Program Overview

Nursing Studies (Year 1)

Course Fact File

• Code: MSCNU
• Teaching Mode: Full-time, Part-Time
• Qualifications: MSc
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• EU Fees: €5,130
• Non-EU Fees: €10,300
• Closing Date: Not on offer 2023/24
• Non-EU Closing Date: N/A
• Start Date: N/A

Course Outline

Our MSc Nursing Studies programme aims to build on your existing knowledge and skills to enhance professional practice and support career development. The course has been designed to provide you with opportunities to act as a practicing innovator and to demonstrate higher levels of judgment and autonomy in your area of nursing. The course will develop your professional expertise, research skills and critical inquiry. MSc Nursing Studies is an investment in your career and your professional practice.

The MSc in Nursing Studies is a part-time programme running over two academic years from the date of first registration.

Course Structure

• Year 1
  • NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
  • NU6070 Clinical Leadership in Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)
  • NU6201 Personal and Professional Portfolio (10 credits)
  • Elective modules (subject to availability*) to the value of 30 credits from the following:
    • NU6019 Person-Centered Care (10 credits)
    • NU6074 Nursing and Midwifery Management and Development (10 credits)
    • NU6076 Evidence-Based Nursing and Midwifery Practice (10 credits)
    • NU6120 Patient Safety (10 credits)
    • NU6125 Professional Practice Issues for Nurses and Midwives (10 credits)
• Year 2
  • MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
  • NU6073 Dissertation in Nursing (20 credits)

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies

There is an opportunity to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Studies, provided a student has passed 60 credits in Year 1.

Course Objectives

On completion of the MSc Nursing Studies, students will be able to:

• act as innovators and leaders in a chosen area and contribute to practice development and best practice
• practice with greater insight into the research-base, ethical, socio-political, and professional underpinnings of nursing/midwifery and health care in Ireland
• exercise enhanced personal and professional competence through accountability and autonomy in professional practice
• critically review research evidence as applied to an area of professional practice
• demonstrate the vision of professional practice that can be developed both within and beyond scope of practice.

Course Practicalities

• Year 1
  • Year 1 is divided into two teaching semesters (September to December and January to April). Students will be required to attend classes one day per week (Note: If taking blended learning modules this requirement will be less. Blended learning combines online and face-to-face teaching and learning).
• Year 2
  • In Year 2, students are required to attend classes for one afternoon every second week for the first semester (September to December). For the second semester, students will be undertaking a research study and completing their dissertation, therefore students are only required to attend individual supervision sessions.

Assessment

A range of continuous assessments are used across the modules. These include essays, oral presentations, reflective reports, practice innovation reports, and professional portfolios.

Why Choose This Course

This Masters in Nursing Studies is designed so that you can apply what you learn in each module to an area that is of specific interest to you. This allows for the tailoring of the programme to meet your professional and personal needs. In addition, we recognise that the majority of students also work full-time, and therefore the programme offers a blended learning approach that combines online and face-to-face teaching and learning.

Skills and Careers Information

Many of our MSc graduates have achieved promotion during or soon after the completion of the course. In clinical practice, for example, senior and advanced nursing posts increasingly require applicants to possess or be working towards, masters-level qualifications.

Requirements

• Have a minimum of an honours primary degree (NFQ, Level 8) in Nursing, Midwifery or equivalent qualification approved by the College of Medicine and Health)
• Hold professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration.

International/Non-EU Applicants

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

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

The EU fee for this course is €5,130.

The Non-EU fee for this course is €10,300.

How To Apply

1. Check dates
2. Gather documents
3. Apply online

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).
• Please upload an employer approval letter.

The closing date for non-EU applications is N/A.