Biomedical Science
- Met: Diploma
- Met: Subjects
- Not yet clear: Grades
- Not yet clear: Language
- Not yet clear: Age
- Not yet clear: Other
- Not yet clear: Score
The programme
This four-year BSc starts with a broad science foundation and later focuses on human biology. Students train in laboratories and engage with biomedical research from the beginning of the course.
Bachelor of Science
Fairly sure — Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
Title of Award Bachelor of Science
Other prices, for students in another situation (your profile decides which one you see):
- €2,640 a year Free Fees: EU citizen (including Dutch), resident in the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK for at least 3 of the previous 5 years, starting their first third-level course. Includes €2,500 contribution and €140 levy; no grant needed.
- €7,408 a year EU rate without Free Fees: prior third-level study. Some prior-study exceptions or partial tuition coverage may apply; the university confirms the fee assessment.
- €7,408 a year EU rate through five academic years of EU/EEA/UK/Swiss schooling with parents resident as taxpayers; Free Fees residence requirement is not met.
Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
The student contribution charge is €2,500 … payable by all EU students eligible for the free fee initiative. … The student levy (€140) is payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.
You must also be an Irish / EU national who has lived here for 3 of the last 5 years or You have official Irish Refugee status and have lived in the EU for 3 of the last 5 years.
If you are eligible for free fees but not a grant you pay €2,640 on registration
Students must be a national of an EU Member State, a state which is a contracting state to the EEA Agreement, the Swiss Confederation, United Kingdom
Tuition fees may be paid in respect of the full-time students who have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss State/United Kingdom for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to their third-level course
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are not eligible for free fees for the equivalent period of time spent on the first course of study where the third level course concerned did attract exchequer funding (as above).
You have never been to third level before September 2026 either in Ireland or the EU.
The definition of an EU student for fee purposes: EU nationals … who have been ordinarily resident in an EU member state for at least three of the five years immediately preceding their entry to the third level course. To be eligible for EU fees as an undergraduate student, applicants must apply via CAO.
Eligibility for EU fee rates does NOT confer entitlement to “free fees”.
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CAO undergraduate applicants that hold EU nationality at the time of entry to the course and have completed five academic years of study in the EU / EEA / UK/ Switzerland (whilst parents were resident as tax payers), at either primary or post primary level, they are eligible for the EU rate of fees.
GY303 | Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) … Total EU Fee €7,408 p.a. 2026/27 … EU Tuition €4,768 p.a. 2026/27 … Student Contribution €2,500 p.a. 2026/27 … Levy €140 p.a. 2026/27 … Total Non-EU Fee €27,640 p.a. 2026/27
- €35 once Online CAO application by 20 January 2027 at 17:00 Irish time.
- €50 once Normal online application by 1 February 2027 at 17:00 Irish time.
- €65 once Late application, if permitted, by 1 May 2027 at 17:00 Irish time.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
Early online application (discounted) €35 … 20 January 2027 at 5pm
Early online application (discounted) €35 20 January 2027 at 5pm
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Normal online application €50 … 1 February 2027 at 5pm
Normal online application €50 1 February 2027 at 5pm
Late online application €65 … 1 May 2027 at 5pm
Late online application – restrictions apply €65 1 May 2027 at 5pm
Rank in biology Where University of Galway ranks in world subject rankings. Lower is better. A subject ranking rates the university’s work in a subject across all its faculties, not one department or this programme, so every programme there in the subject shares it. Under each list, what it mostly rests on. The colour shows where the university stands among the other universities on this site, not among all universities in the world: green ahead of most, red behind most. The combined score averages those standings over the lists: 10 is ahead of all of them in every list, 1 behind all. So it compares only the universities on this site, and can change as more are added. Rankings mostly measure research, not teaching.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Sources
topuniversities.com · biological sciences301-350 … University of Galway
timeshighereducation.com · life sciences301–400 … University of Galway
shanghairanking.com301-400 … University of Galway
Where University of Galway ranks in world subject rankings. Lower is better. A subject ranking rates the university’s work in a subject across all its faculties, not one department or this programme, so every programme there in the subject shares it. Under each list, what it mostly rests on. The colour shows where the university stands among the other universities on this site, not among all universities in the world: green ahead of most, red behind most. The combined score averages those standings over the lists: 10 is ahead of all of them in every list, 1 behind all. So it compares only the universities on this site, and can change as more are added. Rankings mostly measure research, not teaching.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Sources
301-350 … University of Galway
301–400 … University of Galway
301-400 … University of Galway
Can you get in?
- School diploma requiredVWO (Dutch pre-university diploma)
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
www2.cao.ieNetherlands … What qualifications are accepted? Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma).
Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO (Gymnasium A/B and Atheneum A/B) diploma)
For you, Met: Your VWO diploma counts. - Required school subjectsNo specific subjects
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Source
universityofgalway.ie · biomedical scienceMinimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four additional subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e., Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint), Computer Science or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.
For you, Met: Nothing to meet. - Minimum subject grades6 different subjects at 6 or higher, at least 2 of them at 8 or higher, including English, Mathematics and laboratory science subject
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
www2.cao.ieNetherlands … Level 8 … 2 H5 required … 6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO.
universityofgalway.ie · biomedical scienceMinimum Grade H5 in two subjects and passes in four additional subjects at O6/H7 level in the Leaving Certificate, including Irish, English, Mathematics, a laboratory science subject (i.e., Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics with Chemistry (joint), Computer Science or Agricultural Science) and any two other subjects recognised for entry purposes.
For you, Not yet clear: Enter your subjects and grades to check. - Minimum overall gradeNone
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
www2.cao.ieThe minimum eligibility criteria follow. … six distinct recognised subjects which must include 3 subjects grade 8 and 3 subjects grade 6 in the VWO.
6 distinct recognised subjects which must include 2 subjects grade 8 and 4 subjects grade 6 in the VWO
- Language level requiredEnglish: VWO engels 8 or higher or an accepted language test
English: at least 8 for engels on your VWO list or IELTS Academic 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 88 or TOEFL iBT (test taken from 21 January 2026) 4.5 or Pearson PTE Academic 63 or Cambridge C1 Advanced 176 or Cambridge C2 Proficiency 176 or LanguageCert Academic 70 or Oxford English Language Level Test 7 or Trinity ISE III or MELAB Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency 85 or City & Guilds International ESOL (IESOL) Diploma
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
www2.cao.ieThe minimum acceptable level of English is 8 in the VWO or equivalent English Language competence.
universityofgalway.ie · entryrequirementsScience/Engineering … 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in any one component.
Recognised English Language Proficiency Tests … CPE 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element … CAE 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element … Pearson PTE Academic 63 overall; no less than 59 in any one component … TOEFL iBT 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22) … 2 years.
For you, Not yet clear: English: enter your grade for engels. - Minimum ageBorn before 16 January 2011 for 2027, going by the 2026 rule (born before 16 January 2010)
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
universityofgalway.ie · faqsStudents must normally have attained the age of seventeen years by 15 January following entry: e.g. for entry in 2026, date of birth must be on or before 15 January 2010.
For you, Not yet clear: Enter your birth year to check. - Extra stepsNone
Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
www2.cao.ieAfter the points have been calculated, applicants are placed on a list in order of merit for each course for which they are eligible.
- Other requirementsIrish is part of University of Galway matriculation unless an exemption applies. Applicants born outside the Republic of Ireland do not require Irish.
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
universityofgalway.ie · entry requirementsIrish is a requirement for matriculation in University of Galway. However, the following applicants can be exempt … Candidates born outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties).
universityofgalway.ie · indexIf you were born outside the Republic of Ireland, you do not require Irish as a subject for entry to University of Galway.
universityofgalway.ie · entryrequirementsScience/Engineering … IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in any one component.
Recognised English Language Proficiency Tests … Validity period … 2 years.
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TOEFL iBT (including home edition) … 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22).
Pearson PTE Academic … 63 overall; no less than 59 in any one component.
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in any one component … TOEFL iBT 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22) … Pearson PTE Academic 63 overall; no less than 59 in any one component … Validity period … 2 years.
CPE 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element … CAE 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element of the test.
universityofgalway.ie · biomedical scienceStudents must satisfy the Garda/Police vetting requirements.
universityofgalway.ie · garda vettingUniversity of Galway will require students on the following programmes to be Garda Vetted before they fully complete their registration as a student of the University.
Students who have accepted an offer of a place on a programme requiring Garda vetting will be sent an email invitation by the University of Galway Admissions Office.
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All applicants for Garda Vetting have to come into University of Galway’s Student Registry Help Desk with their Photo ID, NVB1 form and Proof of Address.
If you have resided for six months or more … in any country outside of Ireland/Northern Ireland from age 18 upwards, you must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from that country.
For you, Met: Not required for you: you were born and permanently live outside Ireland. - English tests must meet all score, section and validity rules. Not required with VWO English 8 or higher.
When English is proved by a test, IELTS Academic requires 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each component; TOEFL iBT requires 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22) before 21 January 2026 or 4.5 overall (L4, R4, S4, W4.5) from that date; PTE Academic requires 63 overall and 59 in each component; Cambridge C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency require 176 overall and 169 in each element; LanguageCert Academic requires 70 overall and 65 in each component; Oxford English Language Test requires 7 overall and 6 in each component; Trinity ISE III requires a pass in every component; Michigan MELAB requires 85 including a speaking result of at least 3; and City & Guilds IESOL requires passes at C1 or C2 in listening, reading and writing and a separate speaking pass. Results must be from a single sitting and less than two years old. VWO English grade 8 meets the requirement without a test.
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
universityofgalway.ie · entry requirementsIrish is a requirement for matriculation in University of Galway. However, the following applicants can be exempt … Candidates born outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties).
universityofgalway.ie · indexIf you were born outside the Republic of Ireland, you do not require Irish as a subject for entry to University of Galway.
universityofgalway.ie · entryrequirementsScience/Engineering … IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in any one component.
Recognised English Language Proficiency Tests … Validity period … 2 years.
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TOEFL iBT (including home edition) … 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22).
Pearson PTE Academic … 63 overall; no less than 59 in any one component.
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in any one component … TOEFL iBT 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22) … Pearson PTE Academic 63 overall; no less than 59 in any one component … Validity period … 2 years.
CPE 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element … CAE 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element of the test.
universityofgalway.ie · biomedical scienceStudents must satisfy the Garda/Police vetting requirements.
universityofgalway.ie · garda vettingUniversity of Galway will require students on the following programmes to be Garda Vetted before they fully complete their registration as a student of the University.
Students who have accepted an offer of a place on a programme requiring Garda vetting will be sent an email invitation by the University of Galway Admissions Office.
2 more from this page
All applicants for Garda Vetting have to come into University of Galway’s Student Registry Help Desk with their Photo ID, NVB1 form and Proof of Address.
If you have resided for six months or more … in any country outside of Ireland/Northern Ireland from age 18 upwards, you must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from that country.
For you, Not yet clear: Check this yourself. - After accepting a place, satisfy Garda/Police vetting before fully completing registration.
How it works: The Admissions Office emails an invitation. Complete the NVB1 form and bring it with photo ID and proof of address to the Student Registry Help Desk. If you have lived for six months or more in a country outside Ireland or Northern Ireland since age 18, obtain a police clearance certificate from each such country; contact its embassy if you need instructions.
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
universityofgalway.ie · entry requirementsIrish is a requirement for matriculation in University of Galway. However, the following applicants can be exempt … Candidates born outside the Republic of Ireland (26 counties).
universityofgalway.ie · indexIf you were born outside the Republic of Ireland, you do not require Irish as a subject for entry to University of Galway.
universityofgalway.ie · entryrequirementsScience/Engineering … IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in any one component.
Recognised English Language Proficiency Tests … Validity period … 2 years.
4 more from this page
TOEFL iBT (including home edition) … 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22).
Pearson PTE Academic … 63 overall; no less than 59 in any one component.
IELTS 6.5 overall, no less than 6.0 in any one component … TOEFL iBT 88 overall (L18, R18, S21, W22) … Pearson PTE Academic 63 overall; no less than 59 in any one component … Validity period … 2 years.
CPE 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element … CAE 176 overall with not less than 169 in each element of the test.
universityofgalway.ie · biomedical scienceStudents must satisfy the Garda/Police vetting requirements.
universityofgalway.ie · garda vettingUniversity of Galway will require students on the following programmes to be Garda Vetted before they fully complete their registration as a student of the University.
Students who have accepted an offer of a place on a programme requiring Garda vetting will be sent an email invitation by the University of Galway Admissions Office.
2 more from this page
All applicants for Garda Vetting have to come into University of Galway’s Student Registry Help Desk with their Photo ID, NVB1 form and Proof of Address.
If you have resided for six months or more … in any country outside of Ireland/Northern Ireland from age 18 upwards, you must obtain a Police Clearance Certificate from that country.
For you, To do: Do this after you accept a place; it is not part of selection. - Score needed to get in544 CAO points or more: the 2026 cut-off, which changes every year
Applicants are ranked by CAO points; the highest get the places. The cut-off is the lowest score that got a place, so it moves with each year's applicants.
How the score is worked out: Average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting: 10 → 600, 9 → 595, 8 → 541, 7 → 374, 6 → 250, 5 → 200.
+25 for wiskunde B or wiskunde D at 6 or higher, if it is one of the subjects counted.
Two versions of one subject, such as wiskunde B and D, count once, at their average.
Grades are rounded to whole numbers first, as on the diploma.
The university gives only these rows and does not say how averages between them convert, so a score between two rows is a range.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Sources
www2.cao.iePoints Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses … GY303 Biomedical Science 544
www2.cao.ieThe indicative equivalence will be calculated, based on the average of the best 6 distinct recognised subjects taken in a single sitting as follows:
Average Mark IPS 10 600 9 595 8 541 7 374 6 250 5 200
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Bonus points of 25 will be awarded for grade 6 or better in Advanced level Mathematics (i.e., B or D) where mathematics is one of the subjects counted for points.
If two versions of the same subject are presented, the average score will be included in the calculation.
NB Sample grades only. The steps between points shown are not necessarily even as they are based on statistical comparisons.
For you, Not yet clear: Needs grades for at least 6 different subjects; you have entered 0.
Applying
Where you apply
Through CAO, with course code GY303.
- Upload a certified copy of the final school-leaving results to the CAO; include the original qualification and a certified English translation if the document is not in English or Irish.
Dates
- 20 Jan 2027Discounted CAO application deadline. in 3 months
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ieEarly online application (discounted) … 20 January 2027 at 5pm
Early online application (discounted) €35 20 January 2027 at 5pm
- 1 Feb 2027Normal CAO application deadline. in 4 months
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ieNormal closing date for applications (€50 fee) is 1 February at 5pm
Normal online application €50 1 February 2027 at 5pm
- 1 May 2027Late CAO application deadline, where permitted. in 7 months
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ieThe closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2027, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of this handbook.
Late online application – restrictions apply €65 1 May 2027 at 5pm
- 1 Jul 2027CAO Change of Mind closes. in 9 months
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ieChange of Mind Closes on 1 July at 5pm
Change of Mind – restrictions apply (see page 3) Nil 1 July 2027 at 5pm
More about the programme
How places are given
- Cap on places (numerus fixus)Limited; the number is not published
Fairly sure — The university does not say this in so many words, but it follows from its pages. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Sources
universityofgalway.ie · biomedical scienceAverage Intake 65
universityofgalway.ie · leavingcertAdmission to first year full-time Undergraduate Degree Courses is competitive and based on the Leaving Certificate points system or a system of equivalent standing.
www2.cao.ieApplicants are placed on a list in order of merit for each course for which they are eligible.
- How applicants are pickedRanked by school grades; the highest get the places
Eligible CAO applicants are ranked by points converted from their school-leaving results; offers are made in merit order, with random selection for ties at the last place.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information for 2027.
Source
www2.cao.ieAfter the points have been calculated, applicants are placed on a list in order of merit for each course for which they are eligible.
If there are five applicants with an identical points score competing for one remaining place, random number selection applies and the place will be offered to the applicant with the highest random number.
- Past admission numbersIn 2026 the lowest score that got in was 544 (CAO Round 1).
Fairly sure — This is the 2026 information. The 2027 details are not out yet and may change. Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
www2.cao.iePoints Required for Entry to 2026 Level 8 Courses … GY303 Biomedical Science 544
Once you have started
- First-year minimum to continuePass all 60 credits in the first year; if you do not, you can resit or repeat the year
Every course is worth a number of credits, which you earn by passing it; a full year is 60.
In the university’s words: A full-time student must complete the 60 ECTS stage before progressing. Modules at 35–39% can be passed by compensation when they total no more than 15 ECTS and the aggregate stage mark is at least 40%; below the pass/compensation conditions, failed modules must be repeated. Science and Engineering students have two years to complete each year’s examinations; after that they cannot proceed further.
Sure — Stated in the university’s official information.
Sources
universityofgalway.ieFor completion of a Stage (or Programme Year), fulltime students will be required to successfully complete the relevant aggregate credit standard, 60 ECTS.
Students must successfully complete each stage before progressing to a subsequent one.
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The pass standard for a Module is 40%. However a student with marks of less than 40% in one or more modules will be deemed to have passed the Stage provided … the module(s) with marks in the range 35-39% total 15 ECTS or less.
universityofgalway.ieA time limit of two years applies to the successful completion of examinations in each year of a programme.
Students failing to complete examinations within the specified periods will be ineligible to proceed further towards their degree in this University.
After you graduate
- Where graduates goGraduates are prepared for biomedical research careers in academic or industry settings in Ireland and overseas.What University of Galway says its graduates go on to do; not measured.
Fairly sure — Worth a look at the source before you rely on it.
Source
universityofgalway.ie · biomedical scienceOur BSc Biomedical Science degree will prepare students for exciting careers as researchers in academic or industry settings in Ireland or overseas.
- Where graduates went (measured)
Sure — Not in these rankings.
Pages checked