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1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Certificate
5. Mental Health in the Community

Course Fact File

Code	CMHC
Duration	1 year
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	Cert
NFQ Level	Level 6
NFQ Award Title	Special Purpose
Fees	€1,500 (Bursaries available) See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	Round One: 26 June 2026
Venue	Blended - Online Classes and 2 x In Person Workshops. See Course Additional Teaching Mode Information for further details.
Start Date	September 2026

Course Outline

A partnership development between Mental Health Ireland and Adult Continuing Education, The Certificate Mental Health in the Community is a new and innovative part time Programme designed for the community participant, to enhance the participant’s knowledge, skills and values in respect of mental wellbeing and recovery.

The Programme explores what can work for people who experience mental health difficulties in supporting personal recovery. It examines contemporary debates in the field of mental health with a focus on recovery approaches and frameworks. It looks at good practice in mental health promotion and suicide prevention across a range of services and community based initiatives. It explores concepts of mental health, and considers community based educational and support options for mental health recovery.

The Certificate is a part-time programme offered by Adult Continuing Education in association with Mental Health Ireland.

The Modules for the Certificate are as follows:

• AD1056 Mental Health Policy and Practice (5 credits)
• AD1057 Community Approaches, Models and Interventions (10 credits)
• AD1058 Practice Skills in Mental Health in the Community (5 credits)
• AD1087 Recovery and Critical Perspectives in Mental Health (5 credits)
• AD1088 Mental Health and Wellbeing (5 credits)

Course Queries

For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please see our list of frequently asked questions here: FAQs Mental Health in the Community. If you cannot see your query listed, please contact the Programme Coordinator Brenda Healy at b.healy@ucc.ie. 

For Online Application Support please click here. 

If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Sinead Lennon at s.lennon@ucc.ie. 

Course Practicalities

Lecture Schedule

• This programme is delivered online on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, including two in-person Saturday Workshops.

The Certificate is delivered part-time over one academic year. It carries a 30-credit value, NFQ Level 6 Award. The Certificate is ideal if you are an adult learner looking to enhance your understanding and awareness of mental health and recovery. Classes are structured to provide a safe space for critical dialogue into topics and issues concerning mental health and recovery. Expect a stimulating blend of learning experiences from class lectures, self-directed learning, and experiential learning enhanced by CANVAS, our online learning system.

Assessment

There are no written examinations. All work is continuously assessed. The learning is evaluated through a combination of, learner logs, oral presentation, poster presentation, and skills demonstration.

Who teaches this course?

Our experienced teaching team together combine extensive academic, practice and lived experience of mental health difficulties and personal recovery, incorporating a unique contribution of academic and experiential learning into the classroom. This model of diversity in teaching and learning enhances the learning experience demonstrating effective co-working of people awhile offering different perspectives and experiences on topics of mental health and recovery.

Why Choose This Course

In-line with national policy, the Programme recognises the importance of professional expertise and the lived experience; hence the programme was co-produced and is delivered by health professionals as well as people with personal experience of mental health problems and recovery. The uniqueness of the teaching environment facilitates the adult learner in the integration and application of learning through: co-produced activities, poster presentations, site visit, skills demonstration as well as class lectures.

The Programme may be interest to people in community, health or social care sectors who are committed to enhancing their current knowledge and practice skills in developing opportunities to support recovery for people who experience mental health difficulties, to exploring their own and societal attitudes to mental health and emotional distress.

• Peers Support Workers/Facilitators
• Family Members and Primary Carers
• Advocates
• Special Needs and Inclusive Education Instructors
• Mental Health Professionals
• Youth and Community Workers
• Social Care Services
• Disability Services
• Addiction Services
• Homeless Services
• National Learning Networks
• Mental Health Associations

Requirements

Programme Entry Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be at least 21 years of age by 1 January of the year of application.
• Hold a Leaving Certificate/QQI Level 5 or an equivalent qualification.

English Language Requirements

All applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency. See the UCC English language proficiency requirements. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) 

Applicants who do not meet the above education requirement may be eligible to apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). See information on RPL here. 

• Prior experience will be considered. Candidates are asked to submit a personal statement with their application, detailing their academic background, relevant work/life experience, and motivation for taking this course.
• If you wish to apply via RPL, you must select “Yes” to the RPL question when completing your application in UCC Apply.
• As part of the application, you will be required to submit:
  • A Personal Statement outlining your motivation for applying and detailing relevant work or life experience.
  • Any other relevant supporting documentation evidencing your prior learning - please refer to the RPL Learner Guide for details on appropriate evidence.

Fees and Costs

Fees:

• Programme fees are €1,500.
  • Applicants pay 50% of this fee (€750) on application.
  • This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme
  • The remaining 50% programme fee (€750) is due by 31 Jan. 
• Those applying directly to UCC may be eligible for the ACE at UCC Concession Scheme (see below) 

ACE at UCC Concession Scheme

You may be eligible for a concession rate if you are in receipt of an eligible DSP payment. For full details on eligibility and this scheme, please visit: Ace Fees & Finance.

• Concession fee is €1,000 
• All students pay €750 on application  
• Those in receipt of the concession fee rate must pay balance of €250 by 31 January.  

Further details on funding, student loan schemes and other finance information are also available on this page: Ace Fees & Finance

How To Apply

Applications are accepted in two rounds.

• Round 1 closes on 26 June and Round 2 closes on 28 August.
• Please note: if all places are filled by eligible applicants by the Round 1 deadline, the programme will not open for Round 2.
• For round 2, applications will remain open until the final deadline or until all places are filled, whichever occurs first. Early application is strongly advised.

During your application you will be required to provide the following documents:

• Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
• Passport-style Photograph
• English Language Test Report (if applicable)
• Supporting documentation (if required for RPL)
• 50% of the fees are also required to complete your application. 

Start Your Application

Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).

1. Start a new application
   • WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
2. During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
   • Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
   • Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses
   • Academic Programme: Mental Health in the Community - Cert - UCC

A step-by-step visual application guide for this specific programme is available – please email the Programme Coordinator. You can view a general application guide for all part-time programmes here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace/helphub/ 

Apply Now