The Certificate in Health Sciences (International Foundation) aims to provide non-EU students with the English language skills required to meet the minimum English language requirements for entry to Pharmacy programmes at UCC. It also provides an introduction to bioscience modules as a foundation for Pharmacy students.

The following entry criteria are required:

1. Excellent results in national school-leaving examinations involving 6 subjects including Chemistry and 2 from Biology, Mathematics and Physics (average 95% marks or GPA of 4.0) or equivalent;

2. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.0 overall, with no single skill below 6.0, or the equivalent from an internationally recognised examination in English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL 575 pencil and paper/TWE 4 (writing)/TOEFL 231 (Computer version).

To qualify for the award of the Certificate in Health Sciences (International Foundation), and to progress and enter the First Pharmacy programmes candidates must:

• successfully attend and complete all prescribed modules
• satisfy the programme co-ordinator as to attendance and completion of course work
• pass the module examinations in May/June in the following modules:

Biology
AN1060 Topographical Anatomy (5 credits)
BL1002 Cells, Biomolecules, Genetics and Evolution (5 credits)
BL1003 Introduction to Biological Chemistry and Microbiology (5 credits)
BL1004 Physiology and Structure of Plants and Animals (5 credits)

Chemistry
CM1000 Introduction to Chemistry (15 credits)

English Language
LC0001 Medical English (5 credits)
LC1002 English for Academic Study (B2+ level = Upper-Intermediate plus) (5 credits)
LC1003 Advanced English for Academic Study (C1 - level = Lower advanced) (5 credits)
LC1601 English as a Foreign Language (10 credits)

and successfully attain the required standard in English (IELTS 6.5) overall with no single skill below 6.5 (i.e. in listening, speaking, reading and writing).

Note: In order to be admitted to the Pharmacy degree programmes students must pass all parts of the Certificate Year Programmme - failure to pass all subjects in the Certificate programme within the first year of registration (i.e. Summer and Autumn examinations) will result in the loss of the place on the course: There is no provision for a repeat year for the Pharmacy Certificate Programme.

Module Semester Information may be found here. Module Descriptions may be found here.

Examinations
Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2020/2021 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2020/2021.