-
Courses
Courses
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.
-
University Life
University Life
Each year more than 4,000 choose University of Galway as their University of choice. Find out what life at University of Galway is all about here.
-
About University of Galway
About University of Galway
Since 1845, University of Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.
-
Colleges & Schools
Colleges & Schools
University of Galway has earned international recognition as a research-led university with a commitment to top quality teaching across a range of key areas of expertise.
-
Research & Innovation
Research & Innovation
University of Galway’s vibrant research community take on some of the most pressing challenges of our times.
-
Business & Industry
Guiding Breakthrough Research at University of Galway
We explore and facilitate commercial opportunities for the research community at University of Galway, as well as facilitating industry partnership.
-
Alumni & Friends
Alumni & Friends
There are 128,000 University of Galway alumni worldwide. Stay connected to your alumni community! Join our social networks and update your details online.
-
Community Engagement
Community Engagement
At University of Galway, we believe that the best learning takes place when you apply what you learn in a real world context. That's why many of our courses include work placements or community projects.
Accessibility & LanguageNursing: Advanced Practice Midwifery (PDip)
Postgraduate Diploma (Advanced Practice Midwifery)
Course Overview
The aims of the Postgraduate Diploma (Advanced Midwifery Practice) programme are to enable experienced registered midwives, who have a related MSc in midwifery/nursing, to develop an expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for an advanced autonomous scope of practice. The finite characteristics are shaped by the: context in which the individual practices; the needs of women/people/clients; and the challenges and developments within the health services.
The programme is designed to prepare the students as advanced autonomous practitioners, who are clinically competent and skilled in the delivery of high quality direct care to a specific women /client group. In particular, the Advanced Midwifery Practitioner will promote wellness, offer healthcare interventions and advocate healthy lifestyle choices for women/people, their families and carers in a wide variety of settings in collaboration with other healthcare professionals, according to agreed scope of practice guidelines.
The programme further aims to support the students to expand their role as autonomous members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team within the healthcare organisation and professional leaders in their field of specialist practice. The graduates, equipped with such knowledge and advanced skills will be eligible to apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Registered Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP).
This broad based 1 year post graduate programme for students who already have a Masters in Midwifery/Nursing related to the advanced midwife clinical practice area.
The diploma includes modules pertaining to nurse/midwife prescribing, research and the advanced practice role. In addition, there are 2 clinical competency assessment modules – 96 hours pertaining to prescribing and 500 hours of advanced practice clinical mentorship.
Applications and Selections
Please note the application portal for this particular course is currently closed.
The portal will re-open to accept applications for the above programme on the 1st April 2025, and will remain open until 30th June 2025. Applications for September 2023 intake will be accepted during these dates. Please note no applications will be accepted after this date.
Applicants will be reviewed in tranches and you will be communicated with in due course on receipt of your completed application. Earlier and fully completed applications will be prioritised. Please ensure you have all requirements for your application as incomplete applications will not be considered. For reconsideration, applicants will have to reapply incurring reapplication costs.
Who Teaches this Course
See the full staff list here.
M.Sc. B.Sc. PgDip
Senior Lecturer School of Nursing and Midwifery
University of Galway
View Profile
BNS. H.Dip., MS, SRN
Lecturer Above The Bar General Practice
University of Galway
View Profile
M.Sc., PhD
Senior Lecturer School of Nursing and Midwifery
Aras Moyola
University of Galway
View Profile
d+Hahessy+&pageSize=50&ordering=rating&descending=false&showAdvanced=false&allConcepts=true&inferConcepts=true&searchBy=PartOfNameOrTitle&community=false&direct2experts=false#gi
d+Hahessy+&pageSize=50&ordering=rating&descending=false&showAdvanced=false&allConcepts=true&inferConcepts=true&searchBy=PartOfNameOrTitle&community=false&direct2experts=false#gi
Ms. Sinéad Hahessy
d+Hahessy+&pageSize=50&ordering=rating&descending=false&showAdvanced=false&allConcepts=true&inferConcepts=true&searchBy=PartOfNameOrTitle&community=false&direct2experts=false#gi
d+Hahessy+&pageSize=50&ordering=rating&descending=false&showAdvanced=false&allConcepts=true&inferConcepts=true&searchBy=PartOfNameOrTitle&community=false&direct2experts=false#gi
RGN, MA
d+Hahessy+&pageSize=50&ordering=rating&descending=false&showAdvanced=false&allConcepts=true&inferConcepts=true&searchBy=PartOfNameOrTitle&community=false&direct2experts=false#gi
View Profile
d+Hahessy+&pageSize=50&ordering=rating&descending=false&showAdvanced=false&allConcepts=true&inferConcepts=true&searchBy=PartOfNameOrTitle&community=false&direct2experts=false#gi
BSc, MSc
Lecturer - Contract Type A School of Nursing & Midwifery
University of Galway
View Profile
Requirements and Assessment
Students are assessed using a variety of methodologies including MCQ, OSCE, Assignment, Portfolio, Case Study.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Please note to be eligible to apply you need to be:
- Be registered as a midwife on the register of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI);
- Have a minimum of a Masters (MSc) in Midwifery or equivalent
- Be currently employed as a midwife and in the areas of practice that you plan to undertake you Advance Practice Programme
- Have support of both a Professional (DOM, ADOM/ADON/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 500 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form
- Written commitment/memo of understanding or equivalent from the Director of Midwifery/employer to support the student during the clinical practicum and to nominate a suitably qualified practitioner to act as a clinical supervisor during the student's clinical learning experience
- Comply with current minimum entry requirements for admission to the programme of education for nurse/midwife prescribing. This includes:
- Have a minimum of three years’ recent post-registration clinical experience in nursing or midwifery (within the last five years)
- Have equivalent of ‘one year’ full time experience in the specific area of clinical practice that you will be prescribing and practicing in
- Possess the competencies recognised at Level 8 of the National Framework of Qualifications.
- Provide evidence of having undertaken continuing professional education.
- Have support of both a Professional (DOM, ADOM/ ADON/Practice Manager) and Clinical (medical consultant or general practitioner) Mentor for 96 hours of clinical mentorship, evidenced by a completed Site Declaration Form;
Provide evidence of support from an employer and completed Site Declaration Forms containing confirmation of a clinical supervisor who will provide supervision, support and learning opportunities, including shadowing opportunities to gain the required competencies and clinical competence to practice at an advanced level in midwifery (including midwife prescribing).
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2025
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
25
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
No set closing date. Offers are made on a continuous basis.
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
60
Award
CAO
Course code
PGD-MWAP
Course Outline
Course Modules
Year One
- Decision Making, and Advanced Practice Professional Roles
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Professional, Ethical & Legal Issues of Nurse and Midwife Prescribing
- Pharmacology, Health and Medicinal Prescribing
- Clinical Practicum
- Competency Assessment (Prescribing)
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Students who successfully complete this programme are eligible to register as an Advanced Midwife Practitioner (RAMP) with NMBI.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€4,340 p.a. (including levy) 2025/26
Fees: Tuition
€4,200 p.a. 2025/26
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2025/26
Fees: Non EU
€13,550 p.a. (€13,690 p.a. including levy) 2025/26
Find out More
Ms Heather Helen
Programme Director
T: +353 91 495601
E: heather.helen@univeristyofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/nursing/
