This course is available through the following application route(s)
The Professional Certificate Referring for Radiological Procedures provides the Registered Nurse with the requisite knowledge, skill, and competence to refer for radiological procedures safely and effectively in accordance with legal and professional regulatory frameworks and standards.
Application system opens 1st May 2026 and closes 30th June 2026
There are three programme options:
These programmes are delivered by lecturers from the UCD School of Medicine - Department of Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging in collaboration with UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery & Health Systems
Prior to applying to UCD:
Please note:
Trimester: Autumn (September - December)
Pre-requisite Skills
The majority of lectures are pre-recorded and delivered online. Online learning requires a high level of personal motivation, self-discipline and an aptitude for self-directed learning. Brightspace (a web-based virtual learning environment) is used extensively. Access to broadband and proficiency in computer skills is essential.
Indicative Content
RDGY Module: Referring for Radiological Procedures
This theoretical module offers an introduction to the legal and professional rules, regulations and guidelines that govern safe referral of a patient for diagnostic imaging procedures. Indicative content in respect of ionising radiation includes an introduction to ionizing radiation, radiation sources, radiation dose, ionising radiation protection, risk of exposure to medical ionising radiation and its biological effects. General principles of radiation protection (i.e. justification, optimisation and dose limitation are discussed with special consideration given to the area of justification.
All content is online using both synchronous and asynchronous modes of delivery (see below timetable link). Please note: The live online lectures are delivered on day one and two – attendance is compulsory.
NMHS Module: Clinical Practicum Referral for Radiological Procedures.
This clinical module provides the student with the opportunity to apply theoretical learning to the practice of referring a patient for a radiological procedure. Clinical instruction equates to 100 hours supervised practice by a designated medical practitioner in the area in which the student is employed. Students complete 10 episodes of referring a patient for a radiological procedure under the supervision of the medical practitioner and logs each case in a clinical portfolio as a demonstration of competence.
Theoretical instruction is online using both synchronous and asynchronous modes of delivery. Live online lectures are delivered on day 1 and again in week 2 . Optional live online lectures are offered in weeks 5 and 6 (see below timetable link).
Referring Programme Master Timetable 2026 – click here
Does this programme have an official conferring ceremony?
Please note there is no online or in-person conferring ceremony for this programme. Your parchment will be posted to you by UCD Conferring.
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
NMHS33920 | CP Referring RadProc in Child | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
RDGY30780 | RadProc: Ref Children | Autumn | 5 |
Funded Students: Employees of Health Services Executive Voluntary and Statutory Services
Funding is provided by the applicant’s local Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit (NMPDU)/Centre of Nurse and Midwifery Education (CNME). Applicants are required to complete an electronic Postgraduate Education Funding Application Form. The application form must be downloaded or sourced from the local NMPDU/CNME (click here for NMPDU/CNME application guideline) Confirmation of funding approval from the NMPDU/CNME in the form of a letter or email must be uploaded to UCD Applications prior to the UCD application closing date.
Funding:
If the fees for your programme are being paid by a third party (full or partial), please ensure your funding organisation/sponsor/hospital contacts student.payments@ucd.ie. Please note this is not a student facing email address.
Student Queries:
If you have any queries about your fees, please contact the Student Desk:
https://www.ucd.ie/students/studentdesk/
Application Fee:
Please note that all applicants are required to pay the €70 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.
More information about fees is available on the UCD website at the link below:
Entry Requirements
Child - Applicants must be registered as a nurse and/or a children's nurse in the NMBI Register
Provide evidence of having successfully completed a module in Health Assessment (to include physical examination skills) (minimium level 8 NFQ)
Be currently employed as a Registered Nurse and or Registered Children’s Nurse in the area in which you wish to practice for the duration of the programme
Have a minimium of one year post registration experience
Submit a Site Declaration Referring for Radiological Procedures Form signed by the Director of Nursing, Clinical Medical Supervisor and Head of Radiology (Consultant Radiologist) agreeing to provide you with support and clinical supervision towards the achievement of the required competencies for the duration of the programme
Documents Required
A validated copy of successful completion of a module in Health Assessment (to include physical examination skills) (minimum level 8 NFQ)
Certificates of nursing qualifications or validated copies of awards
Original transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non-UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translation where relevant
A current photocopy of your NMBI registration (to include division of register)
A copy of your birth certificate or personal page of current passport
Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)
Site Declaration Form (Referring for Radiological Procedures) (Only up to date Site Declaration Forms are accepted)
Please note: Failure to submit the required documentation or parts thereof prior to the application closing date will result in your application being rejected.
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
Applicants must be currently registered in a division of the NMBI Register for the following progamme options:
It is recommended that applicants have the equivalent of a minimum of one-year post-registration experience.
Please note: If you are a Registered General Nurse and a Registered Children’s Nurse and will be working with both adults and children for the duration of this education programme, you are strongly advised to choose X907 Referring for Radiological Procedures (Adult and Child). If you choose the Child only option and at a later date in your career you wish to refer an adult for a radiological procedure, then you will have to complete the Adult only education programme first. The same applies if you choose the Adult only education programme and at a later date in your career you wish to refer a child for a radiological procedure, you will at that point have to complete the Child only education programme before referring a child for any radiological procedure.
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Professional Certificate Referring for Radiological Procedures (Child):
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | X905 Professional Certificate Referring for Radiological Procedures (Child) Professional Certificate Part-Time Commencing September 2026 Undergraduate Cert and Diploma Not available to International applicantsApply |