BSc Nursing Studies

1 Year On Campus Bachelors Program

University College Cork UCC

Program Overview

The 1-Year BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies at University College Cork is designed to help registered nurses and midwives strengthen their clinical expertise while developing the leadership and research skills needed in today’s healthcare environment. It’s a great fit for professionals who want to turn their real-world experience into advanced knowledge, opening doors to senior roles, specialist practice, and further postgraduate study.

Curriculum Structure

Year One (Full-time – 60 credits)

Throughout this intensive one-year programme, you will build a deeper understanding of modern nursing practice through academically strong yet highly practical modules. In Nursing Science and Evidence-based Nursing Practice, you will learn how to interpret clinical research and use it to make better decisions for patients in real healthcare settings.

You will also study Patient Safety and Quality Improvement in Nursing and Healthcare, giving you the tools to recognise risks, improve care processes, and support safer hospital and community services. With Leadership, Management, Ethical and Legal Accountability in Nursing, you will gain the confidence to take on responsibility, manage teams, and deal with complex professional and ethical challenges. Modules such as Nursing People with Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases and Primary Healthcare for Population Health ensure you are fully prepared to care for individuals and communities across a wide range of health conditions.

Focus areas (in a string):

Clinical nursing science, evidence-based practice, patient safety, leadership and management, population and community health, ethical and legal accountability.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Graduates will apply research to clinical practice, deliver safer and higher-quality care, lead and manage in healthcare settings, and contribute confidently to improving patient and population health outcomes.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

This honours degree is designed for nurses and midwives registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and is aligned with Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications at Level 8, ensuring strong professional recognition and academic standing.

Reputation (employability rankings):

University College Cork’s School of Nursing and Midwifery is internationally respected and part of a university that consistently features in global and national rankings for health and life sciences, giving graduates a strong advantage in career progression and employability.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At University College Cork, the 1-Year BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies is designed so that you learn by working in real healthcare environments, not just in classrooms. From early in the programme, you will be placed in hospitals and community settings where you care for patients under the supervision of qualified nurses, helping you build confidence, clinical skills, and professional judgement. Your training is supported by modern learning spaces, digital resources, and the option to gain international experience, making your education both practical and globally relevant.

This hands-on approach is delivered through a rich mix of placements and facilities:

Supervised clinical placements in major hospitals and community healthcare sites across Cork, allowing you to work directly with patients in medical, surgical, and community settings
A 36-week paid final-year internship, where you work full-time as part of a healthcare team and smoothly transition into professional nursing practice
Erasmus+ clinical exchange opportunities, giving you the chance to complete part of your training in another European healthcare system
Structured reflective practice and skills assessment, helping you track your development and meet professional nursing standards
Access to UCC’s libraries and digital learning platforms, supporting evidence-based practice, research, and academic study.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the 1-Year BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies at University College Cork step into careers where their skills are in high demand and their work truly changes lives. Many go on to become Registered General Nurses, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Community Health Nurses, or Healthcare Team Leaders, working across hospitals, community services, and specialised healthcare settings in Ireland and internationally:

Career support through UCC’s Careers Service, offering CV and interview coaching, employer networking, and job search support to help students move smoothly into professional nursing roles
Excellent graduate outcomes, with the majority of UCC graduates moving into employment or further study within months of completing their degree, reflecting strong demand for qualified nurses
Close links with major hospitals and healthcare providers, giving students real clinical experience and direct pathways into the Irish health system
Professional registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), which allows graduates to practise as Registered General Nurses in Ireland and supports recognition in many other countries
Graduate outcomes that include progression into specialist nursing, leadership roles, community health, education, and healthcare management

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the General Nursing degree, graduates can progress into postgraduate study such as a Master’s in Advanced Nursing Practice, Public Health, Mental Health Nursing, or Healthcare Leadership, or move into research degrees including an MSc or PhD. These pathways allow nurses to specialise further, move into teaching or management, or contribute to healthcare research and policy.