Extra medicine and veterinary courses at Universities in Galway

UNIVERSITIES in Galway will soon offer 88 new places in medicine-related courses to help address workforce shortages in the sector.

The decision comes as part of the government’s approval for the next phase of Ireland’s healthcare education expansion programme.

It provides for the activation of additional healthcare training places across pharmacy, veterinary medicine, nursing, midwifery, dentistry and medicine to help address future workforce shortages across the health service.

In Galway, the approval includes 40 new annual veterinary medicine places at Atlantic Technological University from 2026 and 48 places in the Rural and Remote Graduate Entry Medicine programme at the University of Galway from 2027, subject to the necessary Department of Health approvals.

Junior Minister for Transport Sean Canney called it an important investment in the future of healthcare education and in ensuring Ireland has the skilled workforce needed to meet growing demand across our health services.

“I am particularly pleased to see Atlantic Technological University at the forefront of this expansion.

“As a former lecturer there, I know first-hand the calibre of its staff, students and facilities, and I have no doubt these additional places will strengthen both the university and the wider region,” he added.

He said that the programme in University of Galway has the potential to make a real difference by training more doctors with the skills and experience needed to serve rural and regional communities.

The programme will be introduced on a phased basis, with additional places commencing from 2026 and further medicine and dentistry places from 2027.