1. Study
2. Undergraduate
3. Courses
4. Medicine

About This Course

Fact File

• Title

  Medicine

• Code

  CK701

• College

  Medicine and Health

• Duration

  5 Years

• Teaching Mode

  Full-time

• Qualifications

  MB, BCh, BAO (Hons)

• Fees

  EU State Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,138 See Fees and Costs for full details.

• Entry Requirements

  H4 Chemistry, H4 Physics or Biology, O6/H7 Maths, O6/H7 Other Language, and O6/H7 in two other subjects. HPAT Test. See Requirements for full details.

• CAO Points

  2022: 738*

• CAO Points Range

  738*-781

Course Outline

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 at 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.

Our School of Medicine curriculum 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 our students complete a research project in their final year.

Year 1 

Core Modules (All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated)

• HC1002  Person, Culture, and Society I
• CP1080  Clinical Science and Practice I (Semester 1)
• CP1090  Clinical Science and Practice I (Semester 2)
• FM1010  Foundations of Medicine 1 - Introductory Human Biology (15 credits)
• FM1020  Foundations of Medicine 2 - Cardiovascular Biology
• FM1030  Foundations of Medicine 3 - Respiratory Biology and Metabolism (10 credits)
• FM1040  Foundations of Medicine 4 - Gastrointestinal, Nutritional and Metabolic Biology (10 credits)

Electives (choose one 5-credit module)

• EH1090 Epidemiology Elective I
• FR1106 Threshold French II
• HS1094 Spanish Language for First-Year Medical Students (Beginner Level)
• IT1171 Italian Language for Medical Students (Beginner Level)
• LC0001 Medical English
• MX1001 Library Project in Medicine I
• MX1006 Student-Directed Special Study Module in Medicine 
• MX1007 Special Study Module: Advanced Irish Language 
• MX1009 History of Medicine 
• UW0092 Science in Society for Medicine (available to MB, BCH, BAO students only)

Year 2 

Core Modules

• HC2002 Person, Culture and Society II (10 credits)
• CP2001 Clinical Science and Practice II (10 credits)
• FM2003 Foundations of Medicine: Medical Pharmacology
• FM2004 Foundations of Medicine: Mechanisms of Disease (10 credits)
• FM2101 Foundations of Medicine, Neuroscience (10 credits)
• FM2102 Bone Metabolism, Renal Mechanisms of Homeostasis and Associated Anatomy (10 credits)

Electives (Choose a 5-credit option not already chosen in a previous year)

• AN2062 Human Embryology and Developmental Anatomy (5 credits)
• FR2106 Towards Vantage French II (5 credits)
• HS1092 Spanish Language for Medical Students (Beginner Level) (5 credits)
• MX1004 Introducing Medical Students to Irish as a Spoken Language (5 credits)
• MX2001 Introduction to Medical Nutrition (5 credits)
• MX2002 Library Project in Medicine II (5 credits)
• MX2006 Student-Directed Special Study Module in Medicine (5 credits)
• MX2008 Medical Research Project (5 credits)
• PT2101 Chemotherapy and Pharmacology of Inflammation (5 credits)
• ST1001 Medical Statistics (5 credits)

Year 3 

Core Modules

• HC3008 Epidemiology for Evidence-Based Healthcare (5 credits)
• CP3003 Clinical Science and Practice III (5 credits)
• CP3005 Clinical Science and Practice IV (15 credits)
• CP3105 Clinical Science and Practice V (5 credits)
• FM3003 Foundations of Medicine: Fundamentals of Therapy (10 credits)
• FM3005 Foundations of Medicine: Manifestations of Disease (10 credits)
• MX3020 Research for Medicine and Health I (5 credits)

Electives (Choose a 5-credit option not already chosen in a previous year)

• AN3000 Advanced Anatomical Skills
• MX3015 Psychological Medicine
• IP3008 Palliative Care: An Interdisciplinary Approach
• IS3101 Health Information Systems and e-Health 
• MX3001 Maritime Medicine
• MX3003 Medical Research Project 
• MX3005 Writing Skills for Medical Students 
• MX3006 Student Selected Special Study Module in Medicine 
• MX3007 Physical Activity, Exercise, and Sports Medicine 
• MX3009 Business Skills in Medicine
• MX3010 Mitigating Medical Error
• MX3011 Malnutrition and Nutrition Support
• MX3012 Library Project in Medicine III 
• MX3013 Introduction to Evidence-based Practice in Medicine 
• MX3090 Medical Ethics, Legal Medicine and Moot Court 
• PM3090 Genetic Research in Human Disease 

Year 4 

• HC4005 Psychiatry (10 credits)
• HC4006 Behavioural Medicine 
• CP4003 Reproduction, Pregnancy, Child Health and Development (15 credits)
• CP4006 Fundamentals of Adult Disease (15 credits)
• CP4007 Fundamentals of Otolaryngology, Dermatology, and Ophthalmology (5 credits)
• FM4005 Forensic Medicine and the Coroner's Court 
• MX4091 Research and Professionalism in Medicine I 

Year 5 

• CP5100 Principles and Practice of Surgery (10 credits)
• CP5200 Principles and Practice of Internal Medicine and General Practice (20 credits)
• CP5300 Principles and Practice of Paediatrics and Child Health (10 credits)
• CP5400 Principles and Practices of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (10 credits)
• CP5500 Preparedness for Professional Practice 
• MX5091 Research and Professionalism in Medicine II 

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

Course Practicalities

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.

Beginning in Semester 2 of Year 3, students undertake full-time clinical placements in hospital and community settings. These include placements in Cork and the wider Munster region.

Assessment

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.

Why Choose This Course

Both UCC and its School of Medicine are long-established, with a distinguished history and an excellent international reputation. Medicine at UCC offers the following: 

• A rich tradition of teaching, research, and scholarship: our Medical degrees are internationally recognised and held in high regard
• Ranks in the top 2% of universities worldwide
• One of Ireland’s leading research institutes
• Integrated, dynamic, systems-based medical curriculum with a strong research focus and world-class teaching facilities
• Crucial early patient contact and clinical teaching
• Early instruction on research methodology and opportunities for research
• Dedicated and experienced teaching staff
• Small group learning
• Excellent post-graduate training opportunities in Ireland and abroad due to an active alumni network
• Superb modern facilities in a purpose-built Medical School
• Friendly, welcoming university
• Excellent student accommodation within walking distance of Medical School
• Excellent student welfare support system and personal mentoring
• First-rate sporting facilities, 55 sports clubs, and over 84 student societies

There are a wide variety of opportunities available to our medical graduates. Doctors are leaders in biomedical research, in the development of understanding of bodily function, diagnostic methods and therapies. Some Doctors are engaged in the study of patterns of disease, while others may work as medical device manufacturers, in pharmaceutical companies and in the management of health and safety in the workplace.

Skills and Careers Information

Following successful completion of the Final Medical Examination, and subsequent graduation, Medical graduates are required to complete one year of internship training in order to achieve full registration with the Irish Medical Council. While UCC School of Medicine makes every effort to support students in the search for an internship post, students apply and compete for internship posts in an open jobs market.

In Medicine, the primary degrees MB, BCh, and BAO are only the start of your career, as all branches of Medicine require postgraduate training of 3-7 years after the postgraduation hospital intern year.

Many graduates choose to undertake part of their postgraduate training abroad and all Medical School academic staff are available to provide advice regarding the opportunities available.

Requirements

Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements

At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H4 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.

Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements in the same sitting:

English	Irish	Maths	Other Language	Chemistry	Physics or Biology
O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7	O6/H7	H4	H4

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. 

Applicants cannot combine results achieved in different sittings of the Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) for the purpose of meeting the minimum entry requirements for the programme.

Leaving Certificate Points Moderation: Scores above 550 will be rounded upwards to the nearest 5 points and moderated e.g. a score of 562 will be rounded to 565 and will result in a moderated score of 553.

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 on a case-by-case basis. 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.

Other qualifications: EU/EFTA/UK students presenting an alternative school-leaving qualification (e.g. A-levels or International Baccalaureate) or QQI/FE course should visit our Entry Requirements pages for further information. 

Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.

Student Vetting

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.

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 of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.

Further information can be found on our Student Vetting page.

Fees and Costs

Course fees include a tuition fee, student contribution fee and capitation fee. The state will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student Contribution and Capitation Fees are payable by the student. Please see the Fees Office for more information.

How Do I Apply

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.

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. See our Mature Applicants page.