Changes to CAO entry to undergraduate medicine programmes in 2027

Irish Universities with Medical Schools are modifying the calculation of points applied for admission through the Central Applications office (CAO) to all Undergraduate (Direct Entry from School) Medicine programmes in Ireland.

This change will come into effect for students seeking admission to undergraduate medicine degree programmes from August / September 2027.

The changes are as follows –

• Leaving Certificate scores above 550 points will no longer be moderated – full points scored by candidates will be applied in the calculation.
• Points scored in the HPAT assessment will be weighted to 150 maximum (down from 300 currently). HPAT results from a sitting in the year of admission to a medicine programme will continue to be a requirement.

The changes will not be applied until 2027, in order to facilitate secondary school student decision making at the commencement of their senior cycle school programmes in autumn 2025.

Further details regarding HPAT and CAO application details will be available in the normal timelines.

For further information please see FAQs published on the IUA website