A UCD Students' Union survey has found the most common source of funding to cover tuition among GEM students was from parents or guardiansAlmost a quarter of students on a medicine course designed to diversify the workforce have family incomes of more than €150,000, a new survey has found. Graduate entry medicine (GEM) was designed as a “second chance” route to study medicine for individuals who did not get a place immediately after the Leaving Cert. According to the findings, 23.2 per cent of students surveyed had parental income of more than €150,000. A further 9.9 per cent of students’ parents earned between €130,000 and €150,000, while 8.4 per cent earned between €110,000 and €129,999. Some 64 per cent of Irish students were employed while studying, compared to 38 per cent of EU students and 10 per cent of non-EU students.

Source: The Irish Times March 23, 2026 11:33 UTC