Graduate Entry Medicine in Europe: Your Options If You Already Have a Degree

Where can you study graduate entry medicine in Europe?

Ireland

Ireland runs four graduate-entry programmes. Applicants eligible for EU fees apply through the CAO by 1 February, need at least a 2:1 honours degree in any subject, and are ranked on their GAMSAT score alone. In 2026 the CAO guide scores were 62 at RCSI, 61 at UCD, 58 at UCC and 57 at the University of Limerick.

Non-EU applicants apply directly to each university, or through Atlantic Bridge if they live in North America, using the MCAT or GAMSAT. RCSI, for example, offers 30 EU and 52 non-EU places, and its 4-year course leads to the MB BCh BAO degree. The Irish Universities Association also expects a new programme at the University of Galway from 2027.

Fees are high. Graduate entry is outside Ireland's free fees scheme: RCSI lists around €15,080 a year for EU students (2025/26) and €63,500 for non-EU students (2027/28).

Cyprus

The University of Nicosia's Graduate Entry MD is open to graduates of any discipline with at least a 2:2 or equivalent GPA. You need the MCAT (498 or above), the GAMSAT (55 or above) or, for life sciences graduates only, the UCAT, plus an online interview. The course now runs for 5 years, not 4, so check older articles carefully. Clinical years are mainly in Cyprus, with optional UK or US placements for an extra fee. Tuition is listed at around €25,000 a year.

Is there 3 year graduate entry medicine in Europe?

No, not in practice. EU law requires basic medical training to include at least five years of study and 5,500 hours of training. Ireland's 4-year courses work because your first degree counts towards that total.

Shorter routes have also been closing. Poland stopped admitting new students to its fast-track 4-year programmes in 2021, and the Medical University of Warsaw states that graduates cannot shorten its 6-year degree and must start in year one. If a website promises a 3-year European medical degree for graduates, ask exactly which regulator recognises it.

How does admission work for graduates?

• Check your degree class: a 2:1 for Ireland's CAO route, a 2:2 for Nicosia.
• Take the right test: GAMSAT for EU applicants to Ireland, MCAT or GAMSAT for non-EU applicants, and MCAT, GAMSAT or UCAT for Nicosia.
• Watch score validity: two years for CAO applicants, up to four years for RCSI's non-EU route.
• Prepare for interviews where they apply: Ireland's CAO route has none, while Nicosia and several non-EU routes do.
• Plan funding for the full degree before you accept a place.

What if a graduate-entry place does not work out?

Many graduates take the standard route instead. The 6-year programmes in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Italy usually accept degree holders on the same terms as school leavers, and some may credit relevant science courses. Our guide on how to study medicine in Europe compares those options country by country.

If you are a US-style applicant weighing MD-titled courses, read our guide to study MD in Europe, which covers clinical rotations and USMLE preparation.

Frequently asked questions

Can non-EU graduates apply for graduate entry medicine in Ireland?

Yes. Non-EU applicants apply directly to UCC, UCD, the University of Limerick or RCSI, or through Atlantic Bridge if they live in North America. You need a competitive GPA and an MCAT or GAMSAT score. Expect interviews at some schools and fees that can pass €60,000 a year (RCSI lists €63,500 for 2027/28).

Can science graduates finish medicine in Europe in 3 years?

Not within EU rules. Even with a biomedical or science degree, you still need a medical course that meets the minimum of five years of study and 5,500 hours. The shortest realistic option for graduates is Ireland's 4-year graduate entry route, which counts your first degree.

What GAMSAT score do I need for Irish graduate entry medicine?

It changes every year. For 2026 entry, CAO guide scores ranged from 57 at the University of Limerick to 62 at RCSI, and some applicants at the cut-off were selected at random. Aim well above the previous year's figure, because offers depend on GAMSAT alone.

Already have a degree and want to become a doctor? Book a call and we will help you compare Ireland, Cyprus and 6-year routes against your grades, tests and budget. Apply for a Strategy Call