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Healthcare Programs in Ireland for 2027

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Build a healthcare career in 2027 with degrees from Trinity, UL, and DCU. From General Nursing and Mental Health Nursing to an integrated Children's and General program or an MSc in Healthcare Infection, Irish universities offer NMBI registration, clinical internships, and research opportunities across nursing, public health, and health sciences.

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University of Limerick

University of Limerick (UL) ranked 14th in the world in the 2025 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, Ireland's second-most sustainable university. UL also ranks #1 in Ireland for international student satisfaction and 3rd globally for international student happiness (International Student Barometer 2025).

Master of Science - Public Health (MSPUHETFAD)

Tuition (Year 1) Duration Intake Apply Now
€16,000 12 months Sep 2027 Apply Now
Key Features
  • APHEA-Accredited: Awarded Agency for Public Health Education Accreditation (APHEA) for its curriculum.
  • Competency-Based, Applied Learning: Moves away from traditional lecture-only teaching, using case studies, real-life scenarios, an 8-week supervised practicum, and a research project.
  • Global Module Focus: Covers health systems and policy, global health and sustainable development, public health research and data analysis, and monitoring and evaluation of interventions.
Who should apply?

Students aiming for careers such as academic researcher, data analyst, epidemiologist, health policy officer, or health economist, in health, government, or non-governmental settings.

Dublin City University, Glasnevin

Dublin City University (DCU) is recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and industry placements. 96% of DCU graduates are in employment or further study within six months of graduation (DCU), ranking DCU 1st in Ireland and 23rd globally for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022).

Bachelor of Science - Nursing (Children's and General integrated) (DC218)

Tuition (Year 1) Duration Intake Apply Now
€23,000 54 months Sep 2027 Apply Now
Key Features
  • Dual Professional Qualification: This integrated program allows graduates to apply for registration as both a Children's and a General Nurse with the NMBI.
  • Major Clinical Internship: Includes a 36-week internship in years four and five.
  • Holistic Theoretical Foundation: Combines core nursing knowledge with critical thinking, reflective practice, and research principles.
Who should apply?

Students interested in versatile caregiving, from pediatrics to adult medicine.

Found a Program You Like?

Compare healthcare programs across Irish universities and start your application.

Trinity College Dublin

Trinity College Dublin ranks 1st in Ireland and 75th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027, the only Irish university in the global top 100. Located in the heart of Dublin, Trinity blends 400 years of academic tradition with a city-center campus near Dublin's tech and startup hub.

Master of Science - Healthcare Infection

Tuition (Year 1) Duration Intake Apply Now
€21,150 1 Year September 2027 Apply Now
Key Features
  • Multidisciplinary Approach: Integrates the skills of nurses, doctors, pharmacists, microbiologists, and public health workers against healthcare-associated infections.
  • Diverse Learning Formats: Delivered through interactive lectures, seminars, laboratory demonstrations, and practical workshops.
  • Specialist Departmental Oversight: Managed by the Department of Clinical Microbiology.
Who should apply?

Nurses, doctors, and infection control officers who are on the front lines of patient care.

Nursing Specializations Available for 2027

Nursing is by far ApplyBoard's deepest healthcare category in Ireland, with 85 programs currently listed across specializations including general, mental health, children's, intellectual disability, dental, and veterinary nursing. Given the volume, the table below is a representative sample, not the complete list. Log in to ApplyBoard to search the full, current catalog.

Institution and Program Level Duration Tuition (Yr 1)
TU Shannon, Athlone: BSc Veterinary Nursing Bachelor's 36 months €13,500
Trinity College Dublin: Higher Diploma, Children's Nursing Postgraduate Diploma 12 months €11,004
Trinity College Dublin: Diploma, Dental Nursing Undergraduate Diploma 24 months €15,060
Trinity College Dublin: MSc Nursing Master's 12 months €22,950
Atlantic TU, St Angela's: BSc (Hons) Nursing/Midwifery International (Advanced Entry) Top-up Degree 12 months €12,000
Dublin City University: BSc Nursing (Mental Health) (DC216) Bachelor's 48 months €23,000
Dublin City University: BSc Nursing (General) (DC215) Bachelor's 48 months €23,000
Dublin City University: BSc Nursing (Intellectual Disability) (DC217) Bachelor's 48 months €23,000
UniHaven College: Foundation Pathway to BSc General Nursing at UCC Foundation + Bachelor's 48 months €16,330
UniHaven College: Foundation Pathway to BSc (Hons) General Nursing at Munster TU Foundation + Bachelor's 60 months €16,330
South East TU, Waterford: BSc (Hons) General Nursing (SE913) Bachelor's 48 months €14,500

Public Health and Health Sciences Programs

Beyond nursing, ApplyBoard lists a growing catalog of public health and health sciences programs in Ireland, covering fields like health informatics, digital health, and global health. This is also a partial sample. Log in to ApplyBoard to search the full, current catalog.

Institution and Program Level Duration Tuition (Yr 1)
TU Shannon, Moylish: MA Strategic Health and Wellbeing Leadership Master's 12 months €14,500
University of Limerick: MSc Public Health Master's 12 months €16,000
Dublin City University: MSc Science and Health Communication (DC606) Master's 12 months €17,200
University of Limerick: MSc Health Informatics Master's 12 months €22,400
University of Limerick: MSc Design for Health and Wellbeing Master's 12 months €20,800
Maynooth University: MSc Immunology and Global Health Master's 12 months €17,000
University of Limerick: MSc Digital Health Transformation Master's 18 months €18,000
TU Shannon, Athlone: MSc Digital Health Master's 12 months €16,500
Dublin City University: BSc Health and Society (DC209) Bachelor's 36 months €16,900

 Note: This is a genuinely deep catalog with dozens more programs available, including options in exercise and health fitness, food science and health, and sports mental health. Given the range, this category may be worth its own dedicated article in the future rather than a subsection here.

What Do You Need to Apply?

Exact requirements can vary by program and change over time, so always confirm the specific details for your chosen program on the school's own website or with ApplyBoard before you apply, but most healthcare programs in Ireland ask for a few common things. 

  • Academic transcripts showing you meet the program's grade requirements.
  • Proof of English language proficiency, usually through IELTS or TOEFL. Most Irish universities ask for an overall IELTS score of 6.0 for undergraduate programs and 6.5 for postgraduate programs. 
  • A valid passport.
  • For nursing programs specifically, graduates need to register with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) before practicing. Registration requirements are separate from university admission requirements. 

 Warning! Application deadlines for the 2027 intake vary by university and can close months before the program starts. Nursing programs in particular can be highly competitive, some of the listings above show a "Low" success chance rating, an ApplyBoard indicator of how competitive the application is.

Frequently Asked Questions

What healthcare programs are available in Ireland for 2027?

ApplyBoard lists a wide range of healthcare programs  in Ireland, most heavily in nursing, with 85 nursing programs currently available across specializations including general, mental health, children's, and dental nursing. There is also a growing catalog of public health and health sciences programs, including health informatics and digital health.

Do I need to register with NMBI to work as a nurse in Ireland?

Yes. Nursing graduates need to register with the Nursing & Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) before they can practice, separate from your university's own graduation requirements.

How long does a nursing degree take in Ireland?

Most undergraduate nursing degrees take 48 months, though some integrated programs (like Children's and General Nursing) can take longer. Postgraduate diplomas and Master's programs typically take 12 months.

Can I work in Ireland after finishing a healthcare program?

Yes. Ireland's Third Level Graduate Programme grants eligible graduates Stamp 1G immigration permission, allowing up to 12 months of work after an Honours Bachelor's degree or up to 24 months after a Master's or doctoral degree, without needing a job offer first. See our full Stamp 1G and Third Level Graduate Programme guide for complete details.

Next Steps

Log in to ApplyBoard today to explore these programs, check real-time availability for upcoming intakes, and start your application. Nursing programs in particular can fill quickly, so it's worth starting your search now.

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