Nursing Studies - Direct Entry Year 2

Course Outline

This course is aimed at enabling busy practitioners to take a leadership role in clinical practice in an increasingly complex healthcare environment by facilitating professional and scholarly development. It is vital that nurses and midwives demonstrate scientific evidence for their practice, and research-based practice is fundamental to providing quality care. Modules are aimed at enabling practitioners to utilise advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills in providing quality evidence-based care. Other modules in research are aimed at developing the ability of nurses and midwives to become critical consumers of research.

Year 2

MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

NU6073 Dissertation in Nursing (20 credits)

Direct Entry to Year 2

The following applicants are eligible to apply for entry to Year 2:

1. Applicants who have completed a Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery or Public Health Nursing in the previous 5 academic years, subject to the programme being available.



2. Applicants who have completed (but who have not yet been conferred with) a Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery or Public Health Nursing. Such applicants should fulfil the following criteria: Applicants who hold an honours primary degree in Nursing, Midwifery or equivalent must normally achieve a pass in the Higher Diploma/Postgraduate Diploma examination.



NOTE: In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not fulfil 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. Some such applicants may be invited for interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission to such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing & 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.

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.

This course is assessed by a combination of essays, seminar presentations, poster presentations and a research dissertation.

1 year part-time.

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 1 year.

Start Date 1 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

On successful completion of this course, you will have

Enhanced your critical appraisal skills

Developed clinical leadership

Contributed to practice development

Developed innovative clinical practice

Enhanced your ability to teach

A deeper understanding of issues surrounding the delivery of healthcare.