Program Overview

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Introduction to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery Program

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) program at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) is a five-year undergraduate program that aims to provide students with a comprehensive education in dentistry. The program is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies required to become a qualified dentist.

Program Details

• Start Date: September 2026
• Duration: 5 years
• Qualification: BDS (Hons)
• EU CAO Code: RC007
• Places: 28 (EU), 10 (Non-EU)

Entry Requirements

All applicants to the RCSI Undergraduate programs are categorized as either EU or Non-EU, depending on whether they meet the EU applicant criteria. The criteria include nationality and residency requirements.

Irish and EU Applicants - School Leaver

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must meet the minimum entry (matriculation) and specific subject requirements. They must also achieve the minimum Irish Leaving Certificate (ILC) points or equivalent.

Minimum Academic Entry Requirements

• All students who qualify for EU admissions are eligible to apply.
• Local high school examinations will be used to assess competitiveness for admission.
• European examinations will be converted into the equivalent Irish Leaving Certificate (ILC) points.

Points System

• The applicant with the highest points score receives the first offer, and so on until all EU seats are filled.
• The allocation of School Leaver places is purely based on points.
• As a guide, the 2025 Irish Leaving Certificate points score required for admission to RCSI's Undergraduate Dentistry program was 613* (random selection).

Subject Requirements

• Applicants must present a minimum of six subjects (2 x H4 and 4 x O6/H7) in the Irish Leaving Certificate.
• Minimum requirements include:
  • O6/H7 in Irish (unless exempt)
  • O6/H7 in English
  • O6/H7 in Mathematics
  • O6/H7 in a third language
  • H4 in Chemistry
  • H4 in either Physics or Biology

Bonus Points for Mathematics

• Students presenting a H6 or above in Higher Level Mathematics have 25 points added to their score for Mathematics.

Non-EU Applicants - School Leaver

RCSI aims to maintain a broad geographic spread to ensure a multicultural environment.

Minimum Academic Entry Requirements

• GCE A Levels: Minimum of three A Level subjects with minimum grades of AAB, including Chemistry, one additional laboratory science subject, and one other subject.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Minimum score of 36 IB Diploma points, including Chemistry at Higher Level and another laboratory science subject or Mathematics at Higher Level.
• Other qualifications: Specific requirements apply for students from Australia, the Caribbean, Hong Kong, India, and other countries.

Non-EU Applicants - Graduates

Applications are invited from those who hold or expect to hold a competitive GPA from an accredited, science-based, undergraduate bachelor degree.

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: Minimum overall average score of 6.5 with no individual band lower than 6.0.
• TOEFL: Equivalent scores are also acceptable.
• Applicants presenting programs delivered entirely in English (e.g., International Baccalaureate or A Levels) are not required to supply an IELTS certificate.

Admissions Restrictions

• Applicants who have been discontinued from any other university degree program are not eligible to apply.
• Applicants with pending or outstanding disciplinary issues are ineligible to apply.

Fitness to Practice

Students will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practice policy.

Minimum Age Requirement

Non-EU applicants must normally have attained the age of 18 years by 31 December following entry to RCSI.

Student Vetting

Police clearance or 'Garda vetting' is required for all students who will be in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults during the course of their studies.

Transfers from Other Dentistry Schools

RCSI has a 'no transfer' policy.

Health Screening

All RCSI Undergraduate programs are delivered in clinical settings, and exposure to infection is a risk. Students must complete a blood-borne virus risk assessment and consent to immunization.

Applications from Students with Disabilities

RCSI welcomes applications from students with disabilities. Applicants are advised to disclose their disability on their application and contact the RCSI Admissions Office to discuss appropriate supports and reasonable accommodations.