| Code | PDPHN |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Year Full-time |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | PG Dip |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| Closing Date | TBC |
| Start Date | September 2025 |
Course Outline
Our Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing is a Level 9 programme that aims to develop informed and skilled public health nurses. On successful completion of the programme, participants can apply to the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) for registration as a Public Health Nurse (RPHN).
This is a one-year, full-time programme, usually running from September to June inclusive each year. Students undertake nine modules to the value of 60 credits. There are four blocks of placement with a registered public health nurse in the sponsoring HSE area. If your name is not registered in the Midwives Division of the NMBI Register, you will complete an NMBI approved module or unit of study on maternal and child health as part of the course. Maternity placement of five weeks as part of this module will be in Cork University Maternity Hospital. Total clinical placement accounts for over 23 weeks during the year.
- Application Process: Please note that the application process is via HSE Student Public Health Nurse Sponsorship.
Modules (60 credits)
| Module | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| NU6041 | Public Health Nursing: Principles and Professional Issues | 10 credits |
| NU6042 | Children, Young People and Families | 10 credits |
| NU6043 | Adults and Older People in the Community | 5 credits |
| NU6044 | Health and Health Promotion: Concepts and Principles | 5 credits |
| NU6005 | Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals | 10 credits |
| NU6047 | Clinical Placement: Public Health Nursing | 5 credits |
| NU6054 | Maternal and Child Health Nursing | 10 credits |
| SS6000 | Public Health, Social Services and Community | 5 credits |
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
Lectures take place Monday to Friday throughout the year. A typical day would contain 4 to 6 hours of lectures but it is expected that students would spend the remainder of the day in reading around the topic and self-directed learning. Where workshops are scheduled these may run from 9am to 5pm. Field trips and self-directed tasks in the community setting are also scheduled.
Assessment
A variety of assessment methods are used including continuous assessment, written examinations, presentations and completion of portfolios and clinical workbooks
Fitness to Practice
This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.
Who teaches this course
| Dr Helen Mulcahy | College Lecturer |
| Dr Patricia Leahy-Warren | Senior College Lecturer |
| Mr Lloyd Philpott | Programme Coordinator |
| Claire Dorrity | College Lecturer, Department of Applied Social Studies |
| Pat Leahy | College Lecturer, Department of Applied Social Studies |
Why Choose This Course
Top 50 Nursing School in the World
The School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, has been ranked within the top 50 nursing schools in the world, according to the QS global subject rankings. The school provides a world-class environment for cutting-edge research to prepare tomorrow’s nurses to shape and advance health care practices through research and education. Within UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, researchers are addressing global challenges, including the growing burden of diseases, nurse workforce requirements, population ageing, and sustainable approaches to healthcare and health promotion and our teaching staff are at the forefront of these developments.
Requirements
This programme is open to Registered General Nurses, currently registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). Candidates must have an NQF level 8 qualification or demonstrate equivalence using an APEL (Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning) as detailed in the application materials.
The recruitment and sponsorship of student public health nurses is a national joint application process between the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and the HSE. Current applicants are required to be registered in the General Nursing Division of the Register of Nurses maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered AND have a minimum of 3 years post-registration general nursing experience.
Or
Applicants should be registered in the General Nursing Division and another Division of the Register, including Registered Midwife (RM), Registered Children’s Nurse (RCN), Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID), or Registered Psychiatric Nurse (RPN) Divisions of the Register of Nurses and Midwives maintained by the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) or entitled to be so registered; AND have a minimum of 18 months post-registration general nursing experience as an RGN, and 18 months post-registration experience as an RM or RCN or RNID or RPN.
In addition, it is necessary to have an academic level 8 (Honours Degree or Higher Diploma) course completed or provide evidence that you can perform at this level as directed on the application form. If English is not your first language, fluency must be demonstrated (IELTS 7 or higher). Admission to the course will be subject to a joint HSE/Higher Education Institution (HEI) application process.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
- Please see the following link for important information regarding the application and recruitment sponsorship scheme for student public health nurses (http://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/Jobs/Job_Search/Nursing/PHNSponsorship/).
- Candidates must apply for sponsorship online through www.pac.ie.
For further queries on the HSE recruitment please email Mary Hinds, HSE at recruitment.phnsponsorship@hse.ie.