Nursing & Midwifery - Infection Prevention & Control

Enhance your career with a PgDip in Infection Prevention and Control Nursing from the RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery to gain a foundation in the clinical expertise needed by infection prevention and control professionals.



This programme provides a foundation for the clinical expertise needed by infection prevention and control professionals to guide our practice, educate, monitor standards, challenge, lead and progress preventative strategies. In addition to subject-specific modules, you will expand your research and leadership abilities and develop critical reflexivity. This one-year fully online programme comprises six modules and runs over two academic semesters.



It is delivered part-time via an active blended learning approach including self-directed learning and live online classes approximately once every week.



Further support is provided through the module lead, programme director and regular online drop-in sessions.



The award title for this course is Postgraduate Diploma Nursing (Infection Prevention and Control).



This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications



Suitable for

This programme is suitable for healthcare professionals in hospital or community settings with an interest in infection prevention and control.

What you will learn

Advanced Research Methods

Advanced Leadership - Professional and Clinical

Advancing Professional Practice

The Microbiological Basis for Infection Prevention and Control in the Healthcare Setting

Principles of Infection Control

Managerial Issues in Infection Control

Applicants must:



Hold an NFQ Level 8 qualification. However, applicants who do not hold a Level 8 qualification may still be eligible to join the programme through our supported-entry pathway programme. This is subject to an assessment of prior learning and experience.



Have an active registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland or other registration in a country in which you are practicing if you are an international student; non-nursing applicants must have an active registration with an appropriate professional body.



Be working in the specialist practice of the programme for the duration of the programme.



Provide a clinical learning agreement signed by a director of nursing or designate.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Learning occurs in many contexts including work, involvement in social and community activities, and learning through life experience generally.



Recognition of prior learning (RPL) does not give credit for experience as such – rather, it considers learning that was acquired as a result of the experience. RPL may be used to gain admission to programmes where you may not have obtained the standard entry requirements. This is considered on a case-by-case basis.



Exemptions from programme modules that duplicate learning already demonstrably acquired through prior learning may also be considered on a case-by-case basis.



English language requirement exceptions

English language requirements for Postgraduate programmes are published at

https://www.rcsi.com/dublin/postgraduate/policies-and-guidelines/english-language-requirements



If you have completed undergraduate/postgraduate full-time studies in the medium of the English language (three or more years cumulatively) or are registered with the NMBI, you are exempt from these requirements.

1 year



Mode of delivery

Hybrid - Part-time

Next start date September 2025

Graduates of this postgraduate diploma who wish to take a further step may enrol onto the Masters programme – the MSc Nursing (Infection Prevention and Control) – and undertake Year 2 of the full programme, completing a systematic review.