RCPI Academic Calendar

The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland (RCPI), located in Ireland, follows a structured academic calendar typically based on a two-semester system, common among Irish universities. The academic year generally begins in late September or early October and concludes in May or June, with a significant winter break around December and a shorter spring break in March or April. This structure aligns with many European institutions, incorporating periods for lectures, clinical training, and examinations. A unique feature of RCPI’s calendar, particularly for medical and health-related programs, is the integration of practical training modules and clinical placements, which may extend beyond standard semester dates for certain students.

• Autumn Semester Start: Late September 2025 (typically around September 22–29), marking the beginning of lectures and training modules.
• Winter Break: Mid-December 2025 to early January 2026 (approximately December 20–January 5), coinciding with Christmas and New Year holidays.
• Spring Semester Start: Early January 2026 (around January 6–10), resuming academic and clinical activities.
• Spring Break: Mid-March to early April 2026 (often aligned with Easter, around March 28–April 5), providing a short hiatus.
• End of Academic Year/Examinations: Late May to early June 2026 (typically May 20–June 10), including final assessments and clinical evaluations.
• Commencement Ceremony: June or July 2026 (exact date TBD), celebrating graduating students.

• Application Opening Date: Early October 2024 (around October 1), when applications for the 2025–2026 cycle typically become available.
• Early Application Deadline: Late January 2025 (approximately January 31), for priority consideration, especially for competitive programs.
• Regular Decision Deadline: Early May 2025 (around May 1), the final date for most undergraduate program applications.
• Decision Notifications: Rolling basis from March to June 2025, with early applicants often notified by late March.
• Financial Aid Deadline: Mid-May 2025 (approximately May 15), for submission of funding or scholarship applications.
• International Student Deadline: Early April 2025 (around April 1), to accommodate visa processing and additional documentation.

The academic calendar at the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland generally aligns with national norms in Ireland, reflecting standard semester structures and holiday periods like Christmas and Easter. This alignment facilitates coordination with other Irish institutions and public holidays. For international students, the calendar offers some flexibility, with extended application timelines and clinical placement schedules that may be adjusted based on visa or travel constraints. However, students in medical programs should note that clinical training often requires year-round commitment, occasionally overlapping with traditional breaks. As specific dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are not yet publicly available, the above timelines are estimates based on typical patterns for Irish universities and RCPI’s historical schedules. Prospective students are encouraged to monitor official announcements for confirmed dates.