Build your foundation for a nursing career
For learners preparing to apply for nursing or further healthcare education. Anatomy, nursing theory, care skills and real work experience, taught live by people who know the work.
What this course gives you
Nursing Studies is a 120-credit QQI Level 5 major award that combines healthcare theory with practical understanding: anatomy and physiology, human growth and development, nursing theory and practice, care skills and communication, with a work experience module in a real setting.
It is built for one purpose: to give you a genuine foundation before nursing or further healthcare education, so the step up does not knock you back.
This course is for you if you are
- Aiming for a nursing degree and want a strong foundation first
- A mature student returning to education with nursing in mind
- A school leaver weighing the QQI route into nursing
- A healthcare assistant considering the move towards nursing
- Preparing for further healthcare education of any kind
Course modules
Eight modules make up the 120-credit award: six mandatory and a choice of electives.
Mandatory modules
- Anatomy and Physiology5N0749
- Human Growth and Development5N1279
- Nursing Theory and Practice5N4325
- Care Skills5N2770
- Communications5N0690
- Work Experience5N1356
Elective modules include
- Infection Prevention and Control5N3734
- Safety and Health at Work5N1794
Entry requirements
- Leaving Certificate, a Level 4 Certificate or equivalent in a relevant subject area
- Garda vetting may be required for placement
- English proficiency around CEFR B2+ is recommended, since classes and materials are in English
Where this award can take you
Nursing Studies opens two doors: work now, or further study towards nursing.
A high-support route towards nursing
Structured preparation
The theory load is real. We pace it so adults studying around work can manage it.
Tutors who have done the work
Healthcare teaching grounded in real practice, not just slides.
Honest pathway guidance
We will tell you plainly what the nursing route involves before you commit.
Nursing Studies, answered
Does this course make me a nurse?
No, and anyone who tells you a Level 5 course does is misleading you. Nursing in Ireland requires a degree. What this course does is build the foundation and support an application to nursing programmes, where the receiving college’s entry requirements are met. It also qualifies you for healthcare roles in the meantime.
Do I need a science background?
No. Anatomy and Physiology and the other theory modules start from the beginning and are taught live, so you can ask questions as you go. A willingness to study consistently matters far more than what you did in school.
What is the difference between this and Healthcare Support?
Healthcare Support is the direct route into healthcare assistant work. Nursing Studies carries more theory, including anatomy and nursing practice, and suits learners whose end goal is nursing. If you are torn between them, talk to us and we will go through your situation honestly.
Can mature students use this route into nursing?
Yes, the QQI route is one of the recognised paths for mature applicants. Each college sets its own mature entry rules, so the safest move is to pick your target colleges early and check their current requirements. We help our learners do exactly that.
Apply for Nursing Studies
Send your details and we will guide you through entry requirements, the pathway and the next intake. Questions first are always welcome.