Key Info
Bachelor/Masters of Science in Immersive Bioscience and Biotherapeutics [Starting September 2026]
Key facts  
- Gain a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Master of Science (MSc) in 4 years  
- 50% of the time is spent in paid industrial residencies  
- Combining leadership training with professional-level skills  
- Armed and ready for the AI and data-driven revolution in science   
- The curriculum has been designed directly with industry partners
About the course
At iBio (Immersive Bioscience and Biotherapeutics), we are committed to cultivating the leading scientific minds of the future.  So, if you are interested in making a difference to the lives and health of others by exploring innovative solutions to complex challenges in health, disease and medicine-making, then iBio is the course for you.
If you are passionate about the science of disease and medicines, creative and curious about the world around you, love a challenge and working in teams using scientific data to solve complex problems - we are too.  So come and join the team at iBio.
We are offering a new way to learn the science and biology of medicine making and discovery. The goal of iBio is to turn curious, caring, creative and high-performing people like you into the future leaders at the forefront of innovation in biotech.
Why study this course?
iBio aims to transform how the next generation of scientists are educated in Ireland. In the iBio community, you will become a partner in the learning process. You will engage in immersive, collaborative workshops and intensive lab sessions where you will learn how to apply your knowledge and skills to tackle real-world problems.
You will get a Master of Science degree in four years.  At iBio, half your time will be spent learning on campus and half in paid Residencies in Biotech industries. On campus, you will be ‘learning by doing’. Theory, practical skills, digital literacy and entrepreneurship are interwoven into a series of immersive challenge-based tasks. In the Residencies you will work in leading Biotech companies, gaining essential skills and experience - all while making industry connections.
This means that iBio graduates will take the next step in their career armed with a comprehensive skill set and experience level that is unrivalled in Ireland.   
What you will study
Unlike typical university semesters where students study multiple different modules at once, each semester at iBio will have you learning in immersive teaching blocks.
First year blocks provide a strong foundation in biological sciences, data and bioanalytics. You will learn to master the areas of cell biology, molecular biology, microbiology, and biochemistry through team-based workshops and lab-based practice.
As you progress through the course, you will study cutting edge topics in data analytics, drug discovery, protein chemistry, and translational medicine. Each block combines theory, practice, digital literacy, innovation, and professional skills to ensure you are prepared to apply your knowledge to real-world industry scenarios during your semesters on Residency placements.
Here is what the iBio curriculum looks like at a glance: 
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Semester 3 (Summer) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BY4211 | Bioanalytics | BY4212 | Bioscience Basics 2 | BY4213 | Residency 1 |
| Semester 4 | Semester 5 | Semester 6 (Summer) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BY4221 | µþ¾±´Ç²¹²Ô²¹±ô²â³Ù¾±³¦²õ  | BY4222 | Residency 2 | BY4223 | Protein Chemistry and Biologics  |
| BY4231 | Drug Discovery  | EP4223 | Innovation and Entrepreneurship | ||
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 | Semester 9 (Summer) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BY4241 | Residency 3.1 | BY4252 | Residency 3.2 | BY6013 | Residency 3.3 |
| Semester 10 | Semester 11 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BY6021 | Advanced Biotherapeutics | BY6022 | Research Project |
Frequently Asked Questions
iBio is a 4-year integrated BSc/ MSc course. It is designed so that you graduate after 4 years with a Master of Science degree, but you can opt to leave after 3 years with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree.
The entry requirements for our 2026 intake have not yet been released; however, our intake process will involve an entry submission consisting of the points acquired in the Leaving Certificate (625) combined with the points obtained from our Entry Portfolio (200). 
Residencies are paid internships in Biotech industries where you will be mentored by one of our partner companies. During your residencies, you will learn the same way that medical doctors do. You will be embedded in the team of your host company, contributing to day-to-day activities, undertaking projects, and gaining essential skills and experience. You will learn from experts in the field, making strong industry connections. 
Throughout your time at iBio, you will go on three residencies in the Biotech industries. Two of these are semester-long residencies (3 months), and your final residency will be a year-long placement (12 months)
We have partnered with companies such as with large biopharma and high-potential biotech start-ups to ensure you receive the highest quality experience. You will have the opportunity to do three placements with up to three different companies. 
Yes, all of our residencies are fully paid.
Unfortunately, this is not a possibility. You must begin in Year 1, with an application through the CAO. 
There is no part-time option for iBio. The course is designed to be intensive in order to create a fully immersive learning environment and achieve a fast-tracked graduation.
We achieve a fast-tracked graduation by learning during summer semesters so that you spend more time learning each year. Most university students spend 24 weeks learning. As an iBio student, you will spend 40 weeks each year learning on campus or on residency placements.
We are happy to answer any further questions! Please submit your question to ibio@ul.ie
Fees and funding
Course fees have not yet been finalised. Please check back over the coming months.
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Brad Duffy Access Scholarship | €5,000 for one year | 1 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Civic Engagement Scholarship | €1500 | 1 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Irish American Partnership Access Scholarships | €5,000 | 2 |
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
The Biopharma and Life Science industry is a rapidly growing sector in Ireland, offering fantastic employment opportunities for graduates.  Our programme is designed in collaboration with top Biotech companies to ensure that you graduate with skills matched exactly to industry need.
With an iBio qualification, you will be one of the most highly sought after graduates in the country.  You will have the competitive advantage of up to 2 years of experience working in industry and the network associated with it.  You will have proven skills and experience across foundational scientific theory, data and digital literacy, team communication as well as the necessary business knowledge needed for a rewarding scientific career.
Get ready to boost your education with game changing skills like project management, leading teams, and innovating in the key stages of medicine making.
The advanced training provided during your MSc year will enable you to pursue further study in the field. You could do a doctorate and undertake groundbreaking scientific research in industry or academia.