Overview

Are you an ambitious doctor seeking advanced training in your specialty?

RCPI's International Clinical Fellowship Programme (ICFP) offers clinical training to international doctors who are sponsored by their government, hospital or national training body.

We offer Fellowship training in the following specialties:

• General Internal Medicine
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Occupational Medicine
• Paediatrics
• Pathology
• Public Health Medicine

The ICFP offers a unique opportunity to develop professionally as a doctor and learn advanced skills that will be especially beneficial for the health service in your home country.

The programme is offered over two to three years of clinical training, after which you are required to return to your country of origin. 

• View our International Clinical Fellowship Programme brochure (PDF, 2.5MB)

Apply Now!

Applications to our International Clinical Fellowship Programme are open until 30 June 2023. 

Apply here.

"Being a trainee with RCPI was a dream come true for me. One of the most important things I learned from being a trainee in Ireland is how to improve doctor-patient communication. If you want to understand the meaning of patient-centred care, just come here. There really is person-centred care and great doctor-patient communication, inside and outside the hospitals." 

Dr Abrar Jamal Al Waheed
Graduate of the International Clinical Fellowship Programme in Haematology, Saudi Arabia

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Watch a playback of our recent information webinar

Entry Requirements

In order to participate in ICFP, you must:

• have completed your primary medical degree through English
• have completed a structured internship (equivalent to ‘house officer’ in some jurisdictions)
• have completed a four/five-year national residency programme and incorporated examinations (Saudi or Arab Board, or FRCPath Part 1 for Pathology Specialties)
• have at least one year's experience post-residency training in your chosen specialty
• be eligible for registration with the Irish Medical Council (Supervised Division)
• be sponsored by your governament body (we do not accept self-sponsored candidates)
• have an academic IELTS with an overall band score of 7.0 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the four domains, or OET with a minimum score of B in all four domains*

* The entry requirement IELTS/OET score is not required to be eligible for interview but is mandatory to achieve as soon as possible once an offer on the programme is made. Our partners Castel Education offer individually tailored courses to help trainees achieve the mandatory score in a timely fashion ahead of their arrival to Ireland. Trainees are recommended to gain their IELTS or OET as soon as possible. Additional credit will be awarded at interview to candidates who present a valid IELTS or OET certificate at interview.

Members of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (i.e. doctors who have achieved MRCPI) and doctors with IELTS or OET are given priority. If you are interested in taking the MRCPI in General Internal Medicine or Paediatrics please note that holders of the full Arab/Omani/Saudi Board are exempt from MRCPI Part I. Priority will also be given to candidates who hold MRCPUK.

In addition to the general entry requirements listed above, certain specialties have additional specific requirements outlined in the relevant ICFP curriculum in the "Available Courses" section below.

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Train with Leading Consultants

The ICFP is completed under the guidance of leading consultant trainers in accredited hospitals across Ireland. There is an emphasis on acquiring expertise in techniques and subspecialties for which there is limited, or no, training in your home country.

The programme has been developed in conjunction with postgraduate medical training bodies in Ireland with the support of the Health Service Executive National Doctors Training and Planning (HSE NDTP).

On completion of the ICFP, you will be awarded with a Certificate of Clinical Fellowship Training in your chosen specialty by RCPI.

“I have chosen the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland because I know there are plenty of places that offer fellowship, but RCPI is well a known prestigious institution. I thought it would be an honour to have a fellowship certificate.”

Dr Nahed Seddiq
Graduate of the International Clinical Fellowship Programme in Infectious diseases, Bahrain

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Available Programmes

English Language Requirements

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Why choose Ireland

Ireland offers the warmest of welcomes in a safe, English speaking country on the western edge of Europe. Ireland is one of the safest countries in the world ranking 8th on the Global Peace Index in 2021.

Ireland can be easily accessed by air travel from anywhere in the world and has excellent links throughout Europe. As a small nation, we provide a welcoming and friendly community alongside an extensive global and national network within the healthcare community.

Ireland is considered one of the friendliest and safest countries in the world and Irish culture is known for its welcome and acceptance of people from different backgrounds. Ireland has a strong sense of culture and history, but you will also find a diverse mix of cultures and ethnic groups throughout the country.

The Irish landscape is recognised globally for its beauty and is often known as the “Emerald Isle” due to Ireland’s Ancient East, Hidden Heartlands and the Wild Atlantic Way. The historic beauty of our country has captivated audiences around the world.

We are entrepreneurial as a nation, looking to find new solutions to problems that were once seen as intractable, which is evident in our postgraduate medical training.

Ireland has an international reputation for delivering quality Educational Programmes, especially in the medical field. There are over 35,000 international students from 161 countries studying in Ireland.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report Index 2020 found Ireland to have the second highest quality of life in the world, ranking number two of 189 countries.

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Supporting Your Move to Ireland

We know that moving to another country to undertake medical training involves a lot of preparation and paperwork. We are committed to making sure that each doctor coming to Ireland will enjoy as smooth a transition as possible to our training programmes.

Castel Education, an agency that specialises in supporting individuals and families coming to Ireland, is our chosen partner to provide a range of services for doctors and their families, such as:

• Visa and immigration assistance, including liaison with the relevant Irish embassy
• Facilitating registration with the Irish Medical Council
• Travel arrangements
• Airport collection in Ireland
• Identifying suitable accommodation options, arranging viewings and lease review
• Identifying suitable education and childcare options
• Establishing banking and mobile phone accounts
• Emergency telephone support

Access a full list of Castel's support services

“I found RCPI training very strong. For me, the continuous development and structured path for each Fellow in each subspecialty, were its strongest points.RCPI staff, as well as my mentors and colleagues, were always supportive and professional. This helped with the challenges of overcoming a new environment.”

Dr Khalid Al Alawi
Graduate of the International Clinical Fellowship Programme in Paediatric Cardiology, Oman

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Do you want learn more about our Fellowship Programme? Register your interest here

Register your interest and a member of our team will be in touch Register your interest Applications for the International Clinical Fellowship Programme are now open

Apply here

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