdown are available on the course details page.

EU applicants to Graduate Entry Medicine are required to apply to the programme via the CAO (RC101). Entry is based on meeting the minimum entry requirement of an upper second class honours (2H1) in their first accredited honours Bachelor degree (NFQ Level 8), plus presentation of a competitive GAMSAT score. This is different to the combined points score (HPAT plus Irish Leaving Certificate points) used for school-leaver entry to Undergraduate Medicine (RC001).

Further details on the entry requirements for both EU and Non-EU applicants to GEM are available on the entry requirements page. Non-EU applicants to GEM should consult the apply page to determine the application pathway that they should follow.

Yes, RCSI has several options for students wishing to stay close to our city centre campus and amongst their classmates. These include Mercer accommodation, Aparto St. Stephen’s Quarter and Aparto The Loom.

These secure residences offer modern, fully furnished apartments with amenities such as study areas, gyms, and social spaces.

Please visit the accommodation page for further information.

Yes, you can apply for Graduate Entry Medicine at RCSI without a science degree.

EU applicants to GEM are required to apply via the CAO (RC101) and compete for a place on the programme on the basis of their GAMSAT score. The GAMSAT exam evaluates critical thinking, problem-solving, and scientific knowledge, including biology, chemistry, and physics. Having some familiarity with these subjects will be beneficial.

Irish/ EU applicants applying through the CAO must present the GAMSAT alongside meeting the minimum academic requirements. Applicants must hold or expect to hold – by July prior to entry – a competitive GPA or a minimum of an upper second-class honours (2H1) in their first accredited undergraduate honours bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent).

Non-EU applicants must present either a competitive GAMSAT or MCAT alongside meeting the minimum academic requirements. Applicants must hold or expect to hold – by July prior to entry – a competitive GPA from an accredited undergraduate bachelor's degree (equivalent to NFQ Level 8).

Find out more about current requirements on the entry requirements page.

Top 200 QS Subject RankingQS Rankings for Medicine medal logo

RCSI is ranked in the Top 200 QS Subject Ranking in Medicine 2025. The QS index features over 1,500 higher education institutions across more than 100 locations.

That RCSI is ranked so highly for medicine is testament to our research reputation, the learning and teaching environment at RCSI, our research impact, and our approach to internationalisation.

School of Medicine

Founded in 1784 to provide surgical training in Ireland, a role that continues to this day, RCSI is home to Ireland's largest medical school and one of the most international medical schools in the world. We deliver our Medicine degree programme in three different countries: Ireland, Bahrain and Malaysia.

Read more about the School of Medicine.

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