Healthcare professions attract a growing proportion

College Choice:Figures recently released by the Higher Education Authority show that healthcare professions continue to attract a growing proportion of applicants, far more than there are places available. It is not an exaggeration to say that a high proportion of the 2,500 students who repeated the Leaving Certificate in 2006 did so in an attempt to secure a place in a medical or paramedical degree programme.

Fottrell report

Prof Patrick Fottrell's report on the future of medical education in Ireland, published last year, outlined the challenges facing young Irish students aspiring to become doctors. In 1978, a cap of 305 undergraduate medical places was put in place that remained unchanged for 30 years. Of the 800 places offered by the five medical schools each year, 60 per cent go to non-EU nationals who pay fees of between €22,000 and €32,000. Most of these non-EU graduates return home following graduation, leading to an acute shortage of Irish-trained non-consultant hospital doctors in our hospitals, requiring us to recruit non-Irish-trained doctors, who currently hold 53 per cent of such posts.

Increase in number of places from 305 to 725

Prof Fottrell recommended an increase in the number of EU places from 305 to 725 over a four-year timeframe and the development of an undergraduate/postgraduate system of training on a ratio of 60/40, with undergraduate training taking five years and postgraduate taking four, and that we reduce our non-EU ratio of students to 25 per cent. The Minister for Education and Science, having studied the report, has authorised an increase of 70 undergraduate places each year over the next four years.

In November 2006, she announced the establishment of a new graduate entry programme in medicine from next autumn. The new programme is part of an overall initiative to increase the supply of qualified doctors. It will provide a "second chance" route of entry to the profession for those who missed out on a place in medicine at undergraduate level, for which the CAO points requirement is 570 points plus. It is expected that a total of 60 new places will be offered in 2007, growing to an overall intake of 240. Entry to the new four-year graduate programme will be open to graduates of honours bachelor degrees in all disciplines.

Suitability assessments Students seeking a postgraduate place will undertake a suitability assessment GAMSAT, which is based on an Australian model. I have huge misgivings about this process, as I am aware that individuals are already offering tutorials to prospective applicants on how to answer the GAMSAT questions to secure a favourable outcome. Most of the UK medical schools have introduced GAMSAT-type assessments for their undergraduate programmes in 2007, and I suspect that the Irish colleges will not be far behind.

What will the points be in 2007?

The news for prospective undergraduate medical students is not good. The 70 additional places being provided each year are not leading to any diminution in points requirements. In 2006, NUI Galway and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) had the lowest entry points at 570. Others were even higher.

Veterinary Medicine

UCD is the only college which offers veterinary training in Ireland. Last year it accepted just over 80 students. Last year you needed 555 points to secure a place, and this year a similar or higher score may be needed.

There is little unemployment among veterinary graduates but the money in the first few years can be low. The kind of six-figure earnings available to some consultant doctors is rarely possible for vets today but there is usually a plentiful supply of work. However, be warned: if you do not like anti-social hours or weekend working, do not become a vet.

Postgraduate places-veterinary

UCD also offers five places on a graduate programme. These places are for people with relevant experience who hold a degree in a discipline other than veterinary medicine. An admissions test must be taken. Applications close on February 1st and application must be made via the CAO and directly to UCD by that date.

Overseas alternatives

A growing number of Irish students are accepting places on both medicine and veterinary medicine in Budapest. Inquiries to Tim O'Leary at 028-37180.

Tomorrow: other medical professions