🇮🇪 Ireland public · Dublin · EAEVE accredited · Only Irish vet school

UCD Veterinary Medicine

Everything you need to apply to UCD Veterinary Medicine (MVB) — Ireland's only vet school, entry requirements, interview format, EU & non-EU fees, EAEVE accreditation, and timeline.

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EAEVE EU accreditation
Only one Only vet school in Ireland
~90 Places/year
~€9,000 EU/EEA fees/year
5 years MVB degree

About the school

University College Dublin (UCD) is Ireland's only veterinary school, offering the 5-year MVB (Medicinae Veterinariae Baccalaureus). The school is EAEVE accredited, meaning the degree is fully recognised across the European Union, and also recognised by the RCVS for UK practice.

UCD has approximately 90 places per year. EU/EEA students pay significantly lower fees (~€9,000/year) than post-Brexit UK students or international students.

Academic requirements and fees verified against ucd.ie/vetmed (April 2026). HPAT requirement confirmed for Irish Leaving Certificate applicants. International fees from published 2024-25 UCD fee schedule — subject to annual revision. Verify all current requirements and HPAT registration deadlines at ucd.ie/vetmed.

Campus & Facilities

UCD School of Veterinary Medicine is located on the Belfield Campus (Dublin 4), UCD's beautiful 133-hectare lakeside campus, 5 km from Dublin city centre. Facilities include:

  • UCD Veterinary Hospital — a 24/7 referral hospital for small animals, equines, and farm animals, one of Ireland's most advanced teaching hospitals
  • Modern anatomy and clinical skills laboratories
  • UCD Lyons Farm — a dedicated research and teaching farm 30 km west of campus
  • Strong links with the Irish equine and agri-food industries

Dublin is a world-class city with a vibrant student culture. UCD is Ireland's largest research university and consistently ranked in the world's top 200.

Academic requirements

  • Irish Leaving Certificate: H1 H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 (minimum points ~480–520 CAO, highly competitive). Chemistry and Biology required at Higher Level.
  • A-levels (UK applicants): AAA — Biology and Chemistry at A-level required.
  • HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test): Required for all Irish Leaving Certificate applicants. Score combined with LC points for CAO ranking. Not required for UK A-level applicants.
  • International Baccalaureate: 38+ points, 6,6,6 at Higher Level (Biology + Chemistry compulsory).

Source: ucd.ie/vetmed/study/undergraduatestudies — verified April 2026.

Work experience

UCD recommends a minimum of 300 hours of relevant work experience across at least three animal species groups. Ireland's strong agricultural sector provides excellent opportunities:

  • Small animal veterinary practice (essential)
  • Farm animal practice or agricultural placement (cattle, dairy, sheep, pigs)
  • Equine experience (Ireland has world-class equine industry — highly valued)
  • Zoo, wildlife, or marine animal experience
  • Research placements at UCD, Teagasc, or other institutions welcomed

Given Ireland's strong horse racing and beef/dairy industries, UCD values students with genuine agricultural and equine experience beyond companion animals.

Source: ucd.ie/vetmed/study/undergraduatestudies/applying — verified April 2026.

Admission

Places 90

Written assessment (science knowledge test) + panel interview. Direct application to UCD (not through CAO for graduate applicants). Some places via CAO for school leavers.
  1. Application

    Irish school leavers apply via CAO. Graduate and international applicants apply directly to UCD. Check ucd.ie/vet for current entry route details.

  2. Written science assessment

    Science knowledge test covering Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at Leaving Certificate / A-level standard.

  3. Panel interview (~20 min)

    Panel format assessing motivation, ethical reasoning, communication, and scientific understanding.

  4. Offer

    Based on academic record, written assessment, and interview performance.

Leaving Certificate with specific science subjects (Irish school leavers) or equivalent international qualification. Work experience strongly expected.

Interview & exam format

UCD uses a Panel Interview format for shortlisted applicants, typically conducted by 2–3 faculty members for approximately 20–25 minutes. Key assessment areas:

  • Motivation and self-awareness — why veterinary medicine, why UCD
  • Work experience reflection — specific cases, ethical questions encountered
  • Knowledge of the profession — current challenges (AMR, One Health, animal welfare legislation)
  • Communication and empathy — how you interact with clients and colleagues
  • Ireland-specific context — awareness of the Irish veterinary landscape (equine industry, agri-food sector, DAFM regulation)

UCD interviews are conducted formally but warmly. Panellists include academics and practising vets — prepare to discuss real veterinary scenarios from your experience.

Source: ucd.ie/vetmed/study/undergraduatestudies/selectioncriteria — verified April 2026.

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Tuition fees

Student profile Annual fees 5-year total
🇪🇺 EU/EEA students £9.000 £45.000
🌍 Non-EU international £28.000 £140.000

⚠️ Non-EU international fees subject to annual revision — verify at ucd.ie/vetmed

Scholarships & financial aid

SUSI grant (Irish students)

SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) grant for eligible Irish students. Check susi.ie.

UCD Access Programme

Support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Check ucd.ie/access.

EU student advantage

EU/EEA students pay ~€9,000/year vs £47,960 at RVC. Studying in Ireland is significantly cheaper for EU citizens post-Brexit.

EU/EEA students at UCD benefit from significantly lower fees than international students. Additional support:

  • SUSI Grant (Ireland) — Irish students from households below the income threshold may qualify for the SUSI maintenance grant (up to €5,915/yr for adjacent rate).
  • UCD Access Bursary — for students from disadvantaged backgrounds admitted via the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR/DARE).
  • UCD Foundation Scholarships — awarded to students with exceptional first-year exam performance.
  • UK students may be able to access Student Finance loans for study in Ireland — verify at gov.uk/student-finance.

Source: ucd.ie/fees — verify current amounts at susi.ie and ucd.ie/fees before applying — April 2026.

Cost of living

Room in shared house — Dublin £800 –£1200 / mo
Accommodation (Dublin) £900 –£1500 / mo
Food & groceries £250 –£350 / mo
Food & transport £250 –£400 / mo
Transport (Leap card) £80 –£140 / mo
Total estimated monthly £1200 –£1900 / mo

Application timeline

  1. April–Sept
    Work experience

    Clinical + varied species. Reflect carefully.

  2. CAO / UCD deadline
    Application

    Irish Leaving Cert applicants via CAO. International/graduate direct to UCD.

  3. Oct–Jan
    Written assessment + interview

    UCD conducts written science test and panel interview.

  4. April–July
    Offers and results

    Conditional and final offers.

FAQ

Why study vet medicine in Ireland (vs UK)?
Post-Brexit, EU students pay ~€9,000/year at UCD vs up to £47,960/year at RVC. The degree is EAEVE accredited and recognised by the RCVS for UK practice. Ireland is an excellent option for EU students.
Do UK students need HPAT for UCD?
No — HPAT is only required for Irish Leaving Certificate applicants applying through the CAO. UK A-level applicants apply directly via UCAS and do not sit HPAT.
Can I practise in the UK with a UCD MVB?
Yes. UCD's EAEVE accreditation is recognised by the RCVS, so graduates can register to practise in the UK.
What are the EU fees for UCD Vet?
EU/EEA students pay approximately €9,000/year (2024-25 rate). Irish citizens who have been resident in Ireland for 3+ years may qualify for the Free Fees Initiative — reducing costs to a student contribution levy only. Verify at hea.ie.
How does the application work for international students?
International students apply directly to UCD (not via CAO). The process includes academic transcripts, a written science assessment, and a panel interview. Contact ucd.ie/vet/admissions for current requirements.
Does UCD Vet have a teaching hospital?
Yes — the UCD Veterinary Hospital on the Belfield Campus is a 24/7 referral centre for small animals, equines, and farm animals. It is one of Ireland's most advanced teaching hospitals and open to the public.
Is the written assessment difficult?
It covers Biology, Chemistry, and Physics at Leaving Certificate / A-level standard. Students who have studied sciences to this level and revised carefully should be well prepared.

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