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1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Certificate/Diploma
5. Autism Studies

Course Fact File

Code	DAUS
Duration	2 years
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	Dip
NFQ Level	Level 6/7
NFQ Award Title	Special Purpose
Fees	€1,500 per academic year. See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	26 June 2026
Next Intake	September 2026
Venue	Online
Start Date	1 September 2026

Course Outline

Adult Continuing Education (ACE) at UCC is delighted to offer this innovative Diploma.This course is designed to introduce you to the diverse ways in which people on the autism spectrum experience the world. You will learn about the history of autism, the different strengths, challenges and conceptualisations. Mental health and wellbeing will be examined as well the various supports and interventions that are available for people on the spectrum across their lifespan, and the legislation and policies that govern best practice.

Students automatically progress to year two on successful completion of year one. In the second year of the programme students will explore theories and models of autism, how autism is perceived and portrayed by society and the media; the role of the law and legislative changes and daily living experiences of those with ASD. On completion of year two students will receive a level seven Diploma in Autism Studies.

Candidates who successfully complete first year may opt not to proceed to year two and may request to exit the programme with a level 6 Certificate in Autism Studies. 

Students will complete 30 credits per year of the programme.

 

The Modules for the Diploma are as follows:

Year 1

• AD1039: Autism in a Historical and Contemporary Context (5 credits)
• AD1040: Strengths and Challenges of Autism (5 credits)
• AD1041: Interventions and Supports across the Lifespan (10 credits)
• AD1042: Policy and Practice (5 credits)
• AD1043: Autism, Mental Health and Wellbeing (5 credits)

Year 2

• AD2023: Theories and Models of Autism (10 credits)
• AD2024: Perceptions and Portrayals (5 credits)
• AD2025: Autism, Citizenship and the Law (5 credits)
• AD2026: Autism and Daily Living (10 credits)

Please see below an introductory video on the course. 

Course Queries

For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator: 

Helena O'Connor: h.oconnor@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. 

 

Application Deadline: 

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.

 

Course Practicalities

Schedule Information for 2026/2027 

• This course is fully online
• Live lectures are delivered Tuesday evenings weekly - these live lectures are a virtual face-to-face so students may ask questions and engage in the class discussion. 
• These lectures are supported with online material.
• Students will be given recommended reading weekly (usually a short paper), but are encouraged to explore beyond the set texts.
• Classes are delivered through Microsoft Teams and all course material will be provided on CANVAS (UCC's online learning environment).

Assessments

• This course is assessed entirely by continuous assessment.
• There are no formal examinations.
• Assessment is through a range of assignments; project work, essays, discussion forum participation, presentations etc.,. 

Lecturers

• Lectures will be delivered by a diverse and highly qualified lecturing team, which may include academics, researchers, clinical psychologists, speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, support workers and those involved in policy.
• Some of our lecturing team have a diagnosis of ASD themselves. This diversity ensures students are given a wide range of perspectives on many important issues that may not be found in other courses.

 

Why Choose This Course

This course is open to all with an interest in learning more about autism. Unlike some other university level courses, the only prerequisite is a Level 5 qualification (such as the Leaving Certificate or equivalent). 

This course is designed for those with an interest in studying autism. This includes students exploring a change of career path or wishing to develop their current knowledge, students with a diagnosis of ASD themselves, family members or anyone with a personal and/or professional interest in the area of autism. 

Students who successfully complete the Diploma in Autism Studies are then eligible to apply for the Higher Diploma Facilitating Inclusion, more information about this programme can be found here: Facilitating Inclusion - Disability Studies

Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 21 years of age by 1 January of the year of application
• Hold a leaving certificate/FETAC Level 5 qualification (or equivalent)
  • Those who do not hold meet this requirement, but have experience of Autism Spectrum Disorder will be considered via RPL (see details below)

Motivation & Interviews:

• Applicants will be asked to submit a Motivation Statement, detailing their motivation to take this course and any work or life experience relevant to the subject of ASD.
• Candidates may also be required to attend for interview (which can be conducted online). Shortlisting may apply.

English Language Requirement

• All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Level 6 or the equivalent TOEFL score or the equivalent Duolingo score. The minimum scores for various English language tests may be checked here. 

 

Applying via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The RPL process is for applicants who have significant non-formal or
informal (experiential) learning that may support:

• Admission or advanced entry to a programme where standard entry
  requirements are not met.
• Exemptions/credits for a module(s) if prior learning has already taken
  place in the specified area.

RPL is a rigorous process that should be planned for in advance of any
application. Learn more HERE.

 

Please note: Diploma programmes are offered subject to a minimum number of eligible applicants registering for the programme. Following completion of year 1 of this programme, should a sufficient number of eligible students not wish to progress form year 1 to year 2 of this programme as to make the year 2 viable, students will graduate with a certificate at that point. Programme viability is determined by reference to fee income and applicable costs in running the programme.

Fees and Costs

Self-funded applicants:

The fee for this programme is €1,500 per academic year. Applicants pay €750 on application. 

Concession Scheme: Those in receipt of certain DSP payments may be eligible for the ACE Concession Scheme which offers a reduced fee rate of €1,000 per academic year. To view details, please visit:Ace Fees & Finance.

 

Funding & Financial Supports:

Sponsored Applicants: If your employer or organisation is paying all or part of your fees, you will need to indicate that you are a sponsored applicant during the application process. 

Sanctuary Scholarship Applications are open for this programme. View details & deadlines here.

Financial Aid: Additional financial supports are available to students/applicants, including: 

• Financial Aid Fund for Part Time Students
• The UCC Student Assistance fund
• The Lough Credit Union Student Loan Rate (available to applicants) 
• Student Budgeting Advice Service 
• Laptop Loan Scheme

 Please visit Ace Fees & Finance for full details on these supports. 

How To Apply

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

1. Motivation Statement (min 500 words)
2. Academic Transcript (for FETAC Level 5 qualification, or equivalent)
3. Proof of identity (Birth Certificate, Passport, Driver's Licence)
4. Passport Style Photo
5. English Language Test Report (if applicable)
6. 50% of the fees are also required to complete your application. 

To Apply for this course please follow the steps below:

1. Create and account/login to UCC Apply by clicking the Apply Online button below.
2. Start a new application - you must choose Adult & Continuing Education
3. On the tab Academic Level, select the following options:
   • Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
   • Course Type:  ACE Part-time Courses
   • Academic Programme: Autism Studies Diploma

To obtain a step-by-step application guide with visual prompts, please contact the Programme Coordinator.