Tertiary degree · Level 8 · Health & Social Care

BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing starting in Cavan

A five-year route into intellectual disability nursing. You start with a Level 5 Nursing Studies year in Cavan, then move to DkIT for the four-year degree. 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 (1 year at Cavan Institute, 4 years at DkIT)
Award
BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing (DkIT)
Where you study
  • Year 1: Cavan Institute, Cavan → Years 2–5: Dundalk Institute of Technology

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 of the course year) are assessed individually
  • Or 17+ with at least 2 years of relevant experience after Junior Cert
  • If oversubscribed, priority goes to access-priority groups (e.g. SUSI special rate grant, long-term means-tested social welfare)
  • To progress to DkIT: QQI 5M4349 with at least five distinctions, including Anatomy and Physiology, Nursing Theory and Practice, and Human Growth and Development or Biology

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 Cavan Institute (not through the CAO).

Official page on nto.hea.ie ↗

What you'll learn

  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Nursing theory and practice
  • Human growth and development
  • Clinical placements in every year, with a paid 9-month internship in Year 4
  • Extra support in maths, ICT and study skills

Where it can lead

  • Registered Nurse Intellectual Disability (RNID) after joining the NMBI register
  • Page states 100% of graduates are employed within 6 months
  • Postgraduate nursing study (MSc options)

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

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test → Try the free 3-minute test

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