The Union of Students in Ireland (USI) has claimed that one in five third-level students cannot afford to visit a doctor.
According to a survey published today by the union, students often have to wait unacceptable lengths of time to see a GP.
Almost a quarter of students surveyed had to wait a day for an appointment with a college doctor, one in eight had to wait three days for an appointment and 17 per cent had to wait a week.
The USI said the study, carried out during a series of face-to-face interviews with around 500 students, showed that its members should be entitled to medical cards.
The President of the USI, Mr Colm Jordan, argued that students should be means tested on their own income rather than their parents earnings.
"We are not asking for students to be granted a medical card by virtue of them being students, but rather on the basis of them being adults of very low income," he said.
"The financial barrier to GP care endured by students during their low income years can begin a pattern of healthcare neglect that is often only acted upon when severe damage has been done," he added.