Postgraduate Diploma
1 year
Hybrid - Part-time
60 ECTS
September 2026
About
The Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma, and MSc in Neurology Specialist Nursing at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences addresses the growing need for advanced education among nurses working in neurology.
Developed by the School of Nursing and Midwifery in collaboration with national experts and patient advocacy groups, the programme supports excellence in clinical care, research and leadership for people living with neurological conditions.
This programme is delivered part-time by the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning and live online classes approximately once every week. A limited number of on-site days will facilitate workshops and clinical application. The programme is flexible and accessible for nurses in clinical practice nationally, while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Further support is provided through the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.
The award title for this course is Postgraduate Diploma Nursing (Neurology Nursing).
This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Enhance clinical decision making and problem solving abilities
Enhance your critical thinking and reflective practice abilities
Gain specialised expertise in managing complex neurological conditions
Develop key research skills
Enhance your capacity for leadership in practice
Integrate your enhanced knowledge to improve overall patient care and outcomes
Suitable for
This programme is open to nurses working in neurology settings across Ireland and internationally seeking to specialise in neurology, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and headache care.
What you will learn
Faculty highlight
Course information
Core concepts and principles of neurology nursing
By undertaking this programme, you will:
- Gain a deep understanding of the core concepts of neurology and the management of complex neurological conditions
- Develop advanced knowledge and clinical skills to support safe, evidence-based practice
- Strengthen your ability to lead and innovate in neurology services across acute, community, and specialist settings
- Build research, leadership, and critical thinking skills to enhance patient outcomes and service delivery
- Contribute to the development of specialist neurology services in line with national models of care.
Graduates of this postgraduate diploma who wish to take a further step may enrol onto the master's programme – the MSc Nursing (Neurology Nursing) – and undertake Year 2 of the full programme, completing a systematic review.
The programme will begin in September each year.
This programme is assessed through a range of assessment modalities.
All programmes offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery are accredited by RCSI, the National University of Ireland and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Recognition by bodies in other jurisdictions must be determined by individual applicants.
Admissions
You must:
- Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification. However, applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification may still be eligible to join the programme through our supported-entry pathway programme. This is subject to an assessment of prior learning and experience.
- Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.
- Be working in the programme specialist practice area in a clinical site which has been audit approved for the duration of the programme.
Learning occurs in many contexts including work, involvement in social and community activities, and learning through life experience generally.
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) does not give credit for experience as such – rather, it considers learning that was acquired as a result of the experience. RPL may be used to gain admission to programmes where you may not have obtained the standard entry requirements. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Exemptions from programme modules that duplicate learning already demonstrably acquired through prior learning may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For more information, please contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery:
- Tel: +353 1 402 2445
- Email: nursing@rcsi.ie
English language requirements are published here. If you have completed undergraduate/postgraduate full-time studies in the medium of the English language (three or more years cumulatively), or if you are registered with the NMBI, you are exempt from these requirements.
The fees for this programme are €7,040.
You can pay your fees in three instalments – one payment of 40% is due before you commence the programme, while the remaining payments can be paid in two 30% instalments at the end of November and the end of February of your year of study.
| Payment due | Amount | |
|
1st payment |
When confirming acceptance |
€2,816 |
|
2nd payment |
30 November 2026 |
€2,112 |
|
3nd payment |
28 February 2027 |
€2,112 |
|
Total |
€7,040 |
Please note:
- Fee includes all resources, access to our award-winning online learning portal and access to extensive RCSI-only databases.
- Fee includes an NUI fee.
- Fee is payable via the above schedule, where relevant.
- If you have outstanding fees you will not be entitled to receive your grades or be eligible to progress and or graduate (VLE and Library privileges will be withdrawn in these cases).
- RCSI accepts no obligation to refund any fee, or part thereof, in respect of a student who chooses to withdraw from a programme.
- If you choose to withdraw from a programme you are liable for full fees owed for the seat on that programme.
- All NUI parchments are issued in Latin; you will be required to pay an additional fee of €50 to NUI if you wish to have a parchment published in English.
- Fees are subject to review annually.
- If you are being sponsored or funded by your employer you should upload a funding confirmation letter in the document upload section on the application portal.)
Please view our Postgraduate fees policy for more information.
How to apply
Applications for September 2025 are now closed. The next intake is September 2026, with applications opening around February/March 2026. Please email nursing@rcsi.ie for further information.
