Nursing Education

The Master of Health Science (Nursing Education) is designed for individuals from diverse nursing backgrounds who are eager to develop a specialised skills set for effective teaching and learning. Whether you are a recent graduate aiming to build specialist knowledge, a nurse looking to advance your career, or someone considering a new career direction in nursing education, this programme offers the practice skills and expertise to help you succeed.



This course welcomes applicants with a background in nursing.



This programme provides you with the opportunity to combine professional and academic qualifications with an expertise in teaching. The programme will enable you to meet both the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and the wider needs of nurse education.



Students will gain understanding in advanced educational topics, such as curriculum design, teaching and learning strategies, student engagement, assessment and evaluation methods and the integration of technology in education.

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).



Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms



Year 1 (40 Credits)

Required NU625: Teaching Effectively

Required NU332: Teaching Assessment I

Required NU502: Advanced Research Methods

Required NU6507: Leadership, Quality Improvement and Governance

Required NU644: Student-centred Teaching & Learning: Active Engagement Strategies

Optional RPL020: Recognised Prior Learning

Year 2 (50 Credits)

Required NU643: Teaching e-Portfolio

Required NU6515: Research Dissertation

Required NU597: Designing for Learning

Required NU543: Teaching Assessment II

Have an honours bachelor’s degree at NFQ Level 8 in Nursing or a comparable qualification. Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or Higher Diploma (Level 8) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous two years) a module at Level 9. Please consult the professional credit awards at Level 9 at: www.universityofgalway.ie/pca/pca.html;



Be a registered nurse on the General, Mental Health, Children’s or Learning Disability Nurse divisions of the active register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; or hold a professional nursing qualification deemed to be equivalent by University of Galway;



Have practised as a nurse for three years post-registration (exclusive of post-registration/educational programmes);



Have negotiated a Teaching placement in a third-level School/Department of Nursing Education or Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education establishment which will provide the opportunity to meet the teaching practice requirements of this programme.

2 years, part-time. Blended

Next start date September 2026

A master’s degree provides enhanced career advancement opportunities. Graduates are qualified for leadership and specialised roles as educators in nurse education settings, such as nurse lecturer in universities, clinical nurse educators/facilitators in hospitals and community settings, Centres of Nursing & Midwifery Education, NMPDUs, and the private sector.



Secondly, a master’s degree leads to increased salary potential, with many nurse educator roles commanding significantly higher salaries. In addition, a master’s degree offers flexibility in career paths, with graduates choosing to work in diverse environments, from universities and colleges to clinical settings and professional development departments within healthcare organisations and the Health Service Executive.