Cork University Hospital Jobs & International Recruitment

Cork University Hospital (CUH) is the HSE's statutory acute hospital provider for Cork. Its main campus is at Wilton in Cork city, and the hospital also runs St Finbarr's Hospital rehabilitation unit, Riverstick Transitional Care Unit, St Joseph's nursing home and satellite outpatient units.

It is the primary teaching hospital for University College Cork.

CUH describes Wilton as the largest statutory HSE hospital in Ireland and the only Model 4 (specialist academic teaching) hospital in the state with all acute surgical and medical specialties on one campus, covering adults, paediatrics, maternity and mental health. It has over 5,000 staff and says it is the second largest employer in Cork.

Nationally, CUH is one of two designated Level 1 trauma centres, one of two 24/7 neurosurgical and stroke thrombectomy centres, one of four cardiothoracic surgical centres and one of eight NCCP cancer centres. It provides supra-regional services to the southern third of Ireland.

Because CUH is run directly by the HSE, its posts are HSE posts in the HSE South West health region. They are advertised through HSE channels, paid on the HSE consolidated salary scales, and fall under the HSE's international recruitment arrangements, including its relocation package for candidates moving from outside Ireland.

Run by

Health Service Executive (HSE South West)

Switchboard

021 492 2000

• Major trauma

  One of two designated Level 1 major trauma centres in Ireland, with 24/7 adult and paediatric emergency departments.

• Cancer care

  One of eight NCCP cancer centres and, CUH says, the only one with all tumour pathways, diagnostics and treatments under one provider, including radiation oncology.

• Neurosurgery and stroke

  A supra-regional neurosurgical centre and one of two 24/7 thrombectomy and stroke centres.

• Cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery

  A 24/7 primary PCI heart attack centre and one of four cardiothoracic surgical centres.

• Paediatrics

  A supra-regional paediatric centre; CUH says 98% of the children it cares for receive all their care in Cork.

• Cystic fibrosis and haemophilia

  Supra-regional cystic fibrosis centre and one of two comprehensive coagulation and haemophilia centres.

• Radiology and interventional radiology

  24/7 diagnostic imaging and interventional radiology serving the southern region.

• CUH's own careers page focuses on its role as a major employer and teaching hospital and directs applicants to HSE jobs listings and the HSE Career Hub for job alerts. It does not describe a separate international programme of its own.
• As an HSE hospital, CUH falls under the HSE's international recruitment arrangements. The HSE says all candidates moving from outside Ireland can apply for its international recruitment relocation package: up to €4,160 if you are based in the EU or UK and up to €4,710 if you are based outside the EU, paid against receipts for up to three months. It also says it covers initial costs including regulator registration fees, visa fees, the RCSI aptitude test fee, language testing and qualification validation fees.
• The HSE says many international nurses and health and social care professionals are recruited through a small number of employment agencies that manage the full recruitment process on its behalf, and that you can also apply directly to any advertised post you are qualified for.
• In 2026 the CUH website was temporarily unavailable and the HSE pointed visitors to HSE jobs search for CUH vacancies. Applications are made online through each advert.

• Registration with the Irish regulator for your profession before you practise: the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for nurses and midwives, the Irish Medical Council (IMC) for doctors, CORU for professions such as physiotherapy, radiography and medical science, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) for pharmacists. Qualifications gained outside the EU are assessed first, and NMBI or CORU may set a compensation measure such as an aptitude test or a period of adaptation.

• Doctors apply to the IMC in the division that fits the post. The IMC says doctors seeking the General or Trainee Specialist Division may be required to sit the Pre-Registration Examination System (PRES), and that a pass in the UK PLAB 2 can exempt you. The IMC also points to registration in the Supervised Division as another route; check its eligibility chart for the division that fits your post.

• English: NMBI asks for IELTS Academic overall 7.0 (7.0 in three components and 6.5 in one) or OET with B in three components and C+ in one, from a single sitting less than two years old. The IMC, CORU and PSI set their own tests and scores.

• An employment permit if you are not an EEA, UK or Swiss citizen. The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (DETE) issues the Critical Skills Employment Permit for occupations on its Critical Skills list, including doctors, nurses and midwives. It needs a two-year job offer; for public sector roles covered by a pay agreement the salary is the agreed rate; nurses and midwives need a qualification NMBI accepts. The fee is €1,000, with 90% refunded if refused, and DETE asks for applications at least 12 weeks before the start date.

• Non-consultant hospital doctors (NCHDs) may instead hold a two-year Multi-Site General Employment Permit, which Irish Immigration Service Delivery links to Stamp 1H and describes as carrying similar benefits to a Critical Skills permit.

• Pre-employment checks: the HSE recruitment process includes screening, interview, Garda vetting, recognition of qualifications and an occupational health check before a formal offer. If you need an entry visa, you apply after the permit is granted, and you register your immigration permission once you arrive.

1. 1

   Start your registration

   Apply to NMBI, the IMC, CORU or the PSI. Critical care, theatre, emergency and paediatric posts usually ask for experience in that specialty.
2. 2

   Register on HSE Career Hub

   CUH recommends registering on the HSE Career Hub to receive weekly job alerts for the roles and locations you choose.
3. 3

   Search HSE jobs for CUH

   Search about.hse.ie/jobs for Cork University Hospital. Read the job specification attached to the advert, especially the eligibility criteria.
4. 4

   Apply online

   Apply through the advert before the closing date. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview.
5. 5

   Checks and offer

   The HSE process includes Garda vetting, recognition of qualifications and an occupational health check before a formal offer. Ask about the HSE relocation package at offer stage.
6. 6

   Permit, visa and arrival

   With a two-year offer, apply for a Critical Skills Employment Permit at least 12 weeks before you start, then an entry visa if needed, and register your immigration permission after you arrive.