Diabetes is a global health emergency with over 600 million people expected to have the condition by 2030, representing 10% of the world’s population. Therefore the World Health Organisation (WHO) has classed diabetes as an epidemic requiring urgent action for both prevention and management. This has been echoed in Ireland’s Health Service Executive national policy and clinical strategy for diabetes. It is a chronic metabolic condition that can cause significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality if not managed correctly. Central to this management is controlling key physiological indices such as blood sugar, blood pressure and blood lipid levels, as well as promoting health behaviours such as regular exercise, healthy eating and not smoking. Unfortunately achieving these biological targets and lifestyle goals is extremely challenging. Therefore, given its growing prevalence and resulting impact on health care resources, there is an urgent need to provide specialist training in diabetes.  This interdisciplinary programme aims to meet this need.  

What will I study?

This programme aims to prepare graduates to effectively contribute to diabetes management through comprehensive academic and research training.  

The course is delivered through blended learning (online content and face to face workshops), with an attendance requirement of approximately 10 days per 4 month semester (please note some workshops may be scheduled at weekends).  

• Year 1
  • Semester 1 & 2 are theoretical based and represents 60 ECTS credits which is equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma Diabetes at completion (which students can exit with, if they wish, at the end of Semester 2).
  • Semester 3 is research thesis based which builds on the knowledge and skills learned in Semester 1&2 and represents 30 ECTS credits, thus providing a total of 90 ECTS which is the requirement for the awarding of a Masters of Science Diabetes.

Curriculum Information

• Master core concepts: This programme aims to provide physicians, podiatrists, dietitians, physiotherapists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and other health care professionals interested in or working with people with diabetes the knowledge to provide high-quality care. Please note that 1DIN1 is a separate MHSc Diabetes nursing course.
• Expert Led: Delivered in partnership with the National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC): This partnership enables an exceptional opportunity for students to interact with leading experts as well as engage in cutting-edge research and further opportunities in diabetes.
• Interdisciplinary Expert Teaching Faculty: Students from a variety of backgrounds from all over the world interact with international leaders and clinical specialists from medicine, nursing, nutrition, exercise, behavioural medicine, and public health. 
• Practical Training: The course focuses on current evidence-based delivery of diabetes practices, behavioural change strategies, lifestyle approaches to risk factor modification, psychosocial health, and medical management of cardiovascular risk factors. 

Specialist training in diabetes at postgraduate level will demonstrate an academic commitment to diabetes care and research, and therefore will allow the graduate to be competitive in pursing future healthcare opportunities.

In addition to the faculty of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences (CMNHS), the Programme Board for the Masters of Science in Diabetes play an active role in teaching on this course including: 

Programme Director:                       
Professor Derek O’Keeffe Consultant Endocrinologist UHG HSE, Professor College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, University of Galway 

Programme Board 
Ms Helen Burke, ANP Diabetes, University Hospital Galway, HSE 
Professor Sean Dinneen, HSE Registry Lead Diabetes, Consultant Endocrinologist UHG 
Dr Eva Flynn, General Practitioner, Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Galway 

How will I learn? 

This programme aims to prepare graduates to effectively contribute to diabetes management through comprehensive academic and research training.  

The course is delivered through blended learning (online content and face to face workshops), with an attendance requirement of approximately 10 days per 4 month semester (please note some workshops may be scheduled at weekends).  

Year 1 Semester 1 & 2 are theoretical based and represents 60 ECTS credits which is equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma Diabetes at completion (which students can exit with, if they wish, at the end of Semester 2). Semester 3 is research thesis based which builds on the knowledge and skills learned in Semester 1&2 and represents 30 ECTS credits, thus providing a total of 90 ECTS which is the requirement for the awarding of a Masters of Science Diabetes.  

How will I be assessed? 

Each module is individually assessed through a diverse range of examinations, written assignments, presentations and case-based scenarios. At the end of Semester 1 online examinations are run for these modules. The remainder of the course has assessments in the form of essays or equivalent- e.g., written assignments, presentations, and case reviews. Assessments are carried out across all modules via MCQ, written papers, essays, assignments, poster preparation and a dissertation.  

Course queries: 
derek.t.okeeffe@universityofgalway.ie 

Programme Director 
Professor Derek O’Keeffe 
Consultant Endocrinologist UHG HSE  
Professor College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, University of Galway 
Clinical Science Institute, University of Galway 
T: + 353 91 494 213 
E: derek.t.okeeffe@universityofgalway.ie 

On successful completion of this course the learner should be able to: 

• Have a systematic understanding of diabetes informed by the latest scholarship. 
• Have a critical awareness of the current problems / new insights in diabetes. 
• Demonstrate a range of standard and specialised research tools for diabetes.
• Develop new skills to a high level including novel and emerging techniques in diabetes. 
• Be able to act in a variety of professional contexts on the topic of diabetes.
• Be able to take significant responsibility for leading diabetes research.
• Be able to self-evaluate and take responsibility for continuing academic / professional development in diabetes (Competence Learning to Learn).
• Be able to scrutinise and reflect on diabetes social norms and relationships and act to change them.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Successful applicants will possess at least a Second Class Honours, Grade 1 degree in an appropriate clinical or life science degree program. For those who do not hold a primary degree at the required level, a special case will be made if they have demonstrated aptitude for the course material through at least three years of high quality work experience in a relevant field of diabetes health.  

Candidates coming to Ireland from abroad or who do not have a degree from Ireland or the UK will be asked to provide evidence of an acceptable result in one of the recognised English language proficiency tests, e.g., IELTS total score of 6.5. 

Academic entry requirements standardised per country are available here.  

English Language Entry Requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language proficiency of IELTS score of 6.5 is required (with no less than 6.5 in any one component) or equivalent.  

More information on English language test equivalency are available here.  

Supporting Documents 

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application. You can check here what supporting documents are required for this course.   

You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Please review the entry requirements set out in the section above.  

You will be required to upload supporting documentation to your application electronically. See the section above on entry requirements for further information on the supporting documentation required for this course.  

Closing Date: June 1st.  

Notes 

• You will need an active email account to use the website and you'll be guided through the system, step by step, until you complete the online form.
• Browse the FAQ's section for further guidance.  

Fees for Academic Year 2026/27

For 26/27 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 1.8% per annum for continuing years fees.

Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,500 towards your tuition (2026/27).  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. 

Postgraduate Excellence Scholarships 

This scholarship is valued at €1,500 for EU students applying for full-time taught master's postgraduate courses. You will be eligible if: 

• You have been accepted to a full-time taught master's course at University of Galway,
• You have attained a first class honours (or equivalent) in a Level 8 primary degree.  

An application for the scholarship scheme is required (separate to the application for a place on the programme). The application portal for 2025 is now open and available here. Applications will close on the 30th September 2025. Full details available here.  

Global Scholarships

University of Galway offers a range of merit-based scholarships to students from a number of countries outside of the EU. Visit here for schemes currently available. 

Application Process 

Students applying for full time postgraduate programmes from outside of the European Union (EU), You can apply online to the University of Galway application portal here.  

Our application portal opens on the 1st October each year for entry the following September.   

Further Information 

Please visit the postgraduate admissions webpage for further information on closing dates, documentation requirements, application fees and the application process.