Medical Science - Galway

Medical scientists work in the health care system and provide a crucial service that contributes to the diagnosis and prognosis of disease as well as guiding treatment. The Higher Diploma in Medical Science is a graduate programme aimed specifically at medical laboratory assistants with a degree in science who wish to obtain a qualification that will allow them to work as medical scientists.



This CORU approved programme provides an alternative route for qualification as a medical scientist to the traditional BSc Medical Science/BSc Biomedical Science routes. Delivery will be blended (a mixture of online and face-to-face delivery) to suit those in full-time employment. There is a requirement in Year 2 that the student completes 1000 hours of Practice Placement.



The Higher Diploma in Medical Science is accredited by the Academy of Clinical Science and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM).



Courses that require students to undertake practical training in a professional environment and that lead to a professional qualification/licence to practice may be subject to the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy.



The Higher Diploma in Medical Science has been developed by Atlantic Technological University (ATU) in collaboration with the Health Service Executive (HSE) to support the development of the medical laboratory workforce. The HSE provides funding to support eligible applicants employed as Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs) within the HSE and HSE-funded laboratories.



Allocation of places:



In line with this partnership, most places on the programme are allocated to eligible HSE-sponsored applicants working as MLAs in the HSE or HSE-funded laboratories. A limited number of places may be made available to other qualified applicants, subject to programme capacity and demand.



Selection process:



All applications are assessed in accordance with ATU admissions policies and programme specific criteria. Due to the high level of demand for this programme, meeting entry requirements will not guarantee an offer of a place.



Important information:



Applicants should be aware that:



Priority is given to HSE-sponsored applicants

The number of places available to non-HSE applicants is limited

The programme is highly competitive

Data Sharing



As part of this programme, certain personal data relating to participation and attendance may be shared with the Health Service Executive (HSE) for programme administration purposes.



Professional Accreditation

This is a CORU approved programme and is also validated by the Academy of Clinical Sciences and Laboratory Medicine (ACSLM) in Ireland.



Who Should Apply?

Suitable for those in employment as medical laboratory assistants in a laboratory working to the ISO15189 standard.

Year 1



Semester Module Details Credits Mandatory / Elective

1 Professional Practice and Communication in Medical Science 05 Mandatory

1 Clinical Immunology 1.1 05 Mandatory

1 Medical Microbiology 1.1 05 Mandatory

1 Cellular Pathology 1.1 05 Mandatory

2 Transfusion Science 1.1 05 Mandatory

2 Quality Management in Medical Science 1.1 05 Mandatory

2 Clinical Chemistry 1.1 05 Mandatory

2 Haematology 1.1 05 Mandatory



Year 2



Semester Module Details Credits Mandatory / Elective

1 Practice Placement in Medical Science 1.1 05 Mandatory

2 Pathology in Practice 10 Mandatory

2 Clinical Research Methods in Medical Science 05 Mandatory

L8 BSc in Biochemistry or Clinical/Medical Microbiology or Immunology or equivalent including a laboratory-based research project. Applicants must be in employment in a hospital laboratory working to ISO 15189 standard and have a letter from the laboratory management that commits to 1000 hours of multi-disciplinary practice placement.



Applicants must provide:



Detailed transcripts of qualifications obtained



Soft copy of final year project thesis



Detailed CV



Letter of support from hospital. Please use approved ATU template (click here)



Detailed cover letter which sets out the applicant’s theory and practical experience/knowledge in each of the following criteria:



Medical Microbiology (200 words max)



Clinical Chemistry (200 words max



Transfusion Science (200 words max)



Haematology (200 words max)



Cellular pathology (200 words max)



Clinical Immunology (200 words max)



Applicant Acknowledgement Letter – click here for a link to the letter.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)



Module exemption(s) may be granted to a candidate under the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy. A medical science specific RPL form can be requested from the Head of Department if candidates wish to apply for module exemptions. For more information please see the current ATU RPL Webpage or reach out to the RPL Unit rpl@atu.ie



Applicants employed by the HSE must submit an expression of interest to their laboratory manager in order to be considered for entry onto the programme. The expression of interest form can be obtained from the relevant HSE laboratory manager.

Application Closing Date 30th April 2026

2 years part-time, blended delivery.



Recommended Study Hours per week

The average weekly contact hours are 8 hours per week for each semester. There is also a significant level of self-directed learning outside these weekly contact hours.



On-Campus Attendance Requirement

Approximately 5-6 days per semester in stage 1 for practical workshops and continuous assessments. During stage 2, students will come onsite for post-placement interviews (1 day) during the final semester, along with a practical workshop that will take place over a number of days. Students may also be required to attend onsite for 1 day to complete continuous assessment work.

Note: Check programme Examination and Assessment requirements, as they may involve examinations to be taken on campus.

Start Date: September 2026.

Careers

Graduates of this programme will have a qualification in Medical Science. The programme has been designed so that it will meet the requirements for approval by the state registration body, CORU. Therefore, graduates of the programme will be eligible to work as medical scientists.