Program Overview

Introduction to the Clinical Trials (Online) MSc Program

The Clinical Trials (Online) MSc program is designed for individuals seeking to pursue a career in clinical trials within the pharmaceutical, medical device, or academic sectors. This program is the third and final year of an online 3-year part-time Clinical Trials suite of programs.

Course Outline

The program is structured as follows:

• Year 1: Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trials (30 credits)
• Year 2: Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Trials (30 credits)
• Year 3: MSc Clinical Trials (30 credits)

The MSc in Clinical Trials is run in collaboration with the Health Research Board (HRB) Clinical Research Facility in Cork, providing dedicated infrastructure, experienced research and support staff, and necessary quality and oversight programs for world-class patient-focused research.

MSc Modules

The MSc program consists of the following modules:

• EH6131: Dissertation in Clinical Trials (15 credits)
• EH6134: Research Methods for Clinical Trials (10 credits)
• EH6135: Embedding Research in Clinical Trials (5 credits)

Programme Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Clinical Trials MSc program, graduates will be able to:

• Design methodologically sound clinical trials
• Employ appropriate analysis methods with confidence and expertise
• Write a clinical trial protocol and/or ethics application
• Lead a clinical trial that complies with the highest ethical, legal, regulatory, and scientific standards
• Critically evaluate a published clinical trial
• Embed primary methodological research in clinical trials
• Scrutinize new information in critical, evaluative, and analytical ways

Course Practicalities

• The MSc in Clinical Trials is a part-time, online program delivered over three 10-week blocks starting in late September.
• Students access the program via Canvas, the virtual learning environment, on a daily basis and are expected to dedicate a minimum of 20 hours per week to the program.
• The MSc year focuses on research/independent inquiry, with some coursework and online discussion, emphasizing research methods and dissertation preparation.

Why Choose This Course

The Clinical Trials MSc program offers a competitive advantage for those pursuing a career in clinical trials. It is the first such course in Ireland, taught by experienced clinical trialists, statisticians, and trial regulation experts. The program is designed and paced for working professionals, with three 10-week semesters and breaks in between.

Requirements

Applicants must hold an honors Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Trials (minimum Second Class Honours Grade I from UCC) or equivalent from another institution. Decisions on selection are based on academic qualifications and possibly an interview.

Technical Requirements

The program is delivered wholly online, requiring:

• A laptop or desktop with a relatively recent operating system
• Access to a reliable broadband connection
• A modern web browser
• Java and Flash Runtimes installed
• An Office suite of software and a PDF reader

Fees and Costs

• The EU fee for this course is Part-time: 11,300.
• The Non-EU fee for this course is Part-time: 12,000.

How to Apply

The application process involves checking dates, gathering documents, and applying online through the UCC online application portal. Additional requirements include providing professional or voluntary position details and describing motivation and readiness for the program.

Skills and Careers

Clinical Trials is a rapidly expanding discipline with new job opportunities in healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. Graduates can pursue careers in academic, pharmaceutical, or medical device sectors in roles such as Clinical Trialist, Quality Manager, Project Manager, Trial Monitor, Data Associate, Data Manager, Clinical Research Nurse, Clinical Research Associate, Pharmacovigilance Associate, and Regulatory Affairs Associate.