Course Overview

The Master of Health Sciences (Nursing Education) [formerly Nursing/Midwifery Education (Masters)] aims to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills to become effective teachers/facilitators of student/client learning in both higher education and clinical settings. Theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of nursing practice; research methodology; practice development and conduct of research form the framework for reflection on practice and exploration of aspects of practice. Specialist modules address teaching methods, facilitating learning, assessment strategies and curriculum development.

The programme is part-time over two years and is delivered in a blended learning format. Blended learning is an innovative teaching strategy which involves a combination of face-to-face and on-line learning. This means that learning/teaching is delivered on-line through Blackboard, an interactive learning system which connects directly to the University from your home computer. Face-to-face learning/teaching takes the form of two or three workshops (depending on the module) each semester. Students will therefore attend for two or three days a semester, plus and Orientation Day prior to the commencement of the first year.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

Who Teaches this Course

researcher
Ms Brona Mooney
MSc, BNS(HONS), PhD.
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researcher
Dr Siobhán Smyth
RPN,DipCPN,RNT,PG.DipCHSE,BNS,MSc, PhD
Lecturer Bar/College Lecturer
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Room 404
Aras Moyola
Galway
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researcher
Ms Frances Farrelly
RGN, RNT, BNS, M.Sc (nursing), ENB100
Lecturer
School of Nursing & Midwifery
Aras Moyola
National University of Ireland, Galway
Galway
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Requirements and Assessment

Modules are assessed using a combination of course-work and teaching assessments.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

  1. 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) must demonstrate that they have successfully completed (in the previous two years) a module at Level 9. Please consult the professional credit awards at Level 9 at: www.universityofgalway.ie/pca/pca.html;
  2. Be a registered nurse on the General, Mental Health, or Learning Disability Nurse divisions of the active register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; or hold a professional nursing qualification deemed to be equivalent by University of Galway;
  3. Have practised as a nurse for three years post-registration (exclusive of post-registration/educational programmes);
  4. Have negotiated a Teaching placement in a third-level School/Department of Nursing Education or Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education establishment which will provide the opportunity to meet the teaching practice requirements of this programme.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2024

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

10 (minimum)

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

31 May 2024

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

MHSC-NUED

Course Outline

  • Theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of nursing practice; research methodology and evidence based practice; practice development and conduct of research form the framework for reflection on practice and exploration of aspects of practice.
  • Specialist modules address teaching methods, facilitating learning, assessment strategies and curriculum development.
  • 100 hours of teaching practice is completed over the two years and is an integral part of the programme.

Curriculum Information

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

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Subject
Some courses allow you to choose subjects, where related modules are grouped together. Subjects have their own required number of credits, so you must take all that subject's required modules and may also need to obtain the remainder of the subject's total credits by choosing from its available optional modules.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Required Core Subject
A subject you must study because it's integral to that course.
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year, so a three-year course will have six semesters in total. For clarity, this page will refer to the first semester of year 2 as 'Semester 3'.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this programme of study have found employment in various health service settings, 3rd level institutions of education, Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Education, Nursing Midwifery Practice Development Units and the private sector.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,355 (Yr 1) & €6,855 (Yr 2) p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Tuition

€7,250 (Yr 1) & €6,750 (Yr 2) p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Student levy

€105 p.a. 2024/25

Fees: Non EU

€17,500 p.a. (€17,605 p.a. including levy) 2024/25

 

Student levy €105—payable by all students and is not covered by SUSI.  Further detail here.

Find out More

Dr Brona Mooney
T: +353 91 495 395
E: brona.mooney@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/medicine-nursing-and-health-sciences/nursing/


What Our Graduates Say

Smitha

Smitha Joy |   Graduate

This course is an excellent choice for students with an interest in a teaching career, as it offers a wide range of career opportunities in both higher education and clinical settings. After completing this course, I can confidently say that it successfully prepared me as a competent teacher and facilitator, as well as enhanced my personal & professional development. While the academic modules successfully prepare you to become an effective teacher to facilitate student-centred teaching & learning, the 100 hours of teaching practice give you opportunities to make use of different teaching methodologies including innovative technologies in clinical and higher education settings. This is my second course at NUI Galway, as I always enjoyed the student-friendly campus with excellent facilities. The faculties are always approachable and fully dedicated to students' needs. This year was completely different due to the covid pandemic, however, the support of our lecturers was invaluable to creating a safe & caring learning environment, which helped us to engage thoroughly throughout the programme. I had a great time and would highly recommend NUI Galway if you are considering this course.

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