Medical & Health Sciences
Our BSc Medical and Health Sciences course will appeal to those of you with a keen interest in both science and medical health. This interdisciplinary and innovative course produces graduates who are passionate about human health and medicine and are equipped to embark on careers in the medical research or healthcare sector.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 Years full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At Least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish O6/H7
Maths O6/H7
Lab Science O6/H7
Chemistry H4
Additional Requirement H4 in another subject
Note: H4 Chemistry and O6/H7 in one of Physics, Biology or Agricultural Science.
Lab Science subjects include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Agricultural Science.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
UCC awards the following points to the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme Link Modules:
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
While Link Modules are counted for point scoring purposes they may not be counted as one of the six subjects to satisfy minimum entry requirements.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
This programme will open up many career opportunities, in Ireland and further afield, in the medical, biosciences, and health sciences arena.
Graduates also have a solid foundation to pursue postgraduate studies in a wide range of medical sciences areas, PhD research leading to careers in medical research, and for graduate entry to study Medicine, Physiotherapy, Audiology, Public Health, Occupational Health, Occupational Therapy, and Speech & Language Therapy. Career prospects include employment in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical devices industries, and in health promotion, education and policy.
Further information
Approximate Available Places 4
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 50
Entry 2025
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2025 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2025 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2025 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2025 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2025 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 2025. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2025, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2025 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2025 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 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 2025 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
Course Outline
Our BSc Medical and Health Sciences course will appeal to those of you with a keen interest in both science and medical health. This interdisciplinary and innovative course produces graduates who are passionate about human health and medicine and are equipped to embark on careers in the medical research or healthcare sector.
The BSc Medical and Health Sciences programme has a strong focus on research and is taught by research-active academics in a wide range of disciplines spanning the biological and medical sciences. We aim to deliver up-to-date current knowledge in the field of biomedical, clinical, and public health sciences and encourage students to foster their analytical study skills and critical thinking, enabling them to research, develop and implement the innovative healthcare of the future.
Students take core modules in Years 1, 2, and 3, providing a solid grounding in the medical and health sciences. In Year 4 you will undertake a research project module in Medical and Health Sciences (MH4010) worth 20 credits.
Additionally, each student can choose from a broad range of specialised modules in the final year, allowing them to design the individual components of their degree.
Year 1 Modules (60 credits)
EH1101 Foundations in Epidemiology (10 credits)
MH1010 Introductory Human Biology (15 credits)
MH1020 Cardiovascular Biology (5 credits)
MH1030 Respiratory Biology (10 credits)
MH1040 Gastrointestinal, Nutritional and Metabolic Biology (10 credits)
MH1050 Introduction to Translational Medicine (5 credits)
PT1020 Introduction to Pharmacology (5 credits)
Assessment
Students are assessed using a variety of formats to meet different learning styles. Assessments include essays, written reports, in-class tests, online exercises, practical demonstrations, laboratory skills, oral presentations, and written examinations. Written examinations take place before Christmas and in May.
Professor Aideen Sullivan, Director
a.sullivan@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 420 5427
Dr Louise Collins, Academic Coordinator
l.collins@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 420 5432