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1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Cert/Dip
5. Procurement Management

Course Fact File

Code	CPM
Duration	9 months
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	Cert
NFQ Level	Level 8
Fees	€750-€2,850 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	Round One 26 June 2026
Next Intake	September 2026
Venue	Online
Start Date	September 2026

Course Outline

The Certificate in Procurement Management is designed for busy professionals employed in the SME and multinational sector, as well as the public sector, who seek to deliver concrete, sustainable results through effective procurement management. The Certificate is the first university accredited NFQ Level 8 award in procurement studies. Irrespective of your organisation’s current level of procurement maturity, the programme is designed to maximise organisational impact and personal effectiveness of buyers, procurement specialists and category managers. Delivered by a blend of experienced academics and practitioners, the Certificate aims to equip participants with cutting-edge skills and processes directly applicable to the workplace. 

This unique course is designed to up skill procurement personnel in technical, managerial and people skills, what is known as the ‘holy trinity’ of procurement competence.  Completed on a part time/block release study basis, candidates will benefit from workplace targeted continuous assessment  and University certification.

The programme is targeted at:

• Procurement specialists and category managers, as well as professionals in closely related areas of industry.
• Procurement personnel who need to up skill and those who aspire to become procurement specialists.
• Owner managers responsible for the procurement function, in addition to professionals who have experience of business and for whom a procurement role is a logical step in their career progression.

The Certificate in Procurement Management consists of coursework divided into five core modules. All modules are a blend of theoretical and applied procurement. Where appropriate, the modules also equip you with practical software-oriented skills.

The Modules for the Certificate are as follows:

• MG5823 Principles of Procurement and Tendering
• MG5824 Spend Analysis and Category Management
• MG5825 Contract and Supplier Relationship Management
• MG5826 KPI Reporting and Procurement Value Dashboards
• MG5827 Strategic Procurement Management

Course Queries

For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact David McKevitt: dmckevitt@ucc.ie 

For Online Application Support please click here. 

If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Louise Fleming at l.fleming@ucc.ie. 

Course Practicalities

Lecture Schedule: Online workshops will be scheduled for a full day every second Friday. These workshops consist of lectures, individual and group activities,  best practice processes, practical spreadsheet applications, and oral presentations. The programme operates by way of short intensive ‘sprints’ rather than a long distance race.

Who teaches this course: The teaching team on this programme comprises of academic experts in the field of procurement, as well as a number of highly experienced practitioners. 

Assessment: All five modules (30 credits) are examined exclusively by continuous assessment including Learning Portfolios and Presentations/Reports. These methods strengthen workplace application and applied learning. 

Why Choose This Course

This unique course is designed to up skill procurement personnel in technical, managerial and people skills, what is known as the ‘holy trinity’ of procurement competence.  Completed on a part time/block release study basis, candidates will benefit from workplace targeted continuous assessment  and University certification.

Requirements

Programme Entry Requirements: 

• Candidates must hold a level 7 undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional qualification AND a minimum of two years' buying, sourcing or comparable professional experience.
• Non-graduates with at least three years’ professional experience in a relevant senior management role will also be considered for admission.
• Candidates who are not currently employed may also apply should they meet the above criteria. However, in order to complete the assessments on this programme, such candidates will need to demonstrate that they have pre-approved access to an organisation where they can conduct work-based research
• Candidates must also have working knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications
• The programme team may seek to interview applicants in order to ascertain the appropriateness of their experience for this programme

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 programme entry requirements may be eligible to apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). See information on RPL here. 

To be considered, applicants should be able to demonstrate experience and training in a relevant field. View the RPL for applicants guide here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace/helphub/ 

Fees and Costs

€2,850 for the full programme.
€750 per 5 credit module if taken individually.
€1,250 per 10 credit module if taken individually.

• Applicants pay 50% of the programme fee, €1,425 on application (unless you are sponsored).

• This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme 

• The remaining 50% of the year one programme fee is due by 31 Jan. 

For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.

How To Apply

Before you apply, please prepare the following items which you will need during your application:

• Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
• Passport-style Photograph
• Personal statement explaining your interest in the course
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• English Language Test Report (if applicable)
• Transcripts [if applicable]
• Supporting documentation if required for RPL
• 50% of Programme fee

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: Procurement Management - Certificate - 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