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UCC Undergraduate courses

Medicine (Graduate Entry)

Course Fact File
CodeCK791
Duration4 Years
Teaching ModeFull-time
QualificationsMB, BCh, BAO (Hons)
NFQ LevelLevel 8
FeesSee Fees and Costs for full details.
CAO PointsGAMSAT 2024: #55*
CAO Points RangeGAMSAT 2024: #55*-74

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 a 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.

The Medicine curriculum at UCC reflects current best practices 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.

This is a four-year course in which the Biomedical Sciences are compressed into Year 1 and the first semester of Year 2, after which it overlaps significantly with Medicine MB, BCh, BAO (Hons).

Year 1 (Core Modules)

  • GM1001  Fundamentals of Medicine I (20 credits)
  • GM1002  Fundamentals of Medicine II (20 credits)
  • GM1003  Fundamentals of Medicine III (15 credits)
  • GM1010  Integrated Patient-centred Clinical Science and Practice (15 credits)
  • GM1020  Health and Disease in Society I (5 credits).

Year 2 (Core Modules)

  • GM2001  Fundamentals of Medicine IV (10 credits)
  • GM2006  Junior Clinical Elective (5 credits)
  • GM2013 Professionalism and Patient-Centered Practice (15 credits)
  • GM2015 Clinical Medicine I (15 credits)
  • GM2020 Health, Disease and Society II (10 credits)
  • GM2030 Research for Medicine and Health I (5 credits)
  • GM2105 Clinical Medicine II (10 credits).

Elective Modules (5 credits each)

  • AN3000 Advanced Anatomical Skills
  • BH3006 Psychological Medicine
  • EE3901 Biomedical Design
  • 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 - Fiction and Fact
  • 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 3

  • HC4005 Psychiatry (10 credits)
  • HC4006 Behavioural Medicine (5 credits)
  • 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 (5 credits)
  • MX4091 Research and Professionalism in Medicine I (5 credits).

Year 4

  • 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 (5 credits)
  • MX5091 Research and Professionalism in Medicine II (5 credits).

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.

From Semester 2 of Year  2, 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 written examinations. Many modules use other types of assessment. See here for details on assessment for Medicine modules.

Why Choose This Course

[This] is one of the most interesting, challenging and rewarding courses that you could do... It's one of the best decisions that I've made.

Matt Wiepking

Student, MB, BCh, BAO Medicine (Graduate Entry)

Listen to Matt here

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 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 medical graduates.

Doctors are leaders in biomedical research, in the development of understanding of bodily function, diagnostic methods and therapies. Doctors are also 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, 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

There are a number of entry requirements you need to meet to be considered eligible for the GEM programme, but first, you need to confirm your status as an Irish/EU applicant or a Non-EU applicant.

To be considered an EU applicant, you must fulfil the criteria for determining EU fee eligibility as outlined here.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria for EU applicant status, you will be deemed a Non-EU student for fees and application purposes and you should not apply through the CAO.

To be eligible for consideration for an EU GEM place, you must:

  1. Hold, or expect to hold by July of the year you wish to enter Graduate Entry to Medicine, a minimum of second class honours, grade one (2H1 or equivalent) result in your first honours bachelor degree (NFQ level 8). The degree can be in any discipline.
  2. Compete on the basis of your Graduate Australian Medical School Admission Test (GAMSAT) scores only. The GAMSAT-Ireland test is held in March and September each year. Please consult the GAMSAT website for further information.

Please note:

  • GAMSAT results are valid for two years prior to the start of the programme you are applying for. If you are presenting GAMSAT UK or GAMSAT Australia results you must provide these to the CAO when submitting your application.
  • The candidate with the highest GAMSAT score will receive the first offer; the candidate with the next highest score will receive the next offer until all available places are filled. (Please note neither ACER, the graduate-entry schools nor the admissions authorities recommend or endorse any particular texts or preparation courses. Nor do they support any commercially available preparation courses or have any association with commercial courses).
  • There are no interviews for EU GEM applicants.
  • Applicants who are eligible for the Graduate Entry to Medicine course are not eligible to apply to CK701 as Mature entrants.
  • Applicants who have previously been unsuccessful in any Medicine course are deemed not to be “in good standing” and will only be considered for admission to UCC’s Medicine courses on a case-by-case application basis, to be considered by the relevant Course 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.

For more information on the application process for GEM, please see the 2025 Graduate Entry Medicine Guidelines for CAO Applicants.

Fitness to Practise

Students will be subject to the University'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.

Student 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. 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.

Full tuition fees must be paid as Graduate Entry to Medicine is not covered under the Free Tuition Fees Scheme. The EU fee for 2024-2025 is  €15,250 + €207 capitation fee.

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 CAOSee 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. 

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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