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1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Certificate
5. Safety, Health and Welfare at Work

Course Fact File

Code	CSHWW
Duration	1 Year
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	Cert
NFQ Level	Level 7
NFQ Award Title	Special Purpose
Fees	€2,750 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	General Applications (Round One): 26 June 2026 Springboard+ Funded Applications: 7 May 2026
Next Intake	September 2026
Venue	Online
Professional Accrediting Body	UCC and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)
Start Date	16 September 2026

Course Outline

As health and safety is a statutory imperative for all organisations, employers must continuously update their employees’ knowledge and skills in this field to ensure compliance. The Certificate in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work will equip students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to assist them in working safely while performing their duties in the workplace, regardless of the sector.

This programme has been designed primarily to provide students with the education and training required to be competent in the practice of health and safety in the workplace. It introduces students to key principles, best practises and practical ready-to-apply tools to help students build their own skillset, while delivering immediate improvements to their organisation. Please see below a short introductory video about the course. 

The programme offers a broad introduction to key topics relating to the practice of health and safety in the workplace, including:

• Key health and safety legislation and regulations;
• Means of reducing the risk of injury and damage to people and property;
• Introduction to toxicology;
• Basic Occupational Hygiene;
• The effects of health on work and work on health;
• Planning for emergencies in the workplace;
• Environmental factors impacting health and safety;
• Motivating staff in relation to safe working practices;
• Promoting and campaigning for health and safety in the workplace.

 Students will complete 30 credits as follows:

• AD1074 Introduction to Health and Safety Legislation (5 credits)
• AD1075 Introduction to Human Factors in Health & Safety (5 credits)
• AD1076 Introduction to Risk & Safety Management (5 credits)
• AD1077 Introduction to Occupational Health (5 credits)
• AD1078 Introduction to Chemical Safety, Toxicology & Occupational Hygiene (5 credits)
• AD1079 Introduction to Environmental Issues within Health & Safety (5 credits)

 

For queries about this programme, please see our list of frequently asked questions here: . If you cannot see your query list, please contact the Programme Coordinator.

Course Practicalities

Lecture Schedule

• This programme is delivered fully online.
• Lectures/workshops take place online on Wednesday evenings (6.30-9.30pm).
• Lectures take place across two semesters (mid-September to end of May).
• Students will be provided with weekly pre-recorded material and activities to work through prior to the online class.
• Full day workshops will also be held on Saturdays throughout the year.

Assessment

• The programme is wholly assessed via continuous assessment

Why Choose This Course

The programme is jointly accredited by UCC and the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) which is the largest health and safety membership organisation in the world and the only Chartered body for health and safety professionals. Students can apply for student membership from IOSH upon enrolment and meet the academic requirements for technical membership upon successful completion of the programme.

Skills and Careers Information

Graduates of this programme will be competent in the practice of health and safety in the workplace and will be well placed to take up health and safety representative roles in their respective organisations. Successful graduates of this programme will also be eligible to apply to progress to the level 8 Higher Diploma in Safety, Health and Welfare at Work should they wish to pursue a career as a Health and Safety Officer.

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 (or equivalent qualification)/QQI Level 5 qualification

or

• Have a minimum of two years’ relevant work experience as deemed appropriate by the programme Academic Director.

English Language Requirement:

English language requirement: if your first language is not English, you must have attained IELTS Level 6.5 or the equivalent TOEFL score. See our English language proficiency requirements. 

Fees and Costs

Direct Applications

There are a number of places available on this programme for those applying directly to UCC as fee-paying applicants. 

The fee for this programme is €2,750.

• Applicants pay 50% of this fee 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 is due by 31 Jan. 

Springboard+ Funding

There are a limited number of places available for this programme funded by Springboard+.  

• Jobseekers and returners may be eligible for a 100% fee subsidy. These applicants will be given priority.
• Those in employment may be eligible for a 90% fee subsidy.  
  • If awarded Springboard+ funding, these applicants will need to pay the remaining 10% fee on registration (non-refundable).  
  • If an applicant's organisation wishes to pay their fees in part or in full, the applicants must pay the 10% on registration and any arrange any reimbursement with their employer/organisation directly. 

Sponsorship

If your fees are fully or partially covered by your organisation, this is called sponsorship. You will need to apply as a sponsored applicant.

Springboard+ funded applicants are not eligible to apply with sponsorship and must arrange any reimbursement directly with their organisation (see above).

How To Apply

Springboard+ Funded Applications

Those applying for Springboard+ funding may check their eligibility HERE.

If you wish to apply for Springboard+ funding for this course, you must do so via the Springboard+ website HERE.

You must choose one application route: 

• Apply for Springboard+ funding, or 
• Apply directly to the programme as a fee-paying applicant 

Please note that applicants who have already applied via the direct (fee-paying) route are not eligible to subsequently apply for Springboard+ funding. 

If your application for Springboard+ funding is not approved, you may have the option to apply as a fee-paying applicant, subject to availability of places. 

Direct Applicants

To Apply for this course as a full-fee-paying student, or if you are sponsored by your organisation, please follow the steps below:

Before you apply, check to ensure you have access to the following documents which you will need to upload: 

• Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence) 
• Passport-style Photograph  
• English Language Test Report (if applicable)
• Transcripts (Proof of QQI level 5 or above)

To Apply:

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: Safety, Health and Welfare at Work – Cert (UCC)

Apply Now