Course Summary
The Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Children) programme aims to build upon and advance the registered practitioner’s repertoire of knowledge, skills, attitudes and professional values, in order to prepare to assume the role of a specialist in this area of care.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
• Applicants should be registered as an RCN, RCN/RGN with a minimum of one year's experience in Paediatric Intensive Care
• Applicants registered as an RGN with a minimum of two year's experience in Paediatric Intensive Care may be considered for the programme
Documents Required
• Transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant
• Nurse applicants: A current photocopy of NMBI registration
• Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport
• Signed Declaration Form from Employer (original form)
• Completed Professional Reference Form (original form)
• Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee
• Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Application Details
Online Application.
Who Should Apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: No
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No
X617: Graduate Diploma Critical Care Nursing (Children) Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
X748: Critical Care Nursing (Children) Part-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught
Fees
GradDip Critical Care Nursing (Children) (X617) Full Time
EU fee per year - € 10150
nonEU fee per year - € 19400
GradDip Critical Care Nursing (Children) (X748) Part Time
EU Year 1 - € 5240
nonEU Year 1 - € 9850
EU Year 2 - € 5060 aa
nonEU Year 2 - € 9540 aa
Second Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2024 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2023/24
***Fees are subject to change
Funding
If the fees for your programme are being paid by a third party (full or partial), please ensure your funding organisation/sponsor/hospital contacts [email protected]. Please note this is not a student facing email address.
Student Queries
If you have any queries about your fees, please contact the Student Desk:
www.ucd.ie/askus
https://www.ucd.ie/students/studentdesk/
Application Fee
Please note that all applicants are required to pay the €60 application fee. Your application cannot be processed fully unless the application fee has been paid.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
The Graduate Diploma in Critical Care Nursing (Children) provides you with the comprehensive knowledge and extensive skills required for caring for infants and children in the critical care setting, thereby equipping you to work nationally or internationally. Academically there are opportunities to continue to Masters / PhD level, and clinically you may choose to further your expertise to facilitate critical care education, to take a position as a Clinical Nurse Manager or Clinical Nurse Specialist or to study for the role of Advanced Nurse Practitioner. Completion of the programmes facilitates progression to advanced practice roles such as CVVH, IPATs and ECLS.
Duration
X748: 2 years part-time
Delivery: Blended
