Tertiary degree · Level 7 · Health & Social Care

Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Care starting in Carlow

A three-year health care degree with clinical placement in every year. It prepares you to deliver direct care in hospitals, the community and health research. It suits students interested in a wide range of health careers.

How tertiary degrees work: you apply directly to the further education college, not through the CAO, and you don't need CAO points. You start in the further education college and then move on to the university or technological university to finish the full degree. Applications usually open early in the year; 2026 closing dates ranged from March to May.

Key facts

How long
3 years full-time (Year 1 in further education, Years 2-3 at SETU)
Award
Bachelor of Science in Applied Health Care (SETU); an add-on Level 8 year is available
Where you study
  • Year 1: Carlow Institute of Further Education and Training (KCETB) → Years 2–3: SETU Waterford Campus

Entry requirements

  • Leaving Cert: 5 subjects at O6/H7, including English or Irish and Maths at O6/H7
  • Or a Level 5 major award, or an equivalent qualification
  • Mature applicants (23 or over at the start) assessed on life and work experience
  • Non-native English speakers need B2 English in all four skills
  • If oversubscribed, priority goes to applicants with the greatest local need

How to apply

Apply directly to Carlow Institute of FET through the fetchcourses.ie link, not through the CAO.

Apply to Carlow Institute of FET (fetchcourses.ie) ↗ Official page on nto.hea.ie ↗

What you'll learn

  • Anatomy, physiology and psychology for health care
  • Care of older adults and fundamentals of care
  • Medical and surgical care and pharmacology
  • Mental health care and health promotion
  • Clinical placements in real health care settings

Where it can lead

  • Direct care in hospitals and community care
  • General practice and pharmaceutical industry
  • Health research
  • Telephone and internet health care delivery

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Biology, Home Economics, Chemistry

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Apprenticeships in Health

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test → Try the free 3-minute test

Information from the National Tertiary Office (nto.ie), checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.