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Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Intensive Care)

GradDip (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

Duration:
1 Year
Attendance:
Full Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (60 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Graduate Diploma
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Duration:
2 Years
Attendance:
Part-Time
Delivery:
On Campus
NFQ Level:
9 (60 credits)
Level:
Graduate Taught
Award:
Graduate Diploma
Next Intake:
September
Country Specific Entry Requirements:
Visit the UCD Global Undergraduate Entry Requirements webpage.
Other School Leaving Requirements:
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Curricular information is subject to change.

Apply Now

Critical care nursing requires an advanced knowledge base, skilled assessment, prompt intervention and ongoing evaluation in order to care for the critically ill with complex needs. The critical care nurse maintains the balance between the science of nursing and the art of caring. This course will provide the nurse with an opportunity to develop, enhance and maintain these specialist skills that are required to care for the critically ill.

This course will provide the nurse with an opportunity to develop, enhance and maintain these specialist skills that are required to care for the critically ill. 

The Graduate Diploma in Critical Care Nursing – Intensive Care is a 60 ECTS programme.

This programme is delivered via blended learning, incorporating a mix of interactive online lectures, self-directed learning and in-person classes. To complete this programme over 1 year, please apply for the Full Time option. To spread your modules over 2 years, you may apply for the Part Time option.

Assessments are varied (assignments/short examination questions/MCQ/case presentation/practical examination) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the trimesters.

About This Course

  • Develop a greater understanding of the holistic principles which underpin the various aspects of critical care nursing particularly in relation to intensive care
  • Augment students' knowledge and appreciation of nursing theory and biopsychosocial sciences which underpin critical care nursing practice in intensive care
  • Provide students with an opportunity for personal growth and professional development
  • Develop skills to enhance their professional practice, including critical analysis, creative thinking, decision making and communication skills

Programme Strengths

  • UCD has a long history of producing high-quality graduates
  • This programme enables graduates to be even more effective clinicians, change agents and clinical leaders in Critical Care
  • Access to clinical and university-based lecturers with national and international expertise from clinical, research and educational perspectives
  • The Programme employs a variety of innovative assessment strategies with a strong clinical focus
  • Extensive use of IT in supporting the teaching environment of the programme
  • Access to excellent facilities for lectures

Indicative Schedule

Please click Download Brochure to see the indicative schedule and assessments for this programme.

The Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing: Intensive Care provides you with the comprehensive knowledge and skills required for caring for the critically ill. The key knowledge and skills gained on this Programme will also enable you to innovate and lead in your area of practice in Critical Care.

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.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS42770 The Complex Critically Ill Patient 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS43270 ResMethodsAppliedtoHealthcare Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS42780 Nursing Care of the Chronically Critically Ill Patient Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS43140 Developing Leadership Competency Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 NMHS42520 Clinical Practicum Year-long (12 months)  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students who have completed CPD module select NMHS33990, otherwise Select NMHS44230
 NMHS33990 Fundamentals of Acute Care CPD Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Students who have completed CPD module select NMHS33990, otherwise Select NMHS44230
 NMHS44230 Fundamentals of Acute Care Autumn  10

Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Intensive Care) (X547) Full Time
EU/NONEU    fee per year - € 10610

Graduate Diploma Critical Care (Intensive Care) (X745) Part Time
EU/NONEU    Year 1 - € 5475
EU          Year 2 - € 5295 aa
nonEU    Year 2 - € 5475 aa

aaSecond Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2026 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2025/26
***Fees are subject to change

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:

www.ucd.ie/askus

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:

 

  • All applicants must hold a primary degree in Nursing (or equivalent in a related discipline)/RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) consideration if no degree

  • All applicants must be listed on the Register of Nurses and Midwives, which is maintained by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).

  • All applicants must have at least one year’s post-registration experience at the time of application

  • All applicants must be employed in intensive care nursing for the duration of the programme and work a minimum of 75 hours per month

  • Also, each student must provide documented evidence from the Director of Nursing in the clinical practice area, which guarantees ICU placement for the duration of the programme

Documents Required

  • Transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant
  • Nurse applicants: A current photocopy of NMBI registration
  • Other health care professionals: A current photocopy of registration with professional registration body
  • Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
  • Completed  Postgraduate Diplomas (Clinical) Declaration form & Competency Assessor.
  • Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL may be granted in respect of individual modules if applicants can demonstrate that the modules' learning outcomes have been achieved through prior credentialled or experiential learning. In some cases, where an applicant does not meet the prerequisites for entry to a programme, an RPL application may be considered. Further information can be found in respect of this here.

 

 

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: No

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


This programme is aimed at advancing the registered nurse’s repertoire of knowledge and skills for professional practice in the care of patients within the critical care environment.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Intensive Care):

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
X547
Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Intensive Care)
Graduate Diploma

Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
X745
Graduate Diploma Critical Care (Intensive Care)
Graduate Diploma

Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page
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