Tertiary Degree Pathway to DkIT BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing

30th July 2025

Course Overview

Dundalk Institute of Technology Tertiary Degree Pathway in Intellectual Disability Nursing Route (QQI Level 5 in Nursing Studies leading to entry into the first year of DkIT BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing.)

This is a unique access route into the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing across three ETB campuses in Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth Meath Region aimed at widening participation to communities and individuals who would not traditionally consider third-level education as an option.

This course is designed to give applicants the academic skills and competence to succeed at undergraduate level, the confidence to progress into a professional programme and the opportunity to undertake a rewarding career in Intellectual Disability nursing.

This tertiary education programme aims to increase access to degree level education in several ways including increasing the number of locations regionally that students can begin their studies, enhancing flexibility through providing a number of programme paths, widening access through more flexible entry requirements which take account of the socio-economic and other barriers faced by eligible participants.

Incorporating the Level 5 Nursing Studies and the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing, this innovative programme is one that will give the opportunity to students to start their preparation for the Intellectual Disability Nursing degree programme in the FE sector leading to direct access to the third level college. Students will spend the first year of this programme in their local ETB (Education and Training Board) and then progress to Dundalk Institute of Technology to undertake their four-year BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing programme.

Each ETB will offer students additional support in the areas of mathematics, ICT and study skills to build knowledge and confidence in their next step to DkIT.

Find out more through the National Tertiary Office (NTO)

Provider Locations and Structure

Locations for NFQ L5 study

Location for Intellectual Disability Nursing Undergraduate programme

Dundalk Institute of Technology Dublin Rd. Marshes Upper. Dundalk Co Louth.
Course Content – NFQ L5 Nursing Studies
Students in year one O’Fiaich Institute will complete QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies (5M4349).
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Students in year one Cavan Institute will complete QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies (5M4349)
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Students in year one Monaghan Institute will complete QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies

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Following year one students’ who meet the criteria progress to complete the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing at Dundalk Institute of Technology.

This is tailored to reflect the content of each ETB centre

Course Content - BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing

The Intellectual Disability nurse practices in a diverse range of roles and settings across the lifespan with people with an intellectual disability. People with an intellectual disability often present with a wide range of additional and complex physical and mental health needs that can be compounded by communication difficulties. The Intellectual Disability nurse works in partnership with the person, their family and allied healthcare professionals, to provide specialist healthcare, and support that is socially inclusive. They support the person to live their lives as fully and independently as possible, while respecting their rights and dignity.

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Accreditation and Embedded Awards

This tertiary degree is a comprehensive 5-year programme. The programme is designed to support academic success despite challenges that may arise. If a student has to leave the programme before completing the final year, the tertiary degree includes embedded award for this degree, the embedded awards are:

After successfully completing Year 1- NFQ level 5 Major Award in Nursing Studies from QQI 5M4349

After successfully completing Year 3 - NFQ level 6 Higher Certificate in Nursing Studies from DkIT

After successfully completing Year 4 - NFQ level 7 Bachelor of Science in Intellectual Disability Nursing Studies

The final NFQ level 8 Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing is awarded by DkIT.

Planned intake (number of places)

12 places in O’Fiaich Institute Dundalk

6 places in Cavan Institute

6 places in Monaghan Institute

Entry requirements and eligibility

Leaving Certificate/LCVP or a Merit in Leaving Certificate Applied

Relevant QQI Level 4 award (UK and International equivalents will be considered)

Mature applicants – (aged 23 on or before 1st January of the course commencement year).  These applicants do not have to meet the minimum entry requirements listed here and are considered on an individual basis (previous education, work experience, and demonstration of competence to undertake the programme)

An applicant who is a minimum of 17 years of age with at least 2 years post Junior Certificate relevant experience.

In the event of over subscription priority will be given to applicants who demonstrate that they qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant under the Student Grant Scheme (SUSI) and/or are in receipt of a Department of Social Protection (DSP) long-term means-tested social welfare payment and/or be from one or more of the priority groups or from any priority group identified as part of the next National Access Plan (2022-2028).

Applicants must demonstrate competence to undertake the programme.

Progression to 3rd Level study at DkIT:

To advance to the four-year undergraduate degree in Intellectual Disability Nursing, students must meet the following criteria to qualify for entry into the second year of the tertiary access route for the B.Sc. (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing:

Completion of Nursing Studies 5M4349 with a minimum of five distinctions, three of which must be in the following modules:

5N0749 - Anatomy and Physiology
5N4325 - Nursing Theory & Practice
5N1279 - Human Growth and Development or
5N2746 - Biology