A Career in Medical Science
Medical scientists work in healthcare, usually in hospital pathology laboratories, and are involved in the analysis of patient samples in order to detect disease and to monitor the effectiveness of any treatment prescribed by clinicians (doctors). It has been estimated that 70% of diagnoses by clinicians are made as a result of tests carried out by laboratory services.
There are well over 2000 Medical Scientists employed in the Republic of Ireland, working in diverse settings such as Public and Private Hospital Laboratories, Public Health Laboratories, Private Pathology Laboratories, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and national reference laboratories such as the National Virus Reference Laboratory in UCD. Employment in the pharmaceutical industry and veterinary laboratories is also possible.
Medical Laboratory Science a is continually changing and dynamic profession and offers a fantastic variety of exciting career opportunities including specialised laboratory work, research and development, continuing career education, and laboratory management. The work is a fast-changing, dynamic complex science requiring accuracy, teamwork, efficiency and meticulous attention to detail.
Specialist areas in Medical Science:
Medical laboratory science is divided into what are known as specialist disciplines or subjects and the following are examples of the type of work undertaken on a daily basis:
Medical Microbiology: This is the study of micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi and parasites which cause diseases including meningitis, tuberculosis and food poisoning.
Clinical Chemistry: Blood and other biological materials are analysed to assist in the diagnosis of disorders such as diabetes, raised cholesterol and abnormalities in kidney and liver function. It also looks at diseases of the endocrine glands such as the thyroid or pancreas.
Transfusion Science: This discipline identifies blood groups for donations and ensures that the correct blood group is matched to the patient who is to receive the transfusion.
Many treatments such surgical procedures or cancer therapy also require the use of blood or blood products to ensure best outcomes for the patient.
Haematology: Haematology is the study of blood cells and the ability of blood to clot correctly. It looks at the development, function and diseases of blood such as anaemia, leukaemia and also checks Warfarin therapy.
Cellular Pathology (Histopathology): In Histology, tissue specimens are examined under the microscope in order to establish the cause of illness or disease. Specimens may be collected during surgery or at post-mortem. Cancers are often diagnosed by looking for abnormal features in tissue cells.
Virology: Is the study of viruses and the disease caused by them such as German measles, mumps or chickenpox.
Immunology: Medical scientists working in Immunology deal with disorders of the body’s immune system and its role in infectious diseases, allergies and in testing for good matches in kidney or liver organ transplants.
Molecular Pathology: Some of the newer areas of Medical Science include the study of genetics and searching for the genes responsible for causing illness and diseases. This area is called molecular biology/genetics and is an extremely powerful tool for searching for absent or damaged genetic material.
How do I become a Medical Scientist?
The profession of medical scientist is regulated by CORU, the Health and Social Care Professionals' Council since 31st March 2021. Section 38 applicants (all applicants since 31st March 2021) must be registered with CORU to practice. Section 91 applicants, who were practicing in the profession for the required time before 31st March 2021 and applied to CORU before that date, are required to have proof of having applied to register prior to 31st March 2021. Please refer to the CORU website for up-to-date information on CORU registration requirements.
CORU is also the authority that accredits courses for eligibility to practice as a medical scientist.
The Irish qualifications approved by the CORU Medical Scientists Registration Board as attesting to the standard of proficiency required for registration as a Medical Scientist can be found on the CORU website https://coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/education/approved-qualifications/medical-scientists/
International applicants for CORU registration should refer to the CORU website for details.
https://coru.ie/health-and-social-care-professionals/registration/international-applicants/
Undergraduate entry to current Irish Medical Science courses is through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The three Irish universities that offer CORU-accredited honours degree courses with clinical placement are Technological University Dublin (TUD), Munster Technological University (MTU) and Atlantic Technological University (ATU). Details can be found on the CAO website at www.cao.ie or on the university websites. A good Leaving Certificate is required and the entry points can be high. One or more science subjects are usually required for entry into Biomedical Sciences Degree courses.
Postgraduate courses recognised by CORU are delivered by TUD and ATU. Details of entry requirements are available on the university websites:
https://www.tudublin.ie/study/postgraduate/courses/higher-diploma-in-medical-science-full-time/
https://www.atu.ie/courses/higher-diploma-in-science-medical-science
HSE Sponsored Postgraduate Entry Programme: In 2026, the HSE launched a five-year programme aimed at addressing persistent staffing shortages in Ireland’s diagnostic laboratory services, while simultaneously upskilling existing healthcare workers through a structured, part‑time education pathway.
The sponsorship programme specifically targets medical laboratory aides who already work within the public health service and hold a Level 8 degree in a relevant science discipline. It provides a graduate‑entry route to becoming a CORU‑registered Medical Scientist. Participants remain in paid employment throughout their studies, allowing the health service to build future capability without removing experienced staff from frontline laboratory environments. Sponsored individuals will undertake either the two-year Higher Diploma in Medical Science programme in ATU or the three-year Higher Diploma in Medical Science programme in TUD and will commit to working in the public health service as a medical scientist for three years post-qualification.
Applications for entry to the ATU programme in September 2026 are now closed; the HSE will shortly seek applications for the TUD programme commencing in January 2027. Applicants must be currently employed as a medical laboratory aide in the public health service and be nominated by their employing laboratory.