Program Overview

Medical Science (TU088) Part Time (HDip)

Overview

The Higher Diploma in Medical Science is a postgraduate program that provides multi-disciplinary training and clinical laboratory placement in all Medical Science disciplines. This course is approved by CORU.

Course Details

TU Code

TU088

NFQ Level

Level 8

Award Type

Major

Award

Higher Diploma

ECTS Credits

120

Duration

3 Years

Course Type

Postgraduate

Mode of Study

Part Time

Method of Delivery

Blended

Commencement Date

January 2026 TBC

Location

Grangegorman

Fees

€5,330 Per Year
€15,990 Total Fee

What is Medical Science?

Medical Scientists are key to the delivery of Pathology diagnostic services for patients. Within Clinical and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Scientists lead on diagnostic services in: Cellular Pathology (Histopathology), Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, Near Patient Testing, Transfusion and Transplantation Science and Virology.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Entry to this course is based on competitive selection, and applicants who have a minimum of a 2.2 in a Level 8 degree in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Immunology or other cognate discipline. Applicants must be in current employment in a hospital laboratory working to an ISO15189 standard or equivalent.

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin.

Advanced Entry

Advanced entry is not permitted for this course.

Module Listing

Year One

• Clinical Chemistry [Mandatory]
• Molecular and Applied Immunology [Mandatory]
• Professional Practice 2.5 [Mandatory]
• Transfusion Science [Mandatory]

Year Two

• Professional Placement [Mandatory]
• Cellular Pathology and Clinical Cytology [Mandatory]
• Haematology [Mandatory]
• Medical Microbiology [Mandatory]

Year Three

• Professional Placement [Mandatory]
• Professional Practice 3 [Mandatory]
• Practice Based Research [Mandatory]

Elective Modules

• Cellular Pathology 1 [Elective]
• Cellular Pathology 2 [Elective]
• Clinical Chemistry 1: Pathophysiology and analytes of organ systems, methods and quality [Elective]
• Clinical Chemistry 2: Specialist and advanced methods [Elective]
• Clinical Immunology [Elective]
• Haematology 1 [Elective]
• Haematology 2 [Elective]
• Medical Microbiology 1: Microbial Diagnostics [Elective]
• Medical Microbiology 2: Microbial Pathogenesis and Infection Control [Elective]
• Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology [Elective]
• Transfusion Science 2 [Elective]

Schedule

You will be required to complete a 30-week placement, Minimum of 1,000 hours as part of this course. It is also mandatory to attend all onsite activities 2 days per week during the academic term.