The approved programmes of study for the conjoint degrees of MB, BCh, BAO extend over a period of not less than five academic years from the date of registration for First Medicine; they must be pursued in a Constituent University or in some other institution whose programmes and standards are judged equivalent by the College of Medicine and Health. The Final Medical Examination for these degrees must not be completed before the end of the Fifth Medical Year.

At least three academic years must intervene between the date of passing the Second University Examination in Medicine and that of completion of the Final Examination.

Medical School Student Declaration

All students are required to sign an annual Medical School Student Declaration as well as confirming their acceptance of the University Student rules. The Medical School Student Declaration clearly outlines student rights and student responsibilities as registered students of the UCC School of Medicine. Copies of the Declaration are available from the Medical School Office on request.

Garda Vetting

Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise

Commencing with the 2013/2014 intake of first year students (including repeats), this programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.

Clinical Placement Contribution (for students entering First Year from 2021/22 onwards)

EU / EEA students admitted to CK701 and CK791 from Autumn 2021 will be required to make a Clinical Placement Contribution in years 3, 4 and 5 of this Medicine programme [CK701] and in years 2,3 and 4 of the Graduate Entry Medicine programme [CK791]. This contribution is required to support clinical placement expenses. Payment will be made via the University fee payment process on an annual basis. Failure to make payment on time will limit or remove access to teaching at the clinical sites, until payment is received. The annual sum is €750.00.

For students who pay International / non-EU fees this contribution is not a seperate payment and is incorporated into the fee structure.

Oral Examinations

Many modules of the MB, BCh, BAO programme have provision for Oral Examinations following Written Examinations. Students should note:

• All students of the UCC School of Medicine are bound to inform themselves of the mechanism for release of oral lists, and of the day/time/location of their own oral examination.
• All students of the UCC School of Medicine are reminded that they are expected to stay in Cork until the examination session is over, so that they are available for the examinations if required.
• The Deputy President and Registrar has administrative responsibility for the academic affairs of the University including Student Examinations. All oral lists will therefore be reported to the Registrar's Office. Individual departments according to departmental procedures will also display a copy of the oral list. Oral lists will be published by Student Number (and not Student Name) where possible.

Internship Posts

Following successful completion of the Final Medical Examination, and subsequent graduation, Medical students are required to complete one year of Internship training in order to achieve registration with the Irish Medical Council. Medical students should note the following:

• A single, national matching system for interns has now been implemented. All applicants for internship in Ireland must complete a single application form, and will apply directly to the HSE in time to meet specified deadlines each year. It should be noted that the HSE deadlines for the application process must be adhered to rigorously.
• The School of Medicine works closely with the HSE in facilitating this national matching process;
• All graduates of EU Medical Schools recognised by the Irish Medical Council are eligible to apply to participate in the Internship Matching programme; however, applicants should note that the Internship Matching programme may not result in the allocation of posts to all applicants. Medical students should understand that in applying for Intern posts, they are competing for jobs in an open jobs market;
• The employer of Interns is the relevant Health Services Executive and, therefore, all queries in relation to contracts, working/holiday time, work permits etc. must be directed to the relevant agents of the HSE hospital;
• The Health Services Executive manages funding of Internship posts, and the availability of posts may change suddenly depending on availability of funding.
• All students are strongly advised to fully appraise themselves of intern matching regulations in all jurisdictions where they may be considering to apply for employment noting deadlines in some jurisdictions may be more than one year before the commencement of employment.
• Internships undertaken outside the State, including outside the EU, can only be considered by the Irish Medical Council retrospectively for purposes of gaining a Certificate of Experience for subsequent registration with the Irish Medical Council. It will therefore be the experience of the intern in a post, rather than the post itself, that the Medical Council will be assessing for registration purposes, at the end of the period of internship. Graduates intending to pursue internship abroad should consult with the Medical Council in advance, to ensure that their intern year offers appropriate experience that will support their application for registration.
• Regulations may change. It is important that students are fully aware of the regulations in operation relating to their application.

Exemption Requests

As integrated modules are in place within the Medical curriculum, exemptions will not be available in years one, two and three unless the Programme Director is satisfied that all or a substantive proportion of the specific module is completed successfully. Requests will be considered on a case by case basis.

Students requesting exemptions from modules previously attended and passed must apply to do so to the College of Medicine and Health (via the Medical School) not later than four weeks after the start of the academic year, that is on or before the third Friday in October.

Attendance

Medical students are reminded that full attendance is required at all scheduled teaching activities in all modules. Where this does not occur, students will be expected to satisfactorily explain and support with evidence (e.g. medical illness certificates, explanation of other mitigating circumstances causing non-attendance) all absences and this must be considered acceptable by the relevant module coordinator(s) and Dean of the School of Medicine. Unavoidable planned absence must be discussed and agreed with each module coordinator(s) of affected module(s) in advance. Each situation will be assessed on an individual basis. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a student being deemed not to have fulfilled the requirements for entry to the subsequent examination. These regulations apply also to students who are studying for the qualifications of some other licensing body. The Deputy President and Registrar, UCC will certify whether or not the student's attendance has been satisfactory on the basis of recommendations from the Dean of the School of Medicine.

Student Leave of Absence

Students intending to take leave of absence of a year or more must make application to the Dean of the School of Medicine and to the Deputy President and Registrar not later than March of the preceding academic year. Permission will only be given for specific reasons which will be considered in each case by the School's Executive/Heads of Department.

Mentoring

Mentoring is available from the Medical School as part of a strategy for maintaining active awareness of issues relating to student welfare, well-being and optimal learning.

Student Welfare/Complaints

The Medical Student Board wishes to offer Medical students assistance, backup and pastoral care with the choice of anonymity. Please contact the Medical School Office for further information.

REGULATIONS FOR THE DEGREES OF MB, BCh, BAO

Each subject consists of modules which are measured in terms of credits. A module may correspond to 5, 10, 15 or 20 credits. One year of a degree programme consists of modules to a total value of 60 credits. Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

In order to be admitted to the First University Examination in Medicine, a student must have satisfactorily attended (i.e. the First Year), subsequent to entry to the College of Medicine and Health, prescribed modules amounting to 60 credits as follows:

HC1002 Person, Culture and Society I (5 credits)
CP1080 Clinical Science and Practice 1 (5 credits)
CP1090 Clinical Science and Practice I (5 credits)
FM1010 Foundations of Medicine 1 - Introductory Human Biology (15 credits)
FM1020 Foundations of Medicine 2 - Cardiovascular Biology (5 credits)
FM1030 Foundations of Medicine 3 - Respiratory Biology and Metabolism (10 credits)
FM1040 Foundations of Medicine 4 - Gastrointestinal, Nutritional and Metabolic Biology (10 credits)

and one of the following 5 credit options:
EH1090 Epidemiology Elective I (5 credits)
FR1106 Threshold French II (5 credits)
HS1094 Spanish Language for First Year Medical Students (Beginner Level) (5 credits)
IT1171 Italian Language for Medical Students (Beginner Level) (5 credits)
LC0001 Medical English (5 credits)
MX1001 Library Project in Medicine I (5 credits)
MX1006 Student Directed Special Study Module in Medicine (5 credits)
MX1007 Special Study Module: Advanced Irish Language (5 credits)
MX1009 History of Medicine (5 credits)
UW0092 Science in Society for Medicine (available to MB, BCH, BAO students only) (5 credits)

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 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

No student may enter the Second Medical Year until he/she has passed the First University Examination in Medicine. In order to be admitted to the Second University Examination in Medicine, a student must have satisfactorily attended, subsequent to registration for the Second Medical Year, prescribed modules amounting to 60 credits as follows:

HC2002 Person, Culture and Society II (10 credits)
CP2001 Clinical Science and Practice II (10 credits)
FM2003 Foundations of Medicine: Medical Pharmacology (5 credits)
FM2004 Foundations of Medicine: Mechanisms of Disease (10 credits)
FM2101 Foundations of Medicine: Neuroscience (10 credits)
FM2102 Bone Metabolism, Renal Mechanisms of Homeostasis and Associated Anatomy (10 credits)

and one of the following 5 credit options not already chosen in a previous year:
AN2062 Human Embryology and Developmental Anatomy (5 credits)
FR2106 Towards Vantage French II (5 credits)
HS1092 Spanish Language for Second Year Medical Students (Beginner Level) (5 credits)
MX1004 Introducing Medical Students to Irish as a Spoken Language (5 credits)
MX2002 Library Project in Medicine II (5 credits)
MX2006 Student Directed Special Study Module in Medicine (5 credits)
MX2008 Medical Research Project (5 credits)
MX2009 Advanced Irish Language II (5 credits)
MX2010 Visual Culture and Medicine (5 credits)
PT2101 Chemotherapy and Pharmacology of Inflammation (5 credits)
ST1001 Introduction to Health Statistics (5 credits)

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 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

SECOND YEAR - SECOND UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION IN MEDICINE (Advanced Entry to Medicine for Dental Graduates)

Dental graduates wishing to be considered for admission to Medicine beyond First Year should apply in writing to the Admissions Office. The closing date for application is 1st March each year. Late applications cannot be considered. Dental graduates wishing to be considered for admission to Medicine beyond First Year must provide a demonstrated intention of following a career in Oral Medicine and Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery including successful completion of both parts of the MFD or MFDS. No student may enter the Second Medical Year (Special Entry) until he/she has obtained the BDS Degree (or equivalent). In order to be admitted to the Second Medical Examination, a student must have satisfactorily pursued, subsequent to registration for the Second Medical Year, prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits as follows:

HC2002 Person, Culture and Society II (10 credits)
CP2004 Clinical Science and Practice (for Dental Graduates) (10 credits)
FM2004 Foundations of Medicine: Mechanisms of Disease (10 credits)
FM2006 Foundations in Medicine for Dental Graduates 1 (5 credits)
FM2007 Foundations in Medicine for Dental Graduates 2 (5 credits)
FM2101 Foundations of Medicine: Neuroscience (10 credits)
FM2102 Bone Metabolism, Renal Mechanisms of Homeostasis and Associated Anatomy (10 credits)

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 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

No student may enter the Third Medical Year until he/she has passed the Second University Examination in Medicine. In order to be admitted to the Third University Examination in Medicine, a student must have satisfactorily attended, subsequent to registration for the Third Medical Year, prescribed modules amounting to 60 credits as follows:

CP3003 Clinical Science and Practice III (5 credits)
CP3005 Clinical Science and Practice IV (15 credits)
CP3105 Clinical Science and Practice V (5 credits)
FM3003 Foundations of Medicine: Fundamentals of Therapy (10 credits)
FM3005 Foundations of Medicine: Manifestations of Disease (10 credits)
HC3008 Epidemiology for Evidence Based Healthcare (5 credits)
MX3020 Research for Medicine and Health I (5 credits)

and one of the following 5 credit options, not already chosen in a previous year:

AN3000 Advanced Anatomical Skills (5 credits)
IP3008 Palliative Care: An Interdisciplinary Approach (5 credits)
IS3101 Health Information Systems and e-Health (5 credits)
MX3001 Maritime Medicine (5 credits)
MX3005 Creative Writing for Medical Students (5 credits)
MX3006 Student Selected Special Study Module in Medicine (5 credits)
MX3007 Physical Activity, Exercise and Sports Medicine (5 credits)
MX3009 Leadership and Teamwork in Medicine (5 credits)
MX3010 Mitigating Medical Error (5 credits)
MX3013 Introduction to Evidence-based Practice in Medicine (5 credits)
MX3015 Psychological Medicine (5 credits)
MX3016 Teaching and Learning in Medicine (5 credits)
PM3090 Genetic Research in Human Disease (5 credits)

Clinical Courses
Satisfactory attendance at all scheduled teaching and learning activities is mandatory. In relation to clinical rotations students must attend all scheduled activities but must also attend all relevant clinical activities as directed by the relevant module coordinators and supervising clinicians.

Note: Unsatisfactory attendance at the prescribed Hospital or University courses will debar a student from admission to the Third University Examination in Medicine.

There will be a clinical examination at the end of the second term or Semester, where students must also submit a set of fully documented case studies.

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 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

BMedSc DEGREE
Students who have successfully completed the Third University Examination in Medicine at the Summer and/or Autumn Examination and who do not wish to continue with their Medical studies are eligible to exit the MB, BCh, BAO programme with a BMedSc (Ordinary) Degree (NFQ Level 7, Major Award).
Students who have passed the Third University Examination in Medicine, and who subsequently fail either the Fourth University Examination or Final Medicine Examination are also eligible to exit with the award of a BMedSc (Ordinary) Degree (NFQ Level 7, Major Award).

INTERCALATED BSc DEGREE
Students who have completed Third Year of the undergraduate Medical Degree programme may be entitled to follow the programme for an Intercalated BSc in the disciplines of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Epidemiology and Public Health, Physiology or Pathology. See details in the Calendar of the College of Science, Food Science and Engineering.

No student may enter the Fourth Medical Year until he/she has passed the Third University Examination in Medicine. In order to be admitted to the Fourth University Examination in Medicine, a student must have satisfactorily completed, subsequent to registration for the Fourth Medical Year, prescribed modules amounting to 60 credits as follows:

HC4005 Psychiatry (10 credits)
HC4006 Behavioural Medicine and Patient Safety (5 credits)
CP4003 Reproduction, Pregnancy, Child Health and Development (15 credits)
CP4006 Fundamentals of Adult Disease (15 credits)
CP4007 Fundamentals of Otolaryngology, Dermatology and Ophthalmology (5 credits)
FM4005 Forensic Medicine and the Coroner's Court (5 credits)
MX4091 Research for Medicine and Health II (5 credits)

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 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Note: Unsatisfactory attendance at any of the above prescribed Clinical Courses will debar a student from admission to the Fifth (Final) University Examination in Medicine.

No student may enter the Fifth Medical Year until he/she has passed the Fourth University Examination in Medicine. In order to be admitted to the MB, BCh, BAO Degree Examination, a student must have satisfactorily completed, subsequent to registration for the Fifth Medical Year, prescribed modules amounting to 60 credits as follows:

CP5100 Principles and Practice of Surgery (10 credits)
CP5200 Principles and Practice of Internal Medicine and General Practice (20 credits)
CP5300 Principles and Practice of Paediatrics and Child Health (10 credits)
CP5400 Principles and Practices of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (10 credits)
CP5500 Preparedness for Professional Practice (5 credits)
MX5091 Research Project and Elective Practice (5 credits)

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 2022/2023 Book and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2022/2023.

Clinical Courses

1. Approved Elective: As part of module MX5091, students, during the Summer recess between the Fourth and Final Medical Years, are required to spend a minimum of four weeks in a clinical, laboratory or research area of the student's choice. All electives must be approved by the Dean of the Medical School prior to the elective.
2. Satisfactory attendance at recognised general teaching hospitals throughout the Fifth Medical Year, as directed by the Dean of the School of Medicine.
3. Satisfactory attendance at such special courses of Hospital Practice and Clinical Instruction throughout the Fifth Medical Year as have not been taken during the Fourth Year.
4. Satisfactory carrying out of the duties of Senior Clerkships throughout the Fifth Medical Year. These clerkships will be carried out in the recognised teaching hospitals of UCC Medical School.

Note: Unsatisfactory attendance at any of the above prescribed Clinical Courses will debar a student from admission to the Fifth (Final) University Examination in Medicine.

The Fifth University Examination in Medicine will be held at the end of the Fifth Year (i.e. April) in the modules CP5100, CP5200, CP5300, CP5400. A Final Medical Project must also be completed and presented during the Final Medical Year. A Supplemental Final Medical Examination, if required, will be held in Winter. Candidates rejected or absent in any of the modules of the Final Medical Examination must, before being re-admitted to the Examination, produce satisfactory evidence that they have, during the interval, pursued the study of such modules.

Students failing final year modules amounting to 20 credits or less in the Summer examination will be entitled to repeat the examination(s) in the Winter. The requirements to complete additional clinical attachments as outlined by the school and stated in the modules is essential for eligibility to re-sit the examination. These attachments will be arranged by the school and will not be altered unless in the event of exceptional circumstances arising. In general, students will be requested to join standard school clinical attachments, rather than to undertake specially arranged attachments.

Students failing modules totalling >20 credits will be entitled to re-sit the failed modules no sooner than the following Summer examination period. Such students will be required to repeat the allotted clinical attachments required in each of the failed modules. The module coordinator and school will set the schedule of attachments and this will not be altered unless in the event of exceptional circumstances. Efforts will be made to accommodate students' requests within the framework of the standard school clinical attachments within reason.

Note: Immediately after graduation, medical graduates are strongly urged to join a medical indemnity organisation.

RECOGNISED TEACHING HOSPITALS FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS

Bantry General Hospital, Co. Cork
Bon Secours Hospital, Cork
Bon Secours Hospital, Tralee
Cork University Hospital, Cork
Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork
Mallow General Hospital, Mallow, Co. Cork
Marymount University Hospital and Hospice, Cork
Mercy University Hospital, Cork
South Infirmary - Victoria University Hospital, Cork
South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork
St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital, Cork
St. Stephen's Hospital, Sarsfieldscourt, Cork
The Mater Private Hospital, Cork
University Hospital Kerry, Tralee, Co. Kerry
University Hospital Waterford, Co. Waterford

Programme Learning Outcomes for MB, BCh, BAO Degrees (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Diagnose, explain, and manage health problems in a range of clinical settings using the current scientific principles, knowledge and understanding that underpin medicine whilst demonstrating a sound knowledge of the biological, social and psychological basis of health and disease;
• Communicate effectively and compassionately with patients, carers, colleagues and society in all relevant media necessary to provide high quality, scientific and multidisciplinary patient care;
• Perform a range of clinical skills and procedures safely, reliably, unsupervised and to the standard of a preregistration doctor;
• Identify, evaluate and apply evidence to their practice of medicine whilst demonstrating an understanding of how such knowledge is created, shaped, appraised and shared and avail of all appropriate opportunities to contribute to the evidence base by engaging in valid and ethical research;
• Apply their knowledge of the ethical, regulatory and legal framework within which they operate to their practice of medicine whilst recognising the roles and contribution of other healthcare professionals to the provision of high quality, holistic patient care;
• Provide the highest levels of ethical, rational and humane care to all patients they encounter in clinical and scientific practice whilst managing effectively the resources available to them;
• Apply effectively principles of advocacy and knowledge of health promotion and disease prevention at individual and population level to their practice of medicine;
• Manage their own personal development as responsive and reflective practitioners and demonstrate an ability to contribute effectively to the professional development of others;
• Articulate and exemplify the specific roles, responsibilities and contribution of the doctor in the healthcare team and provide clinical, administrative and intellectual leadership in the quest to deliver excellence as a value and standard in health care.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BMedSc (Ordinary) Degree (NFQ Level 7, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Describe and explain the basic principles of medical science ie anatomy biochemistry physiology at whole body, organ, tissue, cellular and sub-cellular level;
• Diagnose, explain and describe the pathogenesis and natural history of selected common and paradigmatic human diseases;
• Select and interpret specific diagnostic tests used in common medical conditions;
• Describe the major classes of drugs and pharmacological approaches to management of common medical conditions;
• Demonstrate knowledge of principles of health promotion and disease prevention at individual and population level;
• Demonstrate an appreciation of the relevance and significance of behavioural science in the medical sciences;
• Describe the role of the medical practitioner as a health advocate and explain the relevant ethical and legal issues arising from this role;
• Demonstrate an ability to use appropriate strategies for literature searching and the use of library resources;
• Perform an identified set of procedural skills, including first aid and how to behave in a sterile environment.