Nursing & Midwifery - Cancer Nursing - Beaumont Hospital

Advance your theoretical knowledge and develop a critical and questioning approach as you explore professional, clinical, leadership and managerial issues relevant to care of the oncology patient.



Enhance your clinical practice by developing an in-depth knowledge of the principles of oncolcogy nursing along with knowledge in major cancer areas, choosing modules most approriate for your practice. Through the development of key research skills, you will be supported to explore evidence supporting safer patient care in this setting and emerging trends in this area.



This programme is delivered part-time by the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning and live online classes approximately once every week in Semester 1. Specialist module teaching occurs in Semester 2, delivered by clinical teachers in Beamont hospital with a mix of in person and online teaching.



Further support is provided through the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.



The award title for this course is Postgraduate Diploma Nursing (Cancer Nursing).



This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.



Suitable for

This programme is suitable for registered nurses working in oncology settings in Beaumont Hospital or affiliated sites.



Accreditation and recognition

All programmes offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery are accredited by RCSI, the National University of Ireland and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Recognition by bodies in other jurisdictions must be determined by individual applicants.

Advanced Research Methods

Advanced Leadership - Professional & Clinical

Professional Critical Reflexivity and Competence

Core Concepts of Cancer Care Nursing

Major Adult Cancers

Supportive Care in the Oncology and Haematology Setting

You must:

• Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification. However, applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification may still be eligible to join the programme through our supported-entry pathway programme. This is subject to an assessment of prior learning and experience.



• Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.



• Be working in the programme specialist practice area in Beaumont Hospital or in another clinical site which has been audit approved for the duration of the programme.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Learning occurs in many contexts including work, involvement in social and community activities, and learning through life experience generally.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL) does not give credit for experience as such – rather, it considers learning that was acquired as a result of the experience. RPL may be used to gain admission to programmes where you may not have obtained the standard entry requirements. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.



Exemptions from programme modules that duplicate learning already demonstrably acquired through prior learning may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.



For more information, please contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery:

Tel: +353 1 402 2445

Email: nursing@rcsi.ie



English language requirement exceptions

English language requirements are published here. If you have completed undergraduate/postgraduate full-time studies in the medium of the English language (three or more years cumulatively), or if you are registered with the NMBI, you are exempt from these requirements.

How to apply

The next intake is September 2026, with applications opening around March/April 2026. Please email nursing@rcsi.ie for further information.

1 year. Mode of delivery Hybrid - Part-time.

Fees and funding

•Total fees: Fees are currently being reviewed for 2020/21 and will be released shortly.


Please note

•Your annual fees include the €45 NUI fee.

•There is a non-refundable online application fee of €50.

•Fees can be paid by bank transfer, cheque (made payable to 'RCSI') or bank giro. Full details on fee payment will be emailed to you shortly before the commencement of your programme.

•You can pay your fees in three instalments – one payment of 40% is due before you commence the programme, while the remaining payments can be paid in two 30% instalments in November and February of your year of study.

•If you meet the criteria for a Non-EU student please contact us for more information on fee payments

Next start date: September 2026.

Progression options

Graduates of this postgraduate diploma who wish to take a further step may enrol onto the master's programme – the MSc Nursing (Cancer Nursing) – and undertake Year 2 of the full programme, completing a systematic review.