how do I get a sick cert for a college exam?
If illness stops you sitting a college exam, you usually need a medical certificate from a registered doctor, sent in by your college's deadline. Trinity wants it with your tutor within three days of the absence starting. UCD and University of Galway want it stamped, dated and on headed paper. You can ask student health, your own GP or an online GP.
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01 What five colleges ask for
Each line is from the college’s own exam or deferral page. Your programme handbook has the final word.
- Trinity College Dublin. “A medical certificate is required. This must confirm that you were unfit to sit examinations during the relevant period.” Give it to your tutor within three days of the start of the absence, or to the Senior Tutor’s Office if your tutor is not available. If your tutor agrees a deferral is right for you, complete the Absences at Exams and Assessments form.
Source: Trinity College Dublin: Absence from exams and assessments. Checked 29 October 2026.
- UCD. Evidence for extenuating circumstances must come from a qualified professional, such as a registered medical practitioner or health professional, never a family member. It must be on headed paper, legible, stamped and dated, and say how far your performance was affected. Apply within 5 working days of the end of the exam period, or 10 working days after an in-trimester assessment deadline.
Source: UCD: Student guide to extenuating circumstances. Checked 29 October 2026.
- DCU. For illness, “appropriate original supporting evidence” from a registered medical practitioner, health professional, registered counsellor, psychotherapist or psychologist, uploaded through the R30 form. Deadlines for 2026/2027: semester one modules before 4pm on 4 January 2027, semester two before 4pm on 4 May 2027, resits before 4pm on 11 August 2027.
Source: DCU: Extenuating circumstances (R30). Checked 29 October 2026.
- University of Galway. A medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner, on letterhead, legible, stamped and dated, covering the exam dates. The deferral form goes in before the exam, and at least a week before it except in exceptional circumstances.
Source: University of Galway: Deferral of examinations, a guide for students. Checked 29 October 2026.
- UCC. Send original medical certificates to the School or Department that runs your programme, not to the Student Records and Examinations Office.
Source: UCC: Where do I submit medical certificates?. Checked 29 October 2026.
02 Where to get the cert
- Student health. Rules differ. Trinity’s College Health issues certificates only after a consultation, and only for students with symptoms certified for an absence of four or more days. At University of Limerick, ask during your €30 consultation: asking afterwards costs €10 more. At DCU a nurse’s sick note is €10. What each service charges
- Your own GP. With a GP visit card or medical card you don’t pay for the visit. Without one, ask the practice its fee when you book.
- A doctor online. Online GPs in Ireland give sick certs after reviewing you, for a fee. gpcompare.ie lists each published price. Before you book, check the cert will show what your college asks for, such as the exam dates.
Sources: Trinity College Health Service; University of Limerick Student Health Centre: consultation fees; DCU Student Health Service: charges; HSE: GP visit cards; HSE: Medical cards. Checked 29 October 2026.
Compare online sick cert pricesOn gpcompare.ie, our sister site.