MB, BCh, BAO (Hons) in Medicine

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.

For 2025 entry, full-time degree students must normally have reached 17 years of age by 15th January 2026. Where a candidate below that age seeks to enter UCC, a special application must be made to the President of the University. Applications will be considered from applicants whose qualifications are equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis.