Surgery & Medicine - Human Factors in Patient Safety

The MSc in Human Factors in Patient safety is a two-year programme from the RCSI Department of Surgical Affairs – the first year of which leads to the award of Postgraduate Diploma, and the second year, which leads to the award of MSc.



You must complete the Postgraduate Diploma year to be eligible to progress to the MSc. There is no option to enter straight into the MSc as this is a two-year programme.



At the end of Year 1 and on the successful completion of five modules, you will be given the opportunity to progress to the MSc. If, at this point, you do not wish to progress you can graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Factors in Patient Safety. 



 In Year 2, you will undertake a research and dissertation module that culminates in a submission-ready empirical research or quality improvement article plus an extended literature review.



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



Suitable for

The programme is suitable for all healthcare professionals involved in the care of hospital patients, including surgeons, physicians, anaesthesiologists, emergency medicine doctors, obstetricians, pharmacists, nurses and midwives working in the hospital setting, as well as safety and quality managers. We have had nurses from all acute care domains including ICU, surgery, emergency medicine and general medicine, as well as those that have transitioned out of nursing to safety and quality roles. Additionally, we have also had pharmacists and obstetricians undertake our programme.



Accreditation and recognition

The programme is accredited by the National University of Ireland, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) and RCSI.

Module 1 Error and Safety in Acute Healthcare:

Introduce patient safety with a systems perspective, exploring foundational and seminal literature



Module 2 Personal Effectiveness and Non-technical Skills:

Improve personal effectiveness and team performance factors in healthcare settings



Module 3 Leadership of Process and Quality Improvement:

theoretical principles and practical strategies behind quality improvement in healthcare



Module 4 Professionalism and Advanced Communications;

Explore professionalism, ethical practice, and advanced communication, including end-of-life care



Module 5 Research Methods:

Study various research methodologies and develop a proposal for a research dissertation



Year 2 Research Dissertation:

Conduct an independent research or quality improvement project which will be presented as a ready-for-publication research paper

This is an inter-professional programme. Applications are invited from all those working in healthcare, including surgeons, anaesthesiologists, emergency medicine physicians, obstetricians, radiologists, acute care nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiographers, social workers, dietitians, occupational therapists, other allied healthcare professionals and quality managers.



To be eligible, you must hold a Bachelor of Medicine (MB) or a primary degree in a health and social sciences field with a qualification achieved at the level of 2.2 honours.



All candidates must also provide evidence of at least two years’ postgraduate work experience in healthcare.



As part of the application process you are required to submit the following supporting documentation:

• CV.

• Copy of passport.

• Copy of educational transcripts.

• Proof of sponsorship (where applicable).

• A 500-word response to the question 'Why is healthcare still not safe?'. Please note that all responses will be screened for AI generated content. Before submitting your application please review our AI guidelines.

• Letter from current employer.

• Evidence of English language qualification (where applicable).



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Recognition of prior learning (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.



If you believe that you qualify for recognition of prior learning, you must contact the programme director to discuss why you believe you qualify. You will be asked to submit documentation to confirm equivalency.



English language requirement exceptions

If English is not your first language, you will also need to supply a copy of an academic Opens in new windowIELTS examination, or equivalent, with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no individual band below 6.5*, unless exempt.



Exemptions may apply if you have:

• Completed school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) through English in a country where English is the majority native language



• Completed school or undergraduate studies (three or more years) in an English speaking institution in a country where English is not the majority native language and where an IELTS score of 5 or more was a requirement for admissions to the programme



• Been working in a country (two years or more) where English is the majority native language or for an employer where English language is the official language



Please note: Certified proof must be uploaded as part of your application.



Read more about minimum English language requirements at https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/english-language-requirements

How to apply

Applications for the 2026 intake are now open. Join a wide range of healthcare professionals worldwide who have benefitted from completing our interprofessional and highly flexible programme.

Assessment


Formative assessment will include participation in classroom activities and group work. Summative assessment will involve:


•A 2,000-word written assignment per module.


•Participation in a group project and presentation, per module


•A 300-word submission to a weekly discussion forum, (6-8) per module.


•For those progressing to the Masters programme, a publication-ready research article accompanied by an extended literature review will be submitted for assessment.

2 years. Mode of delivery Online - Part-time.

Fees and funding


EU

•Year 1: €5,000

•Year 2: €7,500


Non-EU applicants

•Year 1: €10,000

•Year 2: €15,000


Please note

•All students also need to pay an annual NUI fee of €45.

•Fees are subject to annual review

Next start date: September 2026.