President of the Medical Council congratulates students who received CAO offers to study medicine
Dr Suzanne Crowe also highlighted options available to those interested in securing a place in Medical School, who have not yet received an offer
Wednesday, 30th August 2023: The President of the Medical Council, Dr Suzanne Crowe, has extended her congratulations to the students who have today received CAO offers to study medicine.
Dr Crowe also highlighted other options to students who were unsuccessful in receiving offers in today’s CAO offers, such as Graduate Entry Medicine. This option offers students with a degree in another discipline the opportunity to study medicine at an accelerated rate of a four-year programme instead of the more traditional five- year programme. It is an excellent alternative for those who have been unsuccessful during CAO offers, or those who decide to study medicine later in life.
“The high standard of medical education provided by Irish universities is internationally recognised. Those who received offers to study medicine today, and who will enter our medical schools in the coming weeks, will greatly benefit from this recognition,” Dr Crowe said.
“You have worked extremely hard to get to this point and this work ethic will help you maximise your potential during your time in medical school.”
“As you begin your studies, start as the type of doctor you want to be – caring, compassionate, and always putting the patient at the centre of what you do. Medicine is a caring profession, so as you progress through medical school, care for your fellow students, support one another and never be afraid to seek support yourself, or ask for help. These core values will stand to you as a student, as a person and as a doctor.”
“I know there are also a number of students out there who are very disappointed today and had wished to secure a place to study medicine. The CAO is only one pathway to study medicine and other options are available to gain entry to medical school, such as the excellent Graduate Entry Medicine programmes run by many of the universities, which allows for a student with a degree to apply to study medicine.”
“Also, last month, Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, announced increased numbers of third level places available in healthcare courses, including therapy places to support disability services. This will help increase our future supply of healthcare workers as well as provide much needed supports for the disability sector.”
Dr Crowe concluded, “To those starting medical school for the first time in the coming weeks, I wish you every success as you start on a journey of lifelong learning and caring. I wish you every success over the coming years and I look forward to calling you a colleague in the future.”
Every medical degree programme delivered in Ireland is required to meet Medical Council standards, which are based upon the World Federation for Medical Education’s Global Standards for Quality Improvement in Medical Education. These standards set requirements for programmes, and for the medical schools delivering the programmes. The Medical Council is also a World Federation for Medical Education’s recognised Accrediting Agent.