CourseCast

Psychiatric Nursing

Thu, 21 May 2026 15:09:55 GMT

This episode focuses on Psychiatric (also known as Mental Health) Nursing, a specialist field within in the health care profession. We'll hear the many ways in which mental health nurses can utilise their skills and qualifications, as well as delving into the attributes that are important for the roles available.

The panel on this podcast comprises Dr Colman Noctor, a lecturer on the course at SETU, fellow lecturer and graduate of Psychiatric Nursing at SETU Eleanor Kirwan, and current 2nd year student Eoin Dowling. All of the guests outline how rewarding both the course and profession is, with huge opportunities in terms of career progression and travel. There is also a strong focus on the placement available to students, from First Year onwards.

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Social Care Practice / Applied Social Care

Tue, 19 May 2026 11:16:51 GMT

In this episode you can learn all about both the Level 8 BA (Hons) in Social Care Practice and the Level 7 BA in Applied Social Care - both CORU approved courses. We hear from Dr Vicki Anderson, Programme Lead for Social Care Practice and lecturer on the Applied Social Care Course. She discusses the modules on both programmes, work placement for students, and the types of careers in which graduates can expect to find themselves.

We also hear from 4th year students, all of whom are now in work place settings; Eddie McKenna, Naomi McCarthy and Donna Lacey. Each guests will outline their journey through SETU and the opportunities afforded to them by studying Social Care Practice.

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Aerospace Engineering

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:50:30 GMT

The Bachelor of Engineering in Aerospace Engineering is structured to provide students with a real-world aviation work environment. In this episode, we hear about the programme and the state-of-the-art facilities that are available to students, preparing for them for the wide array of careers available to graduates of this course.

We also find out about modules, projects, placement opportunities and lots more from Class Tutor Dr Edmond Tobin; fourth year student of Aerospace Engineering Ben Fitzpatrick; Kumbirai Chibanda who is doing a Masters in Flight Test Engineering at SETU and Luke Connolly, a PhD student who did the undergrad course and is working on an exciting aerospace project involving drones.

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Family and Community Studies

Mon, 11 May 2026 13:32:06 GMT

In this episode we hear all about Family and Community Studies - a four year level 8 programme that equips graduates to work within the community and voluntary sector. It is a new course at SETU, beginning in 2026.

Guests on the podcast Victoria McDonagh, Head of Department of Social Care & Early Childhood; Jane McGrath, Programme Leader for the BA and BA Hons in Family and Community Support Studies; and Triona McCormack, Manager, Tintean Housing Association, gave insights into the course itself and into the jobs available in the community and voluntary sector.

You can also hear details on modules and placement opportunities over the three (or four) years, what makes the course unique, and how graduates can go on to further studies.

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Engineering

Wed, 06 May 2026 15:18:00 GMT

This episode focuses on the Bachelor of Engineering (Common Entry) at SETU. Lecturer on the programme David Williams outlines how the course is structured, explaining the process of specialisation from Second Year. Current students Bevin Bowdren and Lukas Malik, describe their experiences so far, outlining travel and placement opportunities and the parts of the course they particularly enjoy. Graduate Grace Malone talks about her current role as a Civil Engineer and what that entails. David and the guests also delve into the vast career opportunities for engineering graduates, as well as dispelling some myths about the course, and addressing the gender balance in the profession.

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Social Science

Fri, 01 May 2026 13:57:49 GMT

Here, we focus on the BA (Hons) in Social Science, a multi-disciplinary three-year course. This wide-ranging programme offers students the opportunity to understand and critically analyse contemporary Irish society and Ireland’s place in an increasingly globalised world.

Programme lead Dr John McNamara outlines what Social Science is all about; drilling down into the various modules, and giving a flavour of the many and varied careers, and further studies options, available to graduates.

First year Social Science student Niamh Purcell and recent graduate Imelda Morrissey spoke about the course itself, highlighting how it helps students engage in critical thinking (crucial in today's world). They also talk about how the programme fosters a sense of social justice in students and helps them view society from the perspectives of all social groups.

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Design (Visual Communications)

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 12:02:54 GMT

Here, we hear all about the BA Hons in Design (Visual Communications) at SETU. There are options to study this programme at both the Waterford and Wexford campuses. On this episode, Mary O'Neill is joined by course lecturer at the Waterford campus Dr Fiona Dowling, recent graduate Laura Dempsey (who designed the cover for this podcast series); and current fourth year students in Waterford Denis Kononov and Kristian Ryan. The topics covered included what Design / Visual Communication is all about, the type of roles graduates find themselves in, and some surprising elements of both the programme and how it's applied to working life. The guests highlighted how the programme at SETU does not require a portfolio, which means students learn from scratch. They also discussed the sometimes contentious topic of AI in Design, outlining why it can never replace humans.

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Lab Science

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 10:40:06 GMT

Here, we explore the follow-on options from the common/general entry Science programmes at SETU, these are:

Food Science and Innovation
Molecular Biology with Biopharmaceutical Science
Physics for Modern Technology
Pharmaceutical Science

This episode of CourseCast was recorded by Dr Rob O'Connor from the Department of Computer Science at SETU. Rob was in conversation with:

Dr Nabla Kennedy, PL for Molecular Biology with biopharmaceutical science; Dr Elaine Duggan, PL for Food Science and Innovation; Dr Eleanor Owens PL for BSc in Pharmaceutical Science and Dr Joe Murphy, PL for Physics for Modern Technology. The podcast explores all the different lab science strands you can chose from common entry Science as well as looking at the many and varied career opportunities for graduates after they qualify.

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Veterinary Medicine

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:21:52 GMT

This episode of CourseCast is all about the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (MVB) programme - a new course at SETU, with focused scientific, clinical and professional training in the practice of veterinary medicine. Mary was joined in studio by Dr Mary Kate Burke, Programme Development Lead; Eilidh Thompson – farm animal lecturer; and Dr Richard Ryan, a mixed-practice vet and owner of Archersfield Veterinary Clinic in Kilkenny City. They discussed what prospective students can expect from the course; its content, the practical elements and professional training, some misconceptions about the profession, as well as outlining the wide array of career opportunities in veterinary medicine,

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Pharmacy

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:02:43 GMT

This episode focuses on a new course, the Master of Pharmacy at SETU - a five -year programme that integrates periods of experiential learning placement. Mary was joined in studio by Dr Claire Lennon, Head of the Department of Pharmacy; Dearbhla Walsh, Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the Department; and by Daragh Connolly who owns Connolly's Pharmacy in Dungarvan, County Waterford. Daragh is also Vice President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation, based in The Hague and representing 4.5million pharmacists and and 160 member organisations. They discussed the course content, the importance of having a pharmacy course in the South East, minimum entry requirements, and how you can apply.

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Home Economics

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:43:59 GMT

This episode of CourseCast focuses on Home Economics at SETU - a new, comprehensive three-year honours degree that combines scientific, social, and applied learning to prepare graduates for life and work in families, communities and broader society. Mary is joined by Dr Aileen Murphy, Programme Director, and Dr Don O'Neill, Head of Department of Culinary Arts, Hospitality and Tourism at SETU. They discuss the course content, the state-of-the-art facilities at SETU, the types of careers available to graduates and how prospective students can apply.

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Sports Management & Coaching

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:35:41 GMT

This episode of CourseCast focuses on the various Sports management & Coaching courses available at SETU. To give an overview, Mary was joined by Denis O'Brien, Programme Director of Sports Management Programmes at SETU, as well as by Arabella Adakoya, a student of the BA in Sports Business & Coaching, and also by Ger Bonnar, Programme Manager at Active Carlow and a former student of SETU. We hear about the variety of Sports related courses at SETU, and why they are so dynamic in terms of content, both practically and theoretically. We also hear about the entry requirements to study these courses at SETU, and Ger gives us an overview of how the modules on his course prepared him for his current role.

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Computer Science

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 14:22:37 GMT

This episode is all about the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science at SETU. Mary speaks to Dr Rob O'Connor, Programme Leader and Lecturer on the course. She's also joined by Kyla Franks, a recent graduate, and Chris Kelleher, a final year student. They discuss course content, the career opportunities available for graduates, why we shouldn't be afraid of AI and why more people should be open to the idea of studying Computer Science. Rob also has important information on how you can apply, and minimum requirements.

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