Who is this course for?

This programme is for all nurses caring for older people in acute, community or long-term care settings. The programme recognises the need to enable and empower people to age with confidence, security and dignity. It also acknowledges the need for gerontological nurses to attain postgraduate specialist knowledge, skill and competence to effectively work with older people to achieve their individual goals and ambitions about their personal health and wellness. The programme aims to equip nurses with the broad skills needed to meet the needs of older persons across a wide variety of settings acknowledging older people as valuable active citizens who deserve the support and empowerment of service provision to enact a fulfilled life.     

This programme is offered full-time over two calendar years. On completion of both theoretical and clinical modules in Year 1, you have the option of completing a Postgraduate Diploma or (if you have achieved the minimum 60% average mark across these modules) you may progress onto the second year to complete the MHSc programme.     

A blended learning approach is adopted in the delivery of this programme. Students are required to attend face to face workshops for an average of 12 days during the academic year.  As a Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) requirement students are required to complete a minimum of 500 clinical working hours caring for older persons in order to complete the programme.     

Special Features

The course has a clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills in gerontological nursing. The programme is offered through a blended learning format - a combination of online and face-to-face learning and teaching. Blended learning is an innovative and flexible approach to learning, making it possible to combine working full-time with studying. This course is approved by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. 

What will I study?  

The PDip/Master in Health Science (Gerontology) programme is delivered over two academic calendar years.  

Programme Structure

Year one is comprised of six theory and two practice modules (60 ECTS). Theoretical modules are subdivided into three core modules and three specialist modules.  Assessments are designed to enable you to explore "new" knowledge in the reality of your gerontological nursing practice, thus providing opportunity for you to integrate theory and practice.  To be eligible to complete the clinical assessment modules you must work in settings caring for older people for a minimum of 500 clinical hours, this is a requirement of NMBI.  

Year two comprises of completion of a research dissertation (30 ECTS). You are assigned a research supervisor and attend scheduled workshops focused on development of your dissertation during year two.  

Core modules: 

• Advanced Research Method 
• Dementia Care: Transforming Practice
• Service Improvement 

Specialist Modules  

• Ageing and Older People: Biopsychosocial Perspectives
• Contemporary Issues in Gerontological Nursing
• Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice 

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

• Professional Expertise: Hone the skills required to succeed in diverse roles requiring specialist knowledge and skills working in gerontological nursing. 
• Problem-Solving: Using evidence-based solutions and analytical skills to identify, assess and address complex needs of older adults.
• Interdisciplinary Care: Providing patient-centered care that involve working with multidisciplinary team (MDT) members and integrated care pathways modalities.
• Evidence-Based Practice: Use problem-solving skills to make informed, evidence-based decisions in the clinical setting. 
• Empathy & Respect: Working with the older person from a person-centred perspective acknowledging their right to authentic recognition, respect and dignity as a health service user.
• Flexibility: Working with the current health service reform programme and adapting services that work with and for older people. 

In the educational preparation of nursing colleagues who complete the PGDip/Masters of Health Science (Gerontology) programme the ethos of viewing “later years as a time of new beginnings and new possibilities” is paramount.  

This programme develops your skills and knowledge to support the achievement of individual optimum health and well-being in older age adapting a biopsychosocial focus moving beyond the considerations of absence of disease and infirmity while embracing the older person’s complete physical, mental and social well-being.  

The PGDip/Masters of Health Science (Gerontology) equips you with the broad skills needed to meet the needs of older persons across a wide variety of settings acknowledging older people as valuable active citizens who deserve the support and empowerment of service provision to enact a fulfilled life.  

Graduates of this programme have gone on to complete further studies as clinical nurse specialist, advanced nurse practitioners and PhDs. Graduates have also developed their professional careers becoming clinical nurse managers, directors of nursing, clinical nurse specialists, advanced nurse practitioners and community nurse practitioners. 

The clinical practice component forms an integral part of this programme. You will complete 500 hours practice experience of working with and caring for older persons in clinical practice. In your clinical area you will consolidate and be able to avail of clinical learning experiences that will enhance and further develop your professional knowledge and skills through the development of a learning contract, completion of your clinical assessment portfolios and by actively seeking experiential clinical learning opportunities. Throughout placement you will have access to and support from the nursing team, your academic advisor and the programme director. 

The overarching aim of this programme is to ensure that you gain the knowledge and competency to make clinical decisions, problem solve, develop critical thinking skills and work as part of the multidisciplinary team through effective communication, develop leadership and management skills and develop a foundation for continuing professional development.  

Application of learning in and from practice is assessed by completion of a clinical assessment professional portfolio at the end of year one. Your clinical performance/progress will be assessed on an on-going basis throughout your practice placement. The portfolio structure has been developed using the principles adult learning, reflection and the competency framework of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) domains of competence. 

Accrediting Body 

The PGDip/Masters in Health Sciences (Gerontology) programme is approved by and meets Nursing and Midwifery Ireland Board (NMBI) standards and requirements with regard to coursework requirements, content hours, and QQ1 level 9 standards. 

Graduate Opportunities  

Graduates can work with specialist knowledge in the health and social care practice area of services for older people across acute, long term and community settings. 

International Opportunities 

The course also allows graduates to work within the European Union and internationally.  

• Dr Maura Dowling 
• Ms Sinead Hahessy 
• Ms Ellie Lynch 
• Mr Bernard McCarthy 
• Professor John Kelly 
• Dr Brian McDonagh 
• Dr Marcella Horrigan Kelly

How will I learn?

The PGDip/Masters in Health Science (Gerontology) programme has a combined theoretical and clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills in gerontological nursing. The programme is offered through a blended learning format - a combination of online and face-to-face learning and teaching. Blended learning is an innovative and flexible approach to learning, making it possible to combine working full-time with studying. This course is approved by The Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).  

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework and exams, essays, presentations, professional portfolio and clinical practice assessment. 

1. Continuous Assessment- Coursework, written essays, online activity, in-class tests. 
2. Examinations - Written exams take place before Christmas by completing of two MCQ examinations.
3. Clinical Assessment- Clinical practice professional portfolio development and clinical assessment.

Course queries: 

Dr Andrew Hunter 
Head of School 
School of Nursing and Midwifery 
E: andrew.hunter@universityofgalway.ie   

Postgraduate Director:  

Dr Peter Carr 
Senior Lecturer 
School of Nursing and Midwifery 
E: peter.carr@universityofgalway.ie

University of Galway recognises that knowledge and skills can be acquired from a range of learning experiences. This is in line with the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) goals which aim to recognise all learning achievements by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL). 

Students may apply for exemption(s) from some programme content based on equivalent courses already completed. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website.

Graduates of the PGDip/Master in Health Science (Gerontology) programme will be able to:  

• Practice as a competent, accountable, autonomous gerontology nurse, assessing, planning, and implementing interventions on the basis of research, evidence and evaluation.
• Work in partnership to support and empower individual older persons and their carers/families to influence and use available services, information and skills to the full and actively participate in decisions concerning their care.
• Acknowledge individual older persons rights to make their own decisions about their health and social well-being and to set their own priorities.
• Develop ability to analyse health policy and the political, social, economic and environmental factors influencing older peoples’ health and wellbeing at a National, European and International level. 
• Explore and critically analyse the broader determinants of health and their impact on the health of older people.
• Lead/co-ordinate and/or participate in health needs assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation of health promotion/ education programmes and care interventions focused on older persons empowerment, health and well being. 
• Explore, analyse, understand and identify the key components of quality of life issues affecting older people lives in the Irish context.
• Integrate knowledge of physiological changes of ageing to the development of physical assessment skills for older people. Analyse and select valid, reliable assessment tools for older people.
• Identify health inequalities and take action with individual older people, communities, populations and others to address issues of health, social inequalities, social exclusion, discrimination or prejudice impacting on older persons.
• Identify factors that contribute to polypharmacy in old age and critically reflect on the impact of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics as they relate to older people. 
• Develop, implement and evaluate health promotion and health education strategies targeting older persons recognized health needs. 
• Work collaboratively within the interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary environment to maximise their contribution to health improvement and wellbeing of older people across the healthcare settings of acute, long term and community care. 
• Act as a resource of expertise in gerontology nursing as part of the interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary setting, demonstrating the nursing contribution to gerontology within and outside the profession. 
• Apply leadership skills to improve the health and well-being of individual older people and their families / carers across a care pathway. 

Minimum Entry Requirements

• Be a registered nurse on the General Nurse or Psychiatric or Intellectual Disability division of the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI); 
• Have a minimum of one year of post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses); 
• Be currently employed as a nurse in a setting where he/she has opportunities to care for older people and have a minimum of 6 months experience in this specific clinical setting; 
• Satisfy the selection panel of ability to complete the programme;
• Provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing and Clinical Unit Manager guaranteeing practice placement in a setting where he/she has an opportunity to care for older person patients/clients for the duration of the programme. Alternatively, where necessary, agreement that the applicant is facilitated to undertake additional practice in a suitable placement setting focused on care of the older person.; 
• Have an honours bachelor’s degree at NFQ Level 8 in nursing or a comparable qualification. Applicants who do not hold an Honours degree or Higher Diploma (Level 8) or Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous four years) a module at Level 9. Please consult the professional credit awards at Level 9 at: www.universityofgalway.ie/pca/pca.html.  

Supporting Documents  

You will be required to provide supporting documentation as part of your application.   

• A copy of your current NMBI registration 
• Copies of your academic transcripts from completed educational courses 
• Copies of your official awards (parchments) from completed educational courses
• Letter from your line manger confirming support for practice placement
• Letter confirming HSE funding for the programme
• Copy of a statement of academic proving equivalency to QQI level 8 if your academic qualification was received outside of Ireland 

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 Dates 

For this programme, there is no specific closing date for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotes will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle.  

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 2025/2026

Course Type	Year	EU Tuition	Student Contribution	Non-EU Tuition	Levy	Total Fee	Total EU Fee	Total Non-EU Fee
Masters Full Time	1	€7,750		€18,000	€140		€7,890	€18,140
PG Diploma Full Time	1	€7,750		€18,000	€140		€7,890	€18,140
Masters Full Time	2	€3,500		€18,000	€70		€3,570	€18,070

*Fee quote for Y2 are for those commencing the course in AY 25/26

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. 

Funding 

This programme is eligible for funding supported by the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Directorate (ONMSD). Funding is available for registered nurses, employed in the HSE, or in HSE funded organisations. If you want to make further enquiries and apply for HSE funding for this programme further information is available at healthservice.hse.ie/about-us/onmsd/education-and-continuous-professional-development/cpd-for-nurses-and-midwives/apply-for-funding/apply-for-funding.html 

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.