CourseCast complements SETU’s existing podcast offering and features an array of voices from campus and beyond.
SETU has launched a new podcast series for prospective undergraduate students, their parents and career guidance teachers. CourseCast, which is now live, will explore the undergraduate courses available across all SETU’s campuses.
Every episode has useful information in terms of course content, life on campus, career opportunities after graduation, and, most importantly, how you can apply to study the various programmes at SETU. Throughout the series, podcast host Mary O’Neill, who is part of the Marketing team at SETU, speaks to course leaders, students, graduates, and people in industries related to the featured programmes.
New episodes will regularly be added to the series, which so far features Computer Science, Sports Management & Coaching, along with new courses starting in 2026; Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy and Home Economics.
Computer Science
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.
Sports Management & Coaching
There is plenty of choice in terms of the 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. In this episode, 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.
We are delighted to launch CourseCast as a way to further engage with people interested in studying at SETU. We have a fantastic range of programmes available for students, and podcasts are another way to provide accessible digital content for anyone who is curious about life on campus. SETU already has a number of excellent podcast series available through our dedicated website and we look forward to enhancing this offering through CourseCast.
Michael Mullan, Head of Student Recruitment and Admissions
Veterinary Medicine
In this episode we hear 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.
Pharmacy
The Master of Pharmacy at SETU is a five -year programme that integrates periods of experiential learning placement. To find out more, Mary was joined in studio by Dr Claire Lennon, Head of the Department of Pharmacy; Dearbhla Walsh, Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at the Department; along with 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.
Home Economics
Here, 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.
