| Code | PDNOCN |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2 Years - PG Diploma (Year 1); Masters (Year 2) |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | PG Dip / MSc |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| Closing Date | Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised. |
| Non-EU Closing Date | Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised. |
| Start Date | 1 September 2025 |
Course Outline
Our MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing is an exciting nursing programme offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery at University College Cork.
The oncology pathway of this programme is offered in a blended learning format (part-online and part-attendance at workshops/tutorials) and is designed to meet the needs of nurses working in oncology settings who wish to undergo a specialist oncology course. The philosophy underpinning this oncology course recognises the uniqueness of the individual at each stage of the cancer care trajectory. The physical and psychosocial effect of cancer creates specific needs for patients and families from diagnosis to treatment and through to survivorship.
Programme Details
The MSc in Nursing programme, comprising seven clinical pathways, is structured into two parts and will typically be completed over two years from the date of first registration for the programme (60 credits in Part I and 30 credits in Part II).
All students will be registered for a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing in Year 1 and will be registered for an MSc in Year 2. Students who opt to exit at the end of the first year will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing upon successful completion and passing modules to the value of 60 credits (applicable to all pathways).
Programme Pathways
There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. Oncology Nursing is Pathway 11 and comprises theory modules and clinical practice modules as follows:
Oncology Nursing (Pathway 11)
Year 1 (60 credits)
Theory modules (blended learning)
- NU6005 Evidence-Based Practice for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
- NU6053 Professional, Ethical, and Legal Decision-making in Specialist Practice (5 credits)
- NU6070 Clinical Leadership in Practice Enhancement for Nursing and Midwifery (10 credits)
- NU6145 Foundations of Cancer Care (10 credits)
- NU6146 Cancer Management and Supportive Cancer Care I (10 credits)
- NU6147 Cancer Management and Supportive Cancer Care II (5 credits)
Clinical Practice/Practicum modules
- NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing I (5 credits)
- NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing II (5 credits)
Year 2 (30 credits)
In order to progress to Part II students must pass modules to the value of 60 credits in Part I.
- MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
- NU6073 Dissertation in Nursing (20 credits)
On successful completion of this Oncology Nursing programme you will be able to:
- Enhance oncological care nursing practice through the application of theoretical, practical, and policy knowledge and skills;
- Critically appraise and evaluate current research evidence and best practice for specialist nursing and its implications for practice;
- Identify and critically evaluate ethical issues in order to challenge assumptions and question values, beliefs, and policies underpinning care;
- Exercise accountability within the clinical and professional boundaries of oncology nursing.
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
This is a blended learning programme delivered mostly online using student-centered content and accessible resources. This is complemented by attendance at workshops. Each module will have its own study guide and the content will be available online.
Semester 1 - September to December (16 weeks) contains 2 x 10-credit modules and 1 x 5-credit module. You are required to attend 3 x 8-hour days and 4 x 4-hour days on campus in semester 1 for workshops, lectures, and tutorials. The remainder of the content is delivered online using our virtual learning environment Canvas. Learning strategies include module study guides, discussion boards, audio/visual resources, and online work.
Semester 2 - January to May (16 weeks) contains 2 x 10-credit modules and 1 x 5-credit module. You are required to attend 4 x 8-hour days and 2 x 4-hour days on campus in semester 2 for workshops, lectures, and tutorials. The remainder of the content is delivered online using our virtual learning environment Canvas. Learning strategies include module study guides, discussion boards, teleconferencing, and online assessments.
Students will be required to prepare and submit an E-portfolio on professional development activities relating to their clinical practice placement. The practice modules involve direct clinical placement learning to meet the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland requirements.
Assessment methods vary according to modules:
| Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing | Credits | Assignments |
|---|---|---|
| NU6005 Research Methods | 10 | Academic Paper (3000 words); E-activities. |
| NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice | 5 | Academic Paper (1500 words); E-activities |
| NU6070 Practice Enhancement | 10 | Academic Paper (3000 words); E-activities |
| NU6145 Foundations of Cancer Care | 10 | Academic Paper (3000 words); E-activities |
| NU6146 Cancer Management & Supportive Cancer Care I | 10 | Academic Paper (3000 words); E-activities |
| NU6147 Cancer Management & Supportive Cancer Care II | 5 | Academic Paper (1500 words); E-activities |
| NU6130 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing I | 5 | Clinical Assessment of Competencies, E-portfolios |
| NU6131 Clinical Practice in Specialist Nursing II | 5 | Clinical Assessment of Competencies, E-portfolios |
Prior to commencing the course each student taking a blended module will be provided with an orientation to our online learning platform Canvas, and training on how to use the online technology within the course. IT support will be given to students throughout the duration of the course.
Teaching staff on the course inclide staff from the School of Nursing and Midwifery, and clinical setting.
Why Choose This Course
The Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing is the only course offering an MSc/Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing in the HSE Southern Region. This course leads to an MSc in Nursing.
The incidence of cancer is increasing steadily in our society. Therefore, it is important that nurses working in oncology practice are equipped with advanced knowledge and skills to care for patients living with a diagnosis of cancer. The curriculum will enable students to integrate specialised knowledge and technical skills to help people living with cancer and their families throughout the cancer journey.
This programme will enable nurses practicing in an oncology setting to advance their knowledge and skills to care for patients diagnosed with cancer.
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
There are 7 clinical pathways to the degree of Masters in Nursing, all of which have an exit route available for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Nursing. The pathways to the degree of Masters including the Postgraduate Diploma exit route are all available to view in the Academic Calendar (Dip/MSc Nursing).
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Pathway 11 - Oncology Nursing
Applicants for this MSc in Nursing, including the Postgraduate Diploma exit route, should normally:
1. Hold active registration on a division of the professional register maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or be eligible for such registration as required for individual pathways. For the Oncology Nursing Pathway, applicants must be Registered General Nurses;
2. Have clinical practice experience (and support structures, if applicable) as required for individual pathways. For the Oncology Nursing Pathway, applicants must have a minimum of six months of post-registration experience (excluding courses) and at least six months experience in the speciality pathway applied for;
3. Applicants must provide written evidence of support from their Director of Nursing/equivalent authorised nurse manager stating:
- The applicant will be working in the relevant specialist area for the duration of the programme for a minimum of 18.75 hours a week;
- They will be released from practice to attend the programme requirements;
- A clinical preceptor and/or clinical facilitator can support learning in the specialist area of practice for the duration of the programme.
Note: In exceptional circumstances, applicants who do not fulfill the entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following a review of their individual qualifications and experience by the programme committee. Such applicants may be invited for an interview to satisfy the selection committee of their suitability for the programme. Admission of such applicants will be subject to the approval of the School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Note: Prospective students who do not fulfill the clinical practice experience entry requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Oncology Nursing may be eligible to apply for the Postgraduate Certificate in Nursing programme (30 credits).
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.
Deferrals: Deferrals are not permitted on this course.
Additional Requirements
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:
- You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
- In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
- Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
- Please add the name and email addresses of 2 referees.
- Please upload certification of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
- All applicants must also submit a signed Declaration Form completed by the Director of Nursing/Midwifery/Equivalent Authorised Manager. The form is downloadable here: 2023 Declaration Form PGDip Nursing pathways
Additional Information
For students who have exited this programme with the award of postgraduate diploma and wish to return to complete the Masters within 5 years, please apply for CKX13, MSc in Nursing Studies Direct Entry Year 2.
The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
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