BACHELOR OF SCIENCE GENERAL NURSING

Develop the knowledge, skills and confidence for a rewarding nursing career with MH701 – a degree that combines classroom learning, clinical skills training and practice placements. Learn from experienced professionals and gain hands-on experience across a range of healthcare settings.

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Qualification
Bachelor Of Science Nursing
CAO Points
430
CAO/MU Apply code
MH701
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

Join our innovative nursing programme which integrates theory, skills practise and practice placements.

We aim to prepare you as a competent graduate who is confident in your ability to deliver person centred, safe, compassionate, evidence-based, effective and high-quality care across diverse healthcare settings.

As a graduate of the Maynooth University School of Nursing, our goal is that you will be flexible and adaptable, capable of working in rapidly changing healthcare contexts and settings, a critical thinker and future leader with the capacity to effect change to positively benefit patient and health care.

As a MU nursing student, you will:

  • complete a cutting-edge programme designed to meet Ireland’s growing population and changing healthcare requirements
  • be taught by experienced educators and health professionals who work across a variety of healthcare disciplines, settings and research fields
  • take a programme that actively promotes person-centredness and prioritises clinical excellence using innovative learning and teaching approaches
  • gain hands-on practice experience across a diverse range of community and hospital clinical settings
  • learn in our state-of-the-art learning environment with access to a comprehensive range of academic and personal resources to support your learning
  • complete a degree that will prepare you to work in a variety of practice settings, including hospital and integrated care settings

The programme comprises of 50% theory and 50% placement in integrated care, community and hospital settings.

Applicants should be aware that the range and geographical spread of placement sites will require them to travel for practice placements at all stages of the programme.

Students are entitled to subsistence and travel allowances to offset costs.

Course structure

Duration: 4 years

First year

  • Focus on health, the social determinants of health, normal anatomy and physiology, normal ageing, health and social care in community and older persons care settings and the role of the general nurse in these contexts.
  • 40 credits: nursing theory and practice modules
  • 20 credits: modules (e.g. health psychology, sociology, geography) which broaden students’ understanding of health and how people’s environments impact their health.
  • Practice placements in older persons, integrated care/ community, and mental health and learning disabilities settings.

Second year

  • The nursing management of acutely and chronically ill individuals is the major focus, in tandem with a focus on health promotion.
  • Placements echo this focus with clinical placements in acute care settings.
  • Students will also complete specialist placements in maternity and childcare this year.
  • 45 credits: nursing theory and practice modules
  • 15 credits: modules (e.g. anatomy, pharmacology, health psychology) focused on broadening students’ understanding of people’s responses to, and ways of coping with ill-health.

Third year

  • The goal for Year 3 is to facilitate students to integrate and further develop their knowledge and skills.
  • 25 credits: nursing theoretical content - addresses areas such as enhanced person-centred health assessment recognising and responding to patient clinical deterioration, clinical decision making and managing a caseload.
  • 20 credits: modules to support students’ clinical decision making on ethics, legal issues, social policy and pharmacology.
  • 15 credits: practice placements this year continue in acute care settings. Students will also complete a 12-week internship in integrated healthcare settings.

Fourth year

  • 30 credits: in their final year (Year 4) students will complete a further 24 weeks of internship, this time in acute care settings. Internship will afford students the opportunity to build their confidence and consolidate their knowledge and skills for caring across the health spectrum and in diverse settings.
  • 10 credits: before internship, students will take a module focused on supporting their transition to practitioner
  • 5 credits: module on management and leadership
  • 15 credits: students will also complete a research project with the support of a lecturer.

The programme comprises of 50% theory and 50% placement in integrated care, community and hospital settings.

Applicants should be aware that the range and geographical spread of placement sites will require them to travel for practice placements at all stages of the programme.

Students are entitled to subsistence and travel allowances to offset costs.

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.

Year 1

NS1F60 - Nursing

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Nursing modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

PS161

5

1

Y

NS155

2.5

1

Y

NS152

5

Year-Long

Y

NS153

5

Year-Long

Y

NS151

10

Year-Long

Y

GY165

5

2

Y

NS156

7.5

2

Y

NS157

7.5

2

Y

SO161

5

1

Y

NS154

7.5

Year-Long

Y

Year 2

NS2F60 - Nursing

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Nursing modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

NS255

2.5

1

Y

NS253

5

Year-Long

Y

NS252

5

Year-Long

Y

NS251

10

Year-Long

Y

PS241

5

1

Y

NS256

7.5

Year-Long

Y

NS257

7.5

2

Y

NS258

7.5

2

Y

SO261

5

2

Y

NS254

5

Year-Long

Y

After Graduation

Successful completion of the degree programme leads to eligibility to apply to register as a general nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland.

Registered General Nurses have wide-ranging employment opportunities in Ireland, across the EU and beyond.

Most graduates opt to consolidate their learning by working as a staff nurse in a hospital or community setting.

Many go on to complete further studies in their chosen specialism, for example, community, emergency or palliative care nursing.

There are also opportunities to work in different care settings within and outside the HSE, including charities such as Simon and many others.

With experience and further study, opportunities for advancement include advanced nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, nursing management or nursing education.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English, Mathematics, Science subject (one of Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry).

Requirements can only be accumulated over a maximum of 2 Leaving Certificate sittings.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.

Entry requirements table

Subject

Required

Ordinary Level Grade

Higher Level Grade

Irish

Yes

O6

H7

English

Yes

O6

H7

Language

No

N/A

N/A

Mathematics

Yes

O6

H7

Science

Yes

O6

H7

* This course requires 2 additional subjects.

  1. EU / EFTA Applicants - Further information can be found by navigating to our EU/EFTA applicant information page.
  2. International Applicants -this course is NOT available for applications from Non-EU Students.

Mature applicant information

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry.

Mature Applicants with NMBI test score.

For part-time degrees the mature age is 21.

Visit our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on this page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) and require support for any required written exercise/interview which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2027. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

Visit the Access Office for more information on available supports and required documentation.

QQI (Further Education) Applicants

QQI applicants are required to hold a Level 5 major award in one of the following areas:

  • Nursing Studies (5M4349)
  • Healthcare Support (5M4339)
  • Community and Health Services (5M4468)
  • Health Service Skills (5M3782)

QQI applicants must continue to achieve five distinctions, which must include two of the following:

  • Anatomy and Physiology, and
  • Nursing Theory & Practice or Care Support.

More information - how to apply as a QQI applicant.

Mature applicant deadline: 01 February 2026

Please note - all applicants

The programme comprises of 50% theory and 50% placement in integrated care, community and hospital settings.

Applicants should be aware that the range and geographical spread of placement sites will require them to travel for practice placements at all stages of the programme.

Students are entitled to subsistence and travel allowances to offset costs.

Note: All applicants offered a place will be required to have medical screening at different points in the programme. This will include medical assessment, screening and, if necessary, vaccination prior to the first clinical placement.

All applicants offered a place will require a background check by the National Vetting Bureau, and must meet the Garda vetting requirements of MU.

Applicants may also be required to provide an enhanced disclosure through the completion of an affidavit at the time of registration.

Entry to this programme is subject to the MU Fitness to Study/ Practise policy. Fitness to practise means having the necessary ability, skills, knowledge, health and character to undertake and complete the programme, safely and effectively.

The academic year for this programme extends into June. Practice placement will normally finish mid to late-June.

This course is NOT available for applications from Non-EU Students.

How to apply

Apply online to the CAO (Central Applications Office)

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry/21 years if part-time)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students

Learn more about undergraduate applications and access routes.

Please Note: This degree is NOT available for applications from Non-EU Students.

Got a question about this course?

Maynooth University School of Nursing, Eolas Building
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/nursing

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