Do you need a step between your previous education and a full time course?
Do you need to increase your self confidence in your ability to study?
Did you leave school before your leaving cert?
Is English your second language?
Is your level of English stopping you from reaching your goals?
If you are over 16 and your answer is yes to some of these questions, then this course could be for you.

This course is designed for students wishing to gain some college experience and study skills and have the goal of studying for a QQI Level 5 award in the future.

You’ll work in a professional Beauty Therapy salon to learn the essential practical skills, and learn to use professional products including Dermologica, Decleor and others. You can expect an intensive focus on professional practice, and work placement is an essential part of the course.

With an internationally recognised ITEC qualifications, successful students can progress to work, or to our Level 6 Professional Diploma in Beauty Therapy.

This programme enables learners to gain the ITEC Level 3 Diploma in Beauty, Massage and Electrotherapy. Successful learners have the opportunity to progress to study for advanced qualifications at ITEC Level 4 or QQI Level 6.

Bioanalytical science is the application of biological sciences to the study and analysis of biological samples, so that trace amounts of biological molecules, microorganisms or chemicals can be detected in a biological, environmental or industrial sample.

This degree course has been developed over the years in direct consultation with key personnel from relevant companies, past graduates, researchers and academics. It’s intended to ensure that our graduates meet the current and future needs of employers in the area of bioanalytical science. Bioanalytical techniques have a widespread application in industry, public service labs, forensic analysis, the food industry and beyond.

Our Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Bioanalytical Science option provides a clear knowledge of the underlying concepts behind modern bioanalytical techniques and the application of these techniques in the areas of biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, and related industries and in environmental analysis.

You will gain technical competence in analytical biochemical, genetic, immunological and microbiologically-based analytical methodologies and the skills and knowledge required to work in the biotechnology, and biopharmaceutical industries as well as in state scientific agencies.

The BSc in Biochemistry enables students to gain an understanding of the concepts and theories relating to Biochemistry and the application of a range of practical laboratory skills. Students will explore the relevant analytical principles and techniques, and apply these in a research setting. You will understand collation, quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and the ability to problem solve.

Additional skills such as; personal and team skills, data management, presentation skills, career management planning and applying your degree in the workplace will also be covered.

The BSc in Biochemistry with Professional Studies enables students to gain an understanding of the concepts and theories relating to Biochemistry and the application of a range of practical laboratory skills. Students will explore the relevant analytical principles and techniques, and apply these in a research setting. You will understand collation, quantitative analysis and interpretation of experimental data, and the ability to problem solve.

Additional skills such as; personal and team skills, data management, presentation skills, career management planning and applying your degree in the workplace will also be covered.

This module will equip the learner with the knowledge, skills and competence to value the natural environment as a sustainable resource.

Biology is the study of living things; we explore how life first arose: the properties that distinguish living organisms from inert matter; how the vast diversity of life forms was generated; how organisms reproduce themselves; how they interact both with each other and with the environment. Biology is fundamental to understanding the world we live in and plays a huge role in medicine.

Our programme is carefully constructed to foster an interdisciplinary approach across a wide range of biological, biotechnology, medical, chemical and pharmaceutical research areas.

This entry route is designed to provide you with a gateway to better choice if you’re unsure which area you’d like to study. You can avail of a broad common first year which will introduce you to various topics in Biological and Chemical Sciences. Having gained a better understanding of each subject area, you then choose your preferred pathway to specialise for the remaining 3 years of your degree programme. At UL, you get to try before you decide.

Science requires a fundamental understanding of the key areas of biology and chemistry and the LM123 Biological and Chemical Sciences at the University of Limerick offers prospective students an opportunity to develop a core competency in both scientific areas in their first year at University. LM123 Biological and Chemical Sciences is a gateway from Year 2 to a degree in either:

• BSc Bioscience OR
• BSc Environmental Science OR
• BSc Industrial Biochemistry OR
• BSc Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry OR
• BSc Biomedical Science (after completing years 2 and 3 in Bioscience)

The core areas in Biology and Geography covered by the programme provide foundation knowledge across both disciplines, and explore in different ways how the dynamic planet Earth supports such a diversity of climates, landforms, ecosystems and species, and also how human activity is impacting on all of these from a local to a global scale.

Students will gain core technical skills and subject specific practical laboratory- / field-based skills to help them investigate and manipulate biological material including relevant physical, chemical and biological measurements and their application in a laboratory, field, and research project setting. During the final year project students will have access to cutting-edge research facilities across the molecular and ecological disciplines.

During the General Entry course, you’ll study biochemistry, bioprocessing, biotechnology, genetics, cell biology and microbiology, while also completing some modules in chemistry, physics and mathematics. Once you successfully pass this first year, you’ll go on to one of three programmes: the BSc in Genetics and Cell Biology, the BSc in Biotechnology or the BSc in Bioprocessing. 

The common biological sciences honours entry scheme is a two-year programme designed for students interested in biological sciences as a career, but who may be unsure of which discipline to follow.

The scheme gives students the opportunity to see the three disciplines, first-hand, through the various modules on offer, interaction with lecturers, and industrial site visits. This allows the student to make an informed decision on their discipline of study.

Students will gain core technical skills, subject specific practical laboratory- / field-based skills, and employer-directed skills to help them investigate and manipulate biological material including relevant physical, chemical and biological measurements and their application in a laboratory, field, and research project setting.

The BEES programme provides you with a unique opportunity to explore the environmental challenges of our times. This interdisciplinary programme spans the biological, earth and environmental sciences. 

Biology is the study of living organisms from the molecular level to ecosystems. Our full-time undergraduate BSc Hons Biology course covers fundamental areas of biology with a focus upon the biomedical, molecular and environmental sciences. During the first year you will study fundamentals of biology such as biodiversity, plant and animal physiology, chemistry and biochemistry, as well as cell biology.

In the first semester of your first year you will also receive tailor-made training in subject specific as well as transferable core skills in a small group teaching environment. In Year 2 you will study more specific biological science disciplines such as marine biology, genetics, microbiology and biotechnology, which will build upon knowledge acquired in first year but also underpin study in the final year.

The final year is driven by the very strong research expertise and interests of the lecturing staff and provides an opportunity to carry out an extensive research project in a specific biological topic.

The aim of the programme is to educate young teachers and help them develop the skills and aptitudes to confidently face the challenges of science teaching. When you graduate from the programme you will be qualified to teach; Biology to honours Leaving Certificate level, Chemistry or Physics or Agricultural Science to honours Leaving Certificate level, General Science to Junior Certificate level. The programme is four years in duration and is based on the concurrent model of teacher education, in which educational studies and studies in biology, along with your chosen elective (chemistry or physics or agricultural science) are combined with periods of school placement in which you will gain experience of teaching.

Biomedical Science is the science related to medical conditions – their causes, diagnosis and treatment. Molecular diagnostics is the use and development of novel technologies to enable faster and more personalised diagnosis, often using DNA-based approaches.

A unique feature of the course is the way diagnostic and analytical sciences are integrated with bioproduct design and development. It also includes modules in transferable skills such as basic programming and bioinformatics.

Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science is the study of human health and disease and represents one of the largest industries in Ireland today. This course aims to provide students with an introduction to laboratory skills and diverse areas of modern health sciences, allowing them to develop their practical skills, techniques and knowledge in the area of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science.