Nursing - Neonatal Nursing

Our Neonatology Postgraduate Nursing Diploma/Masters programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University College Cork. This programme is a pathway of the MSc/Postgraduate Nursing Diploma. It is designed to meet the needs of nurses working in neonatal care who wish to undergo a specialist programme. The programme facilitates students to become more knowledgeable and skilled in neonatal nursing including developing skills in implementing evidence-based practice in neonatal care.



The Postgraduate Neonatology Nursing programme consists of taught modules in neonatal nursing, practice modules to obtain competencies in neonatal care, and shared modules in research, ethics, and practice enhancement with nurses undertaking other specialist programmes. The shared modules are offered using blended learning (part online and part attendance at workshops/tutorials).



The programme is delivered over one academic year and on successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma (60 credits), students can progress to the MSc in Nursing in Year 2 (30 credits).

There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. Neonatology Nursing is Pathway 6 and comprises theory modules and clinical practice modules as follows:



Neonatology Nursing (Pathway 6)



Year 1 (60 credits)



Theory modules



NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

NU6053 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Specialist Practice (5 credits)

NU6070 Clinical Leadership in Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)

NU6150 Nursing Management of Neonates (10 credits)

NU6159 High Dependency in Neonatal Nursing (15 credits)



Clinical Practice/Practicum modules



NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 (5 credits)

NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 2 (5 credits)



Year 2 (30 credits)



In order to progress to Year 2 students must pass modules to the value of 60 credits in Year 1.



MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

NU6073 Dissertation in Nursing (20 credits)

There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. The pathways to the degree of Masters, including the Postgraduate Diploma exit route, are all available to view in the College Calendar (Diploma/Masters in Nursing).



ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Pathway 6 – Neonatology Nursing



Applicants for this MSc in Nursing, including Postgraduate Diploma exit route, should normally:



Hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration as required for individual pathways. For the Neonatology Nursing

Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses Or Registered Children's Nurses Or Registered Midwives.



Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Neonatology Nursing Pathway, applicants must have a minimum of six months of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for.



Applicants must provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing/equivalent authorised Nurse Manager stating:



(a) The applicant will be working in the relevant specialist area for the duration of the programme for a minimum of 19.5 hours a week

(b) They will be released from practice to attend the programme requirements

(c) A Clinical Preceptor and/or Clinical Facilitator can support learning in the specialist area of practice for the duration of the programme.



NOTE: In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not fulfill 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. Such applicants may be invited for an interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing and 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/non-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.

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.

2 Years, Full-time. - PG Diploma (Year 1); Masters (Year 2)

Start Date 31 August 2026

Skills and Careers Information

On completion of the postgraduate diploma, students can progress to an MSc in Nursing. See the College Calendar (Diploma/Masters in Nursing) for more information on the MSc programme.