| Code | CK701 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 5 Years |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | MB, BCh, BAO (Hons) |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| CAO Points | 2024: 730 |
| CAO Points Range | 2024: 730-780 |
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)
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue 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
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. For further information on points moderation, please see the Medicine Additional Requirements information.
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.
EU/EFTA/UK Qualifications
EU/EFTA/UK applicants presenting an equivalent school-leaving qualification should review the EU/EFTA/UK Applicants page for information on equivalent grades and how to prove their level of English.
Mature Students
To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest. Applicants must sit the HPAT exam and may also be called for interview.
Applicants must have achieved a H4 in Leaving Certificate (or equivalent) Chemistry and either Physics or Biology. (HC2 if presenting a pre-2017 Leaving Certificate). For applicants with an equivalency, please note that the equivalency must be clear on the CAO application.
Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages.
Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.
Student Garda 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 under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Acts) once a student has accepted their place on the programme. This 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 Garda Vetting page.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.
Fees and Costs
- Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
- 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.
- See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
- Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
- Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.
How To Apply
Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.
Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.
QQI/FET Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process.
Non-EU Applicants
If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.