RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences

We are leading the world to better health.  Founded as the national training body for surgery in Ireland, RCSI has been at the forefront of healthcare education since its establishment in 1784.  

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences is a unique institution as the national provider of surgical training in Ireland, we have evolved in the years since to become one of the world’s leading health sciences universities, with a global reach and operations in Ireland, the Middle E ast  and Southeast Asia. Our students learn in a truly immersive environment where teaching, research, public  policy  and outreach activities focus singularly on building multi-disciplinary excellence in healthcare.   

Our mission is to 'Educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health'.  Our ultimate purpose is to work in service of patients; a deep professional responsibility to enhance human health through endeavour, innovation and collaboration in education, research and service informs all that we do.   

RCSI is an independent, not-for-profit university which  remains  committed to institutional independence, service, academic freedom,  diversity  and humanitarian concern. Our independence enables us to chart our own course in service of excellence in human health.  

We are Ireland's only specialist health sciences university and the only Surgical Royal College in the world to offer undergraduate and graduate entry programmes in the disciplines of Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy ,  Advanced Therapeutic  Technologies  and Dentistry .  

This makes RCSI globally distinctive in combining the deep clinical and health systems insights of a national professional body with the educational and research  expertise  of a world-leading health sciences university.  RCSI is ranked #1 in the world by Times Higher Education for our contribution to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Number 3 'Good Health and Well-being'. This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health.   

We welcome students and researchers into programmes of academic excellence and a lifelong community of colleagues that is clinically led, nurturing and supportive, enabling them to realise their potential to serve our global patient community. We  remain  committed to institutional independence, service, academic freedom,  diversity  and humanitarian concern.

RCSI is a research-intensive  university  and we are widely recognised for leading pioneering research which has resulted in discoveries that are having a profound effect on the understanding and treatment of many diseases and disorders; and on better management of healthcare systems.  As an exclusively health sciences-focused education and research institution with strong links to acute hospitals, RCSI is uniquely placed to develop and enhance research for the benefit of patients and to improve human health. Our strategic research themes include: 

Biomaterials & Regenerative Medicine

Cancer  

Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders  

Population Health and Health Services  

Surgical Science & Practice  

Vascular Biology  

RCSI is a city campus  located  in the heart of Dublin city centre. Every element of the campus is designed with our students in mind, ensuring an immersive and enriching educational and social experience.  123 St Stephen's Green is our main campus building and one of the most iconic buildings in Dublin. It was RCSI’s first permanent address and the combined surgical college and health sciences university has been based on the site since 1810. Countless healthcare careers have been launched here during the last three centuries and it continues as an incredible place to learn - to become a healthcare professional or scientist; or to undertake advanced postgraduate training in research or professional roles. 

Our flagship building, 26 York Street, is a world class environment enabling a truly transformative learning experience. It is the most advanced clinical healthcare simulation centre in Europe. This 10-storey building is an award-winning teaching,  research  and recreational facility. Its centrepiece is a 12,000sq  ft  multi-disciplinary National Surgical & Clinical Skills Centre, mirroring a real hospital environment with its clinical skills training rooms, operating  theatre  and clinical training wards.  

2025 saw a major campus milestone reached with the completion of a new €95m education, research and engagement building at 118 St Stephen’s Green. This eight-story facility transforms students’ experience by offering unique student and public spaces, small group teaching areas, common rooms, research laboratories and much more.