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Courses
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Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.
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University Life
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About University of Galway
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement
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Accessibility & LanguageNursing: Public Health Nursing (Master Health Science)
Course Overview
The Master Health Science (Public Health Nursing [PHN])—runs over two academic years. Candidates will register initially for a one year postgraduate diploma upon successful completion of year one can register with the NMBI as a public health nurse. To successfully complete Year One the student must complete theoretical modules totalling 60 ECTS and clinical assessment requirements as stipulated by NMBI (2023). They will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing). This is currently sponsored by the HSE.
On successful completion of year one students may choose to continue on to Year 2 of the MSc programme, without exiting the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma. In order to transfer to Year 2 of the MSc programme, students must achieve 60% on the aggregate of modules undertaken in year one to progress to Year Two. Year Two of this programme is offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Galway, and is not sponsored by the Health Service Executive.
Please note: Year 2 (MSc) is only available to students directly after they have completed year one. This cannot be applied for as a top-up to MSc.
Applications and Selections
Application is done through HSE. Please see the following link for important information regarding the application and recruitment policy: http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/Job_Search/Nursing/PHNSponsorship/
Applicants must satisfy the selection/admission committee that they have the ability to complete the programme.
Successful candidates will have their 1st year sponsored by the Health Service Executive.
Note: Confirmation of sponsorship and clinical placement is by provision of a copy of the HSE student Public Health Nurse contract provided to you following successful application and confirmation of your sponsorship.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please see the following link for important information regarding the application and recruitment policy: http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/Job_Search/Nursing/PHNSponsorship/
Who Teaches this Course
External expert speakers also contribute to programme content.
Requirements and Assessment
Modules are assessed using a combination of coursework and examinations.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
- Be registered in the General Nursing Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered AND have a minimum of two years' post-registration general nursing experience.* OR
- Be registered in the General Nursing Division and another Division of the Register, including Registered Midwife (RM), Registered Children’s Nurse (RCN), Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID) or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) Divisions of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the NMBI or entitled to be so registered; AND have a minimum of 12 months' post-registration general nursing experience as an RGN, and 12 months post-registration experience as an RM or RCN or RNID or RPN.* AND
- Meet the academic criteria set by the relevant Higher Education Institute (HEI); Hold an NQAI Level 8 qualification (honours degree) or proof of equivalency; Demonstrate that they have undertaken a programme of study at NFQ Level 8. The academic transcript provided will be used as evidence to demonstrate this, and it should be for the highest level award.*
- If an applicant has not studied at Irish NFQ Level 8 or above or is unable to submit a complete academic transcript or is unsure of the level of their award as detailed above or is unable to confirm the level of their award is equivalent to Irish NFQ Level 8 or above they must complete an Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).*
- Applicants whose first language or language of primary expression is not English must provide evidence that their English language ability meets the required standard for admission in one of the following ways*:
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - the overall minimum required score is 7.0 on the IELTS assessment test Academic Version, with a minimum of 7.0 in any three components and 6.5 in any one component or the equivalent in another English language test and examination. *certificate must have been completed within 2 years of deadline for submitting Std PHN application.
- In circumstances where applicants previously met the minimum English requirements, but the cert has expired (applicants must submit the expired certificate with their application), applicants will not be required to re-take the examination if:
- They have worked, for a minimum of 2 years, through the medium of English in a country where English is the acknowledged primary language.
- Satisfy the selection/admission committee that they have the ability to complete the programme;*
Further information here.
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
1 year, full-time (for Year One of programme)
1 year, part-time (for Year Two of programme)
Next start date
September 2025
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
30
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
60 (Year One), 30 (Year Two)
Award
CAO
Course code
1MDH1
Course Outline
PROGRAMME CONTENT (subject to change)
Year One
The theoretical component of year one is comprised of 5 modules (if a registered midwife) and 6 modules (if not a registered midwife).
You will also complete clinical placement competency assessments within the community setting. Students who are not registered midwives will also undertake 5 weeks placement and a clinical assessment in a maternity setting.
Modules (Year One):
- Clinical Governance—Supporting Safe practice
- Advanced Research Methods
- Promoting Population Health Across the Lifespan
- Child Health Surveillance, Welfare and Protection
- Public Health Nursing Praxis
- Maternal, Infant and Family Health (non-midwives only)
- Public Health Nursing Placement
- Maternity Placement (Child non-midwives only)
Note: Year One is currently sponsored by the HSE.
Master of Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing)—Year Two
On successful completion of year one you can register with the NMBI as a Public Health Nurse. You can either choose complete your studies (opt out of year 2) at the end of year one and receive the award of Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Public Health Nursing) OR you can continue on to year 2 to undertake the Master of Health Science (Public Health Nursing). Entry to Year 2 of the programme is subject to you achieving 60% on the aggregate of modules undertaken in year one. In Year 2 you complete a research dissertation (30 ECTS) on a topic of relevance to public health nursing.
Note: Year Two is self-funded and part-time.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
As a graduate, you will have the opportunity to practise autonomously within a community setting. You will have developed a specific knowledge that will enable you, as a community practitioner, to provide primary healthcare and target public health issues in the community.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€8,240 full-time; €4,370 part-time p.a. 2025/26
Fees: Tuition
€8,100 full-time; €4,300 part-time p.a. 2025/26
Fees: Student levy
€140 full-time; €70 part-time p.a. 2025/26
Fees: Non EU
€
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
Ms Nicola Gill Meeley
Programme Director
T: +353 91 495 036
E: nicola.gillmeeley@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/nursing/
What Students Say
Rebecca Moylan | 2nd Year MSc student
I am currently working in the community as a public health nurse. As well as other aspects of public health, I have always been passionate about wound care. With the support of my management team, I intend to specialise as a tissue viability nurse with the help of this further education. I felt that NUI Galway provided a lot of flexibility with the structure of the course, this made it possible to travel to Galway and attend lectures while also working full time in a busy role. I always felt well supported by the speedy responses of the lecturers if I ever had any query. The practical element of the venous leg ulcer module as well as the OSCE in ABPIs gave me the confidence to practice in the community and initiate compression therapy safely for patients and therefore reduce the amount of referrals onwards to the acute services. I also very much enjoyed learning alongside my podiatry colleagues. Working full time and also studying full time is a challenge. However, the online recorded lectures have been a saving grace. As I approach the end of Year 2, I can say with confidence that having this Masters will outweigh any challenge I was faced with.
Emma Murphy | Master of Health Science (Public Health Nursing) Student
The Master of Health Science (Public Health Nursing) program has a healthy mix of theoretical learning and practical placements which when combined facilitate the student PHN in preparing for and understanding their new role in the primary care setting. The lecturers at the University of Galway and PHN preceptors couldn't have been more supportive of my specific learning needs. The modules are relevant, interesting, practical, and insightful which really allowed me to understand the concept of population health and gain the necessary knowledge and skills required to care for newborns, the elderly and everyone in-between. In addition to the academic aspects of the course, I really enjoyed meeting other nurses from varied backgrounds who brought great knowledge and experience to the group. The friendships that developed and the laughter along the way have been invaluable, and I feel they will last a lifetime.
Deirdre McGrath | Master of Health Science (Public Health Nursing) Student
I have just completed a PGDip in Public Health Nursing as a postgraduate student in the University of Galway. From start to finish I found the University staff so supportive and accommodating. It was my first time to return to third level after twenty years and I was pleasantly surprised. My lack of in information technology and academic writing was a concern, however, the support and endless resources from the librarians and lecturers quickly dismissed my fears. Our lecturers varied their topics with open discussion. They were flexible with timetables and adjusting schedules to maximize best outcomes, often working beyond a normal daytime timetable. The course coordinator was open to feedback regarding applicability, narrowing the gap between theory and practice. This approach was " a breath of fresh air to me" as it helps make sense of theory in practice. I would recommend University of Galway to anyone that would be interested in studying at a third level education in Ireland. You will learn a lot about your area of interest and discover new friends and colleagues along the route.
