How to Apply
To become a nurse or a midwife in Ireland, you need to complete a programme of education that is approved by the NMBI. Both nursing and midwifery education programmes take place in education bodies (14) across the country that have met our approval standards. There are many routes into these nursing and midwifery education programmes.
The NMBI set out Leaving Certificate minimum requirements to become a nurse or midwife when applying to the Central Applications Office (CAO):
Grade H5 in two papers and Grade O6/H7 in four papers in the following subjects:
- Irish or English
- Mathematics
- A Laboratory Science Subject (Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Physics and Chemistry or Agricultural Science, and
- Three other subjects
These are the minimum requirements. CAO points may vary depending on yearly demand for courses and across different colleges.
OR
you could achieve the equivalent as set out by the following routes:
- Higher Education Access Routes (HEAR)
- Disability Access Routes to Education (DARE)
- Mature applicants testing (over 23 years old) requirements.
- Mature applicant sponsorship route
- Further Education and Training Board healthcare programmes (FET)
- Tertiary Education Programme
It is essential to consult with each education body you may be interested in attending, to see any specific entry requirements.
For advice on overseas qualifications, please refer to QQI website where information on the comparability of overseas qualifications can be provided by NARIC Ireland.
English competence
If an applicant's first language is not English, evidence of English competence will be required. Please check each Education Body website and contact the relevant admission office for specific entry requirements.
You can find more information on these routes here:
- School Leavers
- Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) and Disability Access route to Education (DARE)
- Mature applicants
- Mature applicants sponsorship route
- Further Education and Training (FET)
- Tertiary education programme