MSc Clinical Research

at National University of Ireland Galway

Full-time MSc (Clinical Research)

Full-time or part-time course consisting of 90 ECTS.
 

Compulsory Modules (Core):
 

Semester 1

• MD510 Fundamentals of Health Research and Evaluation Methods; 10ECTS
• MD511 Introduction to Biostatistics I; 10ECTS
• MD1602 Introduction to the Ethical and Regulatory Frameworks of Clinical Research; 10ECTS
   

Additional Modules (Optional):
 

Semester 1 and 2

• MD513 Introduction to Biostatistics II; 10ECTS
• MD514 Introduction to Research Methods for Randomized Controlled Trials; 10ECTS
• MD515 Systematic Review Methods; 10ECTS
• MD516 Translational Medicine; 10ECTS
• MD517 Clinical Research Administration; 10ECTS
• EC584 Health Systems and Policy Analysis; 10ECTS
• EC572 Health Technology Assessment; 10ECTS
• MD518 Observational and Analytical Research Methods; 10ECTS
• MD1600 Bio-Ethics; 10ECTS
• MD1601 Biobank—Advanced Clinical Application and Clinical Testing; 10ECTS
• MD1528 First in Human, Early Phase Clinical Trials; 10ECTS
   

PLUS

MD520 Thesis (30 ECTS), completed over the one-year period. Thesis defence will be completed at NUI Galway.
 

Curriculum Information

Year 1 (90 Credits)

• Optional EC584: Economic Evaluation in Health Care - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional EC573: Health Technology Assessment - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional MD1600: Bio-Ethics - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional MD1528: First in Human, Early Phase Clinical Trials - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required MD1602: Introduction to the Ethical and Regulatory Frameworks of Clinical Research - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required MD520: THESIS - 30 Credits - Semester 1
• Required MD511: Introduction to Biostatistics I - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Required MD510: Fundamentals of Health Research & Evaluation Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 1
• Optional EC572: Health Systems & Policy Analysis - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional REM502: Translational Medicine - 5 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional MD513: Introduction to Biostatistics II - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional MD514: Introduction to Research Methods for Randomized Controlled Trials - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional MD515: Systematic Review Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional MD516: Translational Medicine - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional MD517: Clinical Research Administration - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional MD518: Observational Studies & Analytical Research Methods - 10 Credits - Semester 2
• Optional MD1601: Biobank– Advanced Clinical Application and Clinical Testing - 10 Credits - Semester 2

Students must have completed either of the following: 

1. An undergraduate degree in medicine
2. Other healthcare related undergraduate degree with a minimum of 2nd Class Honours, Grade 1*.
3. Biomedical science-related undergraduate degree with a minimum of 2nd Class Honours, Grade 1*. 
    

Applicants from non-healthcare related degrees will be considered (minimum requirement of 2nd Class Honours, Grade 1*)  on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the coordinators. 
 

Applicants with significant relevant experience will also be considered for this programme. 
 

For applicants where English is a second language, we will adhere to NUI Galway guidelines of requiring IELTS scores of 6.5, TOEFL scores of 88 and/or Pearson PTE scores of 61 with no less than 5.5 in any component. Duolingo test score requirement: 110 overall, no less than 110 in any one component and valid for 2 years.
 

Those who do not meet the primary entry criteria as described above will be declined entry into the programme.  The remaining applicants will be reviewed in closer detail. 
 

Significant weight will be placed on:

A) the applicant’s essay describing their motivation for applying for this course and their career aspirations following the successful completion of the MSc,
B) the applicant’s referee’s comments, and
C) the applicant’s previous academic performance. 

Fees: EU
€7,880 p.a. 2022/23

Fees: Tuition
€7,740 p.a. 2022/23

Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2022/23

Fees: Non EU
€15,520 p.a. 2022/23

EU part time fee 1MCR2: €4,780 (tuition €4,640 + student levy €140) p.a. 2022/23.

Career Opportunities

Clinical Research graduates are expected to progress to become principal investigators or key team members involved in the conduct, management and monitoring of clinical research. Such roles have become a prominent source of jobs in a variety of settings, including universities and colleges, the pharmaceutical industry, non-academic clinical research organisations, hospitals, independent funding agencies and government agencies. Additional opportunities include employment in teaching and consultation settings.

What makes this course unique

• The MSc programme provides training for qualified individuals who wish to become independent clinical investigators or an array of clinical research professionals who wish to seek employment in or to lead clinical research teams. The programme is structured such that those in full-time employment are able to undertake the programme part-time.
• The programme content is delivered by experience and active senior researchers, academics and medical professionals from NUI Galway and Saolta University Health Care Group via a mixture of face-to-face and online learning.
• MSc programme graduates have multiple employment opportunities as the conduct and oversight of clinical research has become increasingly prominent in a variety of settings, including university/colleges, pharmaceutical industry, non-academic clinical research organizations, hospitals, independent funding agencies and government agencies. Additional opportunities include employment in teaching and consultation.