Science - Waterford
Science (Common Entry) was designed as a common entry course for the student who has a keen interest in science, but is unsure of which area they would like to specialise in. This course gives the student a flavour of a variety of different scientific disciplines, allowing them to keep their options open when applying to study science at third level.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
2 subjects: H5
4 subjects: O6/H7
English or Irish: O6/H7
Mathematics: O6/H7
Recommendation for Science (Common Entry):
Applicants should note that a science subject (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science) at Leaving Certificate is recommended for this programme.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Entry requirements for Honours Bachelor Degrees (Level 8)
This link module can be used in place of a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the six subject eligibility requirements for entry to honours degree courses.
Entry requirements for Ordinary Bachelor Degree (Level 7) and Higher Certificate (Level 6)
The LCVP link module can also be used in place of a fifth Leaving Certificate subject and will be accepted as meeting the five subject eligibility requirements for entry to ordinary bachelor degree and higher certificate courses
GRADE POINTS
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme was designed primarily to prepare students for the transition from school to working life. It is not intended for direct tansfer into third level. However, students with the LCAP who have completed a QQI FET/FETAC award can be considered for entry.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 5, and achieved at least three distinctions, are eligible to apply through CAO for entry to Year 1 on to Level 6, 7 and 8 courses. Students who have completed a full QQI-FET award at Level 6 may be eligible to enter Year 2.
The maximum possible points awarded through QQI-FET is 390. The scoring system only applies where all of the requirements for the major award are met i.e. where the named component awards specified have been achieved to a minimum of 120 credits.
Progression Scheme
The Progression Scheme is an additional opportunity for students who successfully complete a QQI FET Award in a partner Colleges of Further Education and Training College/Centre to gain entry to SETU programmes. The list of partner Further Education and Training Colleges/Centres, relevant SETU programmes, linked QQI FET Awards and the criteria for the scheme are available at www.setu.ie/progression.
Careers / Further progression
COMMON ENTRY Science (Waterford)
Career opportunities
Career opportunities will be subject to your choice of specialist exit pathways. Science (Common Entry) is the gateway for four Level 8 BSc (Honours) degrees in SETU Waterford, which include the BSc (Honours) in Food Science and Innovation, BSc (Honours) in Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science, BSc (Honours) in Pharmaceutical Science, and BSc (Honours) in Physics for Modern Technology.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science Pharmaceutical Science
Career opportunities
There is a very strong demand for graduates qualified in pharmaceutical science. The South-East region has a hub of pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical companies and SETU Waterford has well established links to these.
Our graduates work as:
• Senior laboratory analysts
• Instrumentations specialists
• Quality Assurance specialist
• Industrial researchers
• Teachers (*Following PME)
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science
Career opportunities
Industry needs suitably qualified graduates with hands-on practical experience to be part of exciting developments in biopharmaceutical and related sciences. This course is designed to train you to work in the biopharmaceutical, biomedical, and/or food related industries.
The course will also train you for progression to further study such as postgraduate research and/or teaching.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Food Science & Innovation
Career opportunities
Graduates have a wide range of excellent career opportunities with national and international companies in:
• Product innovation
• Production management
• Food quality assurance
• Sales and marketing
• Food business entrepreneur.
Graduates from this course also have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study at both masters and PhD level.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Physics for Modern Technology
Career opportunities
Graduates of this degree develop a range of transferable skills that are valued and much sought after by industry. Graduates find employment in industry and research in a range of sectors including: semiconductors, telecommunications/photonics, medical physics, biomedical devices, alternative energy, automotive, meteorology, software development, ICT, teaching, astronomy and astrophysics.
Further information
September 2026
Mature Student Applications
A mature student is someone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the year of entry to an undergraduate course and who may not meet the normal admission requirements. Applications are made through the CAO before the 1 February or before late application deadline of 1 May 2026. Applicants are assessed based on the information they enter on their CAO application. Note: You must apply for nursing and music courses by 1 February 2026.
Selection Process – Nursing Applications
Mature applicants for nursing courses will receive correspondence under separate cover from the Nursing Careers Centre (Public Appointments Service - PAS). For full details on the application process see www.nursingcareers.ie.
Mature Applicant – Change of Mind
The Change of Mind facility becomes available after 1 May and the closing date is 1 July.
The Change of Mind facility affords mature applicants an opportunity to change the order of preference only of their course choices. If applicants introduce a new programme to their list of choices by way of Change of Mind, they will compete for a place on that programme based on their Leaving Certificate or equivalent results only. They will not compete as a mature applicant.
Non-standard application
A non-standard application is one that does not meet the definition of a standard application.
The special categories are:
• GCE/GCSE
• Other school leaving exams
• NCVA Level 2/3
• FETAC Level 5/6
• Further Education (other than QQI)
• Mature
• Higher/Third Level Education
Applicants wishing to make a non-standard application must select the relevant category when applying to the CAO.
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
COMMON ENTRY Science (Waterford)
Streams
Pharmaceutical Science
Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science
Food Science & Innovation
Physics for Modern Technology
About the course
Science (Common Entry) was designed for the student who has a keen interest in science, but is unsure of which area they would like to specialise in. This course gives the student a flavour of a variety of different scientific disciplines, allowing them to keep their options open when applying to study science at third level. This is a highly regarded hands-on practical based programme.
The modules of this course offer a good grounding in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computing and good laboratory practice. Students will study many lab and theoretical modules in first year.
Science — COMMON ENTRY Degree Options
Pharmaceutical Science
BSc (Honours) – NFQ Level 8 Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science Stream
BSc (Honours) – NFQ Level 8 Food Science & Innovation Stream
BSc (Honours) – NFQ Level 8 Physics for Modern Technology Stream
BSc (Honours) – NFQ Level 8 Pharmaceutical Science Stream
FOLLOW ON STUDY
Postgraduate Study — MSc or PhD
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science Pharmaceutical Science Stream
About the course
This stream from our Science common entry course aims to prepare graduates for the highly regulated pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industries.
Students gain experience in a broad range of scientific subject areas and laboratory instrumentation. A nine-month work placement is included in the third year of the course. A research project is also carried out in year 4.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science Stream
About the course
This four year honours degree course can be chosen within the SE501 - Bachelor of Science (Honours) Common Entry Route.
You will be trained in processes such as analytical testing, advanced molecular biology techniques, microbiological analyses, biopharmaceutical technology and cell culturing techniques. You can choose between Work Placement or Study Abroad in Semester 2 of third year.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Food Science & Innovation Stream
About the course
This course will provide graduates with the skills to work in the various sectors of the food industry from food production to marketing and regulation.
The degree will train you in food manufacture, analysis, safety and nutrition in addition to marketing and innovation, giving you key skills for your future career. Industrial placement or study abroad option takes place in third year.
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Physics for Modern Technology Stream
About the course
This is a four year honours degree, which includes a semester of work placement. The course is inter-disciplinary providing students with an understanding of the physics underlying modern technologies such as semiconductors, optics/photonics, renewable energy, and sensor systems. Students develop complementary skills in the areas of physics, engineering, mathematics and programming. They develop associated skills in problem-solving, communication, research methods, team-work and leadership.
COMMON ENTRY Science (All Streams)
Year 1 Modules
Semester 1
Introductory Biology
Introductory Chemistry
Introductory Physics
Introductory Mathematics
Intro to ICT for Scientists
Good Laboratory Practice & Core Skills
Semester 2
Cell Biology and Biochemistry
Mathematics for Scientists
Physical & Organic Chemistry
Physics for Scientists
Choose two electives:
Intro to Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical Science
Intro to Food Science
Intro to Modern Physics
Plant Biology
Science & Society
PROGRAMME LEADER
Dr Evelyn Landers PhD
E: evelyn.landers@setu.ie
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science Pharmaceutical Science
Stream Lead
Dr Eleanor Owens PhD
E: eleanor.owens@setu.ie
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science
Stream Lead
Dr Nabla Kennedy PhD
E: nabla.kennedy@setu.ie
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Food Science & Innovation
Stream Lead
Dr Elaine Duggan PhD
E: elaine.duggan@setu.ie
COMMON ENTRY — Bachelor of Science (Honours) Physics for Modern Technology
Stream Lead
Dr Claire Keary PhD
E: claire.keary@setu.ie
Dr Joe Murphy, PhD
E: joe.murphy@setu.ie