Course Summary
BioInnovate is Ireland’s leading fulltime programme in medical device and digital health innovation. Modelled on Stanford Biodesign, it brings together multidisciplinary teams—clinicians, engineers and business professionals to identify unmet clinical needs during immersive hospital placements, invent and prototype solutions, and develop full business plans for commercialisation
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Minimum Entry Requirements
We are seeking applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, as different perspectives are essential to driving meaningful innovation in healthcare.
Applicants should bring relevant professional experience to their prospective teams - ideally 5-10 years of experience and a demonstrated track record in their respective fields.
We typically welcome applications from four broad areas:
Clinical: Medical doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals
Technical: Engineers, scientists, data analysts, and designers
Commercial: Business professionals, MBA graduates, and marketing or sales leaders
Other motivated innovators: Individuals with a strong interest in healthcare innovation, regardless of background
We are particularly interested in applicants with expertise in software, AI, or data analytics, as these skills are increasingly important in shaping the future of digital health and connected medical technologies.
Participants are selected based on their experience, passion, and drive, as well as their potential to become leading innovators in the health technology field.
I don't meet the criteria outlined above- will my application still be considered?
Yes - but we strongly recommend that you speak with us before submitting your application. In some cases, applicants who do not meet the formal criteria but demonstrate exceptional motivation, creativity, or relevant professional experience may still be considered.
We are here to help and guide you - Contact us if you have any questions about the programme and if it might be the right match for you. You can also visit our FAQ’s and watch back previous Information Webinars to find out more.
In addition, candidates must hold at least a Second Class Honours Level 8?primary degree in a related subject area or hold a primary degree in a?related area. Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available?here.?
English Language Entry Requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) or equivalent.?
More information on English language test equivalency is available here.
Supporting Documents
CV
Optional Project (Highly Recommended)
Please submit an example of a design, prototype, portfolio or another suitable project piece that clearly demonstrates your ability to be inventive, creative and/or scientifically innovative. Mechanical, audio/visual or electronic media, photographs and artwork will be accepted for consideration.
Application Details
Closing Date: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with cut-off points. Please contact our Programme Administrator for up-to-date information.
Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.
An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).
Next start date: September 2026
Fees
Fees: EU
€3,640 p.a (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€3,500 p.a.2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€8,250 p.a. (€8,390 including levy) 2024/25
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
Graduates of BioInnovate are in strong demand across MedTech, digital health, and healthcare innovation sectors, both in Ireland and internationally.
Typical roles include:
Start-up founder
Innovation lead
R&D or product development manager
Regulatory or market access specialist
Health innovation consultant
Senior management/Director positions in MNC's
By taking part in the BioInnovate programme, you join a supportive network?of Alumni and friends including innovators, entrepreneurs?and healthcare leaders. This powerful network fosters collaboration across sectors, providing alumni with the resources and connections to scale their ideas and make lasting contributions to healthcare worldwide.?