Course Overview

The Discipline of Surgery provides a facility for medical students and surgical personnel wishing to undertake clinical research projects or postgraduate courses. Current research involves the Department of breast, gastrointestinal/colorectal, orthopaedic and vascular Surgery. The research laboratory is also home to full-time scientific researchers focusing primarily on cancer research.

Research facilities include the Surgical Research laboratories in the Clinical Science Institute, REMEDI, NCBES at the University of Galway and the Western Vascular Institute at University Hospital, Galway.

The Discipline of Surgery collaborates with national and international research institutions, e.g. Cancer Research UK, EMBL, and the Mayo Clinic. Researchers are affiliated with the Galway Cancer Initiative.
The Discipline offers supervision in a wide area of medical interest. To pursue a research degree potential candidates should discuss the matter with the Head of Discipline.

Programmes Available

Structured PhD (full-time, four years)
Structured PhD (part-time, six years)
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Associated

Learning Outcomes

Entry Requirements

PhD candidates should normally have a high honours standard in a relevant academic discipline at primary degree level or equivalent together with the support of an academic staff member who is approved by the College to supervise the research in terms of its nature and scope.

Additional entry requirements
Candidates may be required to submit a research proposal for consideration by the School as part of their application.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Current research projects

Current funded research opportunity

Work Placement

Related Student Organisations

Career Opportunities

Find a Supervisor / PhD Project

If you are still looking for a potential supervisor or PhD project or would like to identify the key research interests of our academic staff and researchers, you can use our online portal to help in that search

Research Areas

Breast cancer

  • Population genetics
  • Molecular profiling
  • Role of stem cells in metastasis
  • Mestastatis prevention
  • Early detection

 Colorectal cancer

  • Molecular profiling
  • Orthopaedic surgery
  • Ischaemia/Reperfusion
  • Wound healing

 Cardiovascular

  • Stem cells in arthritis (with REMEDI)
  • Hyperbaric oxygen

Researcher Profiles

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€5,750 p.a. (€5,890 including levy) 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€15,000 p.a. (€15,140 including levy) 2024/25

Extra Information


EU Part time: Year 1 €4,250 p.a. (€4,390 including levy) 2024/25


All students, irrespective of funding, must pay the student levy of €140.

Contact Us

Ms. Grace Clarke
E: grace.clarke@universityofgalway.ie
T: + 353 91 544 203 | +353 91 524 390