Program Overview

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BSc Medical and Health Sciences

Course Fact File

• Code: CK707
• Duration: 4 Years
• Teaching Mode: Full-time
• Qualifications: BSc (Hons)
• NFQ Level: Level 8
• CAO Points: 2024: 532
• CAO Points Range: 2024: 532-613

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)

Course Practicalities

Teaching is delivered from Monday to Friday, with a combination of scheduled lectures, tutorials, and laboratory/practical sessions each week.

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.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff will support you in making meaningful connections within, and between, topics such as medicine, healthcare, bioscience, leadership, and management.

Who teaches this course

The BSc Medical and Health Sciences is an interdisciplinary degree taught by experienced academic staff in the College of Medicine and Health and the College of Science, Engineering and Food Science. Core teaching and research project supervision will be delivered by research-active academic staff in the School of Medicine, School of Public Health, School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, and the School of Microbiology.

Why Choose This Course

This course is perfect for anybody with a keen interest in the dynamic field of medical science and healthcare.

Student Testimonials

• "This course is perfect for anybody with a keen interest in the dynamic field of medical science and healthcare. CK707 has exposed me to a variety of different modules and exciting career pathways in the pharmaceutical industry, scientific research, and even business." - Ava O’Flynn, Medical & Health Sciences student
• "I love the fact that we are studying a wide range of disciplines from across many different schools and colleges at UCC..." - Brandy Favour Lucky, Medical & Health Sciences student
• "Medical & Health Sciences is the perfect blend of science & healthcare innovation..." - Ciara Leahy, Medical & Health Sciences student
• "I've found the interdisciplinary nature of Medical & Health Sciences thoroughly enjoyable..." - Brian Curtin, Medical & Health Sciences student
• "I’ve loved everything about this course so far and cannot wait to learn more." - Jennifer Okparaeke, Medical & Health Sciences student

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.
• The following are considered Lab Science subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics with Chemistry and Agricultural Science.
• Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
  • English | Irish | Maths | Lab Science | Chemistry | Additional Requirement
  • O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O6/H7 | O6/H7 | H4 | H4 in another subject
• Applicants will need to have a H4 Chemistry and O6/H7 in one of Physics, Biology or Agricultural Science.

EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications

EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.

Mature Students

To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest. Applicants may also be called for interview.

Applicants must have a H4 in a Lab Science subject in the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent). (HC2 if presenting a pre-2017 Leaving Certificate).

QQI FET Entry

Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.

Fees and Costs

• Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
• The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
• See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
• Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
• Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.

How To Apply

Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants

Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.

Mature Applicants

Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.

QQI/FET Applicants

Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process and whether there are routes available to this course.

Non-EU Applicants

If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.