Congratulations to the BSc Neuroscience Class 2026 on their successful completion of their degree

28 May 2026

BSc Neuroscience Class 2026: Back row: Aine Watson, Scott  Mc Elroy, Louis Tobin Monaghan, Adam Fay, Anna Peare, Robyn Palmer, Ellen Turvey. Middle Row: Laura Cichon, Kate Ross, Cliodhna Prendergast, Zoe Daniels Howard, Shauna Mulcahy, Hannah Hurley.

BSc Neuroscience Staff: Front Row: Professor Gerard O'Keeffe, Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Professor Jeffrey Davies, Swansea University, External Examiner, Dr Cian Mc Cafferty, Dr Harriët Schellekens, front and centre Professor Olivia O’Leary, Director BSc Neuroscience, Dr Jane English, Dr María Rodriguez Aburto, Dr Gerry Moloney, Dr Stefanie Grabrucker.

Director of BSc Neuroscience UCC, Professor Olivia O'Leary, once again welcomed External Examiner Professor Jeffery Davies, Associate Professor of Molecular Neurobiology at Swansea University Medical School back to UCC. Before the students undertook their viva exams they posed for a photograph with staff from the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience. Professor Olivia O'Leary congratulated the students of 2026 and wished them every success in their chosen career paths and encouraged them to keep in touch with the staff of the Department and their colleagues.

The UCC BSc Neuroscience was the first of its kind in Ireland, the study of the structure and function of the nervous system is one of the most challenging and exciting fields of science today. It is a rapidly expanding field of study, and this course is intended to provide graduates with a thorough basic training in this area of ever increasing importance. 

The BSc Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary degree course hosted by the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, with significant contributions from a number of other departments. Students study neuroscience from the molecular and cellular level through to behaviour, psychology and clinical neuroscience. Staff in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience participates in teaching the second, third and fourth year modules of the Biological and Chemical Sciences (CK402) programme leading to the BSc (Hons) Neuroscience degree.

Our BSc in Neuroscience graduates have embarked on a variety of careers, including postgraduate studies in neuroscience or related life sciences research, joined our PhD and MSc programmes or undertaken medical training at graduate entry level. Some have pursued graduate training in allied health professions such as physiotherapy, radiography, speech therapy or occupational therapy. Others are now employed in the pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnology industries in careers such as clinical trials, sales and marketing, and research. Some of our graduates have entered into the teaching profession at either secondary or third level, or into scientific journalism and publishing.

Many of our graduates have embarked on postgraduate studies in neuroscience or related life sciences research. Some have joined out PhD and MSc programmes here in UCC while others have obtained scholarships in universities and research centres worldwide. Understanding brain function is also critical in many other fields including Medicine, Allied Health Professions, Education, Bioengineering and Law. Some of our graduates have pursued medical training at graduate entry level, including here at the School of Medicine in UCC and have gone on to specialist training in Neurology and Neurosurgery. Similarly, some have pursued graduate training in Allied Health professions such as Physiotherapy, Radiography, Speech therapy or Occupational therapy. The BSc in Neuroscience also equips students for entry into the pharmaceutical, biomedical and biotechnology industry in careers such as clinical trials, sales and marketing, and research. Others have opted to enter into the teaching profession at either secondary or third level, or into scientific journalism and publishing.

The BSc Neuroscience in UCC has a strong reputation for providing a high-quality student experience and many of our graduates have commented on the friendly and nurturing environment in which the programme runs. Indeed, we maintain strong relationships with our alumni, and many have facilitated career advisory sessions for our current students.

Links:

https://www.ucc.ie/en/anatomy/

https://www.ucc.ie/en/ck402/neuroscience/

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News item and photographs: Bereniece Riedewald