Both the Diploma and Masters' courses in Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety are on-line/distance learning courses designed to accommodate the busy healthcare provider or simulation centre team member. Healthcare simulation is the modern way to educate healthcare providers to achieve high performance and to improve patient safety. It encompasses manikin based training for teamworking, task trainers for procedural skills, simulated persons for communication skills and virtual /augmented reality.

By completing the Diploma, you will learn how to use simulation in your own practice to deliver better safer healthcare. You will also learn how to use healthcare simulation for quality improvement, systems and process testing and for facilities planning. By completing the Masters programme you will go on to understand how to use simulation for research and how it can support research.

Both the Diploma and the Masters are online/distance learning courses supported by two intensive immersive face-to-face two-day simulation based education workshops in The Irish Centre for Applied Patient Safety and Simulation in University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland

Who's Suited for This Course

PDip Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

The course will be delivered in six sequential modules during the academic year.

• Module 1. An introduction to simulation and training in healthcare.
• Module 2. Simulation with manikin and task based trainers.
• Module 3. Standardised patients, virtual patients, and hybrid simulation.
• Module 4. Running an effective simulation-based education programme.
• Module 5. Human factors and patient safety in simulation.
• Module 6. Uses of medical and healthcare simulation beyond education

The course will be assessed through:

• Participation in online discussions with instructors and students; and
• Completion of practically-focused assignments (both written and online narrated presentations).

Module details for PDipSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

MSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety

• Modules 1 to 6 will be delivered during the first academic year. Modules 7 and 8 will be delivered during the second academic year of study.
• Module 1. An introduction to simulation and training in healthcare.
• Module 2. Simulation with manikin and task based trainers.
• Module 3. Standardised patients, virtual patients, and hybrid simulation.
• Module 4. Running an effective simulation-based education programme.
• Module 5. Human factors and patient safety in simulation.
• Module 6. Uses of medical and healthcare simulation beyond education
• Module 7. Research Methods for Medical and Healthcare Simulation.
• Module 8. Research Thesis.

The course will be assessed through:

• Participation in online discussions with instructors and students;
• Completion of practically-focused assignments (both written and online narrated presentations); and
• Completion of a simulation focused research project to be submitted in the format of a journal article.

Module details for MSc Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety 

• Fully distance learning designed to allow for flexible learning.
• Broad course content suitable for all healthcare professions, simulation staff and anyone interested in patient safety.
• The final thesis is prepared as a paper for publication and is supported by an experienced group of mentors with a track record in research in the simulation and patient safety space.

The main goal of the course is to develop expertise in design and implementation of healthcare simulation. This will allow you to become a leader in education and open up opportunities in senior academic posts within healthcare. For those with an interest in patient safety, you will gain expertise in human factors and how healthcare processes can be improved. If running a simulation centre, you will develop skills in stakeholder engagement and demonstrating a return on investment allowing you to progress to senior management positions within organisations.

Higher Education Awards 2019: Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety programme was shortlisted for Best New Postgraduate Course in 2019.

Core Faculty

Professor Paul O’Connor - Director Irish Centre for Applied Patient Safety and Simulation Director Masters/Diploma in Simulation and Patient Safety at the University of Galway

Professor Dara Byrne - Professor of Simulation at the University of Galway,  National Clinical Lead for Simulation

Dr. Angela O'Dea - Senior Lecturer in Patient Safety, Human Factors and Simulation, School of Medicine, University of Galway

Dr. Caoimhe Madden - Lecturer Above the Bar in Quality, Patient Safety and Simulation, School of Medicine, University of Galway

Adjunct Faculty

Ms. Sharon Cassidy Sharon Cassidy RN - Simulation Clinical Nurse Educator.  Adjunct Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Galway.

Mr. Philip Parackal RN - Simulation Clinical Nurse Educator. Adjunct Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Galway.

Dr. Caroline Richardson - Associate Dean of Postgraduate Medical Education and Training at Letterkenny University Hospital, Adjunct Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Galway.

What will I learn?

You will learn how to apply simulation-based methods to improve healthcare quality and patient safety. This includes using manikin-based, procedural, and communication simulations, as well as virtual and augmented reality tools to enhance clinical training. You will also gain the skills to use simulation for quality improvement, systems and process testing, and facilities planning.

At the Master’s level, you will develop an understanding of how to conduct and apply simulation-based research to advance healthcare education and practice.

How will you be assessed?

Participation in online discussions with instructors and students

You’ll be expected to actively contribute to discussions with instructors and classmates on the course’s online platform. Your level of engagement and quality of contributions will form part of your overall grade.

Practically-focused assignments:

You’ll complete assignments designed to apply what you’ve learned in real or simulated situations. These could include written tasks (such as reports or analyses) and online narrated presentations (PowerPoint or video presentations where you explain your work). 

Completion of a simulation focused research project

For the Masters assessment you will need to complete a simulation-focused research project, submitted in the format of a journal article.

Dr Paul O’Connor
T: +353 91 492 897
E: paul.oconnor@universityofgalway.ie

Professor Dara Byrne
T: +353 91 493 659
E: dara.byrne@universityofgalway.ie

Sylvia McDonagh, Administrator
E: sylvia.mcdonagh@universityofgalway.ie

• An honours bachelor's degree at NFQ Level 8 in a relevant healthcare discipline (e.g., medicine, nursing, speech and language therapy, pharmacy), although applicants with evidence of at least three years’ equivalent professional/academic experience will be considered (e.g., emergency medicine technicians, simulation technicians).
• A demonstrated proficiency in English- English competency IELTS score of 6.5 or similar
• Previous experience, or an academic qualification, in the education and teaching of healthcare professionals.
• A demonstrated interest in simulation.

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.
Please note places are limited and will be assessed and awarded on merit.

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	€5,850		€9,750	€140		€5,990	€9,890
PG Diploma Full Time	1	€5,850		€9,750	€140		€5,990	€9,890

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. 

This Online-Course is ineligible for student study visa or ILEP, but international students may undertake this programme remotely.

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.  

Simulation Masters – Healthcare Simulation Courses