Applied Health Care - Tertiary Education Programme
The BSc in Applied Health Care is the first program of its kind in Ireland and is an excellent choice for students interested in exploring numerous potential career paths within healthcare.
| Award Name | Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 7 NFQ |
| Award Name | Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | Minor Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) |
| NFQ Classification | Minor |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Ordinary Bachelor (Level 7 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 7 NFQ |
| Level 6 Higher Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Major | South East Technological University | Level 6 NFQ |
| Minor Certificate (Level 6 NFQ) | Minor | South East Technological University | Level 6 NFQ |
Duration
3 years.
Year 1: Students will study at Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training (KCETB).
Years 2 and 3: Students will undertake their studies in SETU (South East Technical University) Waterford Campus.
Entry Requirements
Prospective students wishing to be accepted onto the programme must meet the following minimum entry criteria:
Leaving Certificate; 5O6/H7; English or Irish O6/H7; Mathematics O6/H7
or
Level 5 major award
or
Other qualifications equivalent to a major award at level 5 on the NFQ
Applications are welcome from individuals that do not meet the minimum entry requirement who are aged 23 years or over (at date of commencement of programme). Such an applicant will be assessed on their merits, taking into account their life experience, work or community experience, and recognition of prior learning.
For applicants whose first language is not English, the standard required of applicants is B2 (or equivalent) on Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in writing, reading, listening and speaking. Evidence of achievement of this standard is necessary for entry to the programme.
Our Unified Tertiary Programmes aim to encourage the participation and success of students from sections of society under-represented in higher education, by offering degree programmes at a local level. In the event of over subscription to the programmes, priority will be given to applicants who most demonstrate local need.
Careers / Further progression
Onward Pathways
Successfully completing all aspects of this Level 7 BSc in Applied Health Care allows you the option to apply for an add-on year which is a Level 8 BSc (Hons) in Applied Healthcare (WD005 AHC). This will allow you to access post-graduate MSc programs in England within health care. Graduates of the BSc in Applied Health Care have the opportunity to progress to Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland to undertake MSc programs in Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Social Work.
Graduates may also progress to Columbus Technical College and pursue further education in the field of nursing and continue further studies to become a US registered nurse.
Further information
Start Date: 24/08/2026
20 Places
Applications will be accepted through the Courses page from 5th November and will close late September 2026.
The BSc in Applied Health Care is the first program of its kind in Ireland and is an excellent choice for students interested in exploring numerous potential career paths within healthcare. It is designed to help you understand the varied needs of patients across the lifespan and enable you to deliver direct health care in hospitals, community care, general practice, pharmaceutical industry and health research. This course also prepares students for the emerging area of internet and telephone health care delivery. Clinical experience is an essential element of the course. Placement occurs in each year of the course, which allows the student to put theory into practice in a real health care setting.
Accreditation and Embedded Awards
The degree will be delivered in a 1+2 model with learners supported during year 1 to make the transition to SETU Waterford to complete their studies. Certification of an SETU embedded award at L6 will be offered to learners who successfully complete Year 1, and who for whatever reason decide/need to exit the programme. An SETU embedded award is also available at the end of Year 2. For this degree, they are:
After successfully completing Year 1
NFQ level 6 Certificate in Applied Health Care from SETU
After successfully completing Year 2
NFQ level 6 Higher Certificate in Applied Health Care from SETU
The final NFQ level 7 Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Care is awarded by SETU.
Year 1, Semester 1
Learning to Learn
Care of Older Adult 1
Psychology for Health Care
Anatomy & Physiology 1
Introduction to Healthcare Informatics
Principles of Health Promotion
Year 1, Semester 2
Life Skills for Health & Wellbeing
Fundamentals of Care 1
Medical Surgery Care 1
Anatomy & Physiology 2
Placement 1
Year 2, Semester 3
Fundamentals of Care 2
Pharmacology for Health Care 1
Medical Surgical 2
Placement 2
Year 2, Semester 4
Medical Surgical Care 3
Introduction to Mental Health Care
Pharmacology for Health Care
Year 2, Semester 4 (Electives)
Professional Development & Community*
Activity Co-ordination for Older Adult*
Nutrition for Health*
Placement 3*
Year 3, Semester 5
Introduction to Evidence Based Health Care
Introduction to Technical roles in Applied Health Care
Applying Psychology & Sociology to Health Care
Year 3, Semester 5 (Electives)
Introduction to Intellectual Disability Care*
Medical Surgical Care 4*
Year 3, Semester 6 (Mandatory)
Management of Care
Management of Care Placement
Connected Health
Placement 5
*=Elective Modules
**Please note that it may not be possible to undertake an elective module because of timetabling or other constraints.**
Tertiary Manager Sarah Barron
sarah.barron@kilkennycarlowetb.ie
0877045272
David Forde
Email: cife.info@kilkennycarlowetb.ie
Sarah Sartori
Higher Education Strategic Project Lead
nto@setu.ie
Sarah Barron
Tertiary Coordinator
nto@kcetb.ie