Students get the highest quality biomedical science training and clinical training delivered in Dublin (through attending either RCSI or UCD) followed by an outstanding clinical training programme in Penang.
RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus is the one and only Irish foreign branch campus in the country
THE RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC), a stepping stone for many of today’s leading medical professionals, celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.
Formerly known as the Penang Medical College, it was Malaysia’s first accredited private medical institution when it was established back in 1996 and has since forged an international reputation for quality.
A synergy between two leading Irish universities – the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and University College Dublin (UCD) – it will be graduating its 2,000th graduate in its 21st conferring ceremony this year.
Many in this vast network will testify that RUMC’s transnationally-delivered medical education opens doors to limitless possibilities.
This is because upon graduation from RUMC, one is conferred with an internationally-recognised medical degree from the National University of Ireland (NUI) – allowing them to practise medicine in many countries of their choosing.
Students at RUMC enjoy the best of both worlds – the highest quality biomedical science training and clinical training delivered in Dublin (through attending either RCSI or UCD) followed by an outstanding clinical training programme in Penang.
This arrangement allows one to obtain an Irish medical degree at a significantly lower cost than doing the entire programme in Ireland.
The cost of living in Penang is also relatively lower, making RUMC’s programme the most cost-effective option available in Malaysia.
The RCSI and UCD curriculum also sets one apart as a clinically distinguished graduate, competent and confident to begin the challenging houseman years, while in Dublin students are exposed to patient-centred learning.
Students will study with the same cohort of friends in Dublin and Penang, enhancing the cross-border experience and making the transition less challenging.
These clinical skills will be developed over the duration of the programme, culminating with clinical training within Malaysia. For Malaysians who intend to practise in Malaysia, this offers the best transition to housemanship as one will be fully-versed with the running of Malaysian hospital systems.
RUMC is also unique among Malaysian private medical schools for having an unrivalled level of access to high quality training hospitals.
Its students are the only ones using the Penang General Hospital and Seberang Jaya Hospital as part of their medical programme.
At almost all other medical schools, their students are required to share hospitals with counterparts from other education institutions.
The exclusive access allows RUMC to maintain an exceptionally high ratio of patient bed to student numbers – which has a significant positive impact on students’ clinical training.
The RUMC student experience is also unparalleled. As a “foreign university branch campus” student, one will be fully immersed with other Irish and international students during their time in Ireland. This exposure to different cultures will certainly broaden one’s horizon and outlook.
When students transfer back to Penang, they do so with the same cohort and friends they studied with in Dublin.
Unlike many cross-border programmes where one goes abroad by themselves, this makes adapting to life in different locations much less challenging.
To find out more about RUMC and the programmes it offers, visit www.rcsiucd.edu.my
