Pathway to Study Medicine Abroad

Choosing to study Medicine is no small decision!

The academic competition is high, you are adapting to a new country and you are making new friends – there is a lot on your plate. At DIFC we make sure you’re prepared for the challenges of studying Medicine.

The International Foundation Year – Health Science programme is a specialised university foundation course designed to support international students to progress to study Medicine in leading Medical Universities.

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Pathway to Study Medicine Abroad

Choosing to study Medicine is no small decision!

The academic competition is high, you are adapting to a new country and you are making new friends – there is a lot on your plate. At DIFC we make sure you’re prepared for the challenges of studying Medicine.

The International Foundation Year – Health Science programme is a specialised university foundation course designed to support international students to progress to study Medicine in leading Medical Universities.

Malaysian male doctor

How Can the International Foundation Year help?

Choosing to study Medicine is no small decision! The academic competition is high, you are adapting to a new country and you are making new friends – there is a lot on your plate. At DIFC we make sure your IFY Health Science Programme gives you help and support every step of the way.

  • Highest quality academic teaching
  • Tailored support and guidance on your university applications
  • Specialised preparation for all admission requirements to Medicine degrees
  • Develop your skills in the areas of critical thinking, problem-solving and time management
  • Major emphasis on your physical and emotional wellbeing

Study in a World Renowned Medical University

A key component of the IFY is the university placement support provided to students for your university admissions. DIFC is partnered with leading Medical Universities in Ireland, UK and beyond providing a wide range of options for you to study Medicine abroad.

Each university has its own admission requirements and processes. The team at DIFC will help you to prepare for each stage of the process and support you in securing an offer to study Medicine.

DIFC student doctor

University Options

RCSI has approved the NCUK IFY Health Science programme at DIFC for entry to their 6 year Medical Degree Program for international students. Students will graduate with a National University of Ireland, M.B., B.Ch., BAO medical degree in addition to the Licentiates in surgery, medicine and obstetrics.

Tuition Fees:

€58,000 per year

Note: The Non-EU Fees for Undergraduate Medicine are subject to annual increases. The inflationary increase has been in the order of 2% per annum for the past number of years.

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP:A
IFY Subjects:A, A, A

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • Personal statement plus References and life experience, i.e. work / life
    balance, extracurricular activities, relevant work or voluntary experience
  • Foundation predicted grades & Successful interview

Notes

  • RCSI will consider students who have completed their GCSE’s as well as a foundation programme.
  • RCSI will not consider applications from students who have completed
    A-levels / IB qualification prior to a foundation program.
  • Through foundation pathway student must apply as NON EU student and will not be considered for EU fees.

Students on this program will undertake the pre-clinical component of the medical course in the RCSI Dublin Campus (3.5 years) and transfer to the RCSI Penang campus for the final 2.5 years for clinical training. The full programme duration is 6 years. Students will graduate with a National University of Ireland, M.B., B.Ch., BAO medical degree in addition to the Licentiates in surgery, medicine and obstetrics.

Tuition Fees:

  • Pre Clinical in Dubin, Duration 3.5 years or 7 semesters, Fee per semester €19,000
  • Clinical Years in Penang, 2.5 years or 5 semesters, Fee per semester  RM 57,500

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP: A/BA
IFY Subjects:A, A, B

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • Personal statement plus References and life experience, i.e. work / life balance, extracurricular activities, relevant
    work or voluntary experience
  • Foundation predicted grades & Succesful interview

Notes

  • RCSI Penang will consider applications from students who have completed their A-levels along with a foundation program
    for entry onto this program.

Located in the North West of England the School of Medicine at UCLan offers students a five year Bachelor of Medicine
and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program that is undergoing quality assurance with the General Medical Council in the UK.

Students on the UCLan MBBS program will take up their placements at regional NHS Trusts

Tuition Fees:

£40,500 per year (subject to an annual increase in line with inflation)

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP:B
IFY Subjects:A, A, B inclusive of A in Chemistry

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • Work experience comprising of a minimum of 2 weeks clinical work shadowing(75 hours) or 6 months volunteering
  • Personal statement plus transferable skills statement
  • Foundation predicted grades & Successful shortlisting to Mulit Mini Interview and passing interview

Notes

  • Students must have obtained the following results in GCSE’s to be considered onto the DIFC program: AAABB including Maths, English and a Science subject.
  • For Nigerian students who have completed the WAEC, they must have a B average with an A in Chemistry.

The five-year Medicine MBBS Malta offers you the same curriculum as that taught at the Barts medical school in London.

Students are awarded a Medicine MBBS from Queen Mary University of London (Barts and The London School of Medicine and
Dentistry).

Tuition Fees:

€19,500 per year

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP:A
IFY Subjects:A, A, B

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • All candidates for medicine must undertake the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT). Overall UCAT score will
    be used in Queen Mary’s selection for interview in conjunction with students foundation academic performance .
    Candidates must score a minimum of 2281.

St George’s University programmes are accredited and approved by many governing authorities and SGU is affiliated with
educational institutions worldwide, including United States, the UK, Canada, Australia and Ireland. Students will also
have the opportunity to gain work experience in SGU’s international partner clinical centres and hospital sin the USA
and UK.

Tuition Fees:

$55,000 USD per year (average)

  • Exclusive scholarship offered to DIFC students

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP:A
IFY Subjects:A,A,B

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • Candidate may be asked to sit SGUMat exam to determine entry to 5 year or 6 year programme
  • Two recommendation letter one from the Head of high School plus DIFC foundation with predicted grades

Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove (Second Faculty of Medicine), Czech Republic. Charles University is one of the top
medical universities in Europe. The 6-year medical programme in Charles University are taught in English and are linked
to a modern hospital. Their medical degree is recognised throughout the European Union (EU).

Tuition Fees:

€11,500 per year

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP:B
IFY Subjects:Pass in IFY exams

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • Successfully pass the Charles University entry test and interview held at DIFC
  • Medical Screening checklist

Notes

  • SPM, IGCSE or AS Levels not accepted
  • Have 12 years high school, which is accepted/ recognised for entry to state university in home country . Each student
    planning to study at a university in the Czech Republic must have his/hersecondary school education recognized by the
    Czech Educational Office by Nostrification by the education department of recognition authority at any regional
    authority (Krajský úřad) in the Czech Republic. More information about this process available here
    (https://nostrifikace.mkc.cz/en/uznavani-pro-studium//nostrifikace)

The 6-year medical programme in LSMU is taught through English and is located at a new state of the art medical campus
in Kaunas. Their medical degrees are recognised throughout the European Union.

Tuition Fees:

€12,500 per year

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP:B
IFY Subjects:Average B in IFY exams

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • Successfully pass the LSMU entry test and interview held at DIFC
  • Medical Screening checklist

Notes

  • SPM, IGCSE or AS Levels not accepted
  • Hold final high school which is accepted/ recognised for entry to state university in home country, high school
    documents must be notarized in English

The medical school of the University of Debrecen is central Europe’s first campus medical school. Their six year medical
degree is taught in English and is recognised throughout the European Union.

Tuition Fees:

€15,900 per year

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP:B
IFY Subjects:Pass in IFY exams

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • Successfully pass the University of Debrecen entrance examination and interview held at DIFC
  • Medical Screening checklist

Notes

  • SPM, IGCSE or AS Levels not accepted
  • Hold final high school which is accepted/ recognised for entry to state university in home country, high school
    documents must be notarized in English

The medical programme in EUC is taught through English and is located in School of Medicine, EUC in Nicosia.It is a 6
year Medicine degree which is recognised throughout the European Union.

Tuition Fees:

€19,000 per year

Entry Requirements

IFY EAP:B
IFY Subjects:A, A, B

Other Shortlisting Requirements

  • Students are also required to write a Personal Statement and submit a Letter of Recommendation as part of their
    application to study with EUC.

Notes

  • Hold final high school which is accepted/ recognised for entry to state university in home country, high school
    documents must be notarized in English

Entry
Requirements

  • You must be at least 17 years old
  • Have successfully completed your high school education (IGCSE’s and O-Levels accepted).
  • You must have a recognised English  language qualification (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL).
  • For country specific details, please contact us.

How much does it
cost?

The tuition fees for IFY Health Science are €17,800, plus registration and other charges.

Compared to similar programmes offered in the UK, you can save up to 25% by choosing to study your Foundation Year in Ireland.

Learn More about University Fees

Apply to
University?

DIFC has a dedicated team of staff that will help guide you through the University application process and fully prepare you for all the admission requirements. You will also receive regular tutorials that are dedicated to helping you prepare for your University applications.

Malaysian female student sitting at a desk typing on a laptop with earphones in

“Having a class of international students was a wonderful opportunity for me to get to know different cultures, make new friends and develop a valuable network.”

Dawn Areen Kaur from Malaysia

Now studying Medicine at Royal College of Surgeons

Watch

90
Students in Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland

227
Medical students placed

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Medical University partners

Student Life in Ireland

Ireland is one of the friendliest and safest countries in the world and its welcoming culture is deep routed in the country’s heritage. Ireland has one of the best education systems in the world for higher education achievements.

Join the 35,000+ international students from 161 countries already enjoying Ireland’s vibrant culture and live in an English speaking country. After your studies, check out the employment opportunities with the biggest and best international companies who already chose Ireland as their home.

Where a warm welcome awaits

DIFC students walking through a park

Are you ready

to start your pathway?

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