Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Dublin, Ireland
- Cost of Living€ 27,948
- Tuition Fee From€ 4,850
- Country Rank#7
- Batch Strength-
- Global Diversity-
- Gender Ratio-
Overview
About
RCSI is an independent, not-for-profit university with a mission to ‘Educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health’. Established in 1784, RCSI was founded as the national provider of surgical training in Ireland. In the years since, RCSI has evolved to become one of the world’s leading health sciences universities.
Headquartered in Dublin, RCSI’s main campus has almost 3,500 enrolled undergraduate students from 79 different countries and more than 35,500 alumni from 108 countries around the globe. The University also has campuses in Bahrain, China and Malaysia.
RCSI Dublin offers undergraduate programmes in Advanced Therapeutics, Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy and Physiotherapy. Undergraduate students at RCSI benefit from early clinical exposure, international learning opportunities and RCSI’s strong links with healthcare systems. The University welcomes students from Ireland and around the world.
Undergraduate degrees are accredited by RCSI through a combination of internal quality assurance procedures and externally accredited by the National University of Ireland (NUI). Programmes are aligned with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and regulated by professional bodies in Ireland such as CORU, the Dental Council of Ireland (DCI), the Irish Medical Council (IMC) and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI).
Some of the undergraduate and postgraduate disciplines in which students can choose to study at RCSI include:
- Advanced Therapeutics
- Dentistry
- Medicine
- Health Professions Education
- Healthcare Leadership
- Healthcare Research
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Pharmacy
- Physician Associate Studies
- Physiotherapy
- Population Health
- Positive Psychology
What makes RCSI a great place to study?
Unique surgical heritage
RCSI was founded in 1784 as the professional body for surgical training in Ireland and has evolved since into a global leader in healthcare education and research.
Excellence in healthcare education
RCSI programmes are focused exclusively on the health sciences. RCSI curricula and approaches to teaching are innovative, learner-centred and future-focused.
State-of-the-art facilities
Home to Europe’s most advanced clinical simulation facility, RCSI’s city centre campus is also steeped in history and offers an exciting and immersive learning experience.
International community
RCSI’s student body is exceptionally diverse and inclusive, and comprised of more than 6,000 students from Ireland and 110 other countries across the world.
Vibrant student life
RCSI students enjoy a lively and stimulating social events calendar and are encouraged to get involved in any of our 50 student societies and 35 sports clubs.
Leading pioneering research
RCSI is at the forefront of pioneering healthcare research and innovation, addressing the key health and wellness challenges of our time and improving patient outcomes.
Ranking
RCSI frequently ranks highly amongst the top universities in the world for its education, research and societal impact.
- Ranked 251-300th in the Times Higher World University Ranking 2026.
- Ranked in the top 10 universities in the world for 'Good Health and Well-being' in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.
- Ranked in the Top 200 QS Subject Ranking for Medicine and the Top 150 QS Subject Ranking for Pharmacy and Pharmacology.
- RCSI, along with a number of its Schools and departments, has received Athena Swan Bronze Awards in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality and representation in higher education. In 2025, the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences was awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award, recognising its sustained progress and leadership in gender equality.
- Voted Irish University of the Year 2022 for Student Engagement by The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022.
- The RCSI School of Medicine was named joint winner of the 2022 ASPIRE-to-Excellence Award for Student Engagement, while the RCSI Institute of Global Surgery and COSECSA collaboration was honoured in 2025 with the ASPIRE-to-Excellence Award for International Collaboration in Health Professions Education.
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2023
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2022
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Facilities
RCSI provides students with access to some of the most advanced healthcare education facilities in Ireland, with a particular emphasis on simulation-based learning. Located in the heart of Dublin, the university's modern campus combines historic surroundings with cutting-edge teaching spaces designed to prepare students for clinical practice from the earliest stages of their studies.
A standout feature of RCSI is its state-of-the-art simulation facilities, which mirror real healthcare environments and allow students to develop clinical, communication and decision-making skills in a safe, controlled setting. Through the use of simulated hospital wards, consultation rooms and high-fidelity patient simulators, students gain hands-on experience managing a wide range of clinical scenarios before entering real-world healthcare settings. These facilities support interprofessional learning, enabling dental, medical, pharmacy, physiotherapy and other healthcare students to train collaboratively and build the teamwork skills essential for modern patient care.
The university is also closely integrated with leading teaching hospitals across Ireland and internationally, providing students with extensive clinical placement and elective opportunities. RCSI's Education and Research Centres at Beaumont Hospital and Connolly Memorial Hospital further enhance the learning experience through advanced laboratories, clinical research facilities and specialist healthcare training environments.
In addition, students benefit from modern lecture theatres, collaborative study spaces, extensive library resources, fitness and sports facilities, and comprehensive student support services. Together, these facilities create an innovative and practice-focused learning environment that equips graduates with the knowledge, confidence and clinical competence required for successful healthcare careers.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
RCSI Entry Requirements
Undergraduate and postgraduate medical degrees are available at the institution in a range of subjects. Students must carefully examine the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland entry requirements and submit their applications on time. Non-EU candidates must additionally submit scores from competitive exams such as the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) or the Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT).
Prospective candidates must have good academic grades in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Math. Tests necessary for studying in Ireland, such as the TOEFL or IELTS, are also essential. Applicants with an IELTS score of 6.5 or above and excellent references are given priority. FRCS (Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons) and MRCS (Membership of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons) tests are also required for a few courses. All overseas candidates must provide the following documents for admission to both UG and PG degrees -
- Academic credentials/ Transcripts
- English Language Proficiency Scores
- Financial evidence
- Letter of Recommendation
- Passport
- Letter of Recommendation Visa
- Purpose statement
- One committee letter
- Passport-size pictures
Minimum Test Score Requirements
- MCAT - 500
- GAMSAT - 58
- IELTS - 6.0 to 6.5
- TOEFL (iBT) - 70 to 120
- PTE - 67 to 84
RCSI Fees
It is important to determine if a student is an EU or non-EU student in order to determine the tuition costs the student must pay at RCSI. Individuals who are uncertain about their status as students can get expert assistance from the EU Nationality Test. The type of degree the student chooses is another important element that significantly influences the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland fees. Students can find the most recent course information and cost revisions at the RCSI Admissions Office. Prior to the start of the programme, first-time RCSI applicants must pay all of their tuition costs. Electronic money transfer is typically used to pay fees since it is the best and quickest payment method.
For Full-Time Courses 2022/23
- EU Applicants - €4,850 (per annum)
- Non-EU Applicants - €13,300 (per annum)
For Part-Time Programmes Over A Minimum Of 4 Years 2022/23
- EU Applicants - €2,400 (per annum)
- Non-EU Applicants - €6,650 (per annum)
RCSI Placements
The RCSI career development team is committed to helping students discover, map, and take action on the professional paths that will define their future. RCSI students participate in international clinical elective placements every summer to broaden their clinical knowledge and expertise and improve their employability. Clinical care participation will be given under the direction of attending professionals. The supervisors have discretion over the level of engagement. As long as all application requirements are satisfied, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland placement for electives is selective and granted on a first-come, first-served basis. Students can do their placements in the following departments:
- General Surgery
- General Medicine
- Orthopaedics
- Psychiatry
- Paediatrics
Scholarship
Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at RCSI through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- College-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Cost Of Studying At Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Interest rates as low as 8.9% *
Avg. on-campus living expense €27,948
250K+
Students Assisted
800Cr+
Loan Amount Disbursed
5000+
Loans Sanctioned
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near RCSI, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Dublin is mostly owing to its rental prices in addition to other expenditures that add up. The city boasts good transit options and fantastic student discounts. While the living expenditures in Dublin may be on the expensive end, students may always discover excellent deals, discounts, or offers to help them save. Living expenditures in Dublin for international students can range from €1,240 and €1,880, based on their lifestyle and preferences. There are several factors that influence a student's expenditures in Dublin, Ireland, including -
|
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
|
Off-Campus Accommodation |
€616 |
|
On-Campus Accommodation |
€1000 |
|
Transportation |
€135 |
|
Food Cost |
€900 |
|
Utility Cost |
€182 |
|
Entertainment |
€41 |
|
Groceries |
€182 |
|
Clothes |
€66 |
|
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
€1987 |
|
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
€2371 |