Healthcare - Advanced Healthcare Practice & Research

Course Overview

The overall aim of the MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice and Research is two-pronged:

1. The first aim is to develop participants’ capacity to take a leadership role in relation to teaching healthcare students. The programme will empower participants to become competent and self-directed clinical educators. Many healthcare professionals report feeling under-trained to take on the responsibilities of the clinical educator role. Lack of knowledge, skills and confidence in teaching and assessing students particularly weak and challenging students are commonly cited concerns. This MSc will provide opportunities for participants to advance their skills in teaching, assessment and research in the clinical context. Participants will become skilled role models in the implementation of high quality educational environments to enhance practice for educators, students and clients.



2. The second aim of this MSc is to advance participants’ capacity in relation to research in their chosen clinical field of specialism. There is an increased emphasis on evidence-based practice within healthcare professions. The aims of this MSc are also to develop learners with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to use and contribute to evidence-based practice and to enable them to take a leadership role in designing and implementing research to support best practice.



On completion of the MSc participants will be able to:

• Critically appraise, design and implement evidence based clinical teaching approaches and methods;

• Critically appraise assessment methodology and its impact on the learner and the learning environment;

• Design, implement and reflect on procedures which enhance the quality of student placements;

• Critically appraise, design and manage a piece of semi-independent research.

MTH1 MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice and Research (Full-time)

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required: SL5107: Clinical Teaching

Required: MD132: Educational Research

Required: SL5102: Using evidence to inform practice

Required: MD112: Clinical Teaching Methodologies

Required: MD616: Foundations of Assessment in Clinical Education

Optional: S:L5108: Minor Dissertation



MTH2 MSc Advanced Healthcare Practice and Research (Part-time)

Year 1 (45 Credits)

Required: SL5107: Clinical Teaching

Required: MD112: Clinical Teaching Methodologies

Required: SL5102: Using evidence to inform practice

Required: MD616: Foundations of Assessment in Clinical Education



Year 2 (45 Credits)

Required: SL5108: Minor Dissertation

Required: MD132: Educational Research



Please see course webpage above for module details.

Applicants must hold a degree in a professional healthcare course (minimum Second Class Honours degree required).



Applicants should be eligible to

• Obtain Garda clearance in the event they wish to carry out a thesis with clients or engage in clinical work.

• Be eligible to register with CORU.

Closing Date: Offers are made on a rolling basis.



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

MTH1: 1 year full-time

MTH2: 2 years-part-time

Next start date: September 2025

Career Opportunities

On completion of this MSc, you will be well positioned to pursue senior, specialist and managerial posts within the HSE and voluntary agencies. You may also choose to pursue opportunities in academic teaching. The interdisciplinary learning environment will equip you with new and innovative ways of working in our challenging healthcare system.