Course overview

Ireland is one of the most prominent destinations for students looking to study health and medicine due to its rich heritage of internationally recognised universities teaching medicine for hundreds of years. These esteemed medical colleges offer accredited programs including medicine and surgery, physiotherapy, nutritional sciences, nursing and psychology. Postgraduate opportunities in Irish universities include public health, mental health, audiology and pharmaceutical business.

By studying health and medicine in Ireland, students will learn through a combination of lectures, tutorials and problem-based learning. With clinical simulations and modern learning facilities, students will be taught by skilled specialists and professors to develop both their medical skills as well as professional skills for a full holistic education. Internships in local Irish hospitals, clinics and businesses will also be available with certain colleges offering overseas electives held in other prestigious universities globally.

Studying health and medicine in Ireland offers students a world-class education with the opportunity to seek employment in Ireland after graduation.

Why study health and medicine in Ireland?

• Universities in Ireland offering health and medical courses have a rigorous curriculum to ensure graduates are professional and employment-ready.

• The medical colleges in Ireland that offer the degrees (undergraduate and postgraduate) in medicine are accredited by the Irish Medical Council.

• Irish universities offer a wide range of courses in the health fields that include physiotherapy, nutritional sciences, nursing and psychology. Many of which are accredited as well.

• Students studying health and medicine have the opportunity to gain industry insight during their program through internships, hospital and clinical attachments.

• Excellent employment opportunities await students back home and within Ireland itself.

Key facts about studying health and medicine in Ireland

• Ireland has 6 medical colleges featured in the QS rankings (QS Top Medicine Universities 2021) with Trinity College Dublin being in the top 100.

• You can stay and work in Ireland with a study visa extension for 6 to 12 months (or up to 24 months for postgraduate students) after you graduate with a health and medicine degree from an Irish university.

• Ireland is a safe and peaceful country, ranking 8th out of 163 countries in the 2021 Global Peace Index.

Choosing your health and medicine university

Here are some key things to look out for in choosing your health and medicine university in Ireland:

• Academic Excellence – Research on reviews and teaching professors can give a good insight into the course curriculum in addition to course descriptions. Understand if any internships, hospital or clinical attachments are available to ensure a more holistic and practical education.

• Location – Whether it’s the bustling city of Dublin or the more laid-back city of Limerick you prefer, look for a university situated in a region that offers you the best mix of lifestyle and standard of living.

• Cost – Tuition fees will vary greatly depending on the type of course chosen, the kind of financial assistance and scholarships available to you may differ substantially as well. Look for a university that offers scholarships and determine if you are eligible, some scholarships are only awarded to students in certain countries, regions and situations.

• International Student Support – Find a university that offers well-planned support for international students, as they can advise on essentials such as accommodation, student welfare, and post-graduate employment opportunities.

Admission requirements for Ireland universities

Entry into an Irish university typically requires a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university or an equivalent diploma or certificate depending on the course applied for.

For many medical colleges in Ireland, non-native speakers will also require an overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 6.5, with no individual sub-score less than 6.0 as evidence of English language proficiency.

Students looking to study medicine in some of Ireland’s medical colleges will also have to sit for the HPAT assessment test to be eligible for admission to the program.

Those looking for postgraduate programs may need to meet additional entry requirements, such as prior knowledge in certain subjects, work experience, and the successful completion of an audition, portfolio, interview or test.

Ready to kickstart your study abroad journey?

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