Regenerative Medicine (MSc)

MSc (Regenerative Medicine)

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Course Overview
Key Facts
Course Outline
Why Choose This Course?
Course Fees
Find Out More

Course Overview

The taught MSc in Regenerative Medicine at University of Galway graduated its one-hundredth student recently. This course focuses on stem cells, gene therapy and tissue engineering, focussing on how they can be applied to develop new therapeutics. The course is the only one of its kind in Ireland. Students who have completed this course have gone to work in pharmaceutical and biomedical companies in Ireland and abroad. Many graduates have chosen to follow research-based careers in this dynamic field and are pursuing PhDs in countries all over the world (Ireland, the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria and America).

Regenerative Medicine is an exciting emerging discipline, which aims to develop novel therapeutics to repair and regenerate damaged and diseased organs. These therapeutics utilise stem cells, gene therapy, biomaterials, engineered tissue and biologically active compounds. This 12-month taught MSc course will equip you with the skills to participate in this discipline. Modules will address the science behind Regenerative Medicine as well as its application to human disease.

Special features

As part of this MSc course, students will undertake a summer-long, laboratory-based research project. In previous years, these projects have been based at University of Galway, Galway University Hospital, and in research groups based in Dublin and Maynooth.

The MSc is administered by the Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), a world-class biomedical research institute recognised as Ireland’s primary centre for stem cell and gene therapy research, and a world leader in the field of regenerative medicine. REMEDI’s main focus is to use cells and genes to regenerate healthy tissues that can be used to repair or replace other tissues and organs with a minimally invasive approach.

REMEDI is home to Ireland’s only stem cell manufacturing facility, CCMI, the Centre for Cell Manufacturing Ireland. This state-of-the art facility will translate, as well as manufacture, research from REMEDI’s programmes into cell-based medicinal products for clinical trials.

Other allied University of Galway courses

Would you like to advance therapeutics to the clinic? Gain a better understanding of clinical research practice with our MSc Clinical Research.
Cellular manufacturing and therapy and the production of advanced medicinal products is quickly evolving as the future of medicine. To learn more about bioprocessing, click here.
Microscopy and imaging of cells and tissue samples is a highly desirable skill for academia and industry alike. Click here to learn more.

Scholarships Available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System. Selection is based on the candidate's academic record at undergraduate level and their aptitude for the programme.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Modules are assessed by examinations at the end of Semester One and Semester Two and/or by continuous assessment. A variety of assessments are used throughout the programme, such as essays, projects, laboratory reports and presentations. A thesis based on the laboratory research project must also be submitted.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants should have, or should expect to obtain, at least a Second Class Honours degree in a biological/life science or medicine. Students who have a degree without Honours in a related area and have three or more years of practical experience in the subject area will also be eligible to apply for this course.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Students who have a degree without Honours in a related area and have three or more years of practical experience in the subject area will also be eligible to apply for this course.

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

18 (maximum)

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Please view the offer rounds website.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

Award

CAO

Course code

MSC-MSR

Course Outline

The first two semesters will consist of modules covering the scientific principles of stem cells, gene therapy, tissue engineering, immunology and pharmacology. Training in scientific concepts and techniques important to biomedical research takes place via a series of laboratory-based practical sessions. The regulatory issues involved in translating research observation to an approved treatment for patients will be a focus throughout the course. During the summer semester, students embark on individual laboratory-based research projects.

The modules on offer include:

Regenerative Medicine;
Translational Medicine;
Advanced Research Technique;
Tissue Engineering;
Scientific Writing;
Pharmacology;
Anatomy;
Research Project and Thesis;
Physiology-Human Body Function;
Introduction to Business;
Economic Evaluation in Healthcare;
Biostatistics;
Bioinformatics.

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits: You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module: An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject: Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional: A module you may choose to study.
Required: A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject: A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester: Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this course have found employment in biomedical device amd biotechnology companies and clinical research organisations in Ireland and abroad. Many graduates have obtained PhD studentships in Ireland and the UK, as well as in Austria, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA. Some graduates have gone on to study medicine, and graduates with clinical backgrounds have progressed to clinical fellowships.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€9,240 p.a. (including levy) 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€9,100 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€27,000 p.a. (€27,140 including levy) 2025/26

For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here.

Find out More

Dr. Linda Howard
T: +353 91 495 268
E: linda.howard@universityofgalway.ie
www.remedi.ie/training/taught-msc-regenerative-medicine
http://ncbes.universityofgalway.ie/msc-regenerativemedicine.aspx

Aoife Duffy | Employer, from HitechHealth

A student from the MSc in Regenerative Medicine at NUI Galway joined our team at HitechHealth and has displayed in-depth understanding of cell therapy as well as excellent practical skills for cell culture. His knowledge of our requirements for Good Manufacturing Practices exceeded our expectations. He has adapted to the team and the laboratory with a confidence you would expect from someone out in industry for years and I think that is a credit to the student, but also particularly to the course and the overall understanding of GMP and cell therapy this course gives its students. The course director runs this course with proficiency and has tailored it to give students opportunities after graduation, whether in research or in industry. I have had the pleasure of working with eight students from the course over the years, each and every one showed a great understanding of the regenerative medicine field, GMP and all completed successful projects. This MSc is a gleaming example of what post graduate education is about and how it enables students to integrate into research or industry at ease due to the in-depth theory and hands-on practical skills they obtain in the Masters.

in Connect with Aoife

Robert Bagnall | Graduate, 2019

NUI Galway provided the only course in regenerative medicine in the country at the time of my choosing a master's programme. Moving to a place like Galway was very enticing even before I had learnt about the programme. I knew NUI Galway as a diverse campus and considering its relatively small size was impressed by its facilities, and reputation. I would recommend this course to others. Taught by some of the top people in the field it provided in-depth lecture material and additionally hands-on lab experience. The consideration each staff member gives to each student undertaking the course is worth your time in itself. The incredibly professional insight they provide into the field, and the one-on-one time they provide is a testament to the course. I have secured a job in Industry, I felt the MSc program, due to its unique nature, provided me with the differential edge I was seeking to stand-out during my job search. Additionally, the skills it taught me; working in teams, individual time management, and a list of lab skills has increased my confidence to provide what is expected from a master's graduate in my field.

in Connect with Robert

Dibyangana Bhattacharyya | MSc Regenerative Medicine graduate

I was particularly interested in regenerative medicine and NUI Galway was one of the few universities that offered this particular programme. Having an undergraduate degree in engineering, I knew I wanted a degree in biological sciences that would also have an engineering component and this course is perfect that way. Another key determining factor was the research component that is a part of this course. This was particularly important for me as I knew I wanted to do a PhD but I hadn’t had as much exposure in the lab to say that I loved research. But the four months that I spent on my research project made me realise that I loved that side and a PhD was definitely the way forward for me.

Cameron Keighron | Graduated 2018; current PhD student, NUI Galway

Moving to postgraduate study pushes you to think more critically and logically about your work while honing skills in teamwork, leadership and problem solving. At postgraduate level you are guided to take ownership of how you study and apply the skills you have learned in your undergraduate to solve often more real-world problems. This MSc is considered to be one of the best in the field of Regenerative Medicine and really aligned with the research career I wanted to pursue. It gave me the technical and theoretical skills to pursue and obtain a PhD. I would recommend this course, the staff support each and every student who comes through the course. The course also strikes an incredible balance between teaching you necessary technical skills and developing your critical thinking, leadership and science communication skills. This course also allows you to take a deep dive into an area you are passionate about while giving you the opportunity to explore this through your practical lab work.

in Connect with Cameron