Expand+Course Requirements
Subjects Required
Minimum of O6 or H7 in Mathematics and minimum of O6 or H7 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certifi...

Hide-Course Requirements
Subjects Required
Minimum of O6 or H7 in Mathematics and minimum of O6 or H7 in one of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Physics with Chemistry or Agricultural Science

General Entry Requirements
A minimum of six Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6 or H7, with at least two at H5, which must include the subjects Mathematics AND either English or Irish.

Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level.

This subject will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:

BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
BA in Contemporary Culture and Society
BSc in Education and Training
BA in Journalism
BA in International Relations
BA in Communication Studies
BA Gaeilge agus Iriseoireacht (Irish and Journalism)
Bachelor of Civil Law (Law and Society)
BSc in Multimedia
Bachelor of Arts (Joint Honours)
Bachelor of Early Childhood Education

Leaving Certificate Subject Combinations
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored.

The following six groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B

2 Economics, Agricultural Economics

3 Physics with Chemistry – if combined with Physics and Chemistry, only two best scored – if combined with Physics or Chemistry, only best scored

4 History, Economics and Economic History – if all three are taken, only the best two will be scored

5 Latin, Classical Studies

6 Greek, Classical Studies

Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded in 2017 for higher level mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.

Expand+Applicants who have a full FETAC Level 5 award in the appropriate qualifications and modules, with a minimum of five distinctions, can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses. There are a limited number of places available on course...

Hide-Applicants who have a full FETAC Level 5 award in the appropriate qualifications and modules, with a minimum of five distinctions, can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses. There are a limited number of places available on courses.

FETAC has made changes to the CAS (Common Awards System). Please refer to the DCU website for specific details on the range of FETAC awards which link into the university’s Level 8 degree courses.

General Entry Requirements

• Full FETAC Level 5 Certification must be achieved in one single sitting.

• FETAC awards are normally made up of eight minor awards, commonly known as modules.

• Five distinctions from the eight modules must be achieved.

Course Entry Requirements
Additional course requirements are indicated in the details of each course in this prospectus. This requires the attainment of performance in specifically named FETAC Level 5 awards and in some cases, the inclusion of specific modules. For example, for the BSc in Education and Training, students must attain the full FETAC Level 5 award with distinctions in five modules, but three of the distinctions must be in modules that DCU specifies. Please visit www.cao.ie/ index.php?page=fetac_search for the most up-to-date information on course requirements.

Applying to DCU

Candidates make their application to DCU through the CAO and are ranked based on their performance in the eight modules that make up their award. From 2017 the points awarded for FETAC awards will be revised.

Please visit www2.cao.ie/fetac/FETAC_scoring.pdf for scoring information.

Please note
1 A Major Award must be achieved. Component Certificates or Records of Achievement are not acceptable.

2 In certain courses, DCU will require the achievement of certain grades and/or specified components, e.g. five distinctions, including a minimum pass in Mathematics, or four specific science modules.

3 A Major Award may be achieved over a number of sittings; however, for scoring purposes, only results achieved in a single sitting, e.g. between 1st August and 31st July are assessed. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their FETAC centre applies for a Major Award to FETAC where courses are taken over more than one year.

Expand+BSc in Nursing

• All candidates applying for the BSc in Nursing (Four year/ Four-and-a-half-year course) must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February regardless of their status as EU or Non-EU, or their eligibility to ...

Hide-BSc in Nursing

• All candidates applying for the BSc in Nursing (Four year/ Four-and-a-half-year course) must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February regardless of their status as EU or Non-EU, or their eligibility to be considered as a mature applicant.

• There are no longer separate CAO mature nursing codes. All applicants should use the normal nursing codes DC215, DC216, DC217, DC218.

• Mature nursing applications are assessed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (An Bord Altranais Agus Cnáimhseachais na hEireann).

• Having applied through the CAO before 1st February, mature nursing applicants must also register and apply through the Public Appointments Service (PAS) website, www.publicjobs.ie. PAS manage the written assessment of applicants on behalf of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Mature applicants are then ranked based on their score in the NMBI assessment.

To sit the test you must complete the following two steps:

1. Register with www.publicjobs.ie by creating a profile (if you have not already done so). Do not confuse registering (creating a profile) with submitting an application form. Remember to note down your login and password details as you will require these during the assessment process to access your messages.

2. Complete and submit the online application form between 17th February and 8th March. If you have not received a confirmation email from the PAS within 24 hours of submitting your application you should contact them at maturecode16@ publicjobs.ie or phone 01-8587730.

• For full details on the assessment test process, go to http://www.nmbi.ie or phone the NMBI at 01-6398528.

Expand+There are many different ways to enter DCU. While candidates are primarily assessed on the basis of their second level examinations, other assessments are in place for mature students, students from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, students ...

Hide-There are many different ways to enter DCU. While candidates are primarily assessed on the basis of their second level examinations, other assessments are in place for mature students, students from socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, students with disabilities/specific learning difficulties and transfer students. The university is committed to welcoming students from countries worldwide. For Undergraduate Admissions - General Information please go to: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/undergrad.shtml

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2017 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2017 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2017 CAO Handbook: Fee €50 Closing Date: 22nd July 2017 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2017, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2017 CAO Handbook.

Late Applications (Exception to Timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22nd of July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are currently undergraduate students in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these three HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2017 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+Why DCU?
• Dynamic nursing lecturing team.
• Students are taught mainly on campus.
• Innovative teaching methodologies.
• Partners with some of Dublin’s busiest and most prestigious teaching hospitals and services.

Understanding Nursing
...

Hide-Why DCU?
• Dynamic nursing lecturing team.
• Students are taught mainly on campus.
• Innovative teaching methodologies.
• Partners with some of Dublin’s busiest and most prestigious teaching hospitals and services.

Understanding Nursing
Nursing is the professional practice of protection and promotion of health and independence, the prevention of illness, the facilitation of healing and the alleviation of suffering through diagnosis and empirical treatment modalities. Nursing also involves acting as an advocate in the care of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations and assisting individuals, families and groups in a professional, caring and empathic manner.

The degree aims to provide optimum clinical and academic learning environments that stimulate and enable students to become compassionate, competent, safe, critically aware and reflective nursing graduates.

Professional competence is achieved through an iterative process of skill acquisition and the synthesis of knowledge. The programme recognises the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare and the national and global dimensions of contemporary nursing practice. Academic learning and practical learning go hand-in-hand and you will be encouraged to reflect on your experiences as you progress through the course.

Garda vetting is a requirement for all nursing students, who throughout their training have supervised access to vulnerable population groups. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the process of registration on the BSc in Nursing.

About You
If you are a caring individual who feels that you can contribute to the wellbeing of others with intelligence and enthusiasm, then you will do well in nursing.

Mature Entry
Mature candidates are assessed by the Nursing Careers Centre (NCC) of Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)).

For more information visit: www. nursingcareers.ie or email: careersinformation@NMBI.ie to request a copy of their nursing and careers booklet.

All candidates are required to apply through CAO, register with www.publicjobs.ie and submit an online application form through PAS (see page 101 of the Undergraduate Prospectus 2017 for more information).

Course Structure
The BSc in Nursing provides you with the pre-registration education you will need to qualify with one of the following awards:

• BSc in Nursing (General).
• BSc in Nursing (Children’s and General).
• BSc in Nursing (Intellectual Disability).
• BSc in Nursing (Mental Health).

You will also be eligible for professional registration with Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI)).

The focus of the degree is on the fundamental issues in nursing practice. As disciplines such as psychology, sociology, philosophy, law, pharmacology and microbiology are an important part of the practice and profession of nursing they are also part of your degree programme. The course is supported by clinical practice modules during which you will be placed in your chosen area of nursing and helped to practise the skills you have learned.

In Year Four, you will spend 36 weeks on an internship with local health service providers. During this time, you will gain further practice-based learning while also taking formal assessments of practice competencies.

Expand+Each year you will have the opportunity to practise nursing in the clinical setting in your linked healthcare facility. These are called ‘practice placements’. During Years Three and Four longer periods are spent on these practice placements. In Year...

Hide-Each year you will have the opportunity to practise nursing in the clinical setting in your linked healthcare facility. These are called ‘practice placements’. During Years Three and Four longer periods are spent on these practice placements. In Years Two and Three you will undertake specialist modules which relate to your specific chosen nursing discipline. The following table gives an outline of the other academic elements of the course.

YEAR ONE (ALL NURSING STREAMS)

Personal and Professional Development
Safety in Nursing Practice
Psychology
Sociology of Health and Illness
Caring and Communication in Nursing
Understanding the Body
Nursing Skills
Clinical Practice Placement

YEAR ONE STREAM SPECIALISMS
General Nursing
Understanding Intellectual Disability
Mental Health Nursing
The Well Child

YEAR ONE OPTIONS (FOR GENERAL, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY AND PSYCHIATRIC NURSING)

Skills for Success
Intercultural Communication
Recognising and Responding to Emergencies
Assistive Technology

GENERAL NURSING YEAR TWO
Personal and Professional Development
Clinical Pharmacology
Principles of Caring for Specific Patient
Altered Bodily Processes
Caring for the Adult
Research and Nursing Practice
Assessment and management of Physical Problems
Clinical Practice Placement

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
YEAR TWO
Personal and Professional Development
Clinical Pharmacology
Altered Bodily Processes
Mental Health Nursing
Life Span Developmental Psychology
Research and Nursing Practice
Physical Health and Illness
Clinical Practice Placement

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY NURSING
YEAR TWO
Personal and Professional Development
Clinical Pharmacology
Clinical and Health Issues
Altered Bodily Processes
Research and Nursing Practice
Adulthood and Intellectual Disabilities
Children and Intellectual Disability

CHILDREN’S AND GENERAL NURSING
YEAR TWO
Personal and Professional Development
Clinical Pharmacology
Altered Bodily Processes
General Nursing
Principles of Caring for Specific Patients
Research and Nursing Practice
Children’s Nursing
Clinical Practice Placement

YEAR TWO OPTIONS (FOR GENERAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY NURSING)
Culture, Health and Illness
Humanities and Health
Pain Management
Sexuality and Sexual Health

GENERAL NURSING
YEAR THREE
Ethics
Specialist Approaches in Nursing Care
General Nursing Practice
Research and Nursing
Clinical Practice Placement

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
YEAR THREE
Ethics
Mental Health Nursing
Sociology of Mental Health
Research and Nursing Practice
Clinical Practice Placement

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY NURSING
YEAR THREE
Ethics
Nursing Individuals with Challenging Behaviour
Research and Nursing Practice
Specialist Approaches in Nursing Practice: Intellectual
Disability and Mental Health

CHILDREN’S AND GENERAL NURSING
YEAR THREE
Research and Nursing Practice
Care of the Child with Ongoing Healthcare Needs
Specialist Approaches in Nursing Practice
General Nursing Practice
Children's Nursing
Clinical Practice Placement

YEAR THREE OPTIONS (FOR GENERAL, MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY NURSING)
Palliative Care
Clinical Judgement and Decision Making
Informatics
Working for Inclusion

GENERAL NURSING
YEAR FOUR
Management and Leadership
Health Promotion
Research Enquiry
General Nursing Practice
Clinical Practice Placement

MENTAL HEALTH NURSING
YEAR FOUR
Management and Leadership
Health Promotion
Research Enquiry
Mental Health Nursing Practice
Clinical Practice Placement

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY NURSING
YEAR FOUR
Management and Leadership
Health Promotion
Research Enquiry
Contemporary Issues
Clinical Practice Placement

CHILDREN’S AND GENERAL NURSING
YEAR FOUR
Management and Leadership
Health Promotion
Caring for a Child with Multisystem Dysfunction
Research Inquiry
Provision of Care for Children
General Nursing
Ethics
Critical Care
Clinical Practice Placement