Galway universities launch new healthcare programmes

Today, October 18, Minister O'Donovan has announced that funding of €130 million unlocked from the National Training Fund will support the growth of key healthcare disciplines nationwide, addressing critical workforce shortages and enhancing healthcare education across the country.

As part of this initiative, following recommendations from the Higher Education Authority (HEA), several universities will establish new programmes in areas of medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry.

The development at University of Galway involves two new degree programmes which will ultimately provide 123 places for students. Dates for the first intake of students to both programmes are to be confirmed.

University of Galway will introduce a Rural and Remote Graduate Entry Medicine Stream, a four-year programme offering an accelerated pathway into Medicine for graduates, allowing them to build on their prior academic achievements to become qualified medical professionals. There will be 48 places on offer.

The programme will also have a focus on preparing students for careers in rural and remote medicine, ensuring that all communities, including those in under-served areas, have access to skilled healthcare professionals.

University of Galway will also introduce a five-year Masters programme with education in pharmacy, combining theoretical learning with practical training. Following confirming of accreditation, it is intended that there will be 45 places for students in the first year of entry and 75 places thereafter.

New pharmacy programmes will also be introduced at Atlantic Technological University (ATU) – which has three campuses in Galway – and South East Technological University, doubling the number of pharmacy training programmes in Ireland. At full roll-out this will provide more than 150 additional pharmacy graduates per year.

As part of the initiative announced today, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) will receive support for a new Bachelor of Dental Surgery; while University of Limerick will launch a direct entry medicine programme.