This Autumn a record 100+ Irish will join almost 300 colleagues studying already in Poland. Getting a medical or veterinary degree abroad is no longer an option but a necessity for many excellent Leaving Cert students as it becomes increasingly difficult to get a place at Irish medical (and only one veterinary) schools. University College Dublin will take around 80 Irish students for Veterinary Medicine and 90 for Medicine in 2019. This level of restriction on places leaves many taking courses that are not their first choice in the hope that on completion of their degree programme they will take an alternative route into medicine.
Alternatively, we are seeing that for an ever-increasing number of Irish students the pathway to studying medicine and veterinary science in Poland has become their primary route. These students carefully study all their career options and take appropriate career guidance from qualified professionals. There is a new trend with Irish students of bypassing the CAO route into to medicine and veterinary science. The added burden of the HPAT Entrance Exam at an already pressurised time is placing unrealistic demands on Irish students from a time and well-being prospective. This decision gives students the opportunity of giving their full concentration to their Leaving Certificate Examination.
A big day for most Leaving Cert students will be Thursday, August 15th, when round one offers will be available to view online from 2pm. Due to skyrocketing point thresholds, many of those dreaming about medical or veterinary careers will be forced to look abroad. In the world over 4.6 million students study outside their own country. By 2020 this number is said to double. The 70 000+ foreign students from around 170 countries studying in Poland make a small part of this figure. Since 2005, Polish universities have consistently increased their international student numbers: foreign students currently make up over 5% of the total 1.1 min. students in the country (one of the highest enrolments in Europe).
“This year another 100+ Irish are likely to venture to Poland to study medicine, dentistry, veterinary and other medical sciences, most of them will be assisted by Medical Poland”, says Adam Krawczyk who heads Medical Poland Admissions Office representing Irish students at Polish medical schools. “We increasingly see a trend where students who started studying unwanted science programmes (their second or third CAO choice) decide to move to Poland instead of delaying their medical career start by hoping for graduate entry in a few years”.
To assist parents Medical Poland represents Polish medical universities offering the opportunity to study Medicine (4 & 6-year MD), Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Nursing and Veterinary through English in Poland. “We have helped dozens of British and Irish students embark on their medical journey in Bydgoszcz, Poznan and Wroclaw. We guide students through the application process and help them gain access to medical schools, prepare them for the interviews and support them in starting their medical career (both in Poland and home countries). We are unique, as our goal is to make sure that our students receive the best quality of education, support and feel comfortable in Poland.” claims Krawczyk.
Most Polish universities are recruiting based on the students Leaving Certificate containing good grades in the correct subject options of two of the following Biology and Chemistry or Physics, and passing all other subjects. Additionally, students must attend for interviews, it is during the interview that a student’s ability of problem solving, critical thinking and creativity rather than just rote learners is assessed adds Artur Banaszkiewicz, Higher Education Expert.
Dr Jude Lohan, Deputy Principal of Roscommon Community College, whose daughter studies in Poland noted how her daughter finds the teaching and learning at her Polish university excellent: “The professors are all well qualified, very well published and they have the recognition beyond the university walls. The student accommodation is extremely affordable and very secure. I would have no hesitation in recommending Medical Poland as an agency to help you secure a place for your son/daughter. There are just 5 simple steps:
- View medicalpoland.ie or attend an Information Seminar/Open Evening, contact the Medical Poland Admissions Office.
- State your preference and discuss your options with Medical Poland representative.
- Your decision and complete the first stage of the Application Process.
- Attend interview.
- Become a registered student.” explains Lohan.
“To help parents and students, Medical Poland Admission Office will operate a helpline on Thursday, 15th August and Saturday, 17th August 9-6pm on 083 427 9427 and 083 383 3426 with the aim to help as many students as possible become medical professionals. An information event will also be held on 28th August and interviews in Dublin on 29th August” - adds Krawczyk.
Photo: Medical Poland; Four Irish students offered a place at Veterinary Medicine programme in Poland in August 2018 with Ms. Katarzyna Kosek-Paszkowska, V-ce Dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine at Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences.
