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1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Cert/Dip
5. Older Person Rehabilitation

Course Fact File

Code	PCORE
Duration	1 Year
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	PG Cert
NFQ Level	Level 9
NFQ Award Title	Postgraduate Certificate
Fees	€3,000 (90%-100% Springboard funding available) See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	Springboard+ Applications: 16 July 2026
Next Intake	September 2026
Start Date	September 2026

Course Outline

A limited number of Springboard+ Funded places are available for this programme. Please see Fees and Apply Now sections below for full details.  

The Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation is designed to provide students, from a range of different professional backgrounds, with interdisciplinary learning in the theory and practice of Older Person Rehabilitation. 

In today’s competitive workforce, higher professional qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development and career advancement.  The PG Cert is particularly suitable for those who want to assume a management and leadership position in the care of older people. 

On completion of this course you will: 

• Have gained the critical skills to evaluate rehabilitation models and settings, and the evidence base for current practices in older person rehabilitation;
• Gain knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of key topics required to practice in stroke rehabilitation;
• Gain the knowledge and skills required to design, undertake and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research in older person rehabilitation;
• Have the skills to act as a leader and innovator in older person rehabilitation. 

Course Practicalities

Why Choose This Course

Established in 2011, the Older Person Rehabilitation postgraduate programme is a unique course that will allow you to develop your skills as a leader in gerontology and rehabilitation. This interdisciplinary course is the only one of its kind in Ireland and the UK. 

The flexible approach of this course allows students to choose from a range of modules to build a course tailored to them.  Our student-centered focus promotes flexible timetabling and blended learning to minimise travel time. All our lecturers are experienced clinicians from a range of disciplines who promote interdisciplinary learning and practice.

Skills and Careers Information

Progression to MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation 

Following successful completion of the examinations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, a student may opt to transfer to the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation with exemptions granted for the modules already taken. A student previously conferred with the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation / Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (exit award from the MSc) may register for the MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) within five years of completion, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years. 

Requirements

Programme Entry Requirements:

• A primary degree in a relevant health care discipline* or an equivalent qualification and work experience to be approved by the Programme Team;
• Ideally, candidates should have practical experience in their area of qualifications of at least one-year post-registration; 

*A relevant healthcare discipline includes but is not limited to, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing science, audiology, physiotherapy, psychology and social studies. 

Garda Vetting

Students or applicants in receipt of an offer on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy. 

Fitness to Practise  

This programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy. 

English Language Requirement: 

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

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Applicants who do not meet the above academic entry requirements may be considered for admission via RPL. See information on RPL here. 

Springboard+ Eligibility Requirements 

If you wish to apply as a Springboard+ funded applicant for this programme, you will need to meet the Springboard+ eligibility criteria. 

Springboard+ funded applicants will also need to meet the programme entry and English language requirements listed above. 

Fees and Costs

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. 

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 €3,000.

• 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. 

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

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.