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During this programme, you will:  

• Develop the capability to be an effective leader and manager within complex healthcare practice environments. 

• Develop the skills and understanding to employ strategies for translating research into practice, enabling real-world impact and innovation. 

• Initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in your area of practice. 

• Engage with peers from various healthcare disciplines —bringing together a range of professional insights. This diversity fosters more innovative approaches to addressing complex healthcare challenges.

Key Information:  

• Complete full-time in three years or part-time over four years  

• Blended delivery – weekly online lectures and on campus one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel.  

• Workshop days will take place as follows:
  • Year 1, Semester 1 – 3 workshop days
  • Year 1, Semester 2 – 1 workshop day
  • Year 2, Semester 1 – 3 workshops days
  • Year 2, Semester 2 – 3 workshop days
  • Year 4, Semester 1 – 1 workshop day   

• Modules taught during autumn, spring and summer semesters  

• Modules with (M) beside them can be taken as independent micro-credential  

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and hands-on activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers 

Full-time 

Year 1 

Autumn Semester 

• Introduction to e-Learning (Online Orientation – 2 weeks)  

• Theoretical Underpinnings of Practised Based Inquiry (M) (NM8001) explores how Practice Board Inquiry can develop research questions and projects seeking solutions to challenges and issues within the care environment. 

• inducts students into good practice for carrying out post graduate research. 

• Three-day on campus workshop and one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel. 

Spring Semester  

• develops capability for being an effective leader and manager within complex healthcare practice environments. 

• facilitates study of a topic within an area of practice outside the supervisory team. 

• offers students the opportunity to initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in an area of their choosing. First of a series of eight modules. 

• One-day on campus workshop and one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel.

Summer Semester 

• offers students the opportunity to initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in an area of their choosing. Second of a series of eight modules. 

• On campus one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel (Research Progression Review).

Year 2 

Autumn Semester  

• introduces practice-based enquiry and develops skills and understanding to employ strategies for translating research into practice. 

• enhances professional development through participation in a range of research-related activities. 

• offers students the opportunity to initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in an area of their choosing. Third of a series of eight modules. 

• On campus one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel. 

Spring Semester  

• offers students the opportunity to initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in an area of their choosing. Fourth of a series of eight modules. 

• On campus one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel.

Summer Semester 

• offers students the opportunity to initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in an area of their choosing. Fifth of a series of eight modules. 

• On campus one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel (Research Progression Review). 

Year 3 

Autumn Semester 

• offers students the opportunity to initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in an area of their choosing. Sixth of a series of eight modules. 

• On campus one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel.  

Spring Semester  

• offers students the opportunity to initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in an area of their choosing. Seventh of a series of eight modules. 

• On campus one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel.  

Summer Semester 

• offers students the opportunity to initiate, implement, evaluate and complete a research thesis in an area of their choosing. Last of a series of eight modules.
• On campus one-to-one thesis supervision with your panel (Research Progression Review).

Part-time 

Year 1  

Autumn Semester 

• Theoretical Underpinnings of Practised Based Inquiry (M) (NM8001)  

Spring Semester  

Summer Semester 

Year 2  

Autumn Semester 

Spring Semester 

Summer Semester 

Year 3  

Autumn Semester 

Summer Semester 

Year 4 

Autumn Semester 

Spring Semester  

Summer Semester 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

• Applicants should hold a Master's degree ( Level 9) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in a relevant or appropriate subject.  

• Hold a recognised health-related professional qualification. 

• Hold current professional registration with their relevant regulatory professional body. 

• Garda clearance is required. 

Other Entry Considerations: 

We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet the standard entry requirements, as long as you can show that you have the knowledge, skills, and experience needed for the programme. 

At UL, we value all kinds of learning and support different ways to qualify through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. 

International students:   

• For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

Checklist of documents:  

• *Academic transcripts and certificates – translated if needed.
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• A research proposal: This proposal should include
  • A short background description of the topic area
  • The research aims and objectives
  • Research methodology, including how the data will be collected
  • Bibliography / list of references as appropriate.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application   

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying.

EU - Full-time €5,400, Part-time €3,800 per annum*

Non- EU - Full-time €15,100, Part-time €10,600 per annum*

* Year 2 fees are subject to change 

Please note that international study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. Only the full-time version of this programme qualifies for a study visa.  

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

The Healthcare Practice Professional Doctorate can lead graduates to the following sectors and careers:   

• Healthcare organisations
• Government agencies
• Non-profit and voluntary organisations
• Medical Scientist 

Course Director, Pauline Mescall 

‘Graduates of the Professional Doctorate in Healthcare Practice come from diverse professional backgrounds including nursing, allied health, and medicine.  

Graduates can pursue diverse career paths including senior clinical roles, managerial positions, research posts, and laboratory-based senior positions. Through rigorous training in translational research, leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration, graduates are positioned to address complex healthcare challenges and translate research into meaningful practice improvements within their professional contexts. They lead transformative change across healthcare, government, and non-profit sectors. 

Equipped with advanced research and practice-based inquiry skills, they lead research initiatives, quality improvement projects, and clinical innovation; inform health policy and development and advance community health programmes and advocacy efforts.’ 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Session