Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Gerontology Practice

This exciting multidisciplinary course emphasises healthy aging in older adults, and will benefit those registered as a nurse on the live register of NMBI or health and social professionals registered with CORU, and caring for older people in their place of work. The aim of this course is to develop postgraduates’ theoretical knowledge, professional values and skills to enable them to plan and implement evidence-based interventions and person-centred approaches for older people across a variety of health and social care contexts

Entry Requirements

A Level 8 Bachelor (Hons) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent (nursing, health science/studies or social science/studies related) or evidence of equivalent academic credits. Applicants who have successfully undertaken and passed at a H2.2 performance standard, a minimum of one 10 ECTS module (Level 9), as a standalone module or equivalent (in the previous four years) will be eligible to apply.

Applicants will hold registration as a nurse on the live register of NMBI or equivalent i.e. the General, or Psychiatric, or Intellectual Disability Register OR be registered on the Register for Allied Health Professionals (CORU) or equivalent,, and/or be employed in a setting where he/she has opportunities to care for older people and have a minimum of 1 year post-graduate experience including six months in this setting.

Recommended Study Hours Per Week

Students will be required to complete modules worth 5 ECTS (125 hours total student effort) or 10 ECTS (250 hours total student effort) with students being expected to attend hours in class, complete on-line courses and self-guided work.

Examination and Assessment

Examinations and assessment for this award may include, amongst others, a variety of methods including case presentation, projects, professional assignments, case studies, e-tivities, e-discussion forums and essays. The Research Dissertation Practicum module is assessed through a research dissertation in the final fourth semester. 

On Campus Attendance Requirements

Delivery of this course will be hybrid, as content may be delivered both on and off and between campuses, ATU Donegal in Letterkenny, ATU St Angelas in Sligo, and ATU Mayo in Castlebar. 

Who Should Apply?

This award is suitable for those: 

• Holding registration as a nurse on the live register of NMBI i.e. the General, or Psychiatric, or Intellectual Disability Register OR be a Health and Social Care Practitioner registered on the Register for Allied Health Professionals (CORU)
• Currently, employed in a setting where he/she has opportunities to care for older people
• Have a minimum of one year post-graduate experience with six months in an older person setting.