Tertiary degree · Level 8 · Health & Social Care

BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing starting in Boyle

A five-year route into intellectual disability nursing. You do a Level 5 Nursing Studies year in Boyle, then four years at ATU St Angela's in Sligo. It suits caring people who want to support people with intellectual disabilities.

How tertiary degrees work: you apply directly to the further education college, not through the CAO, and you don't need CAO points. You start in the further education college and then move on to the university or technological university to finish the full degree. Applications usually open early in the year; 2026 closing dates ranged from March to May.

Key facts

How long
5 years (Year 1 at GRETB FET Centre, Boyle, Years 2-5 at ATU)
Award
BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing (ATU)
Where you study
  • Year 1: GRETB Further Education & Training Centre, Lower Marian Road, Boyle, Co. Roscommon → Years 2–5: ATU St Angela's Campus, Sligo

Entry requirements

  • Leaving Cert/LCVP, or a Merit in Leaving Cert Applied, or a relevant QQI Level 4 award
  • Mature applicants (23 by 1 January) assessed individually
  • Or 17+ with at least 2 years of relevant experience after Junior Cert
  • If oversubscribed, priority goes to access-priority groups (SUSI special rate grant, long-term means-tested social welfare)
  • Garda vetting and medical or vaccination screening: the NTO page no longer mentions these, so check with the college
  • To progress to ATU: full QQI Level 5 award with at least five distinctions, including Anatomy and Physiology and Nursing Theory and Practice or Care Support

How to apply

2027 application link not yet published – check the NTO page. Apply directly to the college, not through the CAO. Apply directly to GRETB Further Education and Training Centre, Boyle (not through the CAO). No application link is given on the page.

Official page on nto.hea.ie ↗

What you'll learn

  • Anatomy, physiology and nursing theory
  • Clinical skills and health promotion
  • Person-centred and empowering support for people with intellectual disabilities
  • Intellectual disability nursing studies
  • Supervised clinical placements

Where it can lead

  • Registered Intellectual Disability Nurse (RNID) after joining the NMBI register
  • Community, school, respite and supported employment services
  • Specialise in areas like autism or complex needs
  • Research, teaching or management

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Biology, Home Economics

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

This degree is also offered starting in

Apprenticeships in Health

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Information from the National Tertiary Office (nto.ie), checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.