Fact File

Final points for medicine 1999: RCSI 540; TCD 570; NUI Galway 550; UCC 560; UCD 555

Final points for medicine 1999: RCSI 540; TCD 570; NUI Galway 550; UCC 560; UCD 555

Places in medical schools: The Higher Education Authority set a cap on the number of places in the Republic in 1978 and this is still in place. There are a total of 300 first-year places for Irish students at the five schools. This means that not everyone with the correct points will be accepted on a course.

The Royal College of Surgeons: Fees of £4,950 per annum are payable by Irish students.

Britain and Northern Ireland: Most British colleges offer five-year courses and some won't accept the Leaving Certificate as a valid entry qualification. Queen's University Belfast accepts Leaving Certificate students to a premedical year which effectively makes it a six-year course for students from the Republic. Entry to QUB requires four A1s and two Bs: Higher chemistry and at least two highers from from physic/ maths/biology are also required.

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The book: Insiders Guide to Medical Schools 1999/2000 can be purchased on the website www.bmjpg.co/index.html