| Code | MSCCT |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 Months Part-time |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | MSc |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| Closing Date | Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised. |
| Non-EU Closing Date | Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised. |
| Course Delivery Method | Online |
| Start Date | 22 September 2025 |
Course Outline
Our Masters in Clinical Trials is suitable for those of you wishing to pursue a career in clinical trials in the pharmaceutical, medical device, or academic sectors.
This is the third and final year of an online 3-year part-time Clinical Trials suite of programmes:
| Year | Qualification | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trials | 30 |
| Year 2 | Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Trials | 30 |
| Year 3 | MSc Clinical Trials | 30 |
Our Clinical Trials programmes are run in collaboration with the Health Research Board (HRB) Clinical Research Facility in Cork. The HRB provides dedicated infrastructure, experienced research and support staff, and the necessary quality and oversight programs that are critical for the successful conduct of world-class patient-focused research.
This is a fully online, part-time, course designed for the working professional. You must complete the Clinical Trials Certificate and Diploma prior to an application to this MSc programme.
MSc Modules (30 credits)
- 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
On successful completion of the Clinical Trials MSc programme, you will be able to:
- Design methodologically sound clinical trials;
- Employ the 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;
- Scrutinise new information in critical, evaluative, and analytical ways.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
The MSc in Clinical Trials is a part-time programme, delivered online, and runs for three 10-week blocks beginning in late September.
Students will access the programme via Canvas, the virtual learning environment, on a daily basis and can expect to dedicate a minimum of 20 hours per week to this programme. As a guide you can expect to devote 300 hours of time per 15-credit module and 150-200 hours of time per 10-credit module.
The MSc year is the research/independent inquiry component of the Masters degree. While there will be some course work and online discussion, the major focus will be research methods and preparing for the dissertation.
Why Choose This Course
Health Research Board (HRB) Clinical Research Facility
Our Clinical Trials programmes are run in collaboration with the Health Research Board (HRB) Clinical Research Facility in Cork. This collaboration, between UCC's College of Medicine and Health and the Health Research Board, positions UCC at the forefront of patient-focused research within Ireland, and enhances its international reputation for research excellence.
This online Masters in Clinical Trials is designed to give a competitive advantage for those wishing to pursue a career in clinical trials in the pharmaceutical, medical device or academic sectors. It is the first such course in Ireland and is taught by experienced clinical trialists, statisticians and trial regulation experts with experience in designing, analysing and conducting multicentre, multinational trials. It is the only course designed and paced for the working professional.
With three 10-week semesters, a week in the middle and end with no new taught material, this learning experience is for busy professionals. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, managers, scientists, health scientists, food scientists, and workers in the allied health professions are encouraged to apply.
Join us on our exciting journey promoting clinical trials and patient-focused research to improve the health of our citizens.
Skills and Careers Information
Clinical Trials is a rapidly expanding discipline with exciting new job opportunities in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. On completion of the course you can pursue a career in the academic, pharmaceutical, or medical device sectors, in a number of roles such as:
- Clinical Trialist
- Quality Manager
- Project Manager
- Trial Monitor
- Data Associate
- Data Manager
- Clinical Research Nurse
- Clinical Research Associate
- Pharmacovigilance Associate
- Regulatory Affairs Associate
Requirements
- Applicants accepted on the MSc in Clinical Trials are expected to hold an honours Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Trials (minimum Second Class Honours Grade I from UCC).
- Applicants applying for the MSc in Clinical Trials and who have obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Trials from an institution other than UCC (minimum Second Class Honours Grade I) will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Clinical Trials Programme Team. Such applicants must: produce the relevant module syllabi from the awarding institution, and proof of their grades for comparison purposes. Such applicants may also be asked to participate in an interview. Decisions on selection to the programme will be made based on academic qualifications and possibly interview.
Technical Requirements
This programme will be delivered wholly online. To access and interact with the course content, assignments and assessments etc., students will require:
- You will need access to a laptop or desktop (either Mac OS or Windows) running a relatively recent operating system (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 or Mac OSX 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 or later). Access to the Canvas Virtual Learning Environment is supported by UCC through IOS and Android apps, which are available from the respective App stores.
- You will need access to a reliable broadband connection with at least 2MB download speeds. You can test your broadband or 4G speeds by visiting http://www.speedtest.net
- You must have a modern web browser installed. The most reliable options for use with UCC online learning are Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Download and installation instructions will be provided. Safari is not suitable.
- You must have Java and Flash Runtimes installed. Download and installation instructions will be provided.
- You will require an Office suite of software (Microsoft Office 2003 or later or equivalent) and a PDF reader (preferably Adobe Acrobat Reader XI or later). Please note that registered UCC students have access to discounted software from Microsoft and Adobe.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:
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You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
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Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Apply Now