Two medical students in white coats walk along corridor)

Medicine

MB, BCh, BAO (Hons)
School of Medicine

Why Medicine at RCSI Dublin?

RCSI is one of the world's leading health sciences universities. Our medical graduates are highly sought-after doctors, practicing in health facilities across more than 100 countries. We offer five- and six-year Undergraduate Medicine courses at our Dublin city centre campus. Please read the entry requirements to see which one you are eligible for.

The internationally-recognised RCSI Medicine curriculum is innovative, future-focused and integrated. It is structured so that the focus is on knowledge and excellent clinical skills development. 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.

From day one, we also put intensive focus on the acquisition of clinical and communications skills, as well as professionalism, resilience and leadership. This ensures that you will be a clinically skilled doctor prepared for a personally and professionally demanding career in tomorrow’s healthcare environment.

You will train in Europe's largest and most modern clinical simulation facility and in Ireland's leading hospitals. We will also provide you with many opportunities to build your career outside of the classroom through research and clinical electives as well as sub-internships.

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Early patient contact

Learn clinical skills, such as how to take a complete patient history and analyse symptoms, from your first week in the programme.

State-of-the-art facilities

Practice your clinical skills in Europe's largest and most modern clinical simulation facility before commencing full-time hospital rotations.

Anatomy

Learn anatomy through cadaveric dissection, in the original, and historical, RCSI Anatomy Room, where healthcare leaders have been formed for centuries.

Elective opportunities

Undertake clinical and research electives in some of the world's leading hospitals and develop your research skills at the RCSI Summer Research School.

Multidisciplinary environment

Study alongside your future colleagues in Pharmacy and Physiotherapy, ensuring the multidisciplinary nature of patient care is reflected in your education at RCSI.

Career readiness

Receive intensive support in choosing your ideal career and securing a residency post when you finish your medical degree.

RCSI’s 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.

The combined points score (HPAT score plus Irish Leaving Certificate points) required for school-leaver entry to Medicine via the CAO changes each year. As with all CAO courses, it is not possible to predict what the required points for entry in any given year will be prior to the release of that year’s Irish Leaving Certificate results. The previous year’s CAO points requirements are detailed on the entry requirements page, along with an approximate points equivalency calculation for other EU qualifications (A Levels and International Baccalaureate).

All EU applicants to Medicine (school leaver and mature) are required to apply for entry via the CAO (RC001). Non-EU applicants to Medicine should consult the apply page to determine the application pathway that they should follow.

Irish/ EU applicants applying to Medicine via the CAO (RC001) must present the HPAT, alongside meeting the minimum Leaving Cert (or equivalent) academic requirements.

Non-EU applicants are not currently required to sit an entrance exam but must meet the minimum entry requirements based on their own educational background. Find out more about current recognised educational programmes on the entry requirements page.

The six-year Medicine track incorporates a Foundation Year at the beginning of the Medicine programme, upon successful completion of which students move into Year 1. In order to be eligible to join the five-year Medicine track, generally applicants will need to be studying a minimum of two science subjects in their final year of high school, however it is advisable to check the entry requirements relevant to your situation prior to application – both EU and Non-EU entry requirements for Medicine are outlined on the entry requirements page. If your curriculum is not listed, please contact the Admissions Office well in advance of the application closing date.

Subjects covered in Foundation Year include Fundamentals of Human Biology, Disease Diagnostics and Therapeutics and Professionalism in Health Sciences – a full module outline is available on the course details page.

Yes, all Medicine students will undertake multiple clinical placements as part of their degree. In Year 2, students complete the ‘Preparation for Clinical Placement’ module, which is designed to help students navigate the hospital environment and prepare them for their first two hospital-based clinical placements, which take place in Year 3.

During Years 4 and 5, students 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 Medicine programme including a year-by-year module breakdown are available on the course details page.

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.

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.

Download prospectus for Undergraduate study at RCSI Register your interest