A medical degree in any country is difficult, but Ireland has a very high standard of medical education and training. All its medical schools are among the top 300 in the world, and the highest ranking is in the top 150. This underscores the highly competitive nature of medical degrees in Ireland, where only the most academically gifted students typically secure places on undergraduate medical courses. So, how can you ensure that Ireland's medical schools consider you one of the country's finest students?
Key Takeaways
- Entry to medical school in Ireland is highly competitive, with undergraduate and graduate routes determined primarily by standardised aptitude tests and academic results.
- Undergraduate applicants are assessed using a combination of Leaving Certificate CAO points and HPAT performance, while graduate applicants are assessed using GAMSAT results and undergraduate degree outcomes.
- The HPAT assesses aptitude rather than subject knowledge, focusing on logical reasoning, interpersonal understanding, and non-verbal reasoning.
- From 2027 entry onwards, HPAT results will carry greater weight in undergraduate medicine admissions, reducing the influence of marginal differences in very high Leaving Certificate scores.
- Successful applicants to undergraduate medicine typically achieve between 550 and 625 CAO points, with Higher Level Mathematics providing bonus CAO points.
- HPAT and GAMSAT serve distinct purposes and are not interchangeable, with each test applying only to its respective entry pathway.
- Entry requirements vary slightly between Ireland’s six medical schools, but all require strong academic performance alongside competitive aptitude test results.
Standardised Tests for Entry into Ireland's Medical Schools
If you're entering medical school as a graduate, there are two main standardised tests for aspiring doctors: the HPAT and the GAMSAT.
The HPAT
The Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT) is a standardised test for undergraduate applicants to medical school in Ireland. The test covers logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, and interpersonal understanding.
High HPAT scores are also essential, as they are for the Leaving Cert and CAO points. Typically, the entry requirements for medical schools in Ireland consider CAO points from the Leaving Cert and CAO points awarded for HPAT results. It's typical for the Leaving Cert to set minimum CAO point thresholds, the HPAT to set minimum CAO point requirements, and an overall minimum score that must be reached for a student to be eligible. This means that a poorer HPAT result can be bolstered by exceptional Leaving Cert results. Conversely, a good HPAT result can make up for disappointing Leaving Cert results.
Since doctors earn around €100,000 a year in Ireland, it's hardly surprising that medical programmes are competitive. It's crucial to perform exceptionally well in the Leaving Cert and on the HPAT. Your academic performance and standardised test scores will play a significant role in your eligibility for medical school.
The HPAT-Ireland exam is administered by ACER. Since the past exam questions are protected by copyright, we can't produce real HPAT questions. Instead, we've looked at the official sources and created our own representative sample-style questions reflecting the format, reasoning skills, and difficulty candidates can expect. Keep in mind that these are illustrative and you can find the real questions (aand official examples) on ACER's website.
HPAT Logical Reasoning
Your ability to analyse written information, identify assumptions, and draw logical conclusions without relying on prior subject knowledge.
You are given a short passage describing a policy decision made by a hospital administration. The passage includes several stated reasons for the decision and one implied assumption. You are asked to determine which conclusion most logically follows from the information provided.
Evaluate the argument strictly on the information given, ignoring outside knowledge or personal opinion.
HPAT Interpersonal Understanding
Your capacity to interpret emotions, motivations, and social interactions in professional and personal contexts.
You are presented with a short scenario involving a disagreement between two colleagues in a workplace setting. Each person expresses their perspective differently. You are asked to identify the response or interpretation that best demonstrates understanding, empathy, and appropriate judgement.
Assess interpersonal dynamics and choose the response that reflects emotional awareness rather than personal preference.
HPAT Non-Verbal Reasoning
Your ability to recognise patterns and relationships using abstract shapes and diagrams, without relying on language.
You are shown a sequence of geometric figures that change according to a visual rule. One figure in the sequence is missing. You must select the option that correctly completes the pattern.
Identify relationships between shapes, positions, or movements and apply them consistently.
Upcoming HPAT Score Changes: What Applicants Need to Know
There have been significant changes to how HPAT results will be used for undergraduate medicine entry, starting with applications for 2027 entry. These changes place greater emphasis on aptitude testing and reduce the dominance of near-perfect Leaving Cert scores in medical admissions.
points toward undergraduate medicine selection, increasing its influence relative to Leaving Certificate results.
Under the new system, the HPAT score carries greater weight for the selection process for undergraduate admission. The HPAT has long been a required component, but it'll now have a greater influence than Leaving Certificate results.
These changes are being introduced to create a fairer and more balanced selection system. Medical schools expressed concern that the small differences in Leaving Certificate points mightn't really reflect the aptitude for medical training. The HPAT allows universities to better assess skills like:
- Reasoning and decision-making
- Interpersonal awareness
- Problem-solving under pressure
Students applying to medicine from 2027 will find the HPAT to be more important than ever. This doesn't mean that strong Leaving Certificate results aren't essential, but HPAT performance will have greater importance.
- Students with slightly lower CAO points may remain competitive with a strong HPAT score.
- HPAT preparation will become a more central part of the application process.
- Applicants should monitor official CAO and university updates closely as detailed scoring models are finalised.¹
| Change area | Up to 2026 entry (current system) | From 2027 entry (new system) |
|---|---|---|
| HPAT weighting (maximum contribution) | HPAT contributes up to 100 points toward overall ranking (combined with Leaving Cert points). | HPAT contribution increases to a maximum of 150 points toward overall ranking. |
| Leaving Cert points above the high-threshold band | Leaving Cert points are adjusted at the very top end (points above a threshold are moderated/compressed in the admissions scoring model). | The high-end adjustment is removed: Leaving Cert scores above 550 are no longer scaled/moderated in the admissions scoring model. |
| How applicants are ranked overall | Overall ranking is based on a combined score that includes Leaving Cert points and HPAT (with HPAT capped at 100). | Overall ranking remains a combined score, but HPAT carries more influence (capped at 150) and Leaving Cert top-end moderation is removed. |
| What stays the same (eligibility requirements) | Applicants must meet minimum academic eligibility requirements and sit HPAT for undergraduate medicine entry. | Minimum academic eligibility requirements and the need to sit HPAT continue to apply; changes affect weighting/scoring used for ranking. |
The GAMSAT
The Graduate Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) is the graduate-level equivalent of the HPAT. This is specifically for graduate entry to medical schools and tests students on science, reasoning, and writing skills. Most people who've taken the GAMSAT will tell you that it's a difficult test that requires extensive preparation.
The entry requirements for graduate medical programmes in Ireland usually include a combination of your undergraduate degree and GAMSAT results. Since GAMSAT isn't for undergraduate entry, it's not converted to CAO points.
HPAT (Undergraduate Medicine)
Who takes it
Students applying directly from secondary school (or equivalent) to undergraduate medicine programmes in Ireland.
When it’s used
For undergraduate entry only, alongside Leaving Certificate results and CAO points.
What it assesses
- Logical reasoning
- Interpersonal understanding
- Non-verbal reasoning
The HPAT focuses on aptitude rather than academic knowledge.
How results are used
HPAT results are combined with Leaving Certificate performance to rank applicants for undergraduate medicine places. From 2027 onwards, HPAT performance carries increased weight in the admissions process.
GAMSAT (Graduate Entry Medicine)
Who takes it
Graduates who already hold an undergraduate degree and are applying to graduate-entry medicine programmes.
When it’s used
For graduate entry only. It does not apply to undergraduate medicine courses.
What it assesses
- Scientific reasoning (biology, chemistry, physics)
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Written communication
The GAMSAT assumes prior academic study and is more content-heavy.
How results are used
GAMSAT scores are considered alongside an applicant’s undergraduate degree results. They are not converted into CAO points.
Studying Medicine in Ireland Requires Incredible Leaving Certificate Results
Barring a few notable exceptions, your typical medical school student in Ireland must have excellent Leaving Certificate results. The Leaving Certificate (or Leaving Cert) is the final exams that secondary school students in Ireland take. Leaving Cert subjects are available at two levels: Higher Level and Ordinary Level.
There's also a foundation level for maths, but getting onto a medical degree would only be possible if you did Foundation Level Maths, so we'll ignore it here. English, Irish, and Maths are the three obligatory subjects for students. However, some students may be given an exemption for Irish.
Students taking Higher Level subjects receive grades from H1 to H8, while those taking Ordinary Level subjects receive grades from O1 to O8. Here's roughly how the percentages equate to grades.
| Grades | % Marks |
|---|---|
| H1/O1 | 90 - 100 |
| H2/O2 | 80 - 90 |
| H3/O3 | 70 - 80 |
| H4/O4 | 60 - 70 |
| H5/O5 | 50 - 60 |
| H6/O6 | 40 - 50 |
| H7/O7 | 30 - 40 |
| H8/O8 | 0 - 30 |
CAO Points
Upon completion of the Leaving Cert, the Central Applications Office (CAO) converts the student's grades into CAO points used by universities, including medical schools, to choose which students are eligible to study medicine in Ireland. While the percentage grades of Higher and Ordinary Level subjects are equal, Higher Level subjects are more difficult: their grades are awarded more CAO points. Here's how the CAO allocates points to different Leaving Cert grades.
| Higher Level Grade | Points | Ordinary Level Grade | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| H1 | 100 | ||
| H2 | 88 | ||
| H3 | 77 | ||
| H4 | 66 | ||
| H5 | 56 | O1 | 56 |
| H6 | 46 | O2 | 46 |
| H7 | 37 | O3 | 37 |
| H8 | 0 | O4 | 28 |
| O5 | 20 | ||
| O6 | 12 | ||
| O7 | 0 | ||
| O8 | 0 |
Additionally, students who study Higher Level Mathematics and achieve an H6 grade or above are awarded 25 bonus CAO points. For example, the H6 grade in maths is worth 46 points plus 25 bonus points, or 71 CAO points. Typically, aspiring doctors study Higher Level Mathematics to maximise their chances of getting into an Irish medical school.
A student's CAO points are taken from their six best subjects if they do more than six. This means that the best possible score is 600 CAO points for students who don't choose Higher Level Mathematics, or 625 CAO points for those who do.
of successful undergraduate medicine applicants in Ireland achieve more than 550 CAO points.
How Many CAO Points Do You Need to Study Medicine in Ireland?
While the minimum CAO points required to be eligible for some medicine courses in Ireland are around 480, successful candidates for medical degrees are usually between 550 and 625 points. Different medical specialisations have different requirements, so always check the specific requirements for your desired course.
Students looking to study medicine often have specific subject requirements, and these CAO points can't be earned from any combination of subjects. Instead, students usually need high grades in English, Maths, and science subjects, with Chemistry often being a specific requirement for some schools. Ideally, you'll choose several science subjects and Further Maths and do well in all of them.
Entry Requirements for Medical Degrees in Ireland's Medical Schools
There are six medical schools in Ireland. While most of their entry requirements for medical degrees are mostly the same, here are the specifics.
medical schools offering medicine degrees, with a limited number of undergraduate and graduate places available each year.
National University of Ireland, Galway
The National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) College of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences was founded in 1845. It's one of the top 250 medical schools in the world and offers a wide range of courses. For medical degrees, the entry requirements typically include a minimum of six Leaving Cert subjects, including English, Mathematics, science (preferably Chemistry), and three other recognised subjects.
It has a reasonably high CAO points requirement, with students needing at least 550 points. Like the other medical schools, the HPAT is required for undergraduate entry. For graduate entry, NUIG requires a relevant undergraduate degree and the GAMSAT.
Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI)
The Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) is in Dublin. It was founded in 1784 and has been one of the best medical schools in the country for centuries. Medical degrees typically require six Leaving Cert subjects, with at least an H5 grade in two and at least O6/H7 in four.
Like NUIG, it also requires English, Maths, and a laboratory science with three other recognised subjects. The laboratory subjects preferred are typically chemistry, physics, and biology, though others are also accepted. RCSI will also require the HPAT for undergraduate applicants. Graduates require an undergraduate degree and the GAMSAT.
Trinity College Dublin (TCD)
Trinity College Dublin was founded in 1711 and ranks first among all medical schools in Ireland. Naturally, this means that places in medicine are incredibly competitive, and undergraduate applicants will need over 550 CAO points.
Trinity asks for six Leaving Cert subjects, including English, Maths, and H3 and H4 in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics/Chemistry, or Agricultural Science. If you don't have a Physics qualification, you must get an O4/H6 in Mathematics. Undergraduates will also need to take the HPAT and do excellently on it. Graduate entry requires a relevant undergraduate degree and GAMSAT.
University College Cork (UCC)
University College Cork was founded in 1849 and is one of the top 200 universities in the world for medicine. It requires at least H4 in Chemistry, Physics, or Biology and O6/H7 in English, another language, and Mathematics. The University College Cork (UCC) School of Medicine typically accepts students with over 550 CAO points. Graduate entry is usually subject to an undergraduate degree and the GAMSAT.
University College Dublin (UCD)
The University College Dublin (UCD) School of Medicine was founded in 1854, around the time the medical schools in Galway and Cork were also established. Undergraduate entry on the Medicine Degree at UCD requires at least an O6/H7 in Irish, English, another language, mathematics, and a Laboratory Science subject, plus 1 other recognised subject.
Admission is based on Leaving Cert points and HPAT, and in 2023, 735 points was the threshold, though eligibility is much lower. Around 550-600 CAO points from Leaving Cert are typically required, plus an excellent HPAT result. Graduate entry follows the undergraduate degree and GAMSAT results.
University of Limerick (UL)
The University of Limerick (UL) School of Medicine is one of Ireland's newer medical schools. Founded in 2007, it offers only graduate entry. This means you must complete a full undergraduate degree, either at the University of Limerick or another university, before you can study medicine here. The graduate entry requirements are for those who've completed a second-class honours degree in any discipline and the GAMSAT.
References
- ACER. HPAT–Ireland Official Site. Australian Council for Educational Research, https://hpat-ireland.acer.org/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
- ACER. HPAT–Ireland Sample Questions. Australian Council for Educational Research, https://hpat-ireland.acer.org/files/Sample_questions.pdf. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
- Central Applications Office. Selection Criteria for Undergraduate Entry to Medicine for EU Applicants 2026. https://www.cao.ie/ugmed/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
- Irish Universities Association. “Changes to CAO Entry to Undergraduate Medicine Programmes in 2027.” 18 July 2025, https://www.iua.ie/press-releases/changes-to-cao-entry-to-undergraduate-medicine-programmes-in-2027/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
- MedEntry. “HPAT Sample Questions.” https://www.medentry-hpat.ie/resources/hpat-sample-questions. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
- University College Dublin Registry. Additional Requirements for Medicine (DN400). https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/undergraduateapplicants/additionalrequirementsformedicinedn400/. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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