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1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Diploma
5. Environment, Sustainability and Climate

Course Fact File

Code	DEVSC
Duration	2 years
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	Dip
NFQ Level	Level 7
NFQ Award Title	Special Purpose
Fees	€1,750 per academic year See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	26 June 2026
Next Intake	2026
Course Delivery Method	Online
Venue	Online
Start Date	September 2026

Course Outline

Today's world is rapidly changing. Climate change and related environmental and societal challenges are raising serious concerns for the welfare of our current and future generations and placing increasing pressure on organisations to respond in practical and sustainable ways.

The Diploma in Environment, Sustainability and Climate equips learners with the knowledge and skills to understand and address these challenges within their own organisations.

You will explore key areas including climate change, sustainable development and planning, the use and management of natural resources and the protection of human health. With environmental regulation and standards continuing to evolve there is an ongoing demand for professionals who can apply sustainability principles in real-world settings. This programme prepares you to respond to these demands with confidence and practical insight.

Course Modules

This is an interdisciplinary programme across both science and social studies and links the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across all its teaching.

The course offers an in-depth introduction to the environment and related societal issues and policy. The course gives students the knowledge and experience of the key inter-related concepts of the environment and society through subjects such as geology, ecology, sustainable development, climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental monitoring, eco-social policy, law and conservation. The course also offers the students an insight into how these subjects can be assessed and analysed using technology such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and through practical applications. The role of the UN SDGs that will help shape the world we live in is also central to this long established and highly regarded programme at UCC.

Students will complete 30 credits as follows in Year 1:

• AD1084 Introduction to Earth Science (10 credits)
• AD1085 Perspectives on Climate Change and Sustainable Development (10 credits)
• AD1086 Environmental Monitoring, Assessment and Social Impact (10 Credits)

Students will complete 30 credits as follows in Year 2:

• AD2031 Ecology and Applied Geographical Information Systems (GIS) (10 credits)
• AD2032 Environmental Protection and Eco-Social Policy (10 credits)
• AD2033 Practical Environmental Management (10 credits)

Course Queries

For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please see our list of frequently asked questions here:FAQs Environment, Climate & Sustainability Diploma 2026. If you cannot see your query listed, please contact the Programme Coordinator Lucia Hermida Gonzalez: lucia.hermidagonzalez@ucc.ie

For Online Application Support please click here.  

 

Springboard+ Funding & Skellig Coast Applicants

There are a limited number of places available for year 1 of this programme (Certificate) funded by Springboard+. To apply via this route, please visit this page: Sustainability and Climate 

Students applying from the Skellig Coast region please contact Belinda Gascoigne prior to applying at belinda.gascoigne@ucc.ie

Course Practicalities

Lecture Schedule: 

• This programme is taken part-time over a two-year period.
• Lectures are delivered on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 8pm. 
• Pre-recorded material is released on a weekly basis prior to this live class with the subject lecturer.
• Lectures can be viewed at any time, from anywhere, and as often as desired.
• Detailed lecture notes will accompany each lecture as well as recommended reading.

Fieldtrips & Workshops

• Although all lectures are delivered fully online, students will also have the option to attend in-person workshops and a fieldtrip to enhance the student experience. . 
• First year students have the options to attend an in-person fieldtrip in semester one.
• An optional on-campus workshop, delivered in semester two (both years) will also be delivered.

An ability to manage and allocate time to course content each week is necessary. Students are expected to participate in the weekly live class and to engage with the discussion forum to interact with course lecturers, tutors, and other students, where they can discuss content and engage in module material.

Assessment

• The programme is wholly assessed via continuous assessment.
• The course is evaluated through a combination of essays, journal reviews, case studies, oral presentation, poster presentation, field reports and practicals.

Who teaches this course

Lecturers on this course are drawn from a broad spectrum of disciplines and include academics, regulators, environmental scientists, economists, social scientists, energy sector professional, planners and policy makers.

Who Should Apply

This course is aimed at people returning to education, people with an existing qualification and seeking to broaden their knowledge of environmental and social issues, or people starting out in a career in and looking for direction to an area of specialisation.

Progression

• Many students have continued their studies in specialised areas such as Planning and Development, Environmental Science/Studies, Environmental Management and Protection, and Government Policy. 
• Graduates of this course have found employment in Local Authorities, Environmental, Health and Safety positions, the pharma-chem sector, “green teams” and sustainability teams in many sectors. 

Requirements

Programme Entry Requirements

Applicants should: 

• At least 21 years of age by 1 January of the year of application
• Have a Leaving Certificate (or equivalent qualification)/QQI Level 5 qualification

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

• Applicants who do not hold a Leaving Certificate or QQI Level 5 qualification, but are over 21 years of age, may be eligible to apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• To be considered, applicants should have at least two years’ relevant work or life experience in areas such as environmental or social studies.
• 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. 

English Language Requirement: 

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

Fees and Costs

The fee for this programme is €1,750 per academic year.

Year One Payments:

• All applicants pay 50% (€875) of the year one fee during 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 (€875) is due by 31 Jan. 

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. You can indicate that you are a sponsored applicant during your application on UCC Apply.

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

To see all details on Fees, Finance, Funding and Sponsorships, please click here

How To Apply

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)
• 50% of the fees are required to complete your application. 

If you do not hold a Leaving Cert or FETAC level 5, you will need to apply via RPL. To do so, you will also need to write a personal statement explaining your interest in the course and your background, demonstrating any relevant experience, interest or training in the subject area. 

 

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: Environment, Sustainability and Climate - Dip (Online)

A step-by-step visual application guide for this programme is available on request from the Programme Coordinator. A general application guide is available online here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace/helphub/ 

Apply Now