Highest number of places ever available in Irish Medical Schools
Medical Council congratulates Leaving Certificate Class of 2026 students on exam success
Medical Council welcomes increased number of places in Medical Schools
Wednesday 26th August 2026: The Medical Council has today congratulated students across Ireland who have secured places on undergraduate medicine programmes following the release of the Leaving Certificate results last week.
The Council also welcomed the introduction of a new direct entry undergraduate course in medicine that will be commencing at the University of Limerick this year.
Medical Council CEO, Dr Maria O’Kane commended the students beginning their medical education, “Taking this step on your path to becoming a doctor is a very exciting time, and we wish you the best of luck as you embark on this new phase of your education.
“The Medical Council is also very pleased to see the increase in places available on medicine courses this year, with the first cohort taking their places at the University of Limerick. The University has successfully delivered a graduate entry medicine option for almost two decades, and this expansion in undergraduate places is a positive development for aspiring doctors and the broader health service. A larger intake helps address Ireland’s increasing need for doctors and offers more school-leavers an opportunity to pursue a career in medicine.
“We welcome the Government’s ongoing commitment to expanding the number of medicine and healthcare places across higher education in Ireland which will ensure Ireland can meet our growing healthcare needs.”
Medical Council President, Prof Deirdre J Murphy added, “The Medical Council recognises the hard work, dedication and commitment that students have demonstrated in reaching this important milestone, and I wish students every success as they begin their studies.
“Unfortunately, there will be students out there today who were unsuccessful in securing a place to study medicine at this time. I would like to remind those students that the CAO is only one pathway to study medicine, and other options are available to gain entry to medical school, such as the Graduate Entry Medicine programmes run by many of the universities, which allows students with a degree in another discipline the opportunity to study medicine at an accelerated rate of a four-year programme instead of the more traditional five or six year programme.”
“The Medical Council’s regulatory role spans the entire lifecycle of a doctor’s career. From the time a student decides to apply to medical school, the Medical Council fulfils its role in quality assuring and accrediting undergraduate medical education. We continue to quality assure medical education and postgraduate training from internship to the specialist stages of a doctor’s career and ongoing professional development.
“I wish all those who go on to study medicine every success working towards a fulfilling and rewarding career. I look forward to working with you and calling you a colleague in a few years’ time.”
Every medical degree programme delivered in Ireland is required to meet Medical Council standards, which are based upon the World Federation for Medical Education’s Global Standards for Quality Improvement in Medical Education. These standards set requirements for programmes, and for the medical schools delivering the programmes. The Medical Council is also a World Federation for Medical Education’s recognised Accrediting Agency.