In order to participate in the ICFP, you must:

• have completed your primary medical degree through English
• have completed a structured internship (equivalent to ‘house officer’ in some jurisdictions)
• 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*
• have completed a four/five-year national residency programme and incorporated examinations (Saudi or Arab Board, or FRCPath Part 1 for Pathology Specialties

 To view a full list of exempting qualifications from PRES Level 2, click here.

* 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.

One of the eligibility requirements of the International Clinical Fellowship Programme is that applicants must be citizens of one of the following countries:

• Bahrain
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates

In addition to the general entry requirements listed above, certain specialties have additional specific requirements, including:

• Geriatric Medicine: A candidate must have full MRCPI as a minimum standard
• Palliative Medicine: Requirement for one year of experience in acute medical unscheduled take

Doctors applying to our International Clinical Fellowship Programmes must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall bandscore of 7.0 and a minimum score of 6.5 in each of the four domains. The IELTS test taken must be 'Academic' and must have been completed within the last two years. The OET exam is also accepted with a minimum grade of B required. Unfortunately, the Medical Council of Ireland does not accept any other certificate (for example, TOEFL).

You will be assessed for communication skills and clinical competence at interview and must be deemed competent in these areas before you can be accepted onto the programme.

• For Omani Candidates English Language Proficiency

  • A valid English language test score taken within the last year
  • OET: Minimum 2 Bs & 2 C+  
  • IELTS: Overall score of 6.5, with a combined total of 26 or 26.5 across the four skills
  • Important Note: While these scores are required at the time of application/interviews, candidates must achieve the full mandatory score before they can join the programme.