The aim of this paper is to explore the leading programmatic stressors and associated age related stressors experienced by two cohorts of students (n=132) completing part time degree programmes in nursing in two third level institutions in the Republic of Ireland. To date the literature has exclusively focused on the day to day stressors that undergraduate nursing student's experience. The design chosen was descriptive utilising a questionnaire as the mode of data collection. 'Preparing assignments for submission', 'trying to balance work commitments and the required study', 'doing the course assignments', 'the demands of writing an assignment to the necessary level', the prospect of the final examination' and 'preparing for the course examination' were all ranked as the leading stressors. The younger participants in this study were more likely to register higher degrees of stress as a result of the process stressors of their studies owing to the negative correlation with age. Process stressors were associated with the academic workload and time management difficulties. The findings have wider implications for educationalists in relation to course development and ongoing student support. Educationalists need to be cognizant in particular of the age related stressors associated with completing part time degree programmes.