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Nursing: Oncology and Haematology (MHSc/PDip)

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Course Overview

This programme is designed for registered general nurses who wish to pursue a specialism in oncology nursing.

Students are required to undertake their clinical practice in an approved clinical practice setting within Ireland, normally within the students' own work setting.  Students may also be required to undertake additional placement(s) in order to meet the programme’s learning outcomes.

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. 

A blended learning approach is adopted in the delivery of this programme. Students are required to attend face to face workshops for a total of 12 days across the programme. Students are required to complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours (reduced from previously-published 1,000 hours, on NMBI advice) before completing this programme. 

SPECIAL FEATURES
The course has a clinical focus, offering opportunities to develop specialist skills. 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.

Scholarships available
Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

Applications and Selections

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. 

Who Teaches this Course

See the full staff list here.

Requirements and Assessment

Modules are assessed using a combination of coursework and teaching assessments.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

All applicants must meet the following entry requirements:

  1. Be a registered nurse on the General Nurse division of the register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI);
  2. Have a minimum of one year of post-registration experience (exclusive of post-registration courses);
  3. Be currently working in an approved oncology care setting and have as a minimum six months’ clinical experience in this specialist area;
  4. Satisfy the selection panel of ability to complete the programme;
  5. Provide written support from their employer that they will be able to access this client group across the programme;
  6. 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.nuigalway.ie/pca/pca.html.

Additional Requirements

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Duration

Postgraduate Diploma: 1 year full-time
Masters: 2 years full-time (if eligible for second year following Postgraduate Diploma)

Next start date

September 2025

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

15

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

30 June 2025

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

MHSC-ONCO

Course Outline

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 the second 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)

RequiredNU921: Clinical Competence 1


Semester 1 | Credits: 0


(Language of instruction: English)

Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module NU921: "Clinical Competence 1" and is valid from 2024 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

RequiredNU6123: Nursing management of patients living with a haematological condition


Semester 1 | Credits: 10

This module addresses the needs of people living with blood cancers. An understanding of normal haematopoiesis and immunology is central to this module. Reaching a diagnosis and management of malignant and pre-malignant haematological conditions are addressed. The management of haematology related oncological emergencies disorders are also addressed.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Discuss normal haematopoiesis and immunology
  2. Discuss the staging systems used in haematological cancers
  3. Discuss issues involved in the diagnosis, treatment and living long term with a haematological cancer. ;
  4. Prioritise emergency and non-emergency interventions for the haematology patient
  5. Critically discuss the role of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in managing blood cancers.
  6. Critically discuss the role of haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in managing blood cancers.
  7. Critically discuss the infection control precautions needed for patients diagnosed with a malignant haematological condition
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module NU6123: "Nursing management of patients living with a haematological condition" and is valid from 2024 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

RequiredNU6122: Nursing management of patients living with a diagnosis of cancer


Semester 1 | Credits: 10

This specialist module addresses epidemiology of cancer, cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Critically discuss the role of epidemiology in cancer,
  2. Critically appraise the main principles of cancer prevention.
  3. Critically discuss cancer screening programs.
  4. Explain the role of the major tests used in reaching a cancer diagnosis and discuss the role of staging and re-staging in cancer
  5. Discuss the TNM staging system & other staging systems and the role of grading in cancer
  6. Discuss the main non-haematological cancers under the headings: risk factors, diagnosis, classification, symptoms, treatment
  7. Critically discuss the role of radiotherapy in cancer management
  8. Discuss the role of surgery in cancer management
  9. Explain the role of NCCP in directing Irish cancer services.
  10. Discuss the role of precision health in the provision of patient-centred cancer services.
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module NU6122: "Nursing management of patients living with a diagnosis of cancer" and is valid from 2024 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

RequiredNU623: 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
  1. Examine the concept of ‘clinical governance’ in the Irish healthcare system
  2. 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
  3. Explore their role in promoting and enhancing safety as a member of the multidisciplinary team
  4. Critically evaluate risk assessment processes and issues relevant to their practice setting.
  5. Evaluate their contribution to quality improvement in their practice setting
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module NU623: "Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice" and is valid from 2024 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

RequiredNU922: Clinical Competence 2


Semester 2 | Credits: 0

Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module NU922: "Clinical Competence 2" and is valid from 2014 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

RequiredNU6124: Living with and beyond cancer


Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module addresses the role of the oncology nurse in supporting patients during their cancer journey and beyond. The emphasis is on incorporating diverse evidence-based skills to provide holistic support during treatment and into survivorship.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Critically analyse how the philosophy and principles of palliative care and end of life care are implemented for people affected by cancer.
  2. Critically evaluate the complex and evolving information and educational needs of people affected by cancer.
  3. Describe the types of pain that cancer can cause and discuss the drugs used to relieve pain in cancer patients and explain their function. Explain what is meant by ‘total pain’ and how it to relieve it
  4. Critically discuss types and treatment of cancer-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) and causes and treatment of cancer cachexia
  5. Critically discuss the assessment and management of oral mucositis
  6. Critically discuss evidence based interventions to prevent complications from neutropenia
  7. Critically discuss the multiple factors that contribute to cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and evidence based measures to manage CRF
  8. Discuss the role PROMs in cancer care communication and digital interventions that support patients and carers along the cancer care continuumoncology nurse in supporting patients living with and beyond cancer
  9. Explore concepts of loss, grief and bereavement and how these may be applied within clinical practice
  10. Demonstrate insight into the emotional labour involved when caring for someone affected by cancer and evaluate reasons why care of the self and colleagues is important
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module NU6124: "Living with and beyond cancer" and is valid from 2024 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

RequiredNU6439: 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
  1. Critically examine a practice issue and contribute to service improvement
  2. Integrate and apply learning from other modules
  3. Work collaboratively with peers and clients
  4. Become an autonomous and independent learner
  5. Develop the skills and knowledge needed to implement a change in clinical practice
  6. Develop their skills of analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and reflection
Assessments
  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Teachers
The above information outlines module NU6439: "Service Improvement" and is valid from 2024 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

RequiredNU502: 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
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of what is meant by ‘evidence-based practice’
  2. Discuss theoretical perspectives on research methodology
  3. Formulate an answerable clinical question using the PICO approach
  4. Develop a database search strategy
  5. Explain the key characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of the main qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
  6. Articulate a research problem and formulate a research question or hypothesis as appropriate to guide the conduct of a study
  7. Justify the use of appropriate data collection, sampling, and data analysis methods for qualitative and quantitative research
  8. Discuss rigour in the context of quantitative and qualitative research
  9. Discuss evidence synthesis of quantitative and qualitative research
  10. 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
The above information outlines module NU502: "Advanced Research Methods" and is valid from 2024 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Year 2 (30 Credits)

RequiredNU6515: 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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
  4. Critically discuss research findings with reference to the methods used, current literature and professional practice.
  5. 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
The above information outlines module NU6515: "Research Dissertation" and is valid from 2024 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates have found employment and promotion opportunities nationally and internationally in clinical nurse specialist roles and clinical trials (oncology).

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

Transferable Skills Employers Value

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€7,890 (Yr 1) & €3,570 (Yr 2) (including levy) p.a. 2025/26

Fees: Tuition

€7,750 p.a. (Yr 1); €3,500 (Yr 2) 2025/26

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. (Yr 1) €70 p.a. (Yr 2) 2025/26

Fees: Non EU

€18,000 p.a. (€18,140 p.a. including levy) 2025/26

 


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. 

 

What Our Graduates Say

Caroline

Caroline Thornton |   Graduate

I would highly recommend the Masters in Haematology /Oncology in NUI Galway. This course is delivered by experienced lecturers whose support throughout all aspects of the course allowed for both a satisfying and creative learning experience. The second year of the course involves developing a research thesis, the support and guidance I received from my academic supervisor made this a very engaging and positive experience. I was also fortunate to have my research published in a European Oncology Journal, this would not have been possible without the academic advice from the university staff. The module content enables the development of the oncology nursing role from that off a staff nurse to one of the more specialised and advanced levels of nursing. This programme has provided me with the confidence to advance my career in both a professional and academic nature
Claire

Claire Dunnion |   Graduate

The best decision I made was to complete my master's in oncology/haematology. Having already worked for a few years in these areas, I still found this learning experience invaluable. In year one, not only were the guest lecturers and in-house teachings great but the facilitation for work experience too. These placements were individualised to build on the foundation of knowledge I already had. The new experiences allowed me to gain an insight into areas I hadn't worked in previously, utilising my time brilliantly. Of course, all this was organised by the excellent lecturer providing this course. She ensured that everyone was learning no matter their background, and she was always there to assist with any issues. Similarly, in the second year, I was assigned such a supportive academic supervisor. Despite restrictions due to the pandemic, my course was not impacted. Despite the challenges, adaptions were made, and the support continued. Frequent zoom calls and timely replies to my emails from my academic supervisor ensured I was able to complete my research and my master's. This then allowed me to progress in my career. I would highly recommend this course.

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