Ireland is one of the most popular international destinations for UK applicants — with a familiar system but its own admissions test.
Ireland has five medical schools offering undergraduate medicine: UCD, TCD, UCC, NUIG, and RCSI. The degrees are globally recognised and the training is closely aligned with the UK system, making Irish graduates eligible to work in the NHS.
For UK applicants who don't receive UK offers, Ireland is a well-trodden and respected alternative — the HPAT-Ireland test is comparable in style to the UCAT, and the clinical training quality is high.
Post-Brexit note: UK applicants to Irish medical schools are now classified as international (non-EU) students for fee purposes. This significantly increases costs. Verify fee status with each school.
HPAT-Ireland (Health Professions Admission Test)
CAO (Central Applications Office) for most schools; RCSI direct
5–6 years undergraduate
~€3,000–€7,000/year (EU/EEA)
€40,000–€54,000+/year (non-EU, including UK post-Brexit)
1 February (normal closing date)
The Health Professions Admission Test Ireland is a 2.5-hour test sat in February each year. It consists of three sections:
Tests ability to identify patterns, draw inferences, and apply logical reasoning to novel problems. ~44 questions.
Assesses ability to understand people's thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in clinical and social contexts. ~36 questions.
Visual pattern recognition and spatial reasoning. ~24 questions. Fast-paced.
HPAT results are combined with Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) grades to produce a total score used for CAO ranking. The weighting varies by school but HPAT typically contributes around one-third of the total score.
Registration opens in November for the February sitting. Do not miss the deadline.
Submit CAO application including medicine choices. HPAT registration closes around the same time.
The test is sat in late February at centres across Ireland and the UK.
If applying as a school-leaver, your exam results in August will determine your CAO points.
Offers are made based on combined LC + HPAT score. You typically need very high points.
Academic year begins in September for most Irish medical schools.