The Republic of Ireland is an island country located in the northwestern part of Europe. Although most people around the world know it for its literature and vibrant history, Ireland is also one of the healthiest nations today.

Over the years, it has immensely improved its healthcare system and university-level medical programs. Namely, it has invested in optimizing its medical equipment and its approach to medical education. Because of this, Ireland has also experienced a population incline and scarcity of medical practitioners. In recent years, it has come to welcome a significant number of foreign medical doctors, who now make up almost fifty percent of all practicing medical workers in the country.

To help you see whether this is the best place for your medical career, this article walks you through the steps to become a doctor in Ireland.

Steps to Become a Doctor in Ireland

1. As in any country, the first requirement would be language proficiency.

Even though many people assume that a medical position entails proficiency in Irish, this is not the case. Interestingly, less than half of the population consider themselves to be fluent speakers of Irish. Rather, the language most widely spoken on the island is English – it is the language of the law, the government, and the educational system. Thus, it is a necessary tool of communication within the Irish community. Obtaining proficiency in English is therefore an important step to become a doctor in Ireland.

For future and practicing medical doctors, this may be good news. As English is among the most spoken languages in the world, most people are already fluent in it. However, those coming from non-English-speaking countries will have to provide proof of language proficiency. This may be done in the form of a Cambridge or IELTS exam.

2. To practice medicine in Ireland, all doctors will need valid medical degrees.

As in almost any country in the world, you will need to have completed a medical program to become a doctor in Ireland as well. If possible, it is recommended that you complete your medical education at an Irish university.

In addition to the already mentioned state-of-the-art laboratories and research centers, studying in Ireland will also help you immerse yourself in the community. This way, you will understand the cultural patterns and needs of future patients and colleagues.

All interested applicants will need to submit a high school diploma. Those coming from non-English speaking countries will need to submit proof of English proficiency as well. In addition to the required forms, all applicants will need to pass the HPAT test, an exam designed to test their logical and critical thinking abilities. Even though everyone may apply, only the best and brightest students will be accepted. Once this happens, they will be enrolled in a medical program that lasts between four and six years, depending on their field of interest.

Check Out: How to Study in Ireland for Free

3. All medical graduates must complete a mandatory residency period.

Even after receiving their degree, medical graduates still do not qualify for a medical license. Namely, all Irish medical graduates must complete a twelve-month residency period after their graduation. This entails selecting their specialty and applying for a position at a national hospital or medical center. Although Irish graduates are guaranteed a residency position, the same cannot be said for foreign medical graduates. Thus, foreign graduates may have trouble securing residency positions in Ireland.

However, even if they are rejected, there are still several options at play. For one, as Ireland is part of the European Union (EU), any residency completed within the EU will be recognized by the Irish Medical Council. However, even if does sound appealing, all those considering this route should also consider the language requirements of other EU nations before applying to their residency programs.

4. The final step is the medical registration process.

All medical practitioners requesting a license to become a doctor in Ireland will need to do so with the Irish Medical Council. With that said, this process may differ between medical doctors coming from inside and outside of the EU/EEA.

Thus, while candidates coming from the EU/EEA may apply online, those coming from outside of the European Union will need to complete a few additional steps. Firstly, they will need to verify their medical diploma by the designated legal body, in this case, the Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC). After this, candidates from outside of the EU/EEA will need to complete a pre-registration exam, also known as PRESS. This serves as proof of their medical knowledge and skill. Once they have completed these prerequisites, they may apply for their medical license with the Irish Medical Council.

5. There is the additional question of a work visa for foreign medical doctors.

Although this is not inherently related to an individual’s medical career, it is a necessity for all medical practitioners coming to work in Ireland. To work as a medical doctor in Ireland, you must have a work permit or in other words a work visa.

The first step to obtaining it would be registering with the Irish Medical Council as described above. The second visa requirement is a letter of employment issued by a medical institution in Ireland. In addition to this, you will also need to provide your passport and a recent photograph to the nearest Irish Embassy. Of course, this entire process may be completed via email.

Learn More About: The Ireland Work Visa

 

We hope that you found this article on the steps to become a doctor in Ireland informative and helpful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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2 Comments

  1. I am an Indian national doing medicine in Poland in English and would be graduating next year. Can I do residency in Ireland. What is the procedure for that.

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