Program Overview

Medical ScienceEolaíocht Leighis

Course Title: Higher Diploma in Medical Science

TU Code: TU888

NFQ Level: Level 8

Award Type: Higher Diploma

ECTS Credits: 120

Duration: 2 Years

Course Type: Postgraduate

Mode of Study: Full Time

Method of Delivery: Blended

Commencement Date: January 2026 TBC

Location: Grangegorman

Fees: €7,995 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

This course provides multi-disciplinary training and clinical laboratory placement in all Medical Science disciplines, so that you may work in any of the following areas in pathology:

• Clinical Chemistry
• Clinical Immunology
• Clinical Cytology
• Cellular Pathology
• Haematology
• Medical Microbiology
• Molecular Diagnostics
• Transfusion Science

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, with a laboratory based project component will be considered.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Minimum ILETS score of 6.5 is required if English is not your first language.

Garda Vetting

Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin.

Advanced Entry

Advanced entry is not permitted for this course.

Module Listing

Year One

• Semester 1
  • Cellular Pathology and Clinical Cytology [Mandatory]
  • Clinical Chemistry [Mandatory]
  • Haematology [Mandatory]
  • Medical Microbiology [Mandatory]
  • Molecular and Applied Immunology [Mandatory]
  • Professional Practice 2.5 [Mandatory]
  • Transfusion Science [Mandatory]
• Semester 2
  • Professional Placement [Mandatory]
  • Professional Practice 3 [Mandatory]

Year Two

• Semester 1
  • Professional Placement [Mandatory]
  • Professional Practice 3 [Mandatory]
• Semester 2
  • Professional Practice 4.5 [Mandatory]
  • Practice Based Research [Mandatory]
  • 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

This is a full-time course and you may be expected to be onsite 5 days a week.