MEDICINE School of Medicine A Tradition of Independent Thinking Contents 2 Welcome

10 Reasons to choose UCC for 3 Medicine 4 Studying Medicine at UCC 6 Curriculum 8 Teaching and Learning 10 Teaching Hospitals 12 Research - Structured and Supported 14 UCC Student Experience 16 International Students 17 Meet Our Students Welcome

The School of Medicine at University College was founded in 1849 and has a long tradition of teaching, research and scholarship. We provide doctors of the future with a world class, student-centred and evidence-based medical education, informed by societal needs. Our graduates are recognised internationally as excellent clinicians and critical thinkers with an enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

The medical curriculum at UCC emphasises the integration of life sciences and clinical practice from the outset. Students have early clinical exposure and patient care is at the centre of the learning experience. Developing students’ research skills is an integral part of the programme and our students have the opportunity of working with world-class researchers in areas such as food and health, cancer, maternal and child health, elderly medicine, cystic fibrosis and public health. Professor Mary Horgan, MD, FRCP. Dean, School of Medicine, UCC. Students come from all over the world to study Medicine at UCC, and bring a rich diversity to the student experience. We are proud of our reputation for excellence in medical training and in medical research and we look forward to welcoming you to our .

2 | BACK TO CONTENTS 10 Reasons to choose UCC for Medicine

1 2 3 4 5 Long established Ranked in the top Strong emphasis Superb facilities Early patient Medical School 2% of universities on Research including Ireland’s contact with an excellent worldwide most advanced international Anatomy laboratory reputation

6 7 8 9 10 Excellent student High standard Top-class clinical Excellent sports and Close-knit student mentoring and student teaching in our large exercise facilities community support services accommodation network of teaching and a large range of leading to life-long a short walk from hospitals clubs and societies friendships campus

BACK TO CONTENTS | 3 Studying Medicine at UCC

Since 1849, the School of Medicine The student experience at UCC at has is unrivalled – a beautiful campus taught the art and science of where old buildings blend Medicine to students from all seamlessly with new; amazing over the world. With its excellent sports facilities; a wide range of reputation for clinical teaching clubs and societies and a close- and medical research, the knit student community. Medicine Programme at UCC is internationally recognised as a The 5 year degree programme is first-choice University for studying available to Irish and International Medicine. students and students graduate with an MB BCh BAO Degree Students at UCC have early clinical (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of experience in both hospital and Surgery, and Bachelor in the Art of community settings. Our state-of- Obstetrics). the-art modern facilities combined with our large network of teaching hospitals provide our students with a world-class medical education.

4 | BACK TO CONTENTS Key Features • Integrated systems-based programme • Early patient contact and clinical teaching • Emphasis on professionalism and teamwork • Clinical electives in a large range of specialities • Long history in international student admissions • Personal mentoring by senior faculty

BACK TO CONTENTS | 5 Curriculum

INTEGRATED, SYSTEMS- The curriculum is divided into four streams: BASED, RESPONSIVE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE The medical curriculum at UCC reflects best practice in medical CLINICAL SCIENCE AND PRACTICE education and is under constant review. From the beginning of their PERSON, CULTURE AND SOCIETY medical education, students learn clinical skills and professionalism RESEARCH AND STUDENT-SELECTED ELECTIVES alongside basic medical sciences so that knowledge is acquired in The curriculum is horizontally an integrated, patient-centred and vertically integrated. The and holistic way. The curriculum is integrated curriculum means that further enhanced by a wide range students learn life sciences and of elective modules ranging from clinical practice together. library projects to the Humanities. In the last two years of the Research is a key element of UCC programme, students spend medical education, and all students most of their time in our teaching receive structured teaching in hospitals and Family Practices, research methodologies and where teaching is mainly bedside complete a research project in the teaching in small groups. Students final two years of the programme. also have the opportunity to do clinical electives in top medical institutions around the world.

6 | BACK TO CONTENTS Curriculum at a Glance

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5

Foundations of Medical Foundations of Medical Pathology Clinical Practice and the Principles and Practice of Science (Anatomy, Science Pharmacology Fundamentals of Adult Surgery Physiology, Biochemistry) Disease Clinical Science and Practice Medical Ethics Principles and Practice of Clinical Science and Practice (including Family Practice Psychiatry and Behavioural Internal Medicine and General attachment) Public Health and Medicine Practice Professional Development Epidemiology Professional Development Reproduction, Pregnancy, Principles and Practice of Behavioural Science and Clinical placements Communication Skills Behavioural Science and Child Health and Paediatrics and Child Health Professional Development Development Epidemiology and Public Communication Skills Principles and Practice of Health Epidemiology and Public Procedural skills Forensic Medicine Obstetrics and Gynaecology Student-selected module Health Research and Research and Professionalism Student-selected module Professionalism in Medicine in Medicine (Final Year Clinical Electives Project)

BACK TO CONTENTS | 7 Teaching and Learning

STUDENT-CENTRED, PATIENT- TEACHING ENVIRONMENT FOCUSED, SYSTEMS-BASED Most of the early teaching takes The emphasis in UCC is on place in Brookfield Health individual and personalised tuition Sciences Complex (BHSC), a with small group teaching for modern, purpose-built healthcare clinical skills. Patient contact teaching facility with state-of- begins in the second year of the the-art lecture theatres, seminar programme, leading on to fulltime and tutorial rooms and clinical clinical placements in Year 3. Our skills teaching rooms. The Clinical clinical teachers are all highly Skills unit has an advanced Human experienced clinicians, passionate Patient Simulator and simulated about medical education and hospital wards for clinical skills and eager to help students reach their Patient Safety training. BHSC also full potential. Central to this is a has an excellent medical library. research-active Medical Education The science laboratories (including Unit where faculty engage in a the renowned FLAME Anatomy wide variety of Medical Education lab) are located in the adjacent research projects. Western Gateway Building (linked to BHSC by a footbridge over the ). BHSC is also home to ASSERT, an advanced medical simulation research centre.

8 | BACK TO CONTENTS Teaching methods at UCC reflect best practice in medical education and are continuously reviewed.

BACK TO CONTENTS | 9 Teaching Hospitals

UCC has a large network of affiliated teaching hospitals with dedicated teaching staff and coordinators. Most of our hospitals are located a short distance from the School of Medicine. The hospital network encompasses all specialities and students experience a wide range of teaching. Many of our hospital consultants lead large international clinical research projects. The hospitals have strong Speciality Training Programmes/Residency Programmes under the auspices of the National Postgraduate Training Colleges (Royal College of Physicians of Ireland and Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland).

CORK UNIVERSITY SOUTH INFIRMARY- BON SECOURS HOSPITAL HOSPITAL VICTORIA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL The Bon Secours Health System Cork University Hospital has two large hospitals in Cork (incorporating the Cork The first School of Medicine and Kerry providing a wide University Maternity Hospital) in Cork was established at range of medical services. is an 820 bed tertiary referral the South Infirmary hospital The Bon Secours Hospital in hospital. All of the major in 1811. The South Infirmary- Cork has 343 beds, and caters specialties are practised here Victoria University Hospital (192 for up 18,000 admissions per and the hospital accommodates MERCY UNIVERSITY beds) is the third largest acute year. The hospital has a Rapid KERRY GENERAL HOSPITAL the majority of student core HOSPITAL hospital in the Cork area. The Access Chest Pain Clinic, Rapid clinical placements. It is the only hospital is the Regional Centre Access Prostate Clinic, Breast Kerry General Hospital is a Level I Trauma Centre in Ireland. Mercy University Hospital was for Gynaecological Oncology Care Clinic and a Bariatric large acute hospital situated established in 1857 and has services and for ENT and Surgery Unit. in Tralee, Co. Kerry providing a long tradition in medical Dermatology services. acute healthcare to the people education. Located in the busy of Kerry, North Cork and West centre of Cork city, this 340 bed Limerick. It has 300 inpatient hospital offers a wide range of beds and provides the following specialty services. services: Surgery, Medicine, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Cancer Care, Palliative Care and Renal Medicine including a Dialysis Service.

10 | BACK TO CONTENTS ST. FINBARR’S HOSPITAL MALLOW GENERAL MARYMOUNT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL HOSPITAL AND HOSPICE St Finbarr’s Hospital (237 Bantry General Hospital (104 beds) is an important centre beds) provides acute general (76 Marymount University Hospice for Gerontology. The hospital hospital services to the large beds) provides second level (opened 2011) is the designated provides a high-dependency geographical area of West Cork. care for Mallow and North specialist palliative care centre residential facility, respite care, The hospital also has a Stroke Cork and has close links with for Cork city and county. The Day hospital, dementia care Unit, Accident and Emergency tertiary care centres in Cork hospital provides an integrated and palliative care. The Munster Medicine Department, Local City. Services include General palliative care service for Regional Blood Transfusion Injury Unit, Medical Assessment Surgery (including ENT), the region’s acute hospitals. Centre and a Colposcopy Clinic Unit, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, General Medicine, Radiology, The hospice has a 44 bed are also located here. Parkinson’s Disease Clinic and Intensive Care/Coronary Care inpatient unit, a Day Hospice, Endoscopy Clinics. and an Urgent Care Centre Out-patient Department and (Local Injury Unit and Medical a community-based palliative Assessment Unit). care programme.

UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WATERFORD

University Hospital Waterford (505 beds) offers a wide range of medical services including an Emergency Department, Neo- Natal Unit, invasive Cardiology procedures, Nephrology and Dialysis, Oncology, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, ENT and Psychiatry. The hospital is a designated National Cancer Control Centre, a Regional Trauma Centre and the hub for the South-East Renal Service.

BACK TO CONTENTS | 11 Research – Structured and Supported

STUDENT RESEARCH

A culture of research is fostered among our students from the start of their medical training. All students receive structured teaching in research methodologies and are offered a variety of research-based student selected modules. Students complete a research project during their final two years, many of these in association with clinical and translational principal investigators, research groups and research institutes at UCC. UCC medical students are frequent recipients of undergraduate research scholarships (Health Research Board, Science Foundation Ireland). Increasingly, students present their research at national and international meetings and publish their work in peer-reviewed journals.

12 | BACK TO CONTENTS IRELAND’S LEADING RESEARCH INSTITUTION

UCC is Ireland’s premier research institution, attracting the highest peer-reviewed research income per head nationally.

5 Key Research Themes FOOD AND HEALTH - ALIMENTARY PHARMABIOTIC CENTRE (APC) WOMEN AND CHILDREN’S HEALTH - INFANT PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH CANCER RESEARCH - CORK CANCER RESEARCH CENTRE SIMULATION AND TECHNOLOGY-ENHANCED LEARNING - ASSERT

BACK TO CONTENTS | 13 The UCC Student Experience

A number of factors combine to make the student experience at UCC an enjoyable and memorable one, where students form life-long friendships and develop new skills and talents.

ABOUT IRELAND STUDENT ACCOMMODATION

Ireland has a young population, UCC has a large range of high- with almost 40% of the population quality, safe and secure student under the age of 25. The country’s accommodation within a short vibrant and cosmopolitan cities walk of campus. UCC also provides are surrounded by beautiful an Alcohol-Free Housing Initiative. countryside full of rugged mountains, rivers and lakes. In 2010, Ireland was listed ‘the World’s Friendliest Country’ in the Lonely Planet Guide.

ABOUT CORK CITY ABOUT UCC

Cork is Ireland’s second largest The UCC campus is one of the city (population 300,000) and most beautiful in Europe - an is a cosmopolitan, modern city idyllic garden campus on the with a vibrant café, restaurant banks of the river Lee, within and nightlife culture. In 2005, walking distance of a historic city Cork was the European Capital steeped in culture and tradition. of Culture, and in 2010 was Old limestone buildings blend nominated as one of the top 10 seamlessly with stunning modern World Cities by the Lonely Planet architecture against a backdrop of Guide. Cork’s international airport mature trees and riverside walks. is only 6 km from UCC and the city has well-developed rail and bus connections. 14 | BACK TO CONTENTS SPORT AND LEISURE THE GREAT OUTDOORS

UCC has outstanding sports Cork is gate-way to some of facilities, including a 25 metre Ireland’s most scenic locations. swimming pool, 72 acres of CLUBS AND SOCIETIES Hike and cycle in our mountains, playing fields, athletic tracks, forests and glens; sail and surf and a superb indoor Sports around Ireland’s spectacular UCC has an extensive network Centre ( Arena). UCC coasts. of clubs and societies ranging has over 50 sports clubs ranging from sports to music and theatre. from traditional team sports to CULTURE MedSoc and SurgSoc organise a adventure sports. Cork city is also busy social calender for medical an ideal city in which to run or students. The Surgeon Noonan Cork has a rich tradition of culture cycle. Society organises student summer – architecture, theatre, music, art, electives to Africa (students literature and poetry and hosts the bring medical supplies and world-famous jazz, choral, film and financial aid to rural communities). folk festivals. Medical students at UCC are also actively involved in Médicins Sans Frontières and a number of outreach programmes (annual Teddy Bear Hospital, Prep-for-Med School).

• Nominated by Lonely Planet as one of top 10 World Cities • European Capital of Culture 2005

BACK TO CONTENTS | 15 International Students

Ireland has always attracted a large number of International students due to its excellent educational system and world-renowned universities. A strong academic reputation, along with a rich cultural heritage and friendly population, have made Ireland a number one choice for International students.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT MENTORING AND PEER- SUPPORT AT UCC EDUCATION OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES There are a large number of UCC has a long history The International Education International students at the International students studying of International student Office is a “one-stop shop” School of Medicine are each Medicine at UCC. The School admissions. Today, almost for International students assigned an individual mentor provides a strong peer-support 3,000 International students and provides information (senior faculty) who meets the and social network which helps from over 100 countries attend on all aspects of studying students at regular intervals and new students settle in and UCC. The University does in UCC - programmes of is always available to advise and supports academic progression. everything possible to make the study, course application, support. The Support Officer transition to Ireland a positive entry requirements, visa and for International Students is one including organising a immigration procedures, and available to advise on practical Welcome Programme and a help with registration and aspects of student life such as variety of social events. accommodation. accommodation.

16 | BACK TO CONTENTS Meet Our Students

Wanyi Kee, Singapore Jiashan Wang, Canada Ming Tow Chan, Singapore Denis Hopkinson, United States I was drawn to the medical programme in During my time at UCC, I had the Studying in UCC has been life changing. Studying Medicine at University College UCC by its strong emphasis on research opportunity to gain clinical experience The campus is a short distance to Cork Cork as a North American makes me feel and clinical skills. With a personal interest in various hospitals both in the city and city centre and student accommodation confident about my career in Medicine. in research in oncology and the desire in the surrounding towns. The doctors is just a short walk away. The Irish are I attribute much of this confidence to the to serve my patients well, UCC was the I’ve met have been very knowledgeable renowned for their friendliness and I excellent academic and clinical teaching perfect choice for me. Cork is also a and enthusiastic about teaching. I also have found them to be extremely warm at UCC. In the first two years, we are beautiful city and the local community had the opportunity to play for the and welcoming, making it very easy given a solid foundation in science welcomes international students with university volleyball team, which kept me for me to settle in. The medical faculty and unparalleled clinical skills teaching open arms so I am thoroughly enjoying in touch with life outside Medicine – very (professors and lecturers) have been begins in the first semester. The clinical my time here. I feel that UCC will develop important for medical students! I found really impressive, and actively engage years are characterised by caring for an me into a confident and competent Cork to be a beautiful city full of friendly students and promote class participation. endless array of patients at numerous clinician who is able to excel in the people, and I thoroughly enjoyed my four They are always willing to assist with hospitals in Cork and throughout medical field on an international level. years here. any problems or queries and this really southern Ireland, with frequent tutorials improves the quality of learning and provided by inspiring house officers and understanding. Being in UCC also gives consultants. Finally, the medical school you the opportunity to explore new faculty and staff are eager to listen to places and is definitely a wonderful and our concerns and provide great support life-changing experience. throughout our time here at UCC.

BACK TO CONTENTS | 17 School of Medicine

North American Candidates Singaporean Candidates

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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK

School of Medicine International Education Office University College Cork University College Cork Brookfield Health Sciences Complex Rosleigh College Road Western Road Cork Cork T: +353 (0)21 4901575 T: +353 (0)21 4904728 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] W: www.ucc.ie/en/medical/ W: www.ucc.ie/en/international/ Design: www.kunnertandtierney.com in association with Dr. Bridget Maher, UCC