Feature Details
Course Title MSc Cancer Survivorship
Qualification MSc.
Duration Full and part-time options available
Next Intake September 2024

Cancer survivorship is recognised as a distinct period within the cancer continuum that commences at diagnosis and continues through until the end of life. This multidisciplinary postgraduate programme is aimed at health and social care professionals who are involved in the provision of care to individuals living with and beyond cancer.

This MSc is delivered by a multidisciplinary academic team who are driving developments in survivorship care and research nationally and internationally. It provides students with knowledge and skills to apply evidence-based practice to cancer survivorship care. Three postgraduate qualifications are available: a postgraduate certificate, a postgraduate diploma or a Masters in cancer survivorship.

The course has a number of unique strengths

  • This Masters in Cancer Survivorship is the first of its kind in Ireland with no identical course offered internationally.
  • The course is delivered by the collective interdisciplinary strengths of the School of Medicine, as well as leading cancer care providers within statutory and non-statutory services in Ireland.
  • The course content is underpinned by the integration of pioneering research in the field of cancer survivorship to ensure the focus of the material delivered is current evidenced based research, which will, in turn, inform evidenced based best practice in cancer survivorship care.
  • The teaching staff includes academics, clinicians, service providers and service users who are at the forefront of cancer care, research and policy in Ireland.
  • The course curriculum corresponds with priorities identified by the National Cancer Strategy 2017–2026 for cancer survivors in Ireland

The overall aim of the course is to provide health and social care professionals evidence-based knowledge to design and deliver cutting edge cancer survivorship care. This course has a strong inter-disciplinary focus and is underpinned by adult learning principles.
On successful completion of this MSc students should be able to:

  • Describe the scientific basis of cancer treatment and associated side-effects.
  • Critique and discuss assessment methods that evaluate the physical and psychosocial impact of a cancer diagnosis and anti-cancer treatments
  • Apply and critique evidence-based assessment and intervention approaches to the physical and psychosocial impact of cancer diagnosis and treatments for individuals of all ages at all stages of a cancer diagnosis
  • Evaluate the process and implementation of clinical trials in cancer research
  • Describe different research methods and their application to cancer survivorship
  • Critically evaluate and synthesise the evidence base in cancer survivorship
  • Describe the frameworks underpinning technology-supported interventions and implementation science in cancer survivorship.
  • Analyse and apply novel innovations and implementation processes in cancer-related services
  • Conduct quality scientific research in an ethical manner and write up the research results in the form of a dissertation

Applicants for all entry routes should have a primary degree in health sciences (e.g. medicine, nursing, health and social care, psychology) with a minimum of 2:1 level degree. Applicants with other primary degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Other applicants may be considered in exceptional circumstanced based on workplace experience.
Students for whom English is not their first language or who have not been educated through English are required to submit an IELTS grade 6.5 overall (each band of the IELTS must have a minimum score of 6.5) to have their application considered.

The closing date for applications for entry to the course will be June 30th of the year of admission; however, late applications may be considered in the event of places not being filled.

The course comprises ten taught modules totalling 90 ECTS credits:

Assessment of Need and Impact of Cancer and its Treatment; Models of Care and Interventions for Cancer Survivorship; Disease specific cancers: Scientific and clinical perspectives; Advanced Topics in Cancer Survivorship; Qualitative research methods in cancer survivorship; Research Design, Statistics and Project Management; Evidence synthesis in cancer survivorship; Innovations in eHealth; Implementation Science: Foundations of theory and practice and Research Dissertation

Postgraduate Certificate (One academic semester):
Students may apply directly to a Postgraduate Certificate in Cancer Survivorship. These students will take four modules totalling 30 ECTS: Assessment of Need and Impact of Cancer and its Treatment; Models of Care and Interventions for Cancer Survivorship; Disease specific cancers: Scientific and clinical perspectives and Advanced Topics in Cancer Survivorship.

Postgraduate Diploma (One academic year):
Students may apply directly to a Postgraduate Diploma in Cancer Survivorship (1 year). These students will take nine modules totalling 60 ECTS: Assessment of Need and Impact of Cancer and its Treatment; Models of Care and Interventions for Cancer Survivorship; Disease specific cancers: Scientific and clinical perspectives; Advanced Topics in Cancer Survivorship; Qualitative research methods in cancer survivorship; Research Design, Statistics and Project Management; Evidence synthesis in cancer survivorship; Innovations in eHealth and Implementation Science: Foundations of theory and practice 

Masters in Cancer Survivorship (One-year full time or two-years part-time):
Students may apply directly to a Masters in Cancer Survivorship. These students will take ten modules totalling 90 ECTS leading to an award of Masters in Cancer Survivorship: Assessment of Need and Impact of Cancer and its Treatment; Models of Care and Interventions for Cancer Survivorship; Disease specific cancers: Scientific and clinical perspectives; Advanced Topics in Cancer Survivorship; Qualitative research methods in cancer survivorship; Research Design, Statistics and Project Management; Evidence synthesis in cancer survivorship; Innovations in eHealth; Implementation Science: Foundations of theory and practice and Research Dissertation

Applications for this course should be made online through the Academic Registry

For further course information, please contact:

Dr. Geraldine Foley                                                                                                         
Course Coordinator
MScCancerSurv@tcd.ie

Dr Emer Guinan
Course Co-ordinator                      

Dr. Deirdre Connolly
Course Director