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Belfast university master’s course offers route into nursing

Graduate-entry programme for non-nurses thought to be first of its kind on island of Ireland
Picture of Queen’s University Belfast

Graduate-entry programme for non-nurses thought to be the first of its kind on the island of Ireland

Picture of Queen’s University Belfast
Queen’s University Belfast Picture: iStock

Queen’s University Belfast is looking for graduates to join what is thought to be the first preregistration graduate-entry master’s programme in nursing on the island of Ireland.

The Department of Health in Northern Ireland has commissioned 50 places on the two-year programme, which is due to start in September. 

Commitment to a career in nursing

There are 30 places in adult nursing and 20 in children’s nursing, and applicants must demonstrate a commitment to a career in nursing. 

A university spokesperson said some experience of voluntary or paid work related to health and social care would be helpful, although support will be given to accumulate hours required across the programme. 

Barry Quinn, senior lecturer and adult lead for the programme, said: ‘Northern Ireland already has a shortage of nurses and this shortage is predicted to increase with nurses moving towards retirement.

‘We need to attract more people into our profession to care for our people now and in the future.’

‘Experts committed to developing them into the best nurse they can be’ 

The head of the university’s school of nursing and midwifery, Donna Fitzsimons, said: ‘This programme has been developed using a co-design approach, with patients, carers, commissioners, practice partners and our students at the heart of its planning.

‘Our students will get the chance to advance their knowledge and be inspired by expert educationalists, who are committed to developing them into the best nurse they can be.’ 

Due to COVID-19, the application deadline for the new course has been extended to 7 August. For more information email askmhls@qub.ac.uk

The latest Universities and Colleges Admissions Service data showed 1,470 applicants from Northern Ireland applied to study undergraduate nursing courses elsewhere in the UK.


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