Course Title: Higher Diploma in Medical Science
This course is approved by CORU.
Medical Scientists are key to the delivery of Pathology diagnostic services for patients. Within Clinical and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Scientists lead on diagnostic services in: Cellular Pathology (Histopathology), Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, Immunology, Medical Genetics, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, Near Patient Testing, Transfusion and Transplantation Science and Virology.
This course provides multi-disciplinary training and clinical laboratory placement in all Medical Science disciplines, so that you may work in any of the following areas in pathology: Clinical Chemistry, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Cytology, Cellular Pathology, Haematology, Medical Microbiology, Molecular Diagnostics, and Transfusion Science.
Entry to this course is based on competitive selection, and applicants who have a minimum of a 2.2 in a Level 8 degree in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Immunology or other cognate discipline. Applicants must be in current employment in a hospital laboratory working to an ISO15189 standard or equivalent.
Garda Vetting
Garda Vetting required through TU Dublin see www.tudublin.ie/gardavetting
Advanced entry is not permitted for this course.
Semester 1
- Clinical Chemistry [Mandatory]
- Transfusion Science [Mandatory]
- Professional Practice 2.5 [Mandatory]
- Molecular and Applied Immunology [Mandatory]
Semester 2
Semester 1
- Cellular Pathology and Clinical Cytology [Mandatory]
- Haematology [Mandatory]
- Medical Microbiology [Mandatory]
Semester 2
Semester 1
- Professional Placement [Mandatory]
- Professional Practice 3 [Mandatory]
- Practice Based Research [Mandatory]
Semester 2
- Haematology 1 [Elective]
- Transfusion and Transplantation Immunology [Elective]
- Clinical Chemistry 1: Pathophysiology and analytes of organ systems, methods and quality [Elective]
- Cellular Pathology 1 [Elective]
- Medical Microbiology 1: Microbial Diagnostics [Elective]
- Clinical Chemistry 2: Specialist and advanced methods [Elective]
- Haematology 2 [Elective]
- Transfusion Science 2 [Elective]
- Cellular Pathology 2 [Elective]
- Medical Microbiology 2: Microbial Pathogenesis and Infection Control [Elective]
- Clinical Immunology [Elective]
You will be required to complete a 30-week placement, Minimum of 1,000 hours as part of this course. It is also mandatory to attend all onsite activities 2 days per week during the academic term.
Applications for courses starting in January 2026 will open in April 2025.
Non-EU Students
Non-EU students, not resident in Ireland, are not eligible to apply for part time programs that are delivered on-campus. Applications for part time courses that require on-campus attendance will not be processed and the application fee will not be refunded.