Study Nursing In Ireland: Guide for International Students

Study Nursing in Ireland- Courses, Top Colleges, Admissions, Cost, and Scope

Nursing programs in Ireland are meant to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to provide compassionate care that is sensitive to the needs of individuals in a changing healthcare environment. There are 44 schools that allow students to study nursing in Ireland.

Nursing programs at the undergraduate level last four years. In Ireland, all graduates who complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing are given the title of Registered Nurse. Postgraduate programs in Nursing like MSc in Nursing take up to 1 year to two years to complete.

There are several specializations for students to choose from when it comes to nursing – General nursing, Intellectual disability nursing, older people nursing, midwifery, etc. The average starting salary of nurses in Ireland is USD 56,000.  

Nursing Courses in Ireland- Overview

Why study nursing in Ireland?

• Irish Institutions of higher education offer degrees not only in general nursing but also in mental health nursing and intellectual disability nursing. 
• Ireland is one of the happiest countries in the world and has a huge community of international students. 
• International students studying for a Nursing degree in Ireland can work while they study.
• Nursing is in demand. In the US, for example, the job outlook shows a 12% increase in nursing occupations between 2018 and 2028.
• Nurses in Ireland earn about USD 56,000 per year.

What will you learn? 

Ireland offers a holistic education when it comes to nursing. For general nursing, the universities will help develop the following skills for you.

• Medical Nursing – general and specialist
• Surgical Nursing – general and specialist
• Emergency department 
• Children’s nursing
• Mental health nursing
• Care of the Older Person nursing
• Primary healthcare and community nursing  
• Operating theater
• Maternity care
• Management and leadership

Popular Undergraduate degrees for pursuing a career in nursing

Bachelor programs for nursing in Ireland are usually 3-4 years in duration. They are a holistic course including research, practical work, and assignments. Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to present for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)   and practice as a Registered General Nurse (R.G.N.).

• BSc in Nursing (General)
• BSc in Intellectual Disability Nursing
• BSc in International Nursing Studies
• BSc in Child Nursing
• Bachelor of Nursing (Older people) 

Popular Postgraduate degrees for pursuing a career in nursing

Master degree Nursing program in Ireland is a one to two-year program and some universities have only September intakes for this program while others have both the January and September intake, same applies to other Nursing degrees, like the Top-up Nursing degree.

• MSc in Adult Nursing
• MSc in Child Nursing
• MSc in Clinical Nursing
• MSc in Mental Health Nursing
• MSc in Contemporary Nursing
• Master of Nursing

Best universities in Ireland for nursing

Ireland has several colleges that offer nursing programs. The bachelor’s programs offered are usually 3-4 years in duration while the master’s degree programs are 1-2 years. 

Universities like Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin have one of the best nursing programs in the world and are ranked nationally and internationally for nursing programs. Gyanberry provides steller assistance to international students applying for studying nursing at these top colleges. Check out how we can help you. 

Admission Requirements for nursing in Ireland

Apart from the general requirements of subject mandates and GPAs, Work experience is taken into account by universities throughout undergraduate and graduate admissions. Clinical practice or volunteer work are examples of job experience. Students with nursing or allied area experience should discuss it in their personal statements and CV.

Bachelor’s level 

• High school transcripts; with at least 60%
• Subject prerequisites: English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
• English proficiency of 6.5 or above in IELTS or equivalent
• Personal Statement, Resume/CV
• Reference Letters

Master’s level 

• Successful completion of bachelor’s degree in Nursing or relevant field.
• Proof of English proficiency (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent)
• A personal statement documenting motivation to study
• Reference Letters, CV/Resume

Universities consider work experience during admissions at undergraduate or graduate levels. Work experience could include clinical practice or any volunteer work. Students who have experience in nursing or allied fields should mention it.

Tuition Fees

Undergraduate courses in nursing in Ireland usually have an annual tuition fee of USD 25,000 to 40,000 depending on the university. Postgraduate programs are 1-2 years in duration and cost about USD 20,000 to 30,000 per year. 

Scholarships like NUI Undergraduate Merit Scholarships offered by the National University of Ireland, Erasmus Mendes, GSLS Travel Fellowships, etc are available for international students to avail.

Studying in Ireland can be an expensive feat. The cost of living in Ireland costs about 10,000 USD to 11,000 USD. Some scholarships cover the cost of living and provide monthly stipends to the students. 

Career Scope

Nursing graduates from Irish Universities can find jobs in a diverse range of professions. These jobs are not limited to clinical work. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate nursing program, students will be able to present for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)  and practice as a Registered General Nurse (R.G.N.).

Typical employers in nursing include the NMBI, private hospitals, schools, voluntary organizations, etc. 

Popular careers include

• Adult Nurse
• Children’s Nurse
• Mental health Nurse
• Midwife
• Paramedic
• Therapist
• Learning Disability Nurse
• Counselor
• Social Worker

The average annual salary of a registered nurse in Ireland is about USD 56,000.