Program Overview

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Nursing Studies (Direct Entry Year 2)

Course Fact File

• Code: MSCNU2
• Duration: 1 Year Part-time
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Qualifications: MSc
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
• Non-EU Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
• Start Date: 15 September 2025

Course Outline

This course is aimed at enabling busy practitioners to take a leadership role in clinical practice in an increasingly complex healthcare environment by facilitating professional and scholarly development. It is vital that nurses and midwives demonstrate scientific evidence for their practice, and research-based practice is fundamental to providing quality care. Modules are aimed at enabling practitioners to utilise advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills in providing quality evidence-based care. Other modules in research are aimed at developing the ability of nurses and midwives to become critical consumers of research.

Year 2

• MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
• NU6073 Dissertation in Nursing (20 credits)

Additional Teaching Mode Information

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 1 year.

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

Assessment

This course is assessed by a combination of essays, seminar presentations, poster presentations and a research dissertation.

Why Choose This Course

The course will prepare you to act as nurse leaders and innovators in clinical practice. It will enhance your autonomy and provide a sound basis for practice.

Graduates will be well placed to practice as advanced nurse practitioners or clinical nurse managers. Prospective students who have completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing will be considered for direct entry to year 2 of the course.

Skills and Careers Information

On successful completion of this course, you will have:

1. Enhanced your critical appraisal skills
2. Developed clinical leadership
3. Contributed to practice development
4. Developed innovative clinical practice
5. Enhanced your ability to teach
6. A deeper understanding of issues surrounding the delivery of healthcare.

Requirements

Direct Entry to Year 2

The following applicants are eligible to apply for entry to Year 2:

1. Applicants who have completed a Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery or Public Health Nursing in the previous 5 academic years, subject to the programme being available.
2. Applicants who have completed (but who have not yet been conferred with) a Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery or Public Health Nursing. Such applicants should fulfil the following criteria: Applicants who hold an honours primary degree in Nursing, Midwifery or equivalent must normally achieve a pass in the Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma examination.

NOTE: In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not fulfil the entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the programme committee. Some such applicants may be invited for interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission to such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing & Midwifery.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

• In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
• Note that not all courses are open to international
  on-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay?

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

How To Apply

1. Check dates

Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.

2. Gather documents

Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

• Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
• Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.

3. Apply online

Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Additional Requirements

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please enter the names and email addresses of 2 referees.
• Please upload certification of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

Deferrals

Deferrals are not permitted on this course.

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.