Who is eligible for the scheme?
The scheme is open to applicants who:
- Are applying for admission to their first programme of study, having not previously commenced any undergraduate degree programme OR have commenced their first programme of study in the Republic of Ireland and withdrawn before 31st October in first semester in first year
AND
- Are eligible for the ‘NI/ROI’ fee rate (in the main, these are applicants who are permanently resident in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland or those others who quality for the NI/ROI fee rate under The Student Fees (Qualifying Courses and Persons) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007, as amended).
Will this scheme reduce the number of places available to other applicants?
No. There are 236 home fee places (NI, ROI, GB, EU settled places) and this will remain unchanged. All applicants who have applied for entry to the standard Medicine degree will be considered for admission to this course.
The scheme provides an additional 25 places for applicants who are eligible for the NI/ROI fee rate and meet the eligibility criteria as stated above.
How do I apply for the scheme?
Applicants will apply in the usual way via UCAS and sit the UCAT test in the relevant testing window for entry. The deadline for applications for September 2025 entry is 6.00 pm on 15 October 2024. Candidates apply for the standard Medicine degree (A100). There is not a separate application for one of the subsidised places. This means that applicants need only apply once to Medicine at Queen's in order to be considered for both the standard Medicine degree and one of the subsidised Medicine places.
All candidates interviewed will receive information in March 2025 to determine if they are interested in this scheme. All applicants must have ranked highly enough in the standard selection process to receive an offer.
What are the entry requirements?
The normal entry requirements for admission to the Medicine degree at Queen's will apply.
How much are the fees for successful applicants to the scheme?
The student will pay QUB a rate equivalent to the student contribution applicable in the Republic of Ireland for corresponding academic year of entry. The current standard contribution rate for 2024/25 entry is €3,000 (approximately £2,612). The Irish Government will pay the difference between the student contribution rate and the undergraduate tuition fee in Northern Ireland to QUB. Please note you will be expected to pay for all five years of the Medicine degree programme. Participation in this funding scheme will preclude you from receiving the HSC/NHS bursary in Year 5 of your degree programme. Any student who chooses to intercalate during their medical degree will be required to pay the normal fees for that year. This scheme does not cover the cost of intercalation.
Will students on the scheme be able to access the Student Finance Loan system in Northern Ireland?
Yes. Students are eligible to apply to Student Finance NI.
Are students on the scheme eligible for Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) grants or maintenance?
Medicine (Q75A100) at Queens University is deemed eligible for SUSI maintenance grant purposes only. The fee part of the SUSI grant is not currently available for anyone studying outside the Republic of Ireland. See the following link for more information: https://www.susi.ie/.
Will the course for those on the scheme be different from the existing course? Where will my clinical placements be?
The course for students on the scheme will be identical to those not on the scheme. All clinical placements, except for the international elective, will be in Northern Ireland.
Will students on the scheme still take the Medical Licensing Assessment (MLA)?
Yes. Completion of the General Medical Council’s MLA is a requirement for all students graduating from QUB in Medicine from 2025 onwards.
What is expected of students on the scheme when they graduate?
In return for the fee subsidy, it is expected that students in the scheme will apply to work in the Health Service Executive (HSE) in the Republic of Ireland as an intern (year one after qualification). If offered a post, they will accept and complete their internship year in the HSE. These students are not required to commit to working for the HSE beyond their internship year. All applicants who wish to be considered for one of the 25 funded places on this scheme must be prepared to work in the HSE for their internship year.
How do I apply for internship in HSE?
Those on the scheme will apply in the usual way for students graduating outside the Republic of Ireland.
Can students on the scheme apply for the UK foundation programme?
Yes, in principle. All students graduating from the Medical course in QUB are eligible to apply for provisional registration with the General Medical Council and a place in the UK foundation programme. However, as noted above it is expected that those on the scheme will complete their internship in the Republic of Ireland as per the rationale for the provision of additional funded places.
If I am on the scheme can I complete Foundation year 1 (F1) in Northern Ireland instead of Internship in the Republic of Ireland?
No. It is expected that those on the scheme will complete their internship in the Republic of Ireland as per the rationale for the provision of additional funded places.
What happens if I choose NOT to complete my internship in the Republic of Ireland?
Should any student on the scheme refuse the offer of a position as an intern in HSE, it is open to the Irish Government to seek to recover the fee subsidy (that is, the difference between the Irish Student Contribution Rate and the Home Tuition Fee charged by QUB for each year of study - this equates to approximately £10,500 at 2024/25 rates).
Can I apply for full registration with the General Medical Council after completion of my internship in the Republic of Ireland?
Yes. Those with a valid Certificate of Experience with the Medical Council of Ireland are eligible to apply for full registration with the GMC. Please follow this link for more information.
Can I enter UK postgraduate training programmes after completion of the 1-year internship in the Republic of Ireland?
Students are advised to consult the information provided by the relevant Royal College. The Certificate of Readiness to Enter Specialty Training requires an additional year of experience in an appropriate post (such as, but not exclusively, a stand-alone F2 role).
How do I apply for full registration with the Medical Council of Ireland following my internship?
Information on registration is available here.