Demanding, Stimulating, Intensive

From your first day in the dissection lab to the start of your clinical training, the Graduate Entry to Medicine programme at UCD is a demanding, stimulating and intensive experience. When you choose Medicine at UCD, you choose early patient contact, a world-class curriculum and a programme that is commended nationally and globally.

At UCD, we’ve been training the best and the brightest for more than 165 years. Our curriculum is intensive, internationally recognised and delivered by some of Ireland’s best scientists and clinical educators.

Immersive Educational Experience

In the first semester, you will take a series of modules that introduce you to the application of medical science to the study of biological systems and disease. In addition, you will learn clinical skills designed to prepare you for the remainder of the programme. The remainder of the first two years will involve integration of knowledge across the medical science disciplines, while gradually expanding your professional capabilities in a clinical environment.

In the final two stages you will be fully immersed in our clinical network.

Extensive Clinical Network

The main hospitals associated with the programme are St Vincent’s University Hospital and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, and there are more than 20 other training hospitals and some 100 primary care practices in which our students learn. You will also benefit from a diverse range of international placement opportunities.

Academic Environment & Clinical Training

Our students experience a modern multi-disciplinary academic environment and a clinical training network that extends well beyond the boundaries of the UCD Belfield campus.

Our medicine and radiography students have access to:

• Ireland's largest and friendliest University campus
• Ireland’s first academic medical centre involving two of Dublin's leading acute hospitals
• A network of over twenty acute, general and specialist hospitals across the country
• A global campus supported by our alumni and international partners

Education that is delivered in the Community through:

1. A primary care network comprising more than 140 affiliated GP practices
2. A nation-wide Diagnostic Imaging Clinical Training Network

International Electives

Each year, many of our students compete for highly-prized international summer elective opportunities at locations all over the world. A long-established feature of our undergraduate programmes, clinical and research electives allow students to develop their knowledge and understanding of issues and themes relevant to their study of medicine. They experience a different healthcare system and get to work in many of the world's top medical centres including, but not limited to:

• Emory Healthcare, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
• Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, USA
• Lankenau Medical Centre, Pennsylvania, USA
• Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, USA
• Penang Medical College, Malaysia
• University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
• University of California, USA
• University of Kansas, USA
• University of Pennsylvania, USA
• University of Queensland, Australia
• Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Comprising more than 2,200 full-time enrollments and representing over 150 different nationalities, our large and culturally diverse student community is the heartbeat of the School. 

• Meet our students

Graduates of the School have achieved worldwide recognition in clinical practice, research and healthcare leadership. Upon graduation, you must complete one year as an intern to gain full registration with the Irish Medical Council.

You may then pursue training towards a career in a wide variety of specialties, in a diversity of settings, including hospitals and primary care facilities, or laboratory-based diagnosis and research.

• Meet our Alumni

Irish/EU Applicants

Irish/EU Applicants will be required to apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO) system and have a minimum grade of second-class honours, grade 1 (2.1) in first Honours Bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8) plus the Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) at the published score for the year of entry. The degree can be in any discipline. For information pertaining to CAO, GAMSAT and Admissions, please visit: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/undergraduateapplicants/alternativeentryroutes/graduateentrypathways/medicine/

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU Applicants will be required to apply directly to  UCD International Admissions and have a minimum grade of second-class honours, grade 1 (2.1) in first Honours Bachelor’s degree (NFQ Level 8), two letters of reference and a short personal statement. 

Additionally, all applicants are required to submit a current GAMSAT or MCAT score (as an indication, minimum scores required to be eligible to be considered on a competitive basis for entry in September 2022 were 57 for the GAMSAT and 503 for the MCAT).

Programme Requirements

Students must fulfil a number of specific programme requirements in addition to meeting academic criteria for admission.

These are as follows:

• Health Screening
• Garda Vetting
• Commitment to Ethical & Professional Conduct including Confidentiality
• Requirements for Participation in Clinical Education

For more detailed advice, refer to our Programme Requirements.