Who is this course for?  

This programme aims to prepare nurses to effectively contribute to diabetes nursing practice.  The essence of diabetes nursing is the provision of individualised care to patients with diabetes. Caring for patients with diabetes requires nurses to have specialist knowledge and skills that meet the physical, psychological, mental and social needs of patients and their relatives. The multi-faceted nature of nursing in diabetes care settings encompasses the whole spectrum of care, from prevention to diagnosis to treatment and chronic disease management and this course encompasses that ethos.  

Year 1 is theoretical-/clinical-based and represents 60 ECTS credits which is equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma Diabetes at completion (which students can exit with, if they wish, at the end of Year 1).

Year 2 is research thesis based which builds on the knowledge and skills learned in Year 1 and represents 30 ECTS credits, thus providing a total of 90 ECTS (Year 1 & 2) which is the requirement for the awarding of a Masters Health Sciences Diabetes.  

What will I study?

All students will undertake the full-time one-year Postgraduate Diploma in their first year. Upon completing both theoretical and clinical modules for this course, students can graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma (Diabetes Nursing) or they may progress to the second year of the Master of Health Science (MHSc) programme , provided they have achieved a minimum average mark of 60% across these modules in the first year.  

A blended learning approach is adopted in the delivery of the Diabetes Nursing programme. Most of the programme is delivered online. Students are required to attend five face-to-face workshops across the programme.  

Students are required to complete a minimum of 500 clinical hours in diabetes care before completing this programme. Students may also be required to undertake additional placements to meet the programme’s learning outcomes. 

GPN10: Diabetes (10 ECTS) [Semesters 1 & 2] 
NU502:   Advanced Research Methods (10 ECTS)  [Semester 1]                                             
NU605: Recognising & Responding to Client Deterioration (10 ECTS)  [Semester 1]   
NU921: Clinical Competence 1 (0 ECTS)  [Semester 1]        
NU623: Clinical Governance: Supporting Safe Practice (10 ECTS)  [Semester 2]   
NU6439: Service Improvement (10 ECTS)  [Semesters 1 & 2]                                                              
PO5101: Management of Diabetic Foot disease [Semester 2] 
NU922:  Clinical Competence 2 (0 ECTS) [Semester 2] 

(Optional exit opportunity with PDip Diabetes or continue on for MHSc Diabetes.)  

Year 2 

Semester 1 & Semester 2 
NU6515: Research Dissertation (30 ECTS)    

 Students’ clinical competency will be assessed by a practice portfolio (submitted end of Year 1 Semester 2).  Students also complete practice-focused assignments throughout the whole of Year 1 programme. To be eligible for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing (Diabetes), students must pass each module at 40% and pass the clinical practice portfolio (Clinical Competence 1 & 2). 

The clinical practice component forms an integral part of the programme.  Students are required to complete at least 500 hours of specialist practice experience working with and caring for patients with diabetes in a variety of environments throughout the programme. This includes consolidating the experiences and opportunities that are available in their own clinical environments. The student will be expected to engage in the assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of care to patients with diabetes, with the support of a designated preceptor agreed upon with the programme director & clinical facilitator. 

To successfully meet the 500-hour practice requirement, the student will be required to work, for the duration of the first year of the programme, within practice settings that manage care for patients with diabetes. If needed, it may be possible to arrange clinical placements with the Diabetes Service at the University Hospital Galway, which will cover the full spectrum of Diabetes Care.

• Clinical Facilitator: An experienced nurse specialist in Diabetes care acts as the programme’s clinical facilitator, supporting students in reaching their learning outcomes in practice.  
• Interdisciplinary Learning: Two modules on the programme are shared with other Healthcare professionals. 

Graduates of the programme can apply for a clinical nurse specialist role in Diabetes care. 

Practice Education  

The clinical practice component forms an integral part of the programme.  Students are required to complete at least 500 hours of specialist practice experience working with and caring for patients with diabetes in various environments throughout the programme. This includes consolidating the experiences and opportunities that are available in their own clinical environments. The student will be expected to engage in the assessment, planning, delivery, and evaluation of care to patients with diabetes, with the support of a designated preceptor agreed upon with the programme director & clinical facilitator. 

To successfully meet the 500-hour practice requirement, the student will be required to work, for the duration of the first year of the programme, within practice settings that manage care for patients with diabetes. If needed, it may be possible to arrange clinical placements with the Diabetes Service at the University Hospital Galway, which will cover the full spectrum of Diabetes Care.

Accrediting Body 

The course is accredited by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.   

• Professor Derek O’Keefe
• Dr Eva Flynn
• Professor Caroline McIntosh 
• Dr Maura Dowling
• Dr Christina Lydon
• MS Sinead Hahessy
• Naomi Davies 

How will I learn?

The MHSc/PGD Diabetes Nursing combines innovative teaching methods with practical, hands-on learning. You will learn through a mix of interactive lectures, seminars and workshops led by expert faculty with a focus on evidence-based practice. 

How Will I Be Assessed? 

Throughout the programme, your progress is assessed through various coursework and exams, including essays, computer-based quizzes and presentations. 

Course queries: 
maura.dowling@universityofgalway.ie   

Programme Director(s):  

Dr Maura Dowling,  
Senior Lecturer in Nursing,  
School of Nursing and Midwifery 
College of Medicine, Nursing & Health Sciences
E: maura.dowling@universityofgalway.ie 
T: 091 493833

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). 

Graduates of the programme will be able to:  

• Demonstrate ethically sound decision-making in relation to the care of patients living with diabetes        
• Demonstrate evidence-based knowledge and skills in the care of patients with diabetes 
• Demonstrate the ability to contribute to the professional body of knowledge related to diabetes
• Advocate with other health care professionals for patients with diabetes    
• Assess risk and promote a safe environment and quality patient care          
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team planning          
• Contribute to the multidisciplinary team in the delivery of quality care for patients with diabetes

Minimum Entry Requirements

Candidates must hold an Honours Level 8 primary degree in Nursing, Midwifery or Children’s Nursing. 

Applicants who do not hold an honours degree or postgraduate diploma (Level 9) may apply but must clearly demonstrate the capacity to complete the programme at this level, and must successfully undertake a minimum of one 10 ECTS module (Level 9) offered as a Professional Credit Award. 

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.   

Evidence of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. 

To be considered for entry to the programme, applicants must meet the following entry requirements: 

• Be registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland in the divisions of Nursing, Midwifery or Children’s Nursing.
• Hold an active nursing registration.
• Have a minimum of one year’s post-registration experience.
• Be working in an approved healthcare setting in Ireland where people with Diabetes are managed. 

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		€17,500	€140		€7,890	€17,640
Masters Full Time	2	€3,500		€17,000	€140		€3,640	€17,140

*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. 

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.