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Nursing Education (PDip)
PDip (Nursing Education)
College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences- Title of Award
- Postgraduate in Nursing (Education)
- Course Code
- PGDN-ED
- Average Intake
- 5
- Delivery
- Blended Learning
- NFQ
- Level 9
- Award Type
- Major
- Next Intake
- September 2025
- Duration
- 1 year, full-time
- ECTS Weighting
- 60
Why Choose This Course?
Course Information
Who is this course for?
The Postgraduate in Nursing (Education) is designed for individuals from diverse nursing backgrounds who have already completed a Master’s degree and are eager to develop a specialised skills set for effective teaching and learning. This programme offers the practice skills and expertise in nursing education to help you succeed.
This course welcomes applicants with a background in nursing who hold a Masters degree.
This programme provides you with the opportunity to combine professional and academic qualifications with an expertise in teaching. The programme will enable you to meet both the requirements of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and the wider needs of nurse education.
Students will gain understanding in advanced educational topics, such as curriculum design, teaching and learning strategies, student engagement, assessment and evaluation methods and the integration of technology in education.
On completion of this programme you will be able to:
- Demonstrate a knowledge base that enables high levels of judgement, discretion and decision making in nursing and midwifery education. This must include education theory, the psychology of learning and related sociological perspectives.
- Develop a critical awareness of the legislation in nursing and health care and the standards and requirements for nursing registration education programmes.
- Demonstrate the synthesis and integration of knowledge from a broad range of disciplines that inform and develop nursing education practice.
- Contribute to the design, development and implementation of education and training programmes for nursing. Effectively develop curricula, being cognisant of the programme intent, clinical reality and the financial resources available.
- Develop advanced communication skills in order to present balanced arguments and engage with confidence in academic and multi-professional debates.
- Conduct a comprehensive nursing education and training needs assessment to support the provision of responsive flexible and innovative education programmes in nursing.
- Demonstrate the value of nursing through the generation of nursing knowledge and innovative educational practice.
- Undertake 100 hours teaching practice placement in an HEI/ Centre for Nurse Education, and complete two teaching competency assessments which will be assessed by an RNT.
What will I study? The programme comprises of three specialist educational modules. A teaching e-Portfolio and two teaching competency assessments undertaken over two semesters.
Core Education Modules:
- NU625 Teaching Effectively
- NU644 Student Centred Teaching & Learning: Active Engagement Strategies
- NU597 Design for Learning
- NU643 Teaching Portfolio
- NU332 Teaching Assessment 1
- NU543 Teaching Assessment 2
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)
RequiredNU625: Teaching Effectively
NU625: Teaching Effectively
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
This module has been developed by the education team at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University of Galway. This is an interactive module. It aims to provide a theoretical and practical exposure at helping the learner to begin teaching. When we talk about teaching, this applies to teaching learners, patients/clients or their families. Topics to be explored include: theories of learning, writing a personal teaching philosophy, planning a teaching session and writing up a lesson plan, writing learning outcomes and learning about various teaching strategies.
The module is organised as a series of stand-along workshops, including online resources, demonstrations, microteaching, practical sessions, discussion, and reflection. In particular, this module will use this knowledge to help learners to construct meaning and achieve the intended learning outcomes.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Articulate their philosophy of teaching/learning
- Design aims, learning outcomes and lesson plans for individual sessions
- Apply the principles of motivation theory in teaching and learning including individual differences, the nature of intelligence and self-esteem.
- Understand a broad range of theories in including role theory of education relevant to theoretical and clinical education and analyse the strengths and limitations of selected theories of learning as applied in education.
- Promote and apply an innovative approach to the development of teaching and learning strategies for nursing/midwifery education.
- Determine the use and limitations of a variety of instructional methodologies and implement a range of teaching and learning strategies which are effective across a range of educational and practice settings.
- Apply experiential learning and reflective practice, critical and innovative approaches to education and practice and have an understanding of specific roles such as clinical supervision, preceptor and clinical assessor.
- Integrate professional nursing/midwifery knowledge and expertise to achieve learning outcomes.
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 NU625: "Teaching Effectively" and is valid from 2024 onwards.Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU670: Teaching e-Portfolio
NU670: Teaching e-Portfolio
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 30
The aim of the teaching portfolio module is to provide documented evidence of the student’s teaching performance and development as an educator from a variety of sources and provide context for that evidence. The process of selecting and organising material for the portfolio can help one reflect on and improve one’s teaching. Portfolios can offer the students a look at their development over time, helping one see teaching as an on-going process of inquiry, experimentation, and reflection. The teaching portfolio will also encourage students to develop as self-directed, lifelong learners and therefore promotes deep reflection on their teaching performance.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Compile a Teaching e-Portfolio and document progress as an educator.
- Demonstrate a broad range of best practice guidelines in line with the literature for small group teaching, large group teaching and clinical skills teaching.
- Demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of teaching strategies and approaches.
- Demonstrate the ability to review and analyse relevant literature in relation to best practice in large group teaching, small group teaching and clinical focused teaching.
- Demonstrate the ability to reflect on learning and on goals as an educator.
- Demonstrate evidence of a range of reflective commentaries on teaching practice
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- TERESA MEANEY 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- ANNE O'GRADY 🖂
- SIOBHÁIN SMYTH 🖂
- DEIRDRE ROCHE 🖂
- STEPHEN KENNETH BRADLEY 🖂
- Nicola Gill Meeley 🖂
- Ciara O'Meara 🖂
- Christina Lydon 🖂
- Noreen Kilkenny 🖂
Reading List
- "EU ePortfolio Pilot Project 2013-2015. Summary Report Ireland." by EUFOLIO EU ePortfolio Pilot Project 2013-2015. Summary Report Ireland.
Publisher: EUFOLIO - "NMC Technology Outlook for Higher Education in Ireland: A Horizon Project Regional Report. Austin: The New Media Consortium." by Jonson, L., Adams Becker, S., Cummins, M., Estrada, V., & Freeman, A.
Publisher: The New Media Consortium - "Making sense of Portfolios – a Guide for Nursing Students." by Timmons, F
Publisher: Open University Press.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU597: Designing for Learning
NU597: Designing for Learning
Semester 1 | Credits: 10
The module provides an opportunity for learners to explore varies dimensions of assessment and prepare students to contribute effectively to curriculum development and design. Assessing learners’ learning is an important aspect of an educator’s role and an integral component of the teaching and learning process. Learners will be introduced to curriculum models and will have an opportunity to analyse the strengths and shortcomings of these models for teaching practice.
Students are required to design a module (see assessment strategy below) which gives them an opportunity to test out their assessment and curriculum development skills in miniature.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Discuss the philosophical perspective of assessment and select appropriate methods for the assessment of individual and group learning in the classroom and the clinical setting.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the nature of curriculum theory, terminology, interpretations and ideologies.
- Develop knowledge of a selection of models for curriculum to design and plan programmes of nursing and midwifery education and explain the processes involved in developing a curriculum.
- Develop skills in writing curriculum aims and objectives, learning outcomes, assessment and evaluation methodologies.
- Demonstrate a high level of competence in assessing learners learning in the classroom, written work, and clinical setting.
- Develop a module and be able to justify approach and selection of content.
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
Reading List
- "Quinn's Principles and Practice of Nurse Education," by Hughes, Suzanne J., and Suzanne Hughes
Publisher: Cengage Textbooks - "Curriculum development and evaluation in nursing," by Keating, S. B. (Ed.). (2014)
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated - "Fast Facts for Curriculum Development in Nursing : How to Develop and Evaluate Educational Programs in a Nutshell" by McCoy, Jan L., and Marion G. Anema.
Publisher: Springer Publishing Company, Incorporated - "Learning Differentiated Curriculum Design in Higher Education" by Moye, John N..
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited - "Making Learning Happen A Guide for Post-Compulsory Education" by Race, Philip.
Publisher: SAGE - "The Lecturer's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Assessment, Learning and Teaching" by Race, P.
Publisher: Routledge
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU543: Teaching Assessment II
NU543: Teaching Assessment II
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 0
The practice assessment incorporates a teaching competency assessment. Students developing teaching skills are assessed on an on-going basis and formally by registered nurse tutors (NMBI 2015).
(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.
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- ANNE O'GRADY 🖂
- SIOBHÁIN SMYTH 🖂
- DEIRDRE ROCHE 🖂
- Nicola Gill Meeley 🖂
- Ciara O'Meara 🖂
- Christina Lydon 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU332: Teaching Assessment I
NU332: Teaching Assessment I
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 0
The practice assessment includes a teaching competency assessment. Students developing teaching skills are assessed on an on-going basis and formally by registered nurse tutors (NMBI 2015).
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- MAURA DOWLING 🖂
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- ANNE O'GRADY 🖂
- SIOBHÁIN SMYTH 🖂
- DEIRDRE ROCHE 🖂
- Nicola Gill Meeley 🖂
- Ciara O'Meara 🖂
- Christina Lydon 🖂
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
RequiredNU644: Student-centred Teaching & Learning: Active Engagement Strategies
NU644: Student-centred Teaching & Learning: Active Engagement Strategies
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
This module aims to broaden and build students’ repertoire of teaching strategies beyond traditional didactic approaches. Students will be introduced to the techniques and strategies of teaching groups and will have an opportunity to develop and practise their skills through role-play and simulations. Students will also explore the concept of “student engagement” and will examine how to: (1) incorporate active learning strategies into their classes and (2) use technologies to support teaching and promote student interest. Approaches to skills teaching in simulated and practice settings are also addressed.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Plan and implement teaching strategies that actively engage students in their learning taking cognisance of the needs/stage of the learner, the content being taught and the teaching context
- • Practise using a range of small group teaching strategies
- • Critically examine the issues involved in ensuring that small groups function well and are conducive to learning for all of the students involved
- • Plan and implement teaching sessions using real and simulated patients
- • Select and use appropriate technologies to support learning and teaching in the classroom and other settings
- • Demonstrate creativity in appropriately using different active strategies to support teaching
Assessments
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers & Administrators
Click a name to search for their researcher profile. Note: Only teachers publish research profiles.
- SINÉAD HAHESSY 🖂
- BRONA MOONEY 🖂
- MARI MORAN 🖂
- ANNE O'GRADY 🖂
- SIOBHÁIN SMYTH 🖂
- DEIRDRE ROCHE 🖂
- Duygu Sezgin 🖂
- Ciara O'Meara 🖂
Reading List
- "A Handbook for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education." by Fry, H., Ketteridge, S. & Marshall, S. (2009)
Publisher: Routledge - "Practice Teaching in Health Care" by Gopee, N.
Publisher: Sage - "Learning in Groups: A Handbook for Face-to-Face and Online Learning Environments." by Jaques, D. & Salmon, G. (2007)
Publisher: Routledge. - "Teaching Today: A Practical Guide." by Petty, G.
Publisher: Nelson Thornes. - "The Lecturer’s Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Learning, Teaching and Assessment." by Race, P. (2007)
Publisher: Routledge
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Accrediting Body
The Postgraduate in Nursing (Education) is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) as a Category Two course. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration to the NMBI registry as Registered Nurse Tutors (R.N.T) on completion of the programme.
- Dr. Brona Mooney (Programme Director)
- Dr. Christina Lydon
- Dr. Siobhan Smyth
- Ms. Sinead Hahessy
- Ms. Ciara O’Meara
- Ms. Margaret Maguire
- Dr. Orlaith Hernon
How will I learn?
The Postgraduate in Nursing (Education) combines innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on learning to ensure a comprehensive educational experience. You will learn through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars and workshops led by expert faculty. Real-world educational examples, case studies, exercises will enable you to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems you may encounter as a nurse educator.
Group projects and collaborative activities will enhance your teamwork and communication skills, while individual assignments and the final dissertation will help you develop independence and critical thinking.
Throughout the programme, you will have access to cutting-edge resources, to support your learning and professional growth.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework, including essays, e-tivities, class presentations and teaching assessments.
Course queries:
brona.mooney@universityofgalway.ie
Programme Director(s):
Dr Bróna Mooney
Assistant Professor in Nursing,
School of Nursing and Midwifery
College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
E: brona.mooney@universityofgalway.ie
T: 091 495395
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).
This programme is designed to provide early and mid-career nurses with the skills and knowledge needed to engage with a variety of educational roles in clinical practice and higher education.
Further, students may apply for exemption(s) from some programme modules based on equivalent courses already completed. Further information is available on the University’s Recognition of Prior Learning website.
Accreditations & Awards
Meet our Employers
Entry Requirements and Fees
All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:
- Have a Master’s degree at NFQ Level 9 in Nursing/Health Sciences or a comparable qualification.
- Be a registered nurse on the General, Mental Health, Children’s 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;
- Have practised as a nurse for three years post-registration (exclusive of post-registration/educational programmes);
- Have negotiated a teaching practice 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. This is negotiated directly by the applicant prior to applying for the programme and a letter of support needs to be uploaded with the application to the programme.
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
The following supporting evidence must be uploaded with your application:
- Proof of identification, i.e. copy of Passport or Drivers Licence
- Curriculum Vitae with details of three or more years of clinical practice experience.
- Proof of current registration with NMBI which is valid to the end of the year that you are applying in.
- Transcript of your masters degree
- Transcript of your undergraduate in nursing degree
- Transcript/s of other third level qualifications
- Teaching practice letter from a High Education Authority (HEI)/ Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education (CNME) who are providing you with the opportunity to undertake 100 hours of teaching practice during the course of your studies.
Please note:
Incomplete applications will not be reviewed until all supporting evidence is provided. So, it is best to have all the required documents collated and submitted at the time of your application to avoid delay in you receiving a response to your application.
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, the closing date is the 31st of May.
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PG Diploma Full Time | 1 | €5,750 | €16,000 | €140 | €5,890 | €16,140 |
For 25/26 entrants, where the course duration is greater than 1 year, there is an inflationary increase approved of 3.4% per annum for continuing years fees.
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant – please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 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.
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 2025-26 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.
Marie Keating Foundation
The Marie Keating Foundation awards an education bursary each year to the successful applicant to the value of €3000.00 paid directly to the university fee’s department. In return the successful candidate will receive training and support in delivering the HSE endorsed school’s Cancer Awareness Programme (CAP) for 1st - 6th year secondary school students. The CAP programme focuses on raising cancer awareness and prevention as part of the SPHE (Social Health & Personal Education) curriculum. Details of the scholarship will be provided by the Programme Director of the Master of Health Sciences (Nursing Education).
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 until the 31st of May.
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.
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Course Introduction
The Postgraduate in Nursing (Education) 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. Specialist modules address teaching and learning methods, facilitation of learning, assessment strategies, curriculum design, student engagement and integration of technology in nursing. In addition, the programme offers the learner with a comprehensive foundation, offering a multitude of benefits for nurses seeking to advance their careers and make a significant impact on their profession, transforming experienced nurses into skilled pedagogues and educational leaders in practice.
