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.
September 2027 entry: applications close 31 March 2027 (Medicine); rolling admissions for Pharmacy and Physiotherapy
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Value
EUR 5,000 - EUR 10,000
Duration
First Year Only
Programmes
Medicine / Pharmacy / Physiotherapy
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
EUR 5,000 - EUR 10,000 (One-Year Tuition Reduction). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
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.
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.
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.
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.
account_tree Application Process
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.
#250
QS World Ranking 2026
Top 50
QS Medicine (World)
60%
International Students
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
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The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
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Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for IE, in LKR as well as local currency.
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Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
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