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International Medical Commencement Programme

Level 6 Special Purpose Award

Entry requirements

The International Medical Commencement Programme (IMCP) is not simply a preparatory year – it is a genuine pathway programme. Each student is allocated a dedicated university seat and, on successful completion of the IMCP pathway, automatically progresses to their chosen course. This provides certainty regarding the course and university each student will attend after completing the IMCP.

To secure your university place, you must maintain good conduct and attendance throughout the IMCP year and meet the academic and English language progression requirements. There are no additional interviews or assessments. Admission to the IMCP marks the beginning of your university journey.

Admission to the IMCP is competitive and based on open competition using the following criteria:

  • Basic eligibility: achievement of minimum academic and English language entry requirements
  • References and life experience: work or life balance, extracurricular activities, relevant work or voluntary experience
  • Performance at a structured online interview.

The following requirements are the minimum standards for consideration for entry into the IMCP for the academic year 2027/2028. Meeting these grades does not guarantee acceptance, as application numbers exceed the limited number of seats available. Admission is determined by the IMCP Admissions Committee.

If you have any questions, please contact imcp@rcsi.ie.

Please note

  • All applicants must have completed a minimum of 12 years of schooling by the end of their secondary education.
  • Only applicants studying one of the curricula listed below will be considered for admission.

Progressing to study medicine

Applicants must complete the Science Stream and achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (cGPA) of 94%.

Applicants must present a minimum of three A Level subjects* with grades of BBB or ABB, to include 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). Repeat examinations taken outside of these two years will not be considered.

Applicants must present four AS Levels with minimum grades of A, A, A, B, to include three of the following four subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

Applicants must complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and and achieve scores of 35-37 IB Diploma points (inclusive of bonus points). The 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.

Applicants are required to present a minimum overall score of 8.5/10 in Grade 12 of the Vietnamese High School Graduation Diploma (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Phổ Thông Trung Học), to include a minimum grade 8 in Chemistry.

English language entry requirements

Applicants must present either:

  • A minimum overall average IELTS score of 5.5, with no individual band less than 5.0.  
  • A minimum overall average TOEFL iBT score of 3.5, with no individual section score less than 3.5 (for tests taken after January 2026).

Progressing to all other pathways 

Applicants must complete the Science Stream and achieve a minimum cumulative grade point average (cGPA) of 90%.

Applicants must present a minimum of three A Level subjects* with minimum grades of BBB, to include 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). Repeat examinations taken outside of these two years will not be considered.

Applicants must present four AS Levels with minimum grades of A, A, B, B, to include three of the following four subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

Applicants must complete the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma and and achieve scores of 35-37 IB Diploma points (inclusive of bonus points). The 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.

Applicants are required to present a minimum overall score of 7/10 in Grade 12 of the Vietnamese High School Graduation Diploma (Bằng Tốt Nghiệp Phổ Thông Trung Học), to include a minimum grade 7.5 in Chemistry.

English language entry requirements

Applicants must present either:

  • A minimum overall average IELTS score of 5.5, with no individual band less than 5.0.  
  • A minimum overall average TOEFL iBT score of 3.5, with no individual section score less than 3.5 (for tests taken after January 2026).

Applicants applying for progression to the University of Galway Speech & Language Therapy degree programme, are required to apply with a minimum overall average IELTS score of 7, with no individual band less than 6.5.