Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

About Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland

Founded in 1784 as the national provider of surgical training in Ireland, RCSI has evolved in the years since to become one of the world’s leading health sciences universities, with a global reach and operations in Ireland, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

It is a city campus located in the heart of Dublin city centre. 123 St Stephen's Green is the main campus building and one of the most iconic buildings in Dublin.

Your route to RCSI

Depending on the degree subject you want to pursue at RCSI, you will choose from:

One-year Foundation pathway

You will follow the specialist Kings Degree pathway programme.

You will study Biology, Chemistry and either Physics or Maths. Very strong students may also opt to do Further Maths.

Two-year A-level pathway

You will study Biology and Chemistry at A-level, as well as either Maths or Physics.

RCSI entry criteria for Medicine degrees

After successfully completing your course at Kings, you will have the opportunity to apply to study Medicine at RCSI.

2-Year A-level Pathway: AAB

Kings DPP Medicine Pathway:

For a 5-year medicine degree: 75% overall with no less than 70% in Chemistry and no module score less than 65%

For a 6-year medicine degree (entry with foundation year): 65% overall with no module score below 60%

English: IELTS 7.0 (no component below 7.0)

UCAT not required.

MMIs

You will need to attend for interview, either face to face in the UK or online as part of the RCSI selection process.

Direct entry. UCAS entry not required.

Other progression options

BSc Advanced Therapeutic Technologies (Hons)

Kings DPP in Medicine: Minimum overall score of 60%, with no individual module score less than 55%.
2-Year A-level Pathway: BBC, to include Mathematics (with a minimum grade of B) and at least one laboratory Science.
English: IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band (reading, writing, listening and speaking) lower than 6.0

BSc (Hons) MPharm

Kings DPP in Medicine: Minimum overall average score of 65%, with no individual module score less than 60%.
2-Year A-level Pathway: ABB to include Chemistry and one of the following: Mathematics, Biology, Physics or Psychology.
English: IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band (reading, writing, listening and speaking) lower than 6.0

BSc Physiotherapy (Hons)

Kings DPP in Medicine: Minimum overall score of 60%, with no individual module score less than 55%.
2-Year A-Level Pathway: BBB, to include one of the following laboratory science subjects: Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
English: IELTS score of 6.5 with no individual band (reading, writing, listening and speaking) lower than 6.0

From Kings to RCSI

Below are examples of past progression.

Please note that for some nationality / degree combinations, we have had many students but we only mention once.

The subject ranking is from The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.