Few fields can compete with Medicine in terms of the wide variety of opportunities available to the graduate.

For most doctors, their professional lives are centred on caring for people in the community or in the hospital setting. In this context, doctors are often the centre around which the healthcare of the patient revolves, interacting with all other members of the healthcare team.

However, doctors are also leaders in biomedical research, in the development of new understanding of normal and abnormal bodily function, diagnostic methods and therapies. Doctors are also engaged in the study of patterns of disease in the community; others work in pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, health insurance companies, and in the management of health and safety in the workplace.

The Medicine curriculum in UCC is rooted in the basic Medical Sciences of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, but also places emphasis on clinical instruction. A distinctive feature is small-group, patient-centred teaching, in which students learn the skills of listening and communicating, history-taking and clinical examination.

The Medicine curriculum at UCC reflects current best practice in medical education and is under constant review and evaluation. The curriculum is further enhanced by a wide range of student-selected modules, from research projects to humanities’ workshops (e.g. Art and Medicine, Creative Writing). Research is a key element of Medicine at UCC, and all students complete a research project in their final year.

Year 1
Core modules:

• Foundation in Medical Science integrated modules – Anatomy, Biochemistry and Physiology
• Clinical Science Practice
• Professional Development 
• Behavioural Science 
• Communication Skills 
• Student Selected Option

Year 2
Core modules:

Foundation in Medical Sciences continued – Pathology, Pharmacology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Physiology, Clinical Science and Practice (including General Practice attachments)
Behavioural Science
Student Selected Option

Year 3
Core modules:

• Foundation in Medical Science continued – Manifestations of Disease, Fundamentals of Therapy 
• Clinical Science and Practice – includes fulltime clinical attachments in community and hospital settings 
• Epidemiology and Public Health 
• Research Methodology 
• Behavioural Science 
• Student Selected Option

Year 4
Core modules:

• Fundamentals of Adult Disease (includes rotations in community and hospital settings) 
• Psychiatry and Behavioural Medicine (includes rotations in community and hospital settings) 
• Reproduction, Pregnancy, Child Health and Development (includes rotations in community and hospital settings) 
• Ethical, Legal and Governance Issues in Healthcare 
• Clinical Elective

Year 5
Core modules:

• Senior Clinical Rotations: sub-internships in Internal Medicine and General Practice 
• Surgery 
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology 
• Paediatrics and Child Health 
• Research and Professionalism 

See the College Calendar for more detailed information on the programme and the Book of Modules for a more detailed description of programme modules.

Leaving Certificate entry requirements: HC3 in Chemistry and either Physics or Biology and passes at H or O level from Irish, English, another language and Mathematics. Students are required to achieve a minimum of 480 Leaving Certificate points and meet the subject requirements for matriculation in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Additional requirements
Students are also required to present for the Admissions Test (HPAT-Ireland) which must be completed in the proposed year of entry to the Medicine programme. (see HPAT - Ireland Brochure 2015 (899kB)

Applicants who have previously been unsuccessful in any Medicine programme are deemed not to be "in good standing" and will only be considered for admission to UCC’s Medicine programmes. These applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis to be considered by the relevant Programme Board. Applicants should include any details of extenuating circumstances along with their application.

Students whose mother tongue is not English must provide evidence of English Language ability

Mature students: Applicants should apply directly through the CAO (www.cao.ie) and may be called for an interview. A HC3 Chemistry and either Physics or Biology in the Leaving Certificate or equivalent is required, as well as the HPAT exam. Approximately four places are available on this course for mature applicants.

Fitness to Practise
Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake, this programme will be subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy – full details may be found here.

Garda Clearance
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.

Garda vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC once a student has accepted their place on the programme. It involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).

All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries or residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.

International Students should visit the International Education website.

EU Applicants: Application to Year 1 of the degree programme is made directly through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Applicants should apply online at www.cao.ie. The normal closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of entry.  Students must also apply for the HPAT-Ireland (Health Professionals Admissions Test – Ireland) exam.

Non-EU Applicants

Mature Applicants:  Application is made through the CAO (www.cao.ie) and the closing date for receipt of completed applications is 1st February of the year of proposed entry.

Much of the academic teaching takes place in UCC’s Brookfield Health Sciences Complex. Facilities include an IT lab, a state-of-the-art clinical-skills laboratory (including a mock ward) and communication-skills rooms complete with audio-visual recording equipment.

Garda Vetting and Infectious Diseases Policy

Fitness to Practise
Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake, this programme will be subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy – full details may be found here

Written exams take place before Christmas and in May.  Not all modules will have formal examinations.  Many modules use other types of assessment.

See here for details on assessment for Medicine modules.

School of Medicine

T:+353 (0)21 490 1575

E: medschool@ucc.ie

W: http://www.ucc.ie/medschool