The glass-walled European Parliament Paul Henri-Spaak building facade in Brussels.

Ireland September 2027 entry: applications close 31 March 2027 (Medicine); rolling admissions for Pharmacy and Physiotherapy

RCSI Undergraduate International Scholarship

RCSI (Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland) offers Undergraduate International Scholarships of EUR 5,000 to EUR 10,000 (LKR 1.7M-3.45M) as one-year tuition reductions for outstanding international applicants to its Medicine, Pharmacy, or Physiotherapy undergraduate programmes. RCSI is Ireland's specialist medical university (founded 1784) and one of the top destinations globally for international medical students — particularly popular with Sri Lankan, Malaysian, Indian, and Middle Eastern students. The 5-year Medicine programme is recognised by the Sri Lanka Medical Council and the Irish Medical Council, allowing graduates to register for internship and practice in both jurisdictions (subject to standard registration processes). Tuition for Medicine is approximately EUR 53,000/year for non-EU students.

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

University-funded

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Value

EUR 5,000 - EUR 10,000

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Duration

First Year Only

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Programmes

Medicine / Pharmacy / Physiotherapy

fact_check Eligibility Criteria

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RCSI Programme Admission

You must be applying to RCSI's 5-year Medicine (MB BCh BAO), 4-year Pharmacy, or 4-year Physiotherapy undergraduate programme. RCSI also offers graduate-entry Medicine — separate scholarships apply for that pathway.

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Strong A/L Sciences

Top award tier (EUR 10,000) requires 3 As at A/L in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics/Mathematics (the standard medical-school combination). Mid-tier (EUR 5,000) for 2 As + 1 B. Sri Lankan applicants typically need to meet the SLMC-recognised Medicine entry standard for RCSI.

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International Fee Status

Open to non-EU international students paying overseas tuition. Sri Lankan citizens applying from Sri Lanka are eligible. EU students have separate RCSI funding routes and lower baseline tuition.

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UCAT or HPAT (where applicable)

Medicine applicants must take the UCAT (University Clinical Aptitude Test) or HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test - Ireland). Sri Lankan applicants typically sit the UCAT in Colombo. Strong UCAT/HPAT scores significantly improve both admission and scholarship odds.

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Take UCAT/HPAT + Apply via CAO or RCSI direct

Take the UCAT in spring 2027 (registration via Pearson Vue). EU applicants typically apply via CAO (Central Applications Office); non-EU applicants apply directly to RCSI via the international portal. Application by 31 March for Medicine.

Submit application + supporting documents

Required: school transcripts, A/L statements (predicted + actual), UCAT/HPAT scores, IELTS/TOEFL (6.5+ / 88+ minimum), motivation letter, two references (one academic, one medical/clinical exposure if possible).

Interview round

Shortlisted Medicine candidates are invited to a multi-station mini-interview (MMI) — usually 8-10 short structured interviews assessing communication, ethics, motivation, problem-solving, and teamwork. Sri Lankan applicants typically interview virtually.

Offer + scholarship + Irish visa

Admission decisions communicated May-June. Successful applicants receive an offer letter with scholarship details if awarded. Use the offer + scholarship + financial documents to apply for the Irish Student Visa (Long-Stay D) via VFS Colombo.

Why RCSI?

RCSI is one of the world's leading specialist medical universities — founded in 1784 by Royal Charter to advance surgical training. Today it offers Ireland's only undergraduate Medicine programme with international focus from day one. Around 60% of students are international, drawn from over 90 countries. The Dublin campus is in central Dublin's St. Stephen's Green area, with state-of-the-art simulation labs and clinical attachment rotations at major Irish teaching hospitals. RCSI's Sri Lankan alumni network is sizeable and well-connected in Sri Lankan and international medicine.