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About University of Galway
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Accessibility & LanguageNursing: Emergency Care (MHSc/PDip)
Course Overview
The Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Emergency Care) is designed for registered nurses who wish to pursue a specialism in Emergency Nursing.
Students are required to undertake their clinical practice in an approved clinical practice setting within Ireland, normally within the students' own work setting. Students may also be required to undertake additional placement(s) in order to meet the programme’s learning outcomes.
All students will register on the full-time one-year Postgraduate Diploma. On completion of both theoretical and clinical modules for this course, students will graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma or (if they have achieved the minimum 60% average mark across these modules) they may apply to transfer to the second year of the MSc programme.
A blended learning approach is adopted in the delivery of this programme. Students are required to attend face to face workshops for a total of 12 days across the programme. Students are required to complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours (reduced from previously-published 1,000 hours, on NMBI advice) before completing this programme.
SPECIAL FEATURES
The course has a clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills. The programme is delivered through a blended learning format—a combination of online and face-to-face learning and teaching. Blended learning is an innovative and flexible approach to learning, making it possible to combine working full-time with studying. Our face-to-face learning workshops include high-fidelity simulation with state-of-the-art facilities, simulationists, and interprofessional faculty with clinical expertise for specific modules. This course has category 2 approval by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Please note all applicants register for the 1-year postgraduate diploma, with the opportunity to transfer to the second year of the MSc programme at the end of the first year if they meet the relevant eligibility criteria.
Who Teaches this Course
- Ms Karen Flaherty, Clinical Facilitator ED
- Ms Elaine Mulchrone, Clinical Facilitator ED
- Ms Naomi Davis ANP Clinical Tutor
- Ms Ciara O'Meara Lecturer
- Ms Lisa Glynn Lecturer
A variety of interprofessional educationalists, clinicians, simulationists, and healthcare employees also teach on this programme.
Requirements and Assessment
Modules are assessed using a combination of coursework and teaching assessments.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
- Be a registered nurse on the General Nurse division of the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI);
- Have a minimum of six months’ post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses);
- Be currently working in the required specialist area, i.e., emergency, and have, as a minimum, six months’ clinical experience in this specialist area;
- 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.nuigalway.ie/pca/pca.html.
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
Postgraduate Diploma: 1 year full-time
Masters: 2 years full-time (if eligible for second year following Postgraduate Diploma)
Next start date
September 2025
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
10 (minimum)
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
30 June 2025
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
90
Award
CAO
Course code
MHSC-EMCA
Course Outline
Students will complete three core and three specialist modules in the first year (60 ECTS). Eligible students will then complete a research dissertation (30 ECTS) in the second year.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates have found employment in the health services, and in private hospitals and clinics.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€7,890 (Yr 1) & €3,500 (Yr 2) (including levy) p.a. 2025/26
Fees: Tuition
€7,750 p.a. (Yr 1); €3,570 (Yr 2) 2025/26
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. (Yr 1) €70 p.a. (Yr 2) 2025/26
Fees: Non EU
€18,000 p.a. (€18,140 p.a. including levy) 2025/26
Non EU fees Year 2: €17,500 p.a. (€17,570 p.a. including levy) 2025/26
For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2025/26). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
Find out More
Dr Peter Carr
T: +353 91 492 833
E: peter.carr@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/nursing/
Valerie McGovern | Clinical Facilitator, Emergency Department
I completed this course a few years ago as I was new to ED and I wanted to ensure that I was providing evidence-based practice to ED patients. I found this course very informative and it allowed me to question my practice within the ED and to bring change into the ED based on the knowledge that I had gained from this programme. This programme provided me with a diverse range of knowledge which is required in ED when dealing with a diverse patient groups.
Jackie Finnegan | Staff Nurse, Emergency Dept., Galway University Hospital
I applied for the postgraduate diploma in emergency medicine to enhance my nursing skills and become a fully competent emergency department nurse. The course provided me with a clinical focus to develop skills, gain knowledge and provided ample learning opportunities to add to my skillset. I would recommend this course to anyone who aspires to specialise in Emergency medicine. The blended learning aspect appealed to me greatly as I was working full time therefore it made the course achievable and flexible for me to complete. It has encompassed my overall learning and has heightened my level of knowledge, thus benefitting my progression as an emergency department staff nurse.
