FAQs

No.

RCSI welcomes applications from students with disabilities. All applications will be treated on an individual basis. Disability will not be considered as part of the selection process; however, it is strongly advised that applicants disclose their disability on their application and contact the RCSI Admissions Office or the Learning Access and Facilitation Team to obtain further advice.

All students wishing to avail of additional supports or reasonable accommodations while studying in RCSI must register with the Learning Access Service.

International students are encouraged to contact the Learning Access Team in advance of accepting your place in the RCSI so we can advise you of the types of supports and reasonable accommodations which may be available to you. However, please be advised that supports you may have received in your home institution may differ from those provided here in the RCSI. 

Evidence of your disability is also required to register with the Learning Access Service. Please note that the evidence of disability must be provided in English, and if not originally in English must be translated by a professional translator. 

The Learning Access and Facilitation Service works with students with many different kinds of disabilities, which include: 

• Learning differences (such as dyslexia) 
• ADHD/ADD 
• Autism/ASD 
• Deaf or hard of hearing 
• Visual impairment/or low vision 
• Mobility impairment 
• Mental Health condition

All RCSI buildings are accessible. This includes ramps, accessible parking and lifts to basement and upper floors of all RCSI buildings. 

RCSI recognises that the age and design of some of its older buildings may present some difficulties for students with a disability. Access is always improving. If you are concerned about access on campus, make sure to contact the RCSI Learning Access Team. 

You can apply to any of the programmes offered by RCSI – the choice is yours. Make sure to look at the RCSI website and speak with your guidance counsellor about what course interests you most and for more information on matriculation and exemptions. 

As an EU applicant, you apply through the CAO. However, entry requirements differ for the Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programme – in addition to a minimum of 2.1 in your degree, you also require competitive GAMSAT or MCAT scores.

Yes! We strongly encourage you to attend our RCSI Open Day. This is your chance to visit the campus and get more information about the courses and clubs/societies that interest you. The RCSI Disability Service has a stand at Open Day, so make sure to come and have a chat with us.

You can also arrange to take a tour of RCSI by completing this form. 

When you tick the box on your CAO application, an extra form will be send to you. This is called the supplementary information form. You must write the personal statement yourself. Ask for help if you need it, but remember to use your own words.

Your medical consultant/specialist will be required to complete the evidence of disability section. If you have a specific learning disability, you must enclose an educational psychologist’s report that is no more than three years old.

Your school principal and teacher/guidance counsellor must fill out the second level academic reference.

It is important to complete the supplementary information form accurately and return it to the CAO by the CAO deadline. Late applications or applications without an up-to-date (no more than three years old) medical consultant's/educational psychologist's report are not considered.

By ticking the box on your CAO form, your application can be considered for the supplementary admission route.

The supplementary admission route is for applicants who, because of the impact of their disability or specific learning disability, may not gain the competitive CAO points for the course of their choice.

RCSI uses a number of criteria to assess applications from students with a disability:

• Leaving Certificate and HPAT results and academic achievement in subjects relevant to the course you apply for, as shown by Leaving Certificate/HPAT results and any other academic qualifications;
• The impact of your disability on academic achievement to date; and 
• Your potential to participate successfully in your chosen programme, as shown in the Supplementary Information Form you submitted to the CAO.

It is still possible to get a place on your chosen programme. If you returned your supplementary information form on time and in full to the CAO, you are now part of the supplementary admission route. Your supplementary information form is reviewed carefully using strict guidelines.

If you meet the supplementary admission route entry criteria as outlined previously, you may be offered a place in Round 1.

The supplementary admission route is confidential; whom you tell and what you tell them is up to you.

Accept your place through the CAO in the normal manner. Check the CAO website for more information.

You must attend all RCSI orientation and registration events. You can make an appointment with the disability officer, who can explain in detail how to register with the Disability Support Service and will discuss with you the kind of supports you might need to complete your degree.

The RCSI on-campus accommodation is located at Mercer Court. Students are responsible for finding their own accommodation while studying at RCSI. Mercer Court, which is a purpose-built student residence, reserves accommodation for new, incoming students, for which you can apply. For further information, please contact the Mercer Court Accommodation Manager or view the accommodation page. The disability officer will assist you with finding accessible accommodation specific to your needs.