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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
University Life
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About NUI Galway
About NUI Galway
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Colleges & Schools
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Research & Innovation
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Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at NUI Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at NUI Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
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Alumni, Friends & Supporters
Alumni, Friends & Supporters
There are over 90,000 NUI Galway graduates Worldwide, connect with us and tap into the online community.
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At NUI 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.
Biomedical Science
Course Overview
What is Biomedical Science?
Biomedical Science is the study of Life Science subjects related to human health and disease. Students will learn about the structure and function of the human body from the level of organs and tissues to the molecular level, as well as how drugs are used to treat disease. You will major in one of the following biomedical science subjects: Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or Physiology.
Why should I study Biomedical Science?
This degree is dedicated to producing top quality graduates who have achieved academic excellence. The programme promotes small-group learning throughout the course. This informal interaction with academic staff allows students to get to know their lecturers and helps promote a range of skills such as Communication, Leadership, Teamwork and Creativity. This course also offers the unique opportunity to undertake a research project in both third and fourth year.
International Links
Students have the opportunity to apply to spend one semester of third year in the United States (e.g. University of California) or in Asia (e.g. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology).
Applications and Selections
Who Teaches this Course
- Dr Helen Dodson
- Dr Lynn O’Connor
- Dr Ailish Hynes
Requirements and Assessment
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Minimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint) or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.
Additional Requirements
Duration
4 years
Next start date
September 2022
A Level Grades (2021)
nuigalway.ie/alevels
Average intake
45
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
Award
CAO
GY303
Course code
Course Outline
YEAR ONE
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biomedical Science (including science communication, essays, debates)
YEAR TWO
• Three pathways from:
· Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or Physiology (two subjects for both semesters and one other for Semester I only)
• Biomedical Science (including seminars and community knowledge initiative projects)
YEAR THREE
• One major pathway from:
· Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or Physiology (including mini research project)
• Biostatistics and Bioinformatics
• Biomedical Science (Research Methods and Applications)
• Developmental Biology
YEAR FOUR
• Continue with one major pathway from:
· Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology or Physiology
• Major research project
Further Education
A high proportion of graduates pursue higher degrees (MSc or PhD) at universities at home and abroad, in many diverse areas including molecular and cell biology, cancer, genetics, regenerative medicine and neuroscience. A proportion of graduates go on to study for professional degrees in the Health Sciences (e.g. Medicine, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy).
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates from this program will find employment in the pharmaceutical (e.g. Allergan), diagnostics (e.g. Abbott) and medical devices (e.g. Medtronic, Boston Scientific) industries. Other graduates will go on to careers in research, academia and many areas of health sciences and health care.
Focus on research skills and communication
There is an emphasis in the BSc Biomedical Science course on developing research and communication skills. Students will have many opportunities to work in small groups to develop teamworking skills. Students will develop excellent critical thinking skills through project work and will be encouraged to be questioning scientists who will contribute to the ever-expanding knowledge about human biology which underpins our understanding of human health and disease.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student Contribution
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
EU Fees are comprised of Tuition + Student Contribution Charge + Student Levy** €140. **Payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI. Further detail here.
Find out More
What Our Students Say

Caoimhe Maguire | BSc in Biomedical Science
This course is great because it’s a small close-knit class – it’s easy to make friends. I learned that Biomedical Science is varied, fascinating and constantly changing with new discoveries, and it is a great degree for me to now pursue a career in the sciences of health and disease.