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1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Higher Diploma and Postgraduate Cert/Dip
5. Trauma Studies (Online) - PG Dip

Course Fact File

Code	PDTST
Duration	2 years
Teaching Mode	Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
Qualifications	PG Dip
NFQ Level	Level 9
Fees	€2,500 per annum See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	Round One Deadline: 26 June 2026
Next Intake	September 2026
Course Delivery Method	Online
Venue	Online
Start Date	September 2026

Course Outline

We offer both a PG Diploma and a PG Certificate in Trauma Studies. 

All students register on the PG Diploma, and can choose to exit after year one with a certificate, or continue on to the PG Diploma. 

Our Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma in Trauma Studies is delivered by the Department of Criminology at UCC in conjunction with WAVE Trauma Centre in Belfast. 

Year 1 (30 credits) – option to graduate at this point with the PG certificate 

The overall aim of the WAVE Trauma Centre as a cross-community, voluntary, regional organisation is to offer care and support to anyone bereaved, injured or traumatised through the 'Troubles' of Northern Ireland. Since its establishment in 1991, WAVE has offered direct support to over 5,000 individuals. WAVE service delivery includes Advocacy & Casework Services; Complementary Therapies; Counselling & Psychotherapy; Outreach Support and Welfare Advice. Other services include Trauma Training; Transgenerational/Youth services and Truth, Justice & Acknowledgement. By bringing the expertise of the WAVE team together with the programme staff in UCC, we aim to deliver a course that will allow students to develop their knowledge and understanding of trauma, both in a theoretical but also in an applied manner.

This course focuses on both the individual and societal implications of trauma and draws on examples and experiences from individuals who survived, and societies emerging from, violent political conflict; however, this is only one aspect of the curriculum that informs our approach. The course deals with trauma as a universal process and the experience of the WAVE team, both in Northern Ireland, in the Balkans and in the UK informs the content and the delivery of this programme. 

Year 1 (30 credits)

• CR6801 Trauma and Victimology: Key issues, methods and structures (5 credits)
• CR6802 Research Methods (5 credits)
• CR6803 Trauma and Addiction: Key issues, methods and structures (10 credits )
• CR6804 Trauma and Post-traumatic Growth (10 credits)

Year 2 (choose 30 credits)

• CR6805 Complex Loss: Grief, Trauma and Social Context (10 credits)
• CR6806 Social Approaches to Trauma: Family, society and international (10 credits)
• CR6807 Public Health Challenges in Post Conflict Societies (10 credits)
• CR6808 Trauma and Frontline Workers (10 credits) 

Course Queries

For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator  Martin Plachetka: mplachetka@ucc.ie 

For Online Application Support please click here. 

If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Louise Fleming at l.fleming@ucc.ie.  

Additional Teaching Mode Information

This course is delivered online on Monday evenings with occasional lectures on Thursday evenings.

Course Practicalities

Programme Schedule:

The course will begin with an orientation week. This involves engaging with tutors online, completing a library tutorial online, and familiarising yourself with the online learning platform. Throughout the duration of the course, students will have access to both academic and pastoral support via both ACE and their module tutors. 

A provisional programme schedule is available here: Sample Timetable 2026. This schedule is subject to change.

As a guide, 5-credit modules will involve students engaging with: 

• Self-directed study (self-directed learning with online programme materials) 
• Online moderated activities - personal online tutoring and online group discussion 
• Written assignments 
• Reading and reflective practice 

We recommend that students set aside approximately 10-15 hours a week over the course of a 12-week semester (depending on whether the module is 5 or 10 credits). 

This course is not a practice-based  course, but does address issues that some participants may find upsetting and triggering. Given this, it must be noted that the course is not delivered in a therapeutic environment and students should be mindful of the impact engaging in some topics may have on their own well-being. 

Assessment

All modules on this course are based on a continuous assessment model. Assessments will include essays, reflective work, case studies and research projects.

Who teaches this course: 

• Dr Yasmine Ahmed (UCC Programme Academic Director)
• Dr Paul Galagher 
• Dr Harry McCallum 
• Dr Gabriella Fattibene 

Why Choose This Course

This course is designed and delivered by University College Cork and the WAVE Trauma Centre Northern Ireland. WAVE is a grassroots, cross-community, voluntary organisation formed in 1991 to support people bereaved of a spouse as a result of violence in Northern Ireland. It was expanded later to incorporate the needs of children and young people and anyone injured or traumatised through ‘the Troubles’. WAVE has also worked in international conflict contexts. This course is academically grounded in trauma theory, however, it draws heavily on the research and experiences of its teaching team who have worked extensively with conflict-related trauma.  Although there is primarily a focus on conflict trauma, this is set in the context of wider trauma theories within the field of trauma studies. The course focuses on a psycho-social framework for understanding trauma which captures the breadth of responses to trauma in situations of complex, repeated, and/or enduring traumatic experience.

Trauma is so often assumed to be an individualised experience. The true cost of trauma is however much higher as the relatives of those suffering from trauma also experience the impact of the phenomenon. Trauma provokes ill health, disrupts family relationships, impairs functioning, leads to substance abuse, and in some cases when grief becomes intolerable, leads to suicide. This course brings together an experienced team of academics and practitioners in order to address the complexity of trauma and investigate the means through which both the individual and society can be relieved of its impact.   

Requirements

Programme Entry Requirements: 

• Candidates must hold an honours (NFQ level 8) primary degree with a minimum 2H2 in a relevant discipline.
  • Relevant disciplines include, but are not restricted to: psychology, sociology, criminology, social work, counselling, conflict studies, women's studies, epidemiology, medicine and nursing
• To engage productively and successfully with the content, basic technical computer skills such as familiarity with word processing, web browsing, and email are recommended.

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. 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

• Applicants who do not hold an NFQ level 8 award may be eligible to apply through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).
• To be considered, applicants should have at least three years professional experience in a related field – examples include (but are not restricted to) therapeutic practice, community work/engagement experience, government/policy experience and medical/para-medical experience.
• 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

The programme fee is €2,500 per year.

• On application, students pay 50% of the year one fees (€1,250).
• The remainder of the 50% year one fee is due by January 31^st.

For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.

How To Apply

Important Notice: Course Registration Deadlines

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.

 

To Apply for this course please follow the steps below:

Prepare Your Documents

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  
• Copy of your CV
• English Language Test Report (if applicable) 
• Supporting documentation if required for RPL

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
     • Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
     • Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses
     • 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: Trauma Studies - PG Dip

Require assistance?

A general application guide with diagrams is available here. An application guide specific to this programme is available from the programme coordinator. 

Apply Now