Nursing & Midwifery - Nursing - Year 2

Advance your nursing/midwifery career by completing an MSc in Nursing (Year 2) from the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery following the completion of your postgraduate diploma.



This programme will enable you to play an important role in ensuring that nursing/midwifery practice continues to be based on the best evidence. Enhance your theoretical knowledge and develop a critical and questioning approach as you explore professional, clinical and managerial issues relevant to your speciality role.



You will develop key research skills and work on a cutting-edge research knowledge base, built on exposure to best practice in research and evidence-based practice. You will be supported to develop a systematic review based on a speciality topic of your choosing.



You will also enhance your capacity for leadership by developing your knowledge in key areas of leadership, management, strategy and change management, and explore concepts of quality improvement and risk management.



This focused one-year programme is delivered part-time via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning and live online classes approximately once every week. Further support is provided through the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.



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



Suitable for

This programme is for applicants who have completed a PgDip and who wish to advance their academic and professional knowledge. It welcomes healthcare professionals at all levels of their career including those who want to develop key leadership and specialist competencies.



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.

To be eligible for this programme you must:

• Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification.

• Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or other registration in a country in which you are practicing if you are an international student.

• Be working in the specialist practice of the programme for the duration of the programme.



Please note:

• For MSc programmes delivered by the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery in partnership with specific partner hospitals, you must also be working in the specific hospital associated with the programme or other site which has been audit approved for the duration of the programme.



• For MSc programmes delivered solely by the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery, you will be expected to provide a clinical learning agreement signed by a director of nursing or designate.



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 an applicant may not have obtained the standard entry requirements.



This is considered on a case-by-case basis. Exemptions from programme modules which 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

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.

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

Next start date: September 2026.

Progression options

On the successful completion of your Masters programme, you may be interested in pursuing a PhD or a professional doctorate. For more information, please contact us at nursing@rcsi.ie.