Courses / Course

	Required	Ordinary level grade	Higher level grade
Irish		O6	H7
English		O6	H7
Language		-	-
Math		O6	H7
Science		O6	H7

This course requires 2 additional subjects

QQI (Further Education) Applicants
QQI applicants are required to hold a Level 5 major award in one of the following areas:
• Nursing Studies (5M4349)
• Healthcare Support (5M4339)
• Community and Health Services (5M4468)
• Health Service Skills (5M3782)

QQI applicants must continue to achieve five distinctions, which must include two of the following:
• Anatomy and Physiology, and
• Nursing Theory & Practice or Care Support.

More information - how to apply as a QQI application to a level 8 degree at MU.

Mature Applicants with NMBI test score 

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time/flexible degrees the mature age is 21. 

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any required written exercise/interview which may form part of your application assessment please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2026 to the Access Office.  

Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline. 

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

Leaving Certificate Applicants: 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English, Mathematics, Science subject (one of Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry). Requirements can
only be accumulated over a maximum of 2 Leaving Certificate sittings.

Please note:

• The programme comprises 50% theory and 50% placement in community and hospital settings. Applicants should be aware that the range and geographical spread of placement sites will require them to travel for practice placements at all stages of the programme.
• All applicants offered a place will be required to have medical screening at different points in the programme. This will include medical assessment, screening and, if necessary, vaccination prior to the first clinical placement. All applicants offered a place will require a background check by the National Vetting Bureau and must meet the Garda vetting requirements of MU. Applicants may also be required to provide an enhanced disclosure through the completion of an affidavit at the time of registration. Entry to this programme is subject to the MU Fitness to Study/Practise policy. Fitness to practise means having the necessary skills, knowledge, health and character to undertake and complete the programme, safely and effectively.
• The academic year for this programme extends into June. Practice placement will normally finish in the last week of June.

APPLY TO THE CAO - WWW.CAO.IE

The application process depends on the type of applicant. Click here for all information about how to apply.

Categories of applicant:

• School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
• Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
• EU/EFTA/UK students
• International students (outside the EU)
• QQI (Further Education) students
• Transferring students
• Deferring students

Please Note: This course is NOT available for applications from Non-EU Students

1st Year 

First year begins with a focus on health, the social determinants of health, normal anatomy and physiology, normal ageing, health and social care in community and older persons care settings and the role of the general nurse in these contexts. Most credits (37.5) are allocated to nursing theory and practice modules. The balance (22.5 credits) is allocated to modules (e.g. health psychology, sociology, geography) which broaden students' understanding of health and how people's environments impact their health. Practice placements will be in older persons and community settings.

2nd Year

The nursing management of acutely and chronically ill individuals is the major focus in second year, in tandem with a focus on health promotion. Placements echo this focus with clinical placements in medical, surgical, emergency and theatre settings. Students will also complete specialist placements in maternity and childcare this year. Again, most credits (45) are allocated to nursing theory and practice modules. The balance (15 credits) is allocated to modules (e.g. anatomy, pharmacology, health psychology) focused on broadening students' understanding of people's responses to and ways of coping with ill-health.

3rd Year

The goal for third year is to facilitate students to integrate and further develop their knowledge and skills. Nursing theoretical content (35 credits) addresses areas such as enhanced person-centred assessment and care planning, recognising and responding to patient clinical deterioration, clinical decision making, managing a caseload and leadership and management. The balance (25 credits) is focused on modules supporting this learning, including modules on ethics, legal issues, leadership, social policy and pharmacology. Practice placements this year are in medical, surgical and mental health settings.

4th Year

In their final year (fourth year) students will complete 36 weeks of internship (45 credits). Internship will afford students the opportunity to build their confidence and consolidate their knowledge and skills for caring across the health spectrum and in diverse settings. Students will take a module focused on supporting their transition to practitioner and complete a clinical research project with the support of a lecturer (15 credits).

Please note:

• The programme comprises 50% theory and 50% placement in community and hospital settings. Applicants should be aware that the range and geographical spread of placement sites will require them to travel for practice placements at all stages of the programme.
• All applicants offered a place will be required to have medical screening at different points in the programme. This will include medical assessment, screening and, if necessary, vaccination prior to the first clinical placement. All applicants offered a place will require a background check by the National Vetting Bureau and must meet the Garda vetting requirements of MU. Applicants may also be required to provide an enhanced disclosure through the completion of an affidavit at the time of registration. Entry to this programme is subject to the MU Fitness to Study/Practise policy. Fitness to practise means having the necessary skills, knowledge, health and character to undertake and complete the programme, safely and effectively.
• The academic year for this programme extends into June. Practice placement will normally finish in the last week of June.

Duration: 4 years

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually. Please check periodically for updates.

Year 1

SINGLE MAJOR NURSING NS1F60 - NURSING Credits: 60 Compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory AN INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY FOR NURSES PS161 5 1 BLENDED SIMULATED PRACTICE EXPERIENCE 1 NS155 2.5 1 DEVELOPING NURSING PRACTICE: PROMOTING HEALTHY AGEING NS152 5 Year-Long DEVELOPING NURSING PRACTICE: WORKING IN COMMUNITY NS153 5 Year-Long ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR NURSING PRACTICE 1 NS151 10 Year-Long GEOGRAPHY OF HEALTH GY165 5 2 PRACTICE LEARNING PLACEMENT 1: OLDER PERSONS NS156 7.5 2 PRACTICE LEARNING PLACEMENT 2: COMMUNITY NS157 7.5 2 SOCIAL ANALYSIS OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS SO161 5 1 THE HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS 1 NS154 7.5 Year-Long

Year 2

SINGLE MAJOR NURSING NS2F60 - NURSING Credits: 60 Compulsory: Module Code Credits Semester Compulsory BLENDED SIMULATED PRACTICE EXPERIENCE 2 NS255 2.5 1 DEVELOPING NURSING PRACTICE: SUPPORTING ADULTS THROUGH AN ACUTE ILLNESS NS253 5 Year-Long DEVELOPING NURSING PRACTICE: SUPPORTING PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS NS252 5 Year-Long ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS FOR NURSING PRACTICE 2 NS251 10 Year-Long HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY FOR NURSES PS241 5 1 PRACTICE LEARNING PLACEMENT 3: MEDICAL & EMERGENCY NS256 7.5 Year-Long PRACTICE LEARNING PLACEMENT 4: SURGICAL & THEATRE NS257 7.5 2 PRACTICE LEARNING PLACEMENT 5: MATERNITY & CHILDCARE AND PAEDIATRICS NS258 7.5 2 SOCIAL PRACTICES OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS SO261 5 2 THE HUMAN BODY IN HEALTH AND ILLNESS 2 NS254 5 Year-Long

Contact Us
Maynooth University School of Nursing, Eolas Building
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/nursing
nursing@mu.ie

General enquiries

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After Graduation
Successful completion of the degree programme leads to eligibility to register as a general nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Registered General Nurses have wide-ranging employment opportunities in Ireland, across the EU and beyond. Most graduates opt to consolidate their learning by working as a staff nurse in a hospital or community setting. Many go on to complete further studies in their chosen specialism, for example, community, emergency or palliative care nursing. There are also opportunities to work in different care settings within and outside the HSE, including charities such as Enable Ireland, Simon and many others. With experience and further study, opportunities for advancement include advanced nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nursing management or nursing education.

After Graduation
Successful completion of the degree programme leads to eligibility to register as a general nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Registered General Nurses have wide-ranging employment opportunities in Ireland, across the EU and beyond. Most graduates opt to consolidate their learning by working as a staff nurse in a hospital or community setting. Many go on to complete further studies in their chosen specialism, for example, community, emergency or palliative care nursing. There are also opportunities to work in different care settings within and outside the HSE, including charities such as Enable Ireland, Simon and many others. With experience and further study, opportunities for advancement include advanced nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nursing management or nursing education.

For further information on Postgraduate options please go to the Graduate Studies site