Nursing

Are you empathetic and reliable, a team player with good communication skills and an analytical, problem-solving mind? If so, Nursing in UCD is the ideal career choice for you. Our innovative degree programme is taught by experienced lecturers in a friendly and supportive environment, with state-of- the art facilities. It prepares you to become a professional nurse who can successfully manage the complex healthcare needs of the adult population.

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Completing this degree qualifies you as a Registered General Nurse. You can work in acute and chronic care in a variety of medical and surgical settings. There are also career prospects for nurses to work in education, research or management, as well as excellent opportunities to build on your experience through work abroad.

In addition, you can pursue further studies at higher diploma, graduate diploma, master’s and doctorate level.

You’ll study the theory and practice of nursing in a fully integrated way, establishing a strong foundation for your future career. Your lectures, workshops and tutorials are delivered on our Belfield campus, while practice placements will enhance your learning and develop your nursing skills. Modules include:

First Year

• Transition to University
• Foundations of Nursing
• Biosciences
• Psychology
• Practice experience in a hospital setting for approximately 10 weeks

Second & Third Year

• Medical-Surgical Nursing Care
• Pharmacology
• Biopsychosocial Approaches to Health
• Ethical and legal context for practice
• Specialty clinical placements, such as intensive care and maternity care

Fourth Year

• Promoting Health
• Management and Quality Improvement
• Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare
• Sociology
• Clinical placement/internship

Academic Entry Requirements

UCD requires Certificate of Secondary (Complete) General Education (grade 11) + 1 or 2 years of a Bachelor Degree (minimum average ≥ 3) at a recognised university.

English Language Requirements

Teaching in Irish Universities is normally through the medium of English, therefore all applicants are required to demonstrate a high level of competence in English language. Applicants must provide evidence of equivalent competence in English language through a recognised English language test, as outlined below.

Please note:

• Your English language certificate must be no more than two years old at the beginning of your degree course.
• Other evidence of proficiency in English may be accepted. 

UCD recognise the appropriate minimum score in the following recognised English Language Examinations:

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

• An average score of 6.5 over all components and a minimum of 6.0 in each band on the Academic Version.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by Princeton University

• A minimum score of 600 in the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with Test of Written English at 475 +.
• In the computer based TOEFL, a minimum score of 250 is required.
• A minimum score of 90 is required in the Internet based based TOEFL (iBT).

There is a number of scholarships available for international students.