Courses
New ATU–HSE programme offers earn‑and‑learn route to tackle medical scientist shortages
A new partnership between Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and the Health Service Executive (HSE) aims to address persistent staffing shortages in Ireland’s diagnostic laboratory services, while simultaneously upskilling existing healthcare workers through a structured, part‑time education pathway.
The Higher Diploma in Science in Medical Science, developed by ATU’s Medical Science Programme Board within the Department of Analytical, Biopharmaceutical and Medical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Health, has been created in direct response to long‑standing capacity challenges across hospital laboratories. The programme has been designed in collaboration with the HSE and sits under the Memorandum of Understanding between ATU and the West and North West HSE region.
The two‑year, part‑time programme provides an alternative graduate‑entry route to becoming a CORU‑registered Medical Scientist, specifically targeting medical laboratory aides who already work within the health service and hold a Level 8 degree in a relevant science discipline.
Participants remain in paid employment throughout their studies, allowing the health service to build future capability without removing experienced staff from frontline laboratory environments.
Medical scientists play a critical role in diagnosis, disease monitoring and patient care. However, vacancy levels across the health system have remained high, particularly outside major urban centres.
Under the new Sponsored Medical Scientist Training Programme, the HSE has committed €2.44 million to fund 120 places over the next five years, ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified medical scientists while strengthening retention within the public health service.
The programme is being delivered in partnership with the Department of Health and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, reflecting its alignment with national workforce planning and skills policy.
Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU said:
This partnership between ATU and the HSE will help to address critical skills needs across hospitals in our region and throughout Ireland, delivering real impact for patient care and service delivery. This programme is also a potential blueprint for other ways in which we can support the HSE workforce, and I want to thank our team in ATU for all their work in developing this innovative offering.
Tony Canavan, Regional Executive Officer for HSE West and North West, said, “Medical scientists are at the heart of healthcare and provide an essential service to support our patients right across the West and North West region, however it is an area where we face ongoing recruitment challenges. This programme, which is a result of strengthened collaboration between the HSE and ATU, will ensure our medical science services into the future are robust, sustainable and delivered by a highly skilled workforce.”
Graduates of the programme are eligible to register with CORU, the statutory regulator for health and social care professionals, enabling them to practise as medical scientists upon completion.
Participants will commit to three years’ post‑qualification service within the public health system, ensuring that the investment translates directly into increased capacity at hospital level.
The initiative is expected to have particular significance for regional hospitals, where recruitment and retention pressures are often most acute.
By enabling existing staff to upskill locally through ATU, the programme supports regional sustainability while strengthening higher education–health system collaboration. It also reflects a broader shift in how professional education is delivered, placing greater emphasis on flexible, work‑based learning pathways for experienced adult learners.
The programme will admit an initial cohort of 24 students in 2026, with demand expected to exceed available places.
The closing date for applications for the first intake is 30 April 2026, and eligible candidates must apply through the ATU application portal following internal HSE expression‑of‑interest processes.
Photo caption:
Back row (L–R): Dr Brigid Hoban, Programme Director of the Higher Diploma in Medical Science; Maria Molloy, Deputy Hospital Manager, NGH; Thomas Smyth, Head of School of Life Sciences, ATU; Elaine Dobell, Regional Director of Communications and Public Affairs at HSCP; Dr Eugene McCarthy, Head of Department of Analytical, Biopharmaceutical and Medical Sciences, ATU; Dr Mary McGrath, Programme Director of the Higher Diploma in Medical Science.
Front row L-R: 1. Dr Joanne Gallagher, Dean of Faculty of Science and Health, ATU; Tony Canavan, General Manager, HSE; Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU; Pat Mulhare, HSE National Laboratory Programme Manager.
For media enquiries, contact:
Aidan Haughey
Communications Manager
Tel: 086 086 6913
E: aidan.haughey@atu.ie
