First year students studying nursing at UCC have been advised by the college that it is a requirement to have access to an iPad for their course.
The UCC School of Nursing requires all first-year students to have access to their own personal Apple device, either an iPad or an iPad mini, iOS 12 or higher, and an Apple pen.
In a statement issued to RedFM News, UCC says students will use their iPads throughout their course and on their clinical placements and they will not be required to make any other hardware purchases for the duration of their course.
The statement adds that students have been advised to not purchase a device until they have attended orientation at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, on Monday where information in relation to the purchasing of devices and supports available to students will be provided.
However, the students union has 'strongly' advised students to hold off buying the iPads, which cost more than €700, until several issues it has flagged with the School of Nursing are "ironed out".
UCC says the School of Nursing and Midwifery is committed to supporting students and says any student who qualifies for UCC’s Laptop Loan scheme will be supplied with the required device for their programme on a long-term loan.
