PgCert in Primary Community and Continuing Care
€3,600
Enhance your knowledge of and explore a range of issues related to patient care in PCCC settings.
Postgraduate Certificate
6 months
Online - Part-time
30 ECTS
January 2026
About
Advance your theoretical knowledge and develop a critical and questioning approach as you explore professional, clinical and managerial issues relevant to practice in Primary Community and Continuing Care (PCCC) settings with RCSI School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Carve out your own learning path by choosing three optional modules most suited to your clinical setting and professional development needs. This programme 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.
This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Design a customised programme to meet your specific needs
Demonstrate a critical understanding of a comprehensive range of evidence-based knowledge relevant to PCCC
Explore contemporary issues in PCCC
Suitable for
This programme is designed for healthcare professionals with an interest in working in primary community and continuing care settings.
Faculty highlight
Biography
Niamh Rohan
Niamh is an RCSI Programme Director and nurse tutor. Niamh's research interests include teaching and learning in postgraduate education, and clinical care in outreach services.
Find out more
Course information
This programme will provide you with the skills and knowledge to:
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of a comprehensive range of knowledge in the area of primary community care.
- Articulate a critical awareness of the latest evidence-based knowledge in the specialist area.
- Demonstrate a range of research and specialist knowledge and skills to the specialist area of clinical practice.
- Select from a broad range of specialist skills and knowledge in the specialist area.
- Act in a comprehensive and often unpredictable variety of professional and ill-defined contexts in the specialist area.
- Take significant responsibility for the work of individuals and groups and lead and initiate activity in the specialist area.
- Critically self-evaluate professional and personal learning needs and those of others within their specialist area of practice and link to related continuing professional development requirements.
- Present a reflective and questioning approach to specialist practice delivery and exhibit professional application of her/his knowledge in an accountable, responsible and evidence-based manner.
Upon the successful completion of this programme, students can progress to a postgraduate diploma.
This programme will run from January to June each year.
This programme is assessed through a range of assessment modalities.
All RCSI programmes offered by the School of Nursing & Midwifery are accredited by the RCSI, the National University of Ireland and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland. Recognition by bodies in other jurisdictions must be determined by individual applicants.
Admissions
To be eligible for this programme you 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. For non-nursing applicants, you must have an active registration with an appropriate professional body.
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.
For more information, please contact the School of Nursing and Midwifery:
- Tel: +353 1 402 2445
- Email: nursing@rcsi.ie
English language requirements for RCSI Postgraduate programmes are published here. 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.
The fees for this programme are €3,600.
Please note:
- Fees include the €45 NUI fee.
- There is an additional application fee of €50 which is non-refundable.
- Fees are subject to review annually.
- Fees can be paid by bank transfer. Full details on fee payment will be emailed to you before the commencement of your programme.
- You can pay your fees in two equal instalments – one payment of 50% is due before you commence the programme, and the remaining payment is due at the midway point of the programme.
- If you meet the criteria for a non-EU student, please contact us for more information on fee payments at tel: +353 1 402 2445 or email: nursing@rcsi.ie.
Please view our Postgraduate fees policy for more information.
Sponsored students
If your study is sponsored by your employer, you will be required to upload written confirmation of your sponsorship when accepting your programme offer. You will be unable to accept your offer until confirmation of sponsorship is received or a payment is made.
How to apply
Applications for the next intake of this programme will open in due course. For guidance or further information please contact nursing@rcsi.ie.