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Accessibility & LanguageNursing: Children’s Palliative and Complex Care (PDip/MHSc)
PDip/MHSc (Nursing: Children’s Palliative and Complex Care)
College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences, School of Nursing and Midwifery- Title of Award
- Master of Health Sciences
- Course Code
- MHSC-CPCC
- Average Intake
- 14
- Delivery
- Blended Learning
- NFQ
- Level 9
- Award Type
- Major
- Next Intake
- September 2026
- Duration
- Year 1 (Postgraduate Diploma) Year 2 (Master’s)
- ECTS Weighting
- MHSc 90 / PDip 60 ECTS
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
Who is this course for?
The programme aims to provide students with the necessary in-depth evidence-based knowledge, skills and competencies to provide quality care to highly dependent children as they live with life-limiting illness and may face the end-of-life.
What will I study?
Full-time students will complete three core and three specialist modules in the first year (60 ECTS). Eligible students will then complete a research dissertation (30 ECTS) in their Masters year.
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.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (60 Credits)
RequiredNU6446: Quality of Life and Symptom Management in Children’s Palliative / Complex Care
NU6446: Quality of Life and Symptom Management in Children’s Palliative / Complex Care
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module focuses on developing in depth comprehension of the philosophy of palliative care for children and the application of key concepts in relation to the assessment and management of symptoms. A repertoire of knowledge, skills and sensitivities is required in the management of pain and other symptoms (WHO, 1990). The aim of this module is to enhance students’ understanding and knowledge of the philosophy, principles and practice of pain and symptom management in caring for individuals with life limiting illness (Doyle et al. 2005). It aims to develop knowledge and skills in assessing, diagnosing, planning, intervening and evaluating evidence – based theories, related research findings and principles of pain and symptom management. Students will also examine the role of technology in supporting quality of life for the child and adolescent with a life limiting illness. This module is composed of five units.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Define palliative care and describe the principles which guide practice within the multidisciplinary team.
- Integrate knowledge of the pathophysiology of end of life disease processes and their effects to the care of children and adolescents with life limiting illness.
- Apply the principles of impeccable assessment and early identification of the cause and impact of pain and other distressing symptoms.
- Use evidence based tools and related theories of pain and symptom management to guide practice, arrive at clinical decisions and manage symptoms effectively.
- Critically analyse the importance of providing individual care tailored to meet and respect the needs of the child and their family.
- Explore the principles of ethical-decision making in palliative care and the complexities of advanced care planning
- Using the holistic palliative care philosophy, integrate analysis of psychological, social, spiritual and physiological factors in assessing, planning and intervening the relief of symptoms associated.
- Employ both traditional and innovative interventions and other non-pharmacological therapies, appropriately in the care of children and adolescents with life threatening illness and their families.
- Demonstrate an awareness of the nutritional requirements of children at different stages of the disease.
- Demonstrate understanding of the role and functions of technology
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module NU6446: "Quality of Life and Symptom Management in Children’s Palliative / Complex Care" and is valid from 2025 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU623: Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice
NU623: Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module will examine clinical governance and its role in supporting safe practice. Errors are inevitable in healthcare systems (Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance, 2008). It is estimated that medical errors would rank 5 in the top 10 causes of death in the United States, ahead of accidents, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, if included on the National Centre for Health Statistics’ list (Joint Commission, 2005 p.7). In Ireland, the Commission on Patient Safety and Quality Assurance (2008) acknowledge that healthcare will never be risk free but argue that it is critical that the systems in place are as safe as possible, that the right ‘checks and balances’ are in place and that learning results from mistakes. To ensure this happens it is important that programmes prepare nurses to promote and enhance clinical safety. The module is guided by the National Patient Safety Framework (The Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care, 2005) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) Patient Safety Curriculum Guide for Medical Schools (WHO, , 2009), National Patient Safety Strategy 2019-2024 (HSE, 2019) and the HSE Code of Governance (HSE, 2021).
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Examine the concept of ‘clinical governance’ in the Irish healthcare system
- Identify and evaluate the factors that determine the quality and safety of healthcare from the perspective of (i) the nurse or midwife (ii) the client (iii) the multidisciplinary team and (iv) the wider healthcare system
- Explore their role in promoting and enhancing safety as a member of the multidisciplinary team
- Critically evaluate risk assessment processes and issues relevant to their practice setting.
- Evaluate their contribution to quality improvement in their practice setting
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- EIMEAR BURKE 🖂
- FRANCES FARRELLY 🖂
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- CATHERINE MEAGHER 🖂
- MARI MORAN 🖂
- CLAIRE O'TUATHAIL 🖂
- CLAIRE QUINN 🖂
- Katherine Pigott 🖂
- Ciara O'Meara 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU6444: Care of the Child & Family with Palliative / Complex needs
NU6444: Care of the Child & Family with Palliative / Complex needs
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
Although death in childhood is relatively uncommon, the specific care needs of the child and family require a reflective, family centred and evidence-based approach to practice (Goldman, Hain and Liben, 2012, 2020). Recommendations within the Irish Policy for Children with Life Limiting illness (DoH&C 2010) encourages further professional development for nurses nd AHPs caring for these children and families. This module aims to assist nurses and AHPs to explore this approach to palliative and complex care practice with an emphasis on providing an overview and understanding for both paediatric/ disability trained and adult-orientated practitioners.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate a conceptual framework for practice which sees child and family as the unit of care
- Demonstrate a contextual understanding of child development in relation to life-limiting illness and its consequences
- Develop strategies for advanced communication skills to support the child and family in need
- Identify and respond to issues of grief and loss in a family context
- Critically appraise the policy dimension of care for children at end-of-life
- Explain the value of multi-agency support in the care of the child and family with life-limiting illness
- Explore the principles regarding the breaking of bad news and identify strategies which support best practice in breaking bad news
- Explore key theories of bereavement and loss in contemporary society
- Recognise the influence of social structure and culture on grief responses
- Articulate the nature of grief work and the role of the palliative care practitioners in supporting families in grief and loss
- Identify the key components of complicated grief and the appropriate palliative care response
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module NU6444: "Care of the Child & Family with Palliative / Complex needs" and is valid from 2025 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU921: Clinical Competence 1
NU921: Clinical Competence 1
Semester 1 | Credits: 0
(Language of instruction: English)
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- MAURA DOWLING 🖂
- FRANCES FARRELLY 🖂
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- ANDREW HUNTER 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- MARI MORAN 🖂
- MARCELLA HORRIGAN-KELLY 🖂
- CLAIRE QUINN 🖂
- ELAINE O'HARA 🖂
- Derek O'Keeffe 🖂
- Peter Carr 🖂
- Katherine Pigott 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU6439: Service Improvement
NU6439: Service Improvement
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module will allow the student the opportunity to plan and implement, with their manager, and an academic facilitator, a service improvement initiative. The project will focus on an issue of relevance to client care or service improvement and must be supported by the student’s line manager and/or clinical facilitator. Examples of the types of projects include: completion of a defined literature review supporting some aspect of unit work, preparation of a patient education leaflet (supported by an evidence based rationale presented separately), development of a patient education pack (supported by an evidence based rationale presented separately), development of a strategy to reduce waiting time, an initiative that will improve patient/staff safety, development/implementation of guidelines/policies, an initiative that improves the quality of patient services or the work environment, an initiative that saves time/money or any issue/problem/change that can be addressed through action. This work must be completed within a calendar year.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Critically examine a practice issue and contribute to service improvement
- Integrate and apply learning from other modules
- Work collaboratively with peers and clients
- Become an autonomous and independent learner
- Develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement a change in clinical practice
- Develop their skills of analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and reflection
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- MAURA DOWLING 🖂
- FRANCES FARRELLY 🖂
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- CATHERINE MEAGHER 🖂
- MARI MORAN 🖂
- MARCELLA HORRIGAN-KELLY 🖂
- CLAIRE QUINN 🖂
- DEIRDRE FITZGERALD 🖂
- Duygu Sezgin 🖂
- Martina Giltenane 🖂
- Katherine Pigott 🖂
- Ciara O'Meara 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredUCD_NU6445: Specialist Understanding of Complex Care for Children
UCD_NU6445: Specialist Understanding of Complex Care for Children
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module focuses on the central concepts of care that underpin specialist practice in complex care for children and their families. The module is designed to enhance the Students understanding of the emerging speciality of complex care delivery. This will include exploration of the organisation of health services for this population, factors influencing care delivery in this area including the role of technology, the organisation of care services for this population and issues pertaining to quality care and clinical governance.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the organisation of health services for children with complex care needs and their families in the national and international context.
- Critically evaluate the key constituents of a successful transition to home for the child with complex care needs and their families.
- Critically discuss the impact of medical interventions and technology on the psychosocial well-being of children and their families
- Critically evaluate standards of care and outcome measurements for children with complex care needs.
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
The above information outlines module UCD_NU6445: "Specialist Understanding of Complex Care for Children" and is valid from 2024 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU502: Advanced Research Methods
NU502: Advanced Research Methods
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
. This module is designed to enable students to explore the methodological and practical issues of research. It will help students determine the appropriate research design for research questions in their practice and provides an opportunity for students to debate, challenge and clarify research issues. This module will also help students understand the systematic review process and types of reviews, Finally, the module prepares students to develop a research protocol.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of what is meant by ‘evidence-based practice’
- Discuss theoretical perspectives on research methodology
- Formulate an answerable clinical question using the PICO approach
- Develop a database search strategy
- Explain the key characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of the main qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
- Articulate a research problem and formulate a research question or hypothesis as appropriate to guide the conduct of a study
- Justify the use of appropriate data collection, sampling, and data analysis methods for qualitative and quantitative research
- Discuss rigour in the context of quantitative and qualitative research
- Discuss evidence synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research
- Create a plan with clear rationales for data collection, sampling, data analysis and rigour to be used when conducting a primary qualitative or quantitative study or evidence synthesis
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- MAURA DOWLING 🖂
- BERNARD MCCARTHY 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- MARI MORAN 🖂
- CLAIRE O'TUATHAIL 🖂
- SIOBHÁIN SMYTH 🖂
- AMANDA WALSH 🖂
- DECLAN DEVANE 🖂
- FIONNUALA JORDAN 🖂
- STEPHEN KENNETH BRADLEY 🖂
- Peter Carr 🖂
- Katherine Pigott 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU922: Clinical Competence 2
NU922: Clinical Competence 2
Semester 2 | Credits: 0
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- MAURA DOWLING 🖂
- ANDREW HUNTER 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- MARI MORAN 🖂
- ANNE O'GRADY 🖂
- DEIRDRE ROCHE 🖂
- MARCELLA HORRIGAN-KELLY 🖂
- ELAINE O'HARA 🖂
- Derek O'Keeffe 🖂
- Peter Carr 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Year 2 (30 Credits)
RequiredNU6515: Research Dissertation
NU6515: Research Dissertation
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 30
Students will be required to undertake a piece of primary research or an evidence synthesis on a topic relevant to their practice area. Students will be assigned a research supervisor who will support them in undertaking this work.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrated knowledge of ethical requirements and procedures by negotiating access to research site/participants by securing ethical approval from the appropriate Research Ethics Committee in the case of primary research. Or in the case of evidence synthesis/secondary data analysis, demonstrate knowledge in the process of negotiating access to full text data not available in the library databases.
- Developed a research question(s) of significance to area of of significance to their specialist nursing/midwifery professional practice or a problem statement(s) based on a review of evidence-based literature.
- Identified and apply an appropriate method(s) to achieve the objectives of the research question (s)/ hypothesis for primary data collection, or in the case of secondary data analysis, employ valid and reliable method(s) for processing and analysing archived research data
- Critically discuss research findings with reference to the methods used, current literature and professional practice.
- Prepared a scholarly report (Option A) research article (Option B) ready for publication which will demonstrate accurate expression, analysis, and synthesis of the research subject.
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- GLORIA AVALOS 🖂
- MIRIAM BRENNAN 🖂
- EIMEAR BURKE 🖂
- DYMPNA CASEY 🖂
- MAURA DOWLING 🖂
- ANNE FALLON 🖂
- FRANCES FARRELLY 🖂
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- ANDREW HUNTER 🖂
- BERNARD MCCARTHY 🖂
- TERESA MEANEY 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- MARI MORAN 🖂
- CLAIRE O'TUATHAIL 🖂
- SIOBHÁIN SMYTH 🖂
- PATRICIA HEALY 🖂
- GEORGINA GETHIN 🖂
- DECLAN DEVANE 🖂
- MARCELLA HORRIGAN-KELLY 🖂
- FIONNUALA JORDAN 🖂
- CATHERINE HOUGHTON 🖂
- STEPHEN KENNETH BRADLEY 🖂
- CLAIRE QUINN 🖂
- MARION O'REGAN 🖂
- Derek O'Keeffe 🖂
- Peter Carr 🖂
- Katherine Pigott 🖂
- Ciara O'Meara 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
- Range of specialist modules: Includes specialist modules in the Care of the child & family with Palliative / Complex Needs, Quality of life & symptom management, Specialist understanding of complex care for children.
- Range of Modules: Includes Service improvement, clinical Governance, Advanced research and clinical competency modules.
- Clinical Placements: Students have the opportunity to work in specialist children’s complex / palliative care placements.
- Master core concepts: Develop a solid foundation in understanding the needs of the child and family in this context and help you understand the evolvement of the specialty, explore the approach to specialist practice in children’s palliative and complex care with an emphasis on also providing an overview and understanding for adult-orientated palliative care practitioners.
- Skill development: Focuses on developing in- depth comprehension of the philosophies of palliative and complex care for children and their families and the application of key concepts in relation to quality of life and the assessment and management of illness and symptoms.
- Develop professional expertise: Hone the skills required to succeed in diverse roles, including acute and community based roles.
- Improve communication skills: Learn to effectively communicate with children, families, multi-disciplinary teams and other associated health care and professional team members.
The Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Children’s Palliative / Complex Care) is facilitated by both the teaching teams at University of Galway and UCD. The programme designed for Registered Nurses working with children and adolescents with complex or life limiting conditions. The programme aims to provide students with the necessary in-depth evidence-based knowledge, skills and competencies to provide quality care to highly dependent children as they live with life-limiting illness and may face the end-of-life.
The clinical practice component forms an integral part of the programme. Students are required to attain 500 hours specialist practice experience of working and caring for children in a variety of complex and/ or palliative care environments over the programme. This includes consolidating the experiences and opportunities that are available in their own clinical environments. This is a requirement for specialist practice with the NMBI (2018).
The student will be expected to engage in the assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care to children with life limiting illness and self-identify personal programme learning goals with the support of a designated mentor and agreed with the programme director. To successfully meet the requirements of 500 hours of practice, the student will be required to work, for the duration of the first year of the programme, within practice settings that manage the care of children with palliative or complex conditions.
You are also required to spend 2 weeks in specialist Paediatric Palliative /Complex Care to allow you to fulfil the competencies of a CNS in paediatric palliative and complex care. Placement length depends on the learning opportunities available to students in their current work setting
Accrediting Body
The course is accredited with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and is the first of its kind in Ireland.
Graduate Opportunities
Our graduates work in varying areas on completion of the programme including:
- Community PHNs - Home care specialist co-ordinator for children with complex needs
- Contract Agencies - Lead CNM nurses co-ordinating and managing Paediatric home care packages
- Children’s Nurse Co-ordinators (formally Children’s Outreach Co-ordinator)
- Clinical Nurse Specialists (Children’s Palliative Care)
- Clinical Nurse Specialists with a special interest in children’s palliative care
- CNM- Lead Nurses in Respite Centres
- Voluntary - CNM Hospice at Home Service
- CNM- Disability School
- Staff Nurse Paediatric Cardiology with special interest in Children’s palliative care
- Neonatal staff nurse with special interest in children’s palliative care
- CNM- Intensive Care Unit
- Deirdre Fitzgerald
- Prof Maria Brenner
- Cheryl O Connor
How will I learn?
Year one is a blended learning programme and is delivered using a combination of on-line learning and face-to-face skills teaching. Each module runs over a minimum of 10 weeks. Modules have guided learning packs comprising of four to five units. Each pack provides a study guide for the student and includes, directed learning activities (both on-line and practice based), key reading, reflective points and e-tivities.
Students will be supported on-line as they work through each unit, using the virtual learning environment Canvas. Students will be expected to engage in blogs, to respond to posted questions or activities and to complete e-titivies.
The face-to-face / online teaching component (workshops) will take place at intervals throughout the semester. Workshops will focus on key skills and application. Modules build on each other and their order has been considered carefully. Students will complete practice-focused assignments throughout the programme.
The programme is comprised of six theory modules and one practice module (assessed by practice competency portfolio).
While undertaking the programme students will continue to work in an approved paediatric palliative or complex care setting
How Will I Be Assessed?
Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework and exams, including reports, essays, presentations, and computer assignments.
Programme assignments are structured so as to allow students to explore “new” knowledge in the reality of their practice, thus providing them with an opportunity to integrate theory and practice.
- Continuous Assessment - The moderator (a lecturer) will provide written feedback on e-tivities. Blogs and e-tivities provide students with the opportunity to clarify their understanding, debate key issues with peers and the moderator and consider how to apply their learning in their practice. There will also be written assessments associated with each specialist module.
- Examinations - There is an MCQ associated with the module on Symptom Management.
- Project Work - there will be a poster presentation.
Course queries:
Deirdre.fitzgerald@universityofgalway.ie
Programme Director(s):
Deirdre Fitzgerald,
Lecturer in General Nursing
School of Nursing and Midwifery
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
E: deirdre.fitzgerald@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 supporting the development of alternative pathways to qualifications (or awards) and by facilitating the recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Accreditations & Awards
I chose this course because I have a background in children with disabilities and am now a Public Health Nurse. I noticed a significant gap in support for children with complex needs discharged from hospital to home. Completing the Masters in children’s palliative and complex care has given me a much better understanding of the child, their siblings, and the support parents require. Clinical placements were exceptional, helping me grow professionally and personally. Partially supported by the HSE, I hope to deliver home care packages and support community staff. I highly recommend this course.
Orla Hammersley
Public Health Nurse
I have always been passionate about caring for children and families with life-limiting conditions. The Children’s Palliative/Complex course gave me the knowledge and confidence to change my career, becoming Clinical Nurse Co-Ordinator for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions in Kerry. The clinical placements provided invaluable opportunities to network and learn from experts in children’s palliative care across Ireland. With support from lecturers, mentors, and peers, returning to college was manageable. I highly recommend this course for developing this specialised area of paediatric care.
Karen Lovett
CNC for Children with Life-limiting conditions HSE Kerry
I chose this course as the only one of its kind in Ireland. I am deeply passionate about paediatric palliative and complex care in the community and wanted to improve standards of care for children at home. Galway University lecturers supported my academic, professional, and personal growth. The course was highly informative, challenged my understanding, and networking with classmates and guest speakers from around the country was invaluable. I am now Nurse Manager overseeing care for 17+ children with complex needs and coordinating a team of 45. This degree prepared me for a rewarding role.
Michelle Curtin
CNM, Resilience Care
Meet our Employers
Entry Requirements and Fees
Minimum Entry Requirements
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Please note all applicants register for the 1-year postgraduate diploma, with the opportunity to transfer to the second year of the MSc programme at the end of the first year if they meet the relevant eligibility criteria
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 Writing and no less than 6.0 in any other band) 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.
Garda vetting is required for this programme. This will be organised by the University of Galway after you have registered for your studies. Also the following information will be sought following acceptance of your place:
- Certificate of your immunisation status
- Evidence of Children First certification
- Evidence of Handwashing certification
- Moving and Handling certification
- Signed Confidentiality Agreement for Children's Hospitals 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 2026/27
| Course Type | Year | EU Tuition | Student Contribution | Non-EU Tuition | Levy | Total Fee | Total EU Fee | Total Non-EU Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masters Full Time | 1 | €9,400 | €18,300 | €140 | €9,540 | €18,440 | ||
| PG Diploma Full Time | 1 | €10,200 | €18,300 | €140 | €10,340 | |||
| Masters Full Time | 2 | €5,100 | €18,000 | €70 | €5,170 | €18,070 |
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.
The Victoria Thompson Scholarship
This scholarship is for the advancement of children’s palliative care in Ireland
Value: €4,000 (comprising a Bursary from The Victoria Thompson Scholarship and The University of Galway Foundation))
This scholarship honours Victoria Thompson who lived for exactly nine months and needed palliative care as a result of a rare disease / life limiting condition. She died in June 2012.
This Scholarship is only open to first year and current students undertaking the Galway University/UCD MSC in Health Sciences (Children’s palliative care and complex care programme). Applicants for scholarship(s) are invited to write an overview (800 words) outlining how this programme will assist them in developing their practice in specialist nursing for children’s palliative care/complex care. All applications will be anonymised and undergo a panel review. The panel decision is final.
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 each 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.
Why University of Galway?
World renowned research led university nestled in the vibrant heart of Galway city on Ireland's scenic West Coast.
Contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery
Áras Moyola, Upper Newcastle, Galway
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Meet Our Alumni
Course Introduction
The Master/Postgraduate Diploma in Health Sciences (Children’s Palliative / Complex Care) is facilitated by both the teaching teams at University of Galway and UCD. The programme designed for Registered Nurses working with children and adolescents with complex or life limiting conditions. The programme aims to provide students with the necessary in-depth evidence-based knowledge, skills and competencies to provide quality care to highly dependent children as they live with life-limiting illness and may face the end-of-life.
All students will register on the full-time one-year Postgraduate Diploma. On completion of both theoretical and clinical modules for this course, students will graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma or (if they have achieved the minimum 60% average mark across these modules) they may apply to transfer to the second year of the MSc programme.
Children’s Palliative / Complex Care Brochure
