How Can I Help My Child Get Into Medicine?

Introduction, tips and advice from Dr Ann

We know the journey to medical school can feel overwhelming for both students and parents. Between the HPAT, applications, and interviews, there’s a lot to navigate—and it’s easy to feel uncertain. That’s why MedEntry is here: to provide clear guidance, trusted preparation, and practical support every step of the way. This page is designed to help you cut through the jargon, understand the medical admissions pathway, and confidently help your son or daughter through this process.

Your Step-by-step Guide to Medical Entry

Medical entry can seem very daunting, especially if you dive in too deeply and quickly. But if you follow our progressive tutorials in chronological order, you'll ensure students always prepare in advance, hit every deadline and maximise their chances of studying at their preferred medical school.

In this guide you'll see a summary of every important requirement. You can expand each panel to see a more detailed explanation, and at the foot of each panel you'll find links to download documents or navigate to important resources. You can even click the checkbox when each task is completed, and the panel will disappear so you can focus on the next step.

Choose the right subjects

In addition to your child’s Leaving Certificate points and HPAT score, some medical schools require (or strongly recommend) certain subjects at high school.

Each university sets its own requirements, so it’s important to carefully review the admissions guidelines.

While there is no single rule that applies everywhere, most universities expect satisfactory marks in:

English
Mathematics
Irish
A third language
At least one Science subject

Making informed subject choices early can help ensure your child keeps all pathways into Medicine open.

Learn about the career

Is Medicine Right for Your Child? If you’re reading this, your child likely has the academic potential to gain admission to medical school. Before they commit, it’s important to fully understand what this path involves.

Aptitude

Medical entry requirements are designed to assess whether students possess the qualities needed for the profession.

Your child’s Leaving Certificate points reflect their academic performance. The HPAT assesses cognitive and emotional reasoning skills, as well as the ability to perform under pressure — all essential skills for a doctor.

Passion

Medicine requires more than academic ability; it demands genuine dedication.

Encourage your child to research medical careers and read about practitioners’ experiences. Our Head of Education, Dr Ann Deely, shares insights from her own journey in our HPAT workshops.

Commitment

Medicine is a career defined by long-term commitment.

In addition to 5–6 years of university study, it can take up to ten years of further training to practise independently in certain specialties.

Caring for patients carries significant responsibility. While the profession offers immense rewards, it also requires resilience, sacrifice and lifelong learning.

Understanding

Before your child makes a final decision, encourage them to speak with practising physicians, read case studies and carefully research the medical admissions process.

Apply to The CAO

YBy this stage, your child should already understand university entry requirements, beginning with selecting the right subjects. The next step is submitting their application.

Applications for undergraduate medicine are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The deadline is typically at the start of February. However, your child must obtain a CAO number before registering for the HPAT, so applying early is strongly recommended.

The CAO application allows students to list up to ten Level 8 courses. This means your child can include all five Irish medical courses on their application form. As entry points vary from year to year, listing all available medical schools can help maximise their chances of securing an offer.

Before finalising choices, it is wise to contact the admissions offices of the courses your child is considering to ensure you have the most up-to-date entry information.

Sit the HPAT

Most students aspiring to study medicine understand the effort required to succeed in school examinations. They are familiar with revising content and answering structured academic questions.

However, the HPAT is very different from traditional exams. Many capable students who sit the test without preparation find it far more challenging than expected — and some struggle to complete it within the time limit.

The HPAT is designed by universities to assess the specific reasoning skills and attributes required in future doctors. Its unusual question styles and strict time pressure make it one of the most demanding aspects of the medical entry process.

With structured preparation, effective strategies and consistent practice, your child can approach the HPAT with confidence. The exam typically takes place in February each year, so beginning preparation well in advance is crucial. With regular practice, many MedEntry students perform strongly in the exam.

If you would like more information about registration, question types and preparation strategies, visit the HPAT page.

Choose the Right Medical School

By this stage, your child has already navigated a demanding application process, including the HPAT and the Leaving Certificate. The next major decision is determining which medical school to place first on their application through the Central Applications Office (CAO).

It’s important to understand how the CAO preference system works. If your child meets the entry requirements for the first course listed, they will not be considered for courses ranked lower on their list. This makes the order of preferences extremely important.

While advice from family and friends is valuable, choosing a medical school is ultimately a personal decision that should reflect your child’s goals and priorities.

There is also considerable misinformation surrounding medical school “prestige” and ranking. In reality, long-term career progression is influenced far more by individual performance, postgraduate training and professional development than by the perceived status of a university.

Instead, encourage your child to carefully consider practical factors such as:

Location and proximity to home
Cost of living
Internship opportunities
Clinical placement structure
Course design and teaching style
Student experience and support systems

It’s a significant decision, and not an easy one. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive guide to help families navigate the process and choose the right medical school with confidence.

Choosing Your Medical School: A Comprehensive Guide

Become A Doctor

Medicine is one of the most carefully regulated professions, requiring extensive oversight and structured training. After medical school, graduates complete at least five additional years of supervised practice before they can work independently. Early career stages typically include roles as an intern, Senior House Officer and eventually a Registrar within a chosen specialty.

As a parent, it’s understandable to reflect on the long road ahead — years of study, training and responsibility.

Despite the challenges, medicine offers significant rewards. Doctors often describe their careers as deeply fulfilling. The profession is intellectually stimulating, provides strong job security, competitive earnings and the daily opportunity to improve lives.

It is also a life of ongoing education, regulation, long hours and personal sacrifice. Yet the consistently high number of applicants each year demonstrates that medicine continues to be one of the most sought-after and respected careers in Ireland.

Parent Essentials Common Questions Answered