RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences for Nigerian Students
Entry Requirements by Level
Academic Requirements
Direct entry available. Medicine undergraduate requires WAEC Biology and Chemistry credits. Very high entry requirements. RCSI has 60%+ non-EU students.
English Language
IELTS: 7+ overall, 6.5+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: €48,000–€55,000. Application deadline: Rolling — apply by February for September intake.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3.3/4 (2:1 UK equivalent). Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required.
English Language
IELTS: 7+ overall, 6.5+ per component. TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic also accepted — contact admissions for equivalencies.
Fees & Deadline
Annual tuition: €18,000–€32,000. Application deadline: Rolling — apply early for September intake. Decision time: 4–8 weeks.
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: 3.5/4. Master's degree required (or Bachelor's with First Class Honours for some programmes). Fully funded positions available.
Specific Requirements
Research proposal required. Identify and contact a potential supervisor before applying. References from two academic supervisors.
Deadline
Rolling
Documents Required
Available Scholarships
Government of Ireland International Education Scholarships (GOI-IES)
by Irish Government (HEA) · Masters, Phd
Learn more →Ireland Fellows Programme
by Irish Government / RCSI · Masters
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Does RCSI accept WAEC?
WAEC is accepted for undergraduate Medicine entry at RCSI, with Biology and Chemistry credits required. For Masters admission in health sciences, a recognised Nigerian Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required alongside a minimum GPA of 3.3/4.0. RCSI has over 60% non-EU students, making it one of the most internationally diverse universities in Ireland.
What GPA is needed for Masters at RCSI?
RCSI requires a minimum GPA of 3.3/4.0 (UK 2:1 equivalent) and an IELTS of 7.0 (no band below 6.5) for Masters admission. These are the highest language requirements among Irish universities, reflecting the clinical communication demands of health science programmes.
Are there scholarships for Nigerian students at RCSI?
Yes. The Ireland Fellows Programme is specifically designed for mid-career health professionals from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya and covers tuition fees — an exceptional opportunity for working clinicians. The GOI-IES also applies at RCSI for full tuition waiver plus €10,000 stipend for eligible Masters and PhD students.
Tips for Applying to RCSI
RCSI is a unique institution in Ireland — a health sciences-only university where over 60% of students are international, making Nigerian students part of the core student body rather than a minority. The Ireland Fellows Programme is particularly valuable: specifically designed for mid-career health professionals from Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, it covers tuition fees for those already working in healthcare. After completing a Masters at RCSI, graduates are eligible for Ireland's 24-month Third Level Graduate Programme (Stamp 1G), valuable for health professionals seeking European-standard experience before returning to practice in Nigeria.
Official source: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences ↗Cost of Living in Dublin
RCSI is in central Dublin. Student accommodation is competitive — apply early.