Nursing - Oncology

Course Outline

Our MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing is an exciting nursing programme offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University College Cork.



The oncology pathway of this programme is offered in a blended learning format (part-online and part-attendance at workshops/tutorials) and is designed to meet the needs of nurses working in oncology settings who wish to undergo a specialist oncology course. The philosophy underpinning this oncology course recognises the uniqueness of the individual at each stage of the cancer care trajectory. The physical and psychosocial effect of cancer creates specific needs for patients and families from diagnosis to treatment and through to survivorship.



Programme Details

The MSc in Nursing programme, comprising seven clinical pathways, is structured into two parts and will typically be completed over two years from the date of first registration for the programme (60 credits in Part I and 30 credits in Part II).



All students will be registered for a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing in Year 1 and will be registered for an MSc in Year 2. Students who opt to exit at the end of the first year will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 60 credits (applicable to all pathways).

Programme Pathways

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. Oncology Nursing is Pathway 11 and comprises theory modules and clinical practice modules as follows:



Oncology Nursing (Pathway 11)

Year 1 (60 credits)

Theory modules (blended learning)

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)

NU6145 Foundations of Cancer Care (10 credits)

NU6146 Cancer Management and Supportive Cancer Care I (10 credits)

NU6147 Cancer Management and Supportive Cancer Care II (5 credits)



Clinical Practice/Practicum modules

NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing I (5 credits)

NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing II (5 credits)



Year 2 (30 credits)

In order to progress to Part II students must pass modules to the value of 60 credits in Part I.

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 Academic Calendar (Dip/MSc Nursing).



ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Pathway 11 - Oncology Nursing



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



1. 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 Oncology Nursing Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses;



2. Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Oncology 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;



3. Applicants must provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing/equivalent authorised nurse manager stating:



The applicant will be working in the relevant specialist area for the duration of the programme for a minimum of 18.75 hours a week;



They will be released from practice to attend the programme requirements;



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.



Note: Prospective students who do not fulfill the clinical practice experience entry requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing may be eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing programme (30 credits).



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.

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.

Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing Credits Assignments

NU6005 Research Methods 10 Academic Paper (3000 words); E-activities.

NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice 5 Academic Paper (1500 words); E-activities

NU6070 Practice Enhancement 10 Academic Paper (3000 words); E-activities

NU6145 Foundations of Cancer Care 10 Academic Paper (3000 words); E-activities

NU6146 Cancer Management and Supportive Cancer Care 1 10 Academic Paper (3000 words); E-activities

NU6147 Cancer Management and Supportive Cancer Care 11 5 Academic Paper (1500 words); E-activities

NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing 1 5 Clinical Assessment of Competencies, E-Portfolios

NU6131 Clincial Practice in Specialist Nursing 11 5 Clinical Assessment of Competencies, E-Portfolios

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

Start Date 1 September 2025