How many points in your leaving cert do you need to become a doctor?

Answer 1

The system has just changed last year, so it's more than points you need.
There are three criteria to fulfil: Leaving Cert points, subjects, and HPAT score.

Leaving Cert points normally work on a supply and demand principle, but for Medicine they are fixed and have a special arrangement. You need to have a minimum of 480 to be eligible. Note that once you reach 550 though, the points become less important. Every subsequent 5 points is reduced to 1 e.g. 565 becomes 553, up to 600, which becomes 560(max). This does not affect your points for other courses.

In addition to that, you need to take a HPAT, which is the Irish medical schools admissions test similar to other one around the world; it's modelled on the GAMSAT. The result is marked out of 300 and these are added to your LC points for a maximum of 860 points. I think you also have to be above the 78th percentile in your HPAT too, or you won't be eligible, but you will have to make sure of that yourself.

And finally, you need to hve studied the right subjects and at an appropriate level. These vary between the universities, but generally require passing all the core subjects (foundation not acceptable) and doing at least one lab science at higher level sometimes too. This may be quite specific, e.g. Trinity requires you to have Chemistry. Look at the college prospectuses for full details.

For more information on the general entry requirements, see this: www.tcd.ie/Careers/downloads/UG_entry_Medicine_2009.pdf - 2008-09-22
but note the dates are all from last year. For HPAT test details and registration, check here: http://www.hpat-Ireland.acer.edu.au/
Qualifax.ie is also a good resource for all the course details.