Ireland

Undergraduate entry requirements for students from Ireland.

Introduction

The University of Edinburgh welcomes applications from well qualified students from Ireland. If you have questions about entry requirements that are not answered by the below please contact us directly.

Remember you must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes a personal statement, reference, and full details of all achieved qualifications as well as any you are taking this year. We need to see predicted grades for all qualifications not yet completed, including for each subject you are taking in your final qualifications, so that we can ensure you meet all entry requirements. Without predicted grades we cannot assess your application fully and it is very unlikely to be considered in the selection process. Although predicted grades should be added by your referee in the appropriate section of the UCAS application form, it is your responsibility to check that this has been done.   

Irish Leaving Certificate

We welcome applications from students studying for the Irish Leaving Certificate (ILC).

We will normally require a minimum of four to six subjects at Higher Level, depending on the degree programme you apply for.

The final decision to offer you a place will be taken with reference to the whole UCAS application, including academic grades, personal statement and academic reference.

For many degree programmes, relevant work experience will be required.

Please note that we do not use the Central Applications Office examination point score.

Subject-specific requirements

For many degree programmes we will expect you to have studied specific subjects at Higher Level within the ILC.

Where we ask applicants taking Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Highers for a specific subject(s) we will normally ask you for the same subject(s) at Higher Level in the ILC.

Specific subject requirements at SQA Higher for each degree programme can be found at the beginning of each subject entry through the degree finder.

Admissions statistics

You can find information on the ratio of applications, offers and accepted applicants for each of our degree programmes in our admissions statistics.

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science

For nearly all degree programmes demand for places is much higher than places available so applicants who meet the detailed academic requirements are not guaranteed an offer of studies. The majority of offers will be made to students who achieve grades well above the detailed entry requirement.

For many degree programmes, we will expect you to have studied specific subjects within your qualifications. Where we ask applicants taking Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) Highers and National 5s for a specific subject(s) we will normally ask you for the same subject(s) in your qualifications. Specific subject requirements at SQA Higher/National 5s for each degree programme can be found at the beginning of each subject entry via the online degree finder.

For MA English Literature and joint degree programmes with English Literature, applicants must have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, English Literature at an advanced level which would typically be taken in the final year of the high school diploma.

Details of the grades required in your qualifications can be found below. In order for applicants to be considered for an offer they need to have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, the equivalencies of all entry requirements listed in the degree finder for the relevant degree programme.

We do not accept QQI/FETAC Level 5 qualifications for entry.

Detailed academic requirements

Award of ILC with H2 in three subjects including required subjects and H3 in three further subjects.

English at B/Higher Merit in the Junior Certificate/Cycle (Higher Level) or H4/O4 in the ILC.

If you are not an Irish national or a national of a country on the UK Government’s list of majority English speaking countries and you need a Student route visa you will also need to meet the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) English language requirements, see ‘English language requirements’ below.

Typical offer

Award of ILC with H1 in three subjects and H2 in three further subjects.

College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Medicine

Award of ILC with H1 in three subjects including Chemistry and H2 in three further subjects including English and two from Biology, Mathematics, or Physics.

Irish Junior Certificate/Cycle Higher Levels in English. Mathematics and Science at B/Higher Merit.

If you are not an Irish national or a national of a country on the UK Government’s list of majority English speaking countries and you need a Student route visa you will also need to meet the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) English language requirements, see ‘English language requirements’ below.

In addition to the detailed academic criteria, you are also required to meet non-academic entry requirements in terms of skills, experience and motivation.

You are also required to sit the University Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) in the summer before you submit your UCAS application. Details of the test and how your result is used in the selection process are available on the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine website.

Medical Sciences and Biomedical Sciences

Award of ILC with H1 in one subject, H2 in two subjects, and H3 in two subjects to include Chemistry and Biology.                                                                                                                                                   

Irish Junior Certificate/Cycle Higher Levels in English at C/Merit and Maths at B/Higher Merit.

If you are not an Irish national or a national of a country on the UK Government’s list of majority English speaking countries and you need a Student route visa you will also need to meet the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) English language requirements, see ‘English language requirements’ below.

Veterinary Medicine

Award of ILC with H2 in Chemistry, Biology, and either Mathematics or Physics, and H3 in two further subjects.

Qualifications must be gained in one sitting and at the first attempt.

English at B/Higher Merit in the Junior Certificate/Cycle (Higher Level) or H4/O4 in the ILC.

If you are not an Irish national or a national of a country on the UK Government’s list of majority English speaking countries and you need a Student route visa you will also need to meet the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) English language requirements, see ‘English language requirements’ below.

Work experience with animals is a key part of the entry requirements for Veterinary Medicine. You will be required to submit a Work Experience Summary form prior to 22nd October to support your UCAS application.

College of Science and Engineering

For nearly all degree programmes demand for places is much higher than places available so applicants who meet the minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed an offer of studies. The majority of offers will be made to students who achieve grades well above the minimum entry requirement.

Detailed academic requirements

Award of ILC with H2 in three subjects including required subjects and H3 in three further subjects, and H1 where a grade A at SQA Higher is needed in a required subject.

English at B/Higher Merit in the Junior Certificate/Cycle (Higher Level) or H4/O4 in the ILC.

If you are not an Irish national or a national of a country on the UK Government’s list of majority English speaking countries and you need a Student route visa you will also need to meet the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) English language requirements, see ‘English language requirements’ below.

Offers and subject requirements vary according to the subject applied for.

Typical offer

Award of ILC with H1 in three subjects including required subjects and H2 in three further subjects.

Other qualifications

English Language requirements

In addition all applicants are required to demonstrate proficiency in English language, holding one of the qualifications accepted by the University.

English Language advice

Specific English language requirement by programme

Contact us

If you have further questions about EU entry requirements or undergraduate applications, please use our undergraduate enquiry form.

Undergraduate enquiry form

Revised 22 February 2024 to update College of Science and Engineering entry requirements.