THIS YEAR marks the introduction of a new system, by which undergraduate medical places are going to be allocated. This system aims to move away from the situation where only those candidates who secured more than 570 Leaving Certificate points could hope to study medicine at undergraduate level in Ireland.
What is the new system?
This year, undergraduate entry to medicine for CAO applicants will have two components: one based on their academic results in the same sitting of the Leaving Cert or its equivalent; the second based on a medical career suitability aptitude test.
How does the system work?
(1) You must achieve a minimum of 480 Leaving Cert points and the minimum entry requirements for the programme in the same sitting of the Leaving Cert or equivalent and apply through the CAO.
(2) You will be credited with your points score in the Leaving up to 550 points, with your points from 550 to 600 being scaled back. So, if you score above 550, you will have one point added to your overall score for every extra five CAO points you have achieved over 550, thus giving you a potential maximum score of 560 CAO points.
(3) You must complete a test called HPAT-Ireland (Health Professions Admission Test – Ireland). The maximum score on this assessment will be 300, which can be used to apply for an undergraduate place, through the CAO, for up to two years.
(4) The HPAT test measures a candidate’s logical reasoning and problem-solving skills as well as non-verbal reasoning and the ability to understand the thoughts, behaviour and/or intentions of people. It does not test academic knowledge and candidates do not require special understanding of any academic discipline. Sample questions typically presented and an order form for the test booklet are available at www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au.
(5) January 20th is the closing date for applications to apply for the HPAT medical entry aptitude test, which requires you to have a CAO number. If you make your CAO application by post, you cannot apply for medical places, as your paper applications will not be processed in time. If you miss this application date, registrations will continue on payment of an additional late fee of € 50 and close at midnight on February 1st. The test will take place in centres countrywide on February 14th.
Graduate Entry Programmes in Medicine
If you are interested in applying for a graduate entry place in medicine you must hold, or expect to hold by July 2009, a minimum of a second-class honours grade one result in their first honours bachelor degree awarded, or equivalent. If you meet this requirement, the Gamsat (Graduate Medical Schools Admissions Test – Ireland) will then be used as the sole instrument to select students. Application should be made via the CAO to the level eight course codes for graduate entry medicine, by the normal application closing date of 5:15pm on February 1st. Application to sit the Gamsat in Ireland should be made to the Australian Council for Educational Research (www.gamsat-ie.org) before 17:15 on February 3rd.
The test will take place on March 21st in Cork, Dublin and Limerick. You may sit the test at other test centres worldwide, or may submit the results of a Gamsat test already taken, provided the test was not taken before September 1st, 2007.
Veterinary Medicine
UCD is the only college which offers veterinary training in Ireland. Last year it accepted 68 applicants who had secured at least 550 points. Alternatives for those interested in working with animals are: UCD’s non-CAO diploma in veterinary nursing, which has European and Irish accreditation; one of the UCD animal science degrees; or the BSc in veterinary nursing in Athlone IT.
Postgraduate Places in Veterinary Medicine.
UCD offers five places on a graduate programme. These places are for people with relevant experience who hold a honours degree in a discipline other than veterinary medicine. An admissions test must be taken. Applications close on February 1st, and application must be made via the CAO (DN105) and directly to UCD by that date. Applicants must also register to take the Gamsat.
Have I any hope of an undergraduate place in medicine or veterinary if I am not going to achieve close to 550 points?
A growing number of Irish students are accepting places on medicine and veterinary medicine in eastern European universities. The most popular seems to be the Hungarian universities.
Because of the EU reciprocal recognition agreements, these programmes are fully recognised by both the medical and veterinary regulating bodies.
If you are interested in this option, contact Tim O’Leary, tel: 028-37180, for details.
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