NEW Direct Entry Undergraduate Medicine Programme at University of Limerick
9 months ago by Chris
The University of Limerick (UL) is set to introduce an exciting new addition to its health sciences course offerings: a direct-entry undergraduate medicine course. This course, the first of its kind at the University of Limerick, is part of a nationwide initiative to expand healthcare education and address Ireland’s shortage of medical professionals. This blog answers some common questions about the new course.
Why has the new program been introduced?
This addition to the University of Limerick’s offerings is part of a broader government strategy to improve healthcare training across Ireland, particularly in rural areas. Minister for Further and Higher Education, Patrick O'Donovan, announced the National Training Fund initiative, describing the program as a “game-changer” for rural access to healthcare education. The €130m National Training Fund initiative aims to create new pathways for aspiring healthcare workers, expanding Ireland’s medical workforce to meet rising healthcare demands in communities nationwide. The University of Limerick’s new program makes medical degrees more accessible to students in Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, and nearby regions.
The UL Undergraduate Medicine Programme is one of six new healthcare courses in this initiative, which also includes a Bachelor of Dental Surgery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), a Rural and Remote Graduate Entry Medicine stream at University of Galway, and three new pharmacy programmes at Atlantic Technological University, Southeast Technological University, and University of Galway.
What are the details of the new medical program?
Previously, the University of Limerick offered a Graduate Entry Medicine program only, for students who had already completed an undergraduate degree. Now, Leaving Certificate students can pursue a direct-entry medical degree at the University of Limerick, meaning they can enter straight after completion of their Leaving Cert. The University of Limerick’s undergraduate medicine programme is set to begin in September 2026. Whilst not yet announced how many places will be available in the course, it is estimated to initially offer around 30 places.
Will the program be a high-quality course?
The university of Limerick is experienced in offering medical education, having produced graduates via the Graduate Entry Medicine program for over a decade. New direct-entry students enrolling at the University of Limerick can therefore trust that the knowledge, skills, and behaviours they develop will thoroughly prepare them for their roles as doctors.
How will the new program impact medical entry more broadly?
With the University of Limerick’s new undergraduate medicine course, Ireland’s number of direct-entry medicine programmes will grow to six: Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University College Cork, University of Galway (previously known as NUIG), and now the University of Limerick. Given the slight increase in the number of places available for undergraduate entry into medicine, it may result in the number of points required for entry dropping slightly for 2026 entry.
