Key Info
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Studies (for international students)
If you are a qualified nurse holding the professional attributes of responsibility, accountability, and commitment to quality improvement, research awareness, reflection and continuous professional development then this programme will help you to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving healthcare system both nationally and globally.
If you wish to advance your knowledge this programme is for you. If you view learning as an active process valuing individual experiences and are the type of person who enjoys taking increased responsibility for their own learning then this programme is for you.
Why study BSc in Nursing Studies (International) at UL?
The BSc Nursing Studies aims to enhance the knowledge and understanding for students in progressing from diploma to degree level. The programme will be delivered in a manner that is flexible and proactive and designed as a level 8 degree to meet the needs of national and international students who are registered nurses. This theory based programme draws upon previous knowledge and experience. The theoretical programme is designed to build upon students' existing knowledge and offer a more global perspective on nursing. The programme aims to enhance nurses' ability to respond to both consumer and service needs, within an ever changing and diverse healthcare environment, at both local and global level.
The University of Limerick fosters a learning environment that is committed to developing graduates with the attributes to be knowledgeable, creative, articulate and responsive. Opportunities to share this learning environment with national and international students are fundamental to the Department, and the University's overall strategic plan.
The course philosophy evolves from consideration of pertinent issues related to health and illness, the nature of nursing and the role of the nurse. The Department of Nursing and Midwifery ensures that the curriculum structure is flexible, innovative and responsive to the needs of students and health service providers. In addition, it ensures that graduates have the required transferable skills necessary for future clinical practice. Learners are facilitated in a lifelong learning context through credit accumulation and credit transfer which comply with the ECTS credit system. This is commensurate with the Nurses and Midwives Act (Government of Ireland 2011), where Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is seen as an inherent tenet within the professional lives of nurses.
The programme builds on existing knowledge and skills aiming to foster lifelong learning through a stimulating learning environment. It provides opportunities for students to integrate into student's life across campus and develop personal, professional, and University graduate attributes. To this end, some modules will be co scheduled with existing undergraduate modules, where opportunities for shared learning occur, while being responsive to the specific learning requirements of the students.
Some facts about the programme
- Gain an internationally recognised academic qualification within one year.
- Scholarships to the value of €3,000 available.
- Focuses on integration as some modules are co-scheduled with students on other BSc Nursing Programmes.
- Weekly scheduled English language sessions facilitated by the University of Limerick Language Centre.
- Weekly scheduled sessions to further develop critical thinking and writing, academic reading and writing skills, study skills and presentation, communication and digital skills.
What you will Study
The BSc Nursing Studies programme is structured as a one calendar year full time programme which will normally commence in the Autumn Semester. Some modules will be co-scheduled with existing BSc Nursing/Midwifery Programmes.
By the end of this course, you will:
- Demonstrate the knowledge and skills for reflection, critical thinking and analysis fundamental to professional development
- Evaluate contemporary nursing issues in informing evidence based practice
- Demonstrate an understanding of the research process
- Demonstrate competence in written, verbal and digital communication skills at individual and collaborative levels
- Develop skills in reflection, creative and critical thinking, fostering personal and professional growth
- Demonstrate effective communication knowledge and skills to enable the building of therapeutic relationship
- Recognise responsibility, accountability and autonomy within the role, function and scope of the practitioner in implementing evidence based practice
- Exhibit the development of educational skills and commitment towards becoming a reflective practitioner committed to personal and professional development within lifelong learning
- Demonstrate the ability to undertake independent learning activities
- Demonstrate an understanding of evidence based knowledge that informs contemporary practice and responds to the health needs of individuals across a variety of setting
- Develop knowledge, attitude and skills to critically review research, audit findings and other evidence
This table provides the outline of modules undertaken over 3 semesters
|
Year 1 - Semester 1 |
Year 1 - Semester 2 |
Year 1 - Semester 3 |
|
NS4081 Contemporary Nursing Studies
NS4024 Introduction to the Principles & Nature of Teaching and Learning for Nurses and Midwives
NS4013 Health Studies
NS6033 Project Development and Study Skills |
NS4212 Communication and Therapeutic Relationships
NS4204 Research for Nurses and Midwives
NS4082 Nursing Research Project 1 |
NS4093 Developing Knowledge for Scope of Practice
NS4083 Nursing Research Project 2 |
Fees and Funding
Student course fees are broken into three components - Student contribution, Student Levy and Tuition Fees.
A number of illustrative examples of fees for this course based on the current fee levels have been set out in the tables below.
An explanation of the components, how to determine status and the criteria involved is provided below the examples as is a list of possible scholarships and funding available.
EU Students with Free fees status in receipt of a SUSI grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,106 |
| SUSI pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €7,202 |
EU Students with Free fees status not in receipt of a grant
| HEA pays | Tuition Fees | €4,106 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €7,202 |
Students with EU fee status not in receipt of a grant
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €4,106 |
| Student pays | Student contribution | €3,000 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €7,202 |
Non-EU Students
| Student pays | Tuition Fees | €12,511 |
| Student pays | Student Levy | €96 |
| €12,607 |
Student course fees are comprised of three components:
Student Contribution
Annual charge set by the government for all full-time third level students. All students are liable unless they have been approved for a grant by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). Please refer to https://www.studentfinance.ie to determine your eligibility for a grant and for instructions on how to apply. The curent student contribution is set at €3000.
Student Levy
All students are liable to pay the Student Levy of €96. Please note the Student Levy is not covered by the SUSI Grant.
Tuition Fees
These are based on Residency, Citizenship, Course requirements.
Review the three groups of criteria to determine your fee status as follows
-
Residency
- You must have been living in an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland for at least 3 of the 5 years before starting your course
-
Citizenship
- You must be a citizen of an EU/EEA member state or Switzerland or have official refugee status
-
Course Requirements
(all must be met)
- You must be a first time full-time undergraduate (Exceptions are provided for students who hold a Level 6 or Level 7 qualification and are progressing to a Level 8 course in the same general area of study).
- You must be undertaking a full-time undergraduate course of at least 2 year’s duration
- You cannot be undertaking a repeat year of study at the same level unless evidence of exceptional circumstances eg serious illness is provided (in which case this condition may be waived)
Depending on how you meet these criteria your status will be one of the following -
- Free Fee Status: You satisfy all three categories (1, 2 and 3) and therefore are eligible for the Higher Education Authority’s Free Fees scheme.
- EU Fee Status: You satisfy the citizenship and/or residency criteria but fail to satisfy the course requirements and are liable to EU fees
- Non EU Fee Status: You do not meet either the citizenship or residency criteria and are therefore liable to Non EU fees.
More information about fees can be found on the Finance website
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €5,000 | 5 |
| Financial Aid Fund | ||
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your Future Career
As our health services are constantly developing, nurses play a major contribution in developing and enhancing care to patients in acute and community settings. This programme provides graduates with the attitude, knowledge and skills to enhance practice leading to an internationally recognised level 8 academic degree.
Follow-on study
Graduates from this programme can pursue further study in nursing and healthcare. The University of Limerick has a variety of Postgraduate, Masters and PhD programmes in the Department of Nursing and Midwifery. Go to www.ul.ie/nm to find out more.