1997/98 cut-off points for medicine:

TCD: 550

NUI Galway: 540(-)

UCC: 540(-)

UCD: 575

RCSI: 535

(-) random selection applied; not all applicants with this points level were offered a place

Places in medical schools:

The Higher Education Authority set a cap on the number of places in medical schools in the Republic in 1978 and this is still in place. There are 300 first-year places for Irish students at the five colleges.

UCD: 105

UCC: 55

NUI Galway: 55

TCD: 60

RCSI: 25

The actual intake into the five medical schools over the past two years hovered around the 500 mark as foreign students are also admitted.

The Royal College of Surgeons is not in the free fees scheme but students are eligible to apply for maintenance grants. RCSI fees are tax-deductible at the standard rate.

In addition, five bursaries (covering full fees and a £1,000 bursary) are awarded on the basis of Leaving Cert results and five on the basis of the college's entrance exam.

Britain and Northern Ireland

Chemistry is a must for students considering medicine in Britain and Northern Ireland. Many British colleges offer medicine as a five-year course only. These colleges do not accept the Leaving Cert as an entry-level qualification. Leaving Cert students must seek out colleges offering six-year courses.

Leaving Cert requirements vary but, typically, four As and two Bs will be required to be considered for a place and specific subjects requirements usually apply.