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

Course Fact File

Code	PCPMC
Duration	1 Year (Sep-May)
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	PG Cert
NFQ Level	Level 9
NFQ Award Title	Minor
Fees	€3,600 (Funding Available) See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	Direct Applications (Round Two): 28 August 2026
Venue	Online
Start Date	September 2026

Course Outline

This programme will equip graduates to implement coaching in diverse settings, including business, leadership development, life balance, personal coaching, health care, social care, career coaching, sports coaching, performance, and change management. Coaching is now recognised as a key component in increasing performance, achieving goals and optimising personal and group effectiveness. existing models of coaching are now being applied in wider contexts and in emerging new settings.This programme will assist students to develop new skills to meet increasingly complex life and management challenges and to practice these coaching skills to the highest standards. Graduates of the postgraduate certificate programme may apply for membership of the association for coaching.

Upon completion students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the role of relationship in the coaching conversation or intervention.
• Implement an integrated approach to coaching drawing on appropriate approaches and coaching models
• Implement coaching in the development of effective leadership and within the process of managing change
• Practice and integrate emotional intelligence within the coaching process through effective self-management, mindfulness and heighten personal and social awareness
• Draw on reflective practice as a means of learning and develop effective writing skills with the use of journal keeping
• Coach within ethical and professional boundaries following an established code of ethics and supervision

Please see below a short introductory video about the course. 

Course Queries

For any other Academic Queries and Course Content Queries not listed in the above, please contact the Programme Coordinator Dr Pat O Leary at p.oleary@ucc.ie.  

For Online Application Support please click here. 

If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Noreen Delea at n.delea@ucc.ie. 

Course Practicalities

Lecture Schedule:

Online classes take place on Tuesday evenings 6.30pm - 9.30pm with occasional weekend workshops.

Assessment:

Continuous assessment based on academic essays, reflective assignments, coaching competencies and presentations.

Who teaches this course:

Staff of the School of Applied Psychology, Coaching Practitioners who deliver life coaching and organisational coaching regularly in diverse settings and staff of Adult and Continuing Education.

Delivery Mode Option 1 [Classroom-based delivery] 

Students can choose to complete this programme in a predominantly face-to-face classroom environment on the UCC Campus with one online lecture. 

Modules  

• AD6808: Coaching Structures and Competencies (10 credits) 

• AD6003: Coaching Practicum (20 credits) 

 

Delivery Mode Option 2 [Online] 

Alternatively, students can choose to complete this programme fully online  

Modules  

• AD6809: Coaching Structures and Competencies (10 credits) 

• AD6011: Coaching Practicum (20 credits) 

Why Choose This Course

The Postgraduate Certificate in Personal and Management Coaching can be used as  a building block towards a Masters in Personal and Management Coaching, see related course on this page.  A Master's requires the completion of 90 credits, the PG Cert provides you with 30 of these credits. For further information on how to build on this qualification towards a Master please contact the Programme Co Ordinator.

This Postgraduate Certificate will provide you with the skills to deliver both personal and organisational coaching. It will explore frameworks that support you in the delivery of coaching interventions and will invite you to reflect on  your work and practice. 

Requirements

Programme Entry Requirements:

Applicants must:

• Hold an NFQ Level 8 honours degree or level 8 Higher Diploma, in which at least a second class honours was awarded.
• Supply two written references. One reference must be a professional reference.
• Attend for interview as part of the application process.

Final selection of candidates will be subject to the approval of the Programme Team.

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: 

Applicants who do not hold the above qualification 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 or relevant learning. 

• 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.

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 €3,600.

• 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).

Funding Options

See all available funding and application routes in the Funding and Application Routes yellow button at the top of this page.

How To Apply

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: 

Click the Apply button below

You MUST CHOOSE: Adult & Continuing Education Application 

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

• Application Statement
• Birth Cert or Passport
• Passport Photograph 
• Curriculum Vitae
• English Language Test Report [if applicable]
• Transcripts [if applicable]
• 50% of the fees are also required to complete your application. 

Apply Now