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Nursing: Gerontology (MHSc/PDip)

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Course Overview

This programme is for all nurses caring for older people in acute, community or long-term care settings. The programme recognises the need to enable and empower people to age with confidence, security and dignity. It also acknowledges the need for gerontological nurses to attain postgraduate specialist knowledge, skill and competence to effectively work with older people to achieve their individual goals and ambitions about their personal health and wellness. The programme aims to equip nurses with the broad skills needed to meet the needs of older persons across a wide variety of settings acknowledging older people as valuable active citizens who deserve the support and empowerment of service provision to enact a fulfilled life.    

This programme is offered full-time over two calendar years. On completion of both theoretical and clinical modules in Year 1, you have the option of completing a Postgraduate Diploma or (if you have achieved the minimum 60% average mark across these modules) you may progress onto the second year to complete 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 an average of 12 days during the academic year.  As a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) requirement students are required to complete a minimum of 500 clinical working hours caring for older persons in order to complete the programme.    

SPECIAL FEATURES
The course has a clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills in gerontological nursing. The programme is offered 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. This course is approved by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Programme Funding

This programme is eligible for funding supported by the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Directorate (ONMSD). Funding is available for registered nurses, employed in the HSE, or in HSE funded organisations. If you want to make further enquiries and apply for HSE funding for this programme further information is available at

healthservice.hse.ie/about-us/onmsd/education-and-continuous-professional-development/cpd-for-nurses-and-midwives/apply-for-funding/apply-for-funding.html

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

See the full staff list here.

Requirements and Assessment

The following supporting documentation is required on application 
 
  • A copy of your current NMBI registration 
  • Copies of your academic transcripts from completed educational courses 
  • Copies of your official awards (parchments) from completed educational courses 
  • Written evidence of support from your Director of Nursing and Clinical Unit Manager guaranteeing practice placement in a setting where you will an opportunity to care for older person patients/clients for the duration of the programme, or where  necessary, agreement that you will be freed to undertake additional practice in a suitable placement setting facilitating experience caring for older persons.  
  • You must also submit details of your work experience as stated on the application form. 
Modules are assessed using a combination of continuous assessments including online e-tivity, MCQ, and coursework.  

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

  1. Be a registered nurse on the General Nurse or Psychiatric or Intellectual Disability division of the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI); 
  2. Have a minimum of one year of post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses); 
  3. Be currently employed as a nurse in a setting where he/she has opportunities to care for older people and have a minimum of 6 months experience in this specific clinical setting. 
  4. Satisfy the selection panel of ability to complete the programme;
  5. Provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing and Clinical Unit Manager guaranteeing practice placement in a setting where he/she has an opportunity to care for older person patients/clients for the duration of the programme. Alternatively, where necessary, agreement that the applicant is facilitated to undertake additional practice in a suitable placement setting focused on care of the older person.  
  6. 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) or Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous four years) a module at Level 9. Please consult the professional credit awards at Level 9 at: www.universityofgalway.ie/pca/pca.html. 
  7. Provide the following supporting documentation on application:
  • A copy of your current NMBI registration 
  • Copies of your academic transcripts from completed educational courses 
  • Copies of your official awards (parchments) from completed educational courses
  • Letter from your line manger confirming support for practice placement
  • Letter confirming funding for the programme 

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

20

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

30 June 2025

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

MHSC-GERO

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 and promotion opportunities nationally and internationally in service and care provision to older persons in the acute, long term residential and community healthcare sectors.

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) & €3,570 (Yr 2) (including levy) p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€7,750 p.a. (Yr 1); €3,500 (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


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.

Note to non-EU students: learn about the 24-month Stayback Visa here. 

Find out More

Dr Marcella Horrigan Kelly 
E: Marcella.kelly@universityofgalway.ie
T: + 353 91 492 828 

 

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