Trinity College Dublin was founded in 1592 after a small group of citizens obtained a charter from Queen Elizabeth I, making it the oldest university in Ireland and one of the oldest in Europe.
Two years later, a few Fellows and students began to work in the new College, which then consisted of one small square. Over the next century, a curriculum was devised, and statutes were framed. Endowments, including considerable landed estates, were secured. New fellowships were founded, and the books that formed the beginning of The Old Library were acquired.
While Medicine has been taught at the College since 1711, legislation passed in 1800 would formally establish the influence of Trinity College on the great age of Dublin medicine.
Present day Trinity College Dublin has over 40 departments offering a wide variety of courses. The college’s library is currently one of the largest in Europe housing over 3 million volumes in its collection. Today’s enrollment at Trinity stands at approximately 17,000.
The medical degree program at Trinity is five years in length. Over the first and second years, students study the structure and function of the human body in health and disease, analyze some of the ethical issues of medical practice and begin to acquire experience in clinical skills. A research module, beginning in second year, provides a sound understanding of the principles of research. Exposure to the hospital setting occurs progressively from the end of the second year. The hospital attachments program begins with an introductory clinical course in the final term of the second year, comprising lectures, clinical demonstrations and bedside tutorials. From the beginning of the third year, students attend hospitals, taking rotations in Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Community Health, General Practice and Ophthalmology/Otolaryngology.
Applicants applying with a completed bachelor’s degree by August of year of entry (MCAT not required) may apply to the Five-Year program. Students who have received an undergraduate degree will be assessed on an individual basis but are expected to present courses in Chemistry, Biology and either Physics or Mathematics, with minimum undergraduate cGPA of 3.3 or equivalent. Canadian students should refer to the OMSAS Conversion Table for equivalency.
Students with the full IB Diploma are eligible to apply for the Five-Year program. Students are required to undertake all six IB examinations in one examination session. A minimum score of 6 in two of HL Physics , Chemistry or Biology is required. If not taking Physics then you must present Mathematics (SL or HL).
Students study the biomedical sciences to create an understanding of the knowledge underlying medicine and begin clinical science in the first term through the Family case study. Teaching is a combination of Problem Based Learning (PBL) in the first year, small group teaching (12-14 students), lectures and practical demonstrations. Self-directed learning and use of e-learning are encouraged throughout the course. The majority of the teaching in first and second year takes place at the School of Medicine, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute at the main University campus, with the remainder in the hospital setting. Third year combines the taught course programme and an extensive hospital placement programme in order to advance and integrate clinical skills.
On successful completion of the third year, you may be permitted to take a year out from the medical course to undertake a moderatorship in science in an approved subject. This is subject to the availability of places and the agreement of the head of department concerned. An intercalated M.Sc. in Biomedical Sciences is also available to medical students who successfully gain a 1st or 2:1 in year 3 modules. The M.Sc. is a one-year full-time programme and the following tracks are currently offered: Molecular Medicine, Neuroscience, Bioengineering, Translational Oncology, Healthcare Infection Management and Immunology. Both courses offer students the opportunity to gain experience in scientific research if you are interested in the possibility of a career in academic medicine.
During these two years the emphasis is on continuous enhancement of the skills and attitudes acquired in the first three years of the course. There is, of course, acquisition of important new knowledge and most of this is achieved through interaction with a wide range of consultants and mentors both on the wards and at various hospital conferences. The student becomes an integrated member of each team to which he/she is attached and is expected to participate fully in all aspects of that team’s activities. This expectation will inevitably involve some early morning and late evening work. The majority of hospital attachments take place in St. James’s Hospital and Tallaght Hospital, Dublin; however, some training also takes place in regional hospitals around Ireland, in hospitals dedicated to particular areas of medicine and in general practices associated with the School.
Students have the opportunity to gain experience overseas as part of the electives programme. Students are required to complete clinical electives totalling 12 weeks by the final medical year and these can be undertaken in a hospital, clinic or research laboratory of the student’s choice at home or abroad. The School has elective links which include Columbia University (New York, NY), Georgetown University (Washington, DC), University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA), National University of Singapore and American University of Beirut Medical Centre although most clinical electives are also located and arranged by the students themselves.
Trinity’s main teaching hospitals in Dublin are St James’ Hospital and Tallaght Hospital (incorporating the National Children’s Hospital), both modern tertiary level hospitals with many specialist units.
Training is also provided at regional hospitals around Ireland and in many dedicated specialist hospitals throughout Dublin city. These include the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, the Rotunda Maternity Hospital, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, the Central Mental Hospital, St Luke’s Radiation Oncology Network, the Royal Victoria Eye & Ear Hospital and St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.
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