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Courses
Courses
Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
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About University of Galway
About University of Galway
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Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni & Friends
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Medicine (Surgery and Obstetrics)
Course Overview
Medicine has been taught at NUI Galway for 175 years and we have a long tradition of clinical education. We have pioneered hospital-based and bedside teaching and our medical graduates are highly sought-after doctors, practicing medicine in healthcare facilities across the globe.
We offer both a five year and a six-year undergraduate medicine programme.
As a medicine student you will acquire a range of qualities and skills during your time in the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
You will be:
- A safe practitioner
- An effective communicator
- A constructive collaborator
- A curious learner who develops continuously both professionally and personally
- A caring, patient centred physician
The professional attributes we value most highly as a medical school will equip our medical graduates with the tools required to provide excellent care to their patients in any healthcare system and to make a positive contribution to the development of medical knowledge.
As professionals, our medical graduates will always put their patients' needs and welfare first. You will apply your theoretical knowledge and practical clinical skills in a safe manner and subscribe to the time-honoured principle of primum, non nocere (first, do no harm). You will be exemplars of effective and compassionate verbal and written communication, with patients, their families and colleagues. You will work well with others in multidisciplinary healthcare teams and you will never cease to learn and you will embrace a healthy pattern of life-long learning throughout their careers. You will be generous with this knowledge and support the education of students and junior trainees.
Our undergraduate medical programme aims to foster the development of these graduate attributes by providing authentic patient contact in a safe learning environment and by encouraging civic engagement and participation in campus-based extracurricular activities which promote leadership and teamwork.
Our simulation based education activities, support you in these activities and give you exciting opportunities for clinical learning that were previously unavailable. You can now communicate with, diagnose and manage a simulated patient, perform procedures on them and work within a multidisciplinary team to manage their care, all in a safe supportive simulated clinical environment. You will receive encouragement and support from faculty and even from the simulated patient.
Our special study module programme allows students to focus on areas of particular interest to them and their career objectives and benefit from working closely with expert role models. Participation in our summer research programme will cultivate curiosity and a passion for inquiry. Our multi-ethnic student body will expose students to the benefits of learning about other cultures and will promote respect for diversity and tolerance. As a medical graduate you will exemplify the attributes valued by our university. These attributes are also closely aligned to the Medical Council Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics.
Our campus is based adjacent to the Galway University Hospital. As you gain experience you will assume greater responsibility and undertake clinical placement rotations in a network of affiliated hospitals in as part of the Saolta Hospital Group. In addition you will be involved in the delivery of primary care in a variety of community settings.
Applications and Selections
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Minimum Points Requirement: 480 points from the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate Examination. Applicants must achieve both the required subjects and the points in the same sitting, CAO applicants must complete the Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT). Minimum A-Level Grades: A*A*A* (AS) or equivalent combination plus HPAT-Ireland Test results.
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:
GY501 Medicine (5 year): In addition to the 6-year requirements, H4 in two of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Physics/Chemistry, Agricultural Science. For further details, refer to the website.
GY501 Medicine (6 year): Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, another language, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e., Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science), and any other subject recognised for entry purposes.
GY501 Medicine (8 year): Students entering the medical programme have the opportunity also to engage in a PhD degree through a period of dedicated research, so that after successful completion of a period that is likely to be eight years, both the medical degree and PhD are conferred. Students of the medical programme who are interested in doing a PhD will undergo a selection process at the mid-point of their medical studies.
Please contact the School of Medicine for further details on medschool@nuigalway.ie
Additional Requirements
Duration
5, 6 or 8 years
Next start date
September 2023
A Level Grades (2022)
universityofgalway.ie/alevels
Average intake
180
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
GY501
Course code
Course Outline
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
Phase 3 |
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Foundation Year
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Year 1
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Year 2
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Year 3
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Year 4
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Year 5
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Physics Chemistry Biology Introduction to Medicine |
Basics of Body Structure / Musculoskeletal System Biomolecules, Metabolism and Energy Principles of Physiology Cardiovascular System Gastro-intestinal System Metabolism, Nutrition and Health Renal System Respiratory System Medical Professionalism 1 |
Central Nervous System Introduction to Pharmacology Endocrinology Genes, Gametes and Embryos Molecular Medicine Drugs and Disease Health and Disease 1 Organ Failure Medical Professionalism 2 |
Health and Disease 2 Global Health and Development Professionalism – Core Clinical Skills Foundations in Clinical Theory Foundations in Clinical Diagnosis Foundations in Clinical Management
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Primary Care and Mental Health
Women’s and Children’s Health
Advanced Clinical Skills
Special Study Module |
Advanced Clinical Theory Advanced Clinical Diagnosis Advanced Clinical Management Junior Internship
Advanced Teaching and Learning
Transitioning Programme
Neurology Lecture Series |
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Subject
- Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Required Core Subject
- A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
Required CH120: Chemistry: Molecular Science - 15 Credits - Semester 1Required PH101: Physics - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required MD103: Introduction to Medicine - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Required BO101: Biology - 15 Credits - Semester 1
Year 2 (60 Credits)
Required MD137: Principles of Physiology - 10 Credits - Semester 3Required MD138: Biomolecules, Metabolism and Energy - 5 Credits - Semester 3
Required MD139: Medical Professionalism 1 - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Required MD1101: Basics of body structure/musculoskeletal system - 10 Credits - Semester 3
Required MD121: Cardiovascular System - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required MD122: Respiratory System - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required MD123: Renal System - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required MD124: Gastro-Intestinal System - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Required MD140: Metabolism, Nutrition and Health - 5 Credits - Semester 4
Year 3 (60 Credits)
Required MD206: Molecular Medicine - 5 Credits - Semester 5Required MD202: Medical Professionalism 2 - 10 Credits - Semester 5
Required MD210: Genes, Gametes & Embryos - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Required MD214: Introduction to Pharmacology - 5 Credits - Semester 5
Required MD224: The Central Nervous System - 10 Credits - Semester 5
Required MD201: Health & Disease - 15 Credits - Semester 6
Required MD209: Organ Failure - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Required MD204: Drugs and Disease - 5 Credits - Semester 6
Year 4 (60 Credits)
Required MD304: Global Health and Development - 5 Credits - Semester 7Required MD302: Health and Disease II - 15 Credits - Semester 7
Required MD316: Professionalism - Core Clinical Skills - 10 Credits - Semester 7
Required MD312: Foundations in Clinical Diagnosis - 10 Credits - Semester 8
Required MD313: Foundations in Clinical Management - 10 Credits - Semester 8
Required MD314: Foundations in Clinical Theory - 10 Credits - Semester 8
Optional MD3105: Erasmus Exchange - 0 Credits - Semester 8
Year 5 (60 Credits)
Required MD4103: Psychiatry - 10 Credits - Semester 9Required MD4104: Advanced Clinical Skills and Professional Development - 20 Credits - Semester 9
Required MD4102: Paediatric Medicine - 10 Credits - Semester 9
Required MD4101: Obstetrics and Gynaecology - 10 Credits - Semester 9
Required MD4100: General Practice incorporating Otorhinolaryngology - 10 Credits - Semester 9
Optional MD420: Primary Care & Mental Health - 20 Credits - Semester 9
Optional MD422: Women's & Children's Health - 20 Credits - Semester 9
Optional MD409: Special Study Module - 5 Credits - Semester 9
Optional MD421: Advanced Clinical Skills Module - 15 Credits - Semester 10
Year 6 (60 Credits)
Required MD542: Advanced Clinical Theory - 20 Credits - Semester 11Required MD540: Advanced Clinical Diagnosis - 20 Credits - Semester 11
Required MD541: Advanced Clinical Management - 20 Credits - Semester 11
Optional MD5101: ERASMUS+International Credit Mobility Student Traineeship - 0 Credits - Semester 11
Optional MD5100: Summer Elective - 0 Credits - Semester 11
Further Education
Honours graduates can also pursue higher degrees in a wide range of related disciplines, for example:
- Doctor of Medicine, MD
- Master of Surgery, MCh
- PhD
- Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Medical Science (Health Informatics)
- Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Medical Science (Endovascular Surgery)
- Postgraduate Diploma and Masters in Health Sciences (Primary Care)
- Postgraduate Diploma and Masters in Health Sciences (Clinical Education)
- Postgraduate Diploma/Certificate (Clinical Primary Care)
- Master of Science (Regenerative Medicine)
- Master of Science (Medical Physics)
- Masters of Preventive Cardiology
- Master of Science (Clinical Research)
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this programme will find employment in:
- Primary Care
- Public Hospitals
- Private Hospitals
- Defence Forces
- Education and research
- Community rehabilitation services
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Medical device companies
- Health insurance companies
- Medical journals
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
In partnership with HSE, and our regional hospitals, the School of Medicine assists in an Intern Placement Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to ensure that medical graduates receive the appropriate training and experience to become registered physicians. We work hard to ensure that as many graduates as possible obtain 12 months placement in recognised intern posts.
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student Contribution
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
NON EU Fee**
Discounts are available to students entering through recognised student recruitment agents. Current student recruitment pathways include IUMC and Atlantic Bridge.
All new entrants are required to pay a fee of €200 towards a subsidised Occupation Health Service provided to students of the College of Medicine, nursing and Health Sciences in compliance with relevant legislation and standards. The School of Medicine will provide further details to students on this matter.
Find out More
School of Medicine
Clinical Science Institute
T 353 (0)91 544 475
F 353 (0)91 494 519
E medschool@universityofgalway.ie
What Our Students Say

Lorcán Ó Maoileannaigh | Junior Doctor
Throughout my 6 years of study I had numerous opportunities to contribute to college life, both academically and secondary to my participation in many of the societies University of Galway has to offer. In NUI Galway medical students are exposed to clinical practice early in their academic career; special study modules and early patient contact facilitate the translation and application pre-clinical theory to patient care and management. This is followed by clinical years wherein students are supported and guided by fantastic medical and surgical teams who very much take you under their wing and make you feel part of the team. University of Galway has also given me opportunities through societies, sports and as President of the Students’ Union to represent the college on a national and international stage. Opportunities and memories that I now cherish were very much supported by the School of Medicine throughout my studies. Medicine at University of Galway promotes a sense of community, one that simply cannot be replicated where the importance of inter-professional learning, giving back and academic collaboration are all central.

Réiltín Ní Theimhneáin | Medicine class of 2020
Studying medicine at University of Galway is a remarkable opportunity to gain exposure in a fantastic teaching hospital and feel secure in the knowledge that there will be people to help and guide you every step of your journey. The friendships you develop along the way will stay with you throughout your career and you will have countless opportunities to be involved in your community from your foundation year to your final year. Galway is a wonderful city to live in, with most facilities within walking distance and plenty of scenic recreational areas to enjoy. I personally found that studying at University of Galway enabled me to maintain hobbies and extracurricular activities while obtaining a high standard of medical education. This ability to balance ones work scheduled was a skill that University of Galway medical faculty felt strongly about and they supported individuals who wished to uphold high standards of sport, music and other talents including art and debating