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Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
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Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Training doctors in Dublin since 1854, at Ireland's global university and one of Europe's leading English-speaking medical schools.
5000+ Students trust us
Ireland
Country
Dublin
City
Top 100 worldwide (QS 2027)
Ranking
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
Library interior at University College Dublin
Download our free brochure for immediate information, or get personalised professional counselling from our experts.
Recognition & Prestige
University College Dublin entered the world's top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2027, rising 18 places to #100, and its School of Medicine has trained doctors continuously since 1854 from one of Europe's largest health-sciences campuses.
#100
QS World University Rankings 2027 (UCD)
201–250
THE World University Rankings 2026 (UCD)
101–150
QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 — Medicine
#2
in Ireland (QS 2027)
The medical degree is recognised internationally. UCD School of Medicine is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), its programmes are accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland (an accreditor holding WFME Recognition Status to 2030), and graduates are eligible to qualify for practice in India through the NMC screening/exit examination.
NMC/MCI
National Medical Commission / Medical Council of India (India).
WDOMS
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools.
WFME
Accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland, a WFME-recognised agency.
EU
Within the European Higher Education Area; degree recognised EU-wide under Directive 2005/36/EC.
Complete Information About UCD School of Medicine
Get complete information about the UCD School of Medicine, Dublin, including tuition, living costs, admission process and recognition for Indian students.
Success stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
UCD pairs a top-100 world university with clinical training in English-speaking hospitals, in one of the safest countries in the world.
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your MBBS-abroad success.
How to Apply
Admission to Medicine at UCD is by direct application to the university, not NEET, not Ireland's CAO and not the HPAT test (those apply to Irish/EU school-leavers only). International students are assessed on Class 12 results, an SAT (or equivalent) score and a structured interview with the School of Medicine. Applications are made online at ucd.ie with a €70 application fee.
The online application window for the September 2027 intake opens on the UCD application portal.
Strict final date to submit the completed Medicine application with the €70 fee; UCD states late applications are not considered.
Shortlisted applicants are contacted directly by the School of Medicine for a structured interview, which can be conducted online.
Admission decisions are released on a rolling basis after interviews.
Accept the offer by paying the €8,000 non-refundable deposit, then apply for the Irish long-stay (D) study visa; Indian students should start the visa file immediately.
The academic year begins at the Belfield campus; registration includes a €330 healthcare screening.
Indian applicants (CBSE or CISCE boards) need approximately a 90% average across their best five recognised Class 12 subjects, with at least 65% in Mathematics (Class 12 or 10) and 65% in a laboratory science. UCD notes that successful Medicine applicants often present stronger results than these minimums. Students from state boards must contact UCD Global directly for an assessment.
Subjects:
Candidates should be at least 17 years old on entry.
Applicants are selected on academic record, a standardised test and interview. Applications may be submitted directly or through an official international representative.
SAT & Interview
SAT 1200 or equivalent, plus a structured interview with the School of Medicine assessing motivation, understanding of the profession and readiness to study abroad.
English Proficiency
80% in Class 12 English (CBSE/ISC) satisfies UCD's English requirement with no IELTS needed; otherwise IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in every band.
UCD holds no separate written entrance exam for international applicants. Selection is based on the published academic thresholds, the SAT (or equivalent) and the interview.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Academic record | ≈90% average across the best five Class 12 subjects (CBSE/CISCE), with Mathematics and one lab science at 65%+. |
| SAT (or equivalent) | 1200+ combined; contact UCD Global on accepted equivalents for Indian applicants. |
| Interview | Structured interview by the School of Medicine for shortlisted candidates; can be held online. |
To apply, students need to submit essential academic and identification documents:
Admission Guidance & Document Checklist
Get the complete document checklist or admission guidance from our experts.
Program Structure
Students follow a structured six-year curriculum that moves from university-taught sciences to fully immersive hospital rotations, taught entirely in English and leading to the MB BCh BAO degree. A refreshed “Medicine 2030” curriculum launches from the 2026/2027 session.
Total Duration:
6 Years
Degree:
MB BCh BAO (Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics — equivalent to MBBS)
Years 1–2
University-taught basic sciences (no requirement to have studied all three sciences at school), followed by the structure and function of healthy organ systems, with anatomy dissection and early patient contact through general practice:
Years 3–4
Organ systems in disease, the paraclinical sciences and the transition into hospital-based clinical attachments:
Years 5–6
Full-time clinical training across the UCD hospital network with direct patient care under supervision, a funded elective that can be taken abroad, and an internship-preparation capstone:
Clinical training takes place in the UCD network centred on St Vincent's University Hospital and the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, with maternity teaching at the National Maternity Hospital, paediatrics at the CHI children's hospitals and placements across regional hospitals and GP practices. An indicative pattern:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| Year 4 | Clinical skills, therapeutics and the first hospital attachments. |
| Year 5 | Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology and Paediatrics rotations. |
| Year 6 | Psychiatry, community/general practice, forensic medicine, the elective and internship preparation (Professional Completion). |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to see detailed subjects, the course structure and everything you need to plan your studies.
Global Exchange
UCD Medicine runs a clinical-elective model of international mobility: core modules are taken at Belfield, and students complete a funded elective of about six weeks in the final years, with more than 70 funded elective opportunities each year. UCD also belongs to the Universitas 21 Health Sciences Group and the Worldwide Universities Network, whose member medical schools host short-term clinical places.
| Country | Partner Universities / Networks |
|---|---|
| United States | Harvard Medical School (Massachusetts General Hospital); Stanford University; Mayo Clinic; University of Pennsylvania; Washington University in St. Louis; Emory University; UCLA |
| Canada | University of Toronto; University of British Columbia; McMaster University |
| Australia | University of Queensland; Monash University |
| Singapore | Singapore General Hospital |
| France | Université Paris Cité (Paris Descartes) |
| Global networks | Universitas 21 Health Sciences Group (18 universities); Worldwide Universities Network |
Explore Your Exchange Options
The table above highlights elective destinations and exchange networks available to UCD medical students.
Legacy
The UCD School of Medicine and its predecessor, the Catholic University Medical School, have shaped Irish medicine and public life for more than 170 years.
Studied at the Catholic University Medical School on Cecilia Street and graduated in medicine in 1899, when very few women in Europe could qualify as doctors. She served as Chief Medical Officer of the Irish Citizen Army during the 1916 Rising and in 1919 co-founded St Ultan's Hospital, Ireland's first hospital dedicated to infants, which pioneered paediatric care and BCG vaccination in Ireland.
Professor of Physiology at the Catholic University Medical School and its last Dean before becoming the first President of University College Dublin in 1908, a post he held until 1940. A physician by training, he steered the medical school through its merger into the National University of Ireland and built it into the core of a modern university.
Graduated in medicine at UCD and became the university's first Professor of Biochemistry and Pharmacology in 1932. A world authority on electrolyte physiology and cellular biochemistry, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1947, and UCD's flagship biomedical research institute, the Conway Institute, is named in his honour.
Studied medicine at UCD in the 1940s and practised as a doctor before entering public life. He served as Ireland's Minister for Education, as the country's first European Commissioner, and finally as the sixth President of Ireland from 1976 to 1990.
A UCD medical student who served as chief medical officer in the GPO garrison during the 1916 Rising. He later completed his medical degree and, as Ireland's Minister for Health, oversaw landmark legislation that built much of the modern Irish public health system.
Graduated MB BCh BAO from UCD in 1966 and became one of the world's best-known psychiatrists. As Professor of Psychological Medicine in London, Medical Director of St Patrick's Hospital in Dublin, and presenter of BBC Radio 4's In the Psychiatrist's Chair for nearly two decades, he brought psychiatry to the public.
Graduated in medicine from UCD in 1946 and became Ireland's first paediatric cardiologist and UCD's Professor of Paediatrics. In 1964 he described the inherited heart-rhythm disorder now known worldwide as Romano–Ward syndrome (long QT syndrome).
Students are taught by more than 220 academic staff, over 210 research-funded staff and around 980 adjunct clinical faculty, alongside 350+ hospital consultants and 450 GPs across the teaching network. The school is led by Dean and Head of School Professor Paddy Mallon, an infectious diseases consultant at St Vincent's University Hospital, supported by Associate Deans including Professor Catherine Godson (International Relations) and Professor Cormac Taylor (Research, Innovation & Impact).
Experienced physicians and surgeons
Faculty with international publications
Medical researchers and scientists
Active involvement in medical research
Regular academic interaction
Personal mentorship
Clinical supervision during rotations
Continuous development of practical skills
About University
Get all information about UCD School of Medicine in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine at University College Dublin.
Role in medicine
Get all information about UCD School of Medicine in our free brochure
Read on to find out how you can fulfil your dream of studying medicine at University College Dublin.
Cost of living
Dublin is safe and English-speaking, but it is one of Europe's more expensive student cities, so families should budget honestly. Here is the monthly breakdown based on UCD's own published estimates.
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | ₹91,000 – ₹1,32,000 |
| Food | ₹38,000 – ₹54,000 |
| Transportation | ₹6,600 – ₹8,500 |
| Other Expenses (Utilities, Internet, Leisure) | ₹33,000 – ₹45,000 |
Average monthly living cost
₹1,70,000 – ₹2,40,000
Housing
UCD Residences provide a safe, supportive environment right on the Belfield campus, a short walk from the Health Sciences Centre, so first-year medical students can settle in without a daily commute.
University College Dublin runs its own student residences on the Belfield campus (and at Blackrock), managed centrally by UCD Residences. Nearly all bedrooms are single occupancy, and living on campus puts students minutes from lectures, the library and UCD's sports facilities.
Residences include Belgrove, Merville, Ashfield, Glenomena, Proby, Roebuck Hall, Roebuck Castle (catered) and the modern UCD Village, each arranged as apartment communities with resident assistants and 24/7 campus security.
Students get a furnished single study bedroom in an apartment typically shared by four people. Options range from standard rooms with shared bathrooms (Belgrove, Merville) to single ensuite rooms (Ashfield, Glenomena, Proby, Roebuck Hall and UCD Village).
Each apartment shares a kitchen and living area where students cook and socialise, and utilities are billed monthly. Roebuck Castle offers a catered option with meals included for students who prefer not to cook.
On-campus rooms cost approximately €923–€1,417 per month including utilities (about ₹1.02–1.56 lakh), depending on residence and room type, plus a €750 refundable deposit. That is comparable to or cheaper than good private rooms near campus.
Applications are made online through the UCD Residences portal (residences.ucd.ie). Priority goes to incoming first-year and international students; offers for the September intake are issued in late August, and demand exceeds supply, so apply as soon as the portal opens.
Newly admitted international students should apply for a room immediately after accepting their offer; the residence booking also provides the accommodation confirmation used in the Irish study-visa application.
Students who prefer independence rent rooms in shared houses in Donnybrook, Clonskeagh, Stillorgan or Dundrum, typically €800–€1,100 per month, using Daft.ie and UCD's own vetted listings site, UCD Accommodation Pad. Start searching in June or July, and never pay a deposit without a verified viewing.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
Indian and vegetarian food is easily available in cafeterias, restaurants and grocery stores across Dublin.
The Belfield campus has its own restaurants and cafés serving affordable daily meals, with vegetarian options such as salads, pasta, soups and curries available every day, and the catered Roebuck Castle residence includes meals.
Location
UCD School of Medicine, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Nearest Airport
Dublin Airport (DUB), around 30–45 minutes by Aircoach or Dublin Express
Local Transport
Dublin Bus routes 39a, 46a and 145 serve Belfield directly; DART rail at Booterstown and Sydney Parade is nearby, and the TFI 90-minute fare costs €1 with a Student Leap Card
Your Roadmap to Success
Graduates earn the MB BCh BAO (Bachelor of Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics), Ireland's primary medical qualification and the equivalent of MBBS. The school is WDOMS-listed and accredited by the Medical Council of Ireland, which holds WFME Recognition Status, keeping doors open in India, the US, the UK and across the EU.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of the exams and requirements after graduation.
Practising in India
To practise medicine in India after graduating from UCD School of Medicine, Indian students follow a clear licensing pathway set by the National Medical Commission (NMC). Because the programme is a 6-year English-taught degree at a WDOMS-listed school, it meets the NMC's core course requirements, and students should qualify NEET-UG before joining to protect their future eligibility.
Step 1
Graduates must clear the qualifying examination that licenses foreign medical graduates to practise in India. At present this is the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination (FMGE), which the NMC plans to replace with the National Exit Test (NExT).
Step 2
After qualifying, students complete the required internship in India, a paid hospital-based internship that builds hands-on experience in Indian clinical settings. Because in Ireland the 12-month internship happens after the degree through the national HSE scheme, Indian students should confirm with the NMC how the Irish pathway maps to the internship requirement.
Step 3
The final step is registration with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the relevant State Medical Council. Once registered, the graduate holds a full licence to practise medicine in India.
Student Life Style
Being a medical student at UCD is a mix of demanding academics, life on Europe's largest urban campus, and weekends exploring Ireland. With more than 170 years of history and a top-100 world ranking, the school attracts students from around 90 countries.
Cliffs of Moher on Ireland's Atlantic coast, a popular student weekend trip
Green coastal countryside along Ireland's Atlantic coast
Scholarship & Financial
Honest note first: UCD states it does not currently offer its own scholarships for its medicine courses, so funding routes are limited and must be planned early.
Funded by the Irish state and administered by the Higher Education Authority, this award gives 60 high-achieving international students across all Irish institutions a €10,000 stipend plus a full tuition-fee waiver for one year. It is extremely competitive, and applications run roughly January to March each year via the HEA.
Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience at UCD School of Medicine.
4.7
98 reviews
Compare
Compare UCD School of Medicine, Dublin with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
UCD School of Medicine, Dublin vs CMC Vellore
| University | UCD School of MedicineDublin, Ireland | CMC VelloreTamil Nadu, India |
|---|---|---|
| University Type | Public | Private (minority) |
| Medium | English | English |
| Course Duration | 6 years (MB BCh BAO) | 5.5 years (MBBS) |
| Tuition (per year) | ~₹70 lakh (€63,890) | ~₹3–4 lakh |
| Admission | Direct application — academics + SAT + interview | NEET-UG |
| Recognition | WDOMS / EU; NMC-eligible via screening | NMC-recognised |
| Global Ranking | QS #100 (2027, UCD) | Not in QS top 500 |
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Our blog
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FAQ
Short answers to the questions students and parents ask most often about MBBS at UCD School of Medicine.
