Wide range of medical courses for small number

College Choice:The following medical courses attract relatively small numbers of applicants who are all expecting to secure very high points. Small changes in the number of first-choice applicants can therefore see points moving up or down by 10 or 15.

Pharmacy

Three colleges offer pharmacy in the Republic: Trinity College, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) and NUI Cork. Applications dropped by 7 per cent last year, which resulted in a drop in points for the 152 places available. The RCSI last year offered 30 places to students scoring 540 points or above in 2006.

Trinity and UCC, which offer 70 and 60 places respectively, had the highest points requirement, offering places only to those applicants holding more than 555 points.

UCD offers pharmacology (DN034), where students study drugs and their effects on living systems. There are 20 places and 450 points were required in 2006 to gain entry. The DIT Athlone and Carlow IT offer certificate programmes in pharmacy technician studies, for those interested in working in pharmacies, at between 230 to 300 points.

Dentistry

Two colleges are offering courses in dentistry, with 62 places on offer. UCC offers (CK702) while Trinity College offers (TR052).

In 2006, 245 applicants listed dentistry as their number one choice, an increase of 5 per cent on 2005. Trinity offered places to those on 560 points and UCC did so at 555. Both universities have dental hospitals attached and students get a chance, under strict supervision, to treat patients. After graduating, students join the Irish Dental Association and work either in a practice or for a health board. Earnings are usually very good. Private practice is generally regarded as providing the best income. There is a wide range of other dentistry-related courses. See qualifax.ie

Optometry

There is only one course in the State which qualifies students as ophthalmic opticians, and that is at DIT. It accepts 25 students each year and the minimum point score of successful applicants in 2006 was 505 points. However, with the numbers graduating being so low, there is at least the chance to earn a decent income. The course prepares students to be optometrists or ophthalmic opticians.

Occupational therapy

There are 95 places on offer, 40 in Trinity, 30 in UCG and 25 in UCC. The points required in 2006 were 510, 505 and 525 respectively.

Speech and language therapy

There are 81 places available: 30 in UCG, 26 in Trinity, and 25 in UCC. The points required in 2006 were 530 in Trinity and UCC, with UCG requiring 520. The University of Limerick offers a Masters of Science in speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

Physiotherapy

There are 141 places available: 56 in UCD, 40 in Trinity, 30 in UL and 15 in RCSI.

In 2006, UCD and RCSI offered places at 540 points, Trinity at 550 and UL topped the points requirement with a high of 585. For students who do not secure the points for level 8 degree programmes, both Sligo and Carlow ITs offer level 6 programmes linked into degree programmes in the UK, which allow students to become fully qualified physiotherapists.

A major controversy arose earlier this year when it emerged that many physiotherapy graduates were unable to gain employment in Ireland, resulting from a lack of career opportunities in our health services.

Radiography

There are 65 places on offer between Trinity and UCD, 25 and 40 respectively. In 2006, both colleges offered places to those with 500 points and above.

Neuroscience

UCD offers Neuroscience (DN036), requiring 465 points in 2006. The programme focuses on the study of nerve cells and how they interact to form the brain and regulate bodily functions and human behaviour.

Biomedical science

Biomedical science is offered in UCG, the DIT, NUI Maynooth and in UCD, where it is titled biomedical, health and life sciences. These degrees will lead students into biomedical and health research, the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, hospital laboratories and sport science, and provide excellent preparation for entry into postgraduate programmes in medicine.

Other courses

DIT offers human nutrition and dietetics (20 places), run jointly with Trinity, and clinical measurement (30 places).

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