| Code | PDPSD |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 Year Full-time |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | PG Dip |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| Closing Date | Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised. |
| Non-EU Closing Date | Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised. |
| Start Date | 8 September 2025 |
Course Outline
The Postgraduate Diploma in Planning and Sustainable Development is an introductory graduate-level course in spatial planning and development for cities, regions, towns, rural areas, and neighbourhoods. It has an international flavour and exposes students to the kind of real-world sustainability and environmental challenges that are found in public, private and community settings throughout the world.
Our graduate students come from many different disciplines, so our course offers a rich learning environment for people to fine-tune their areas of interest into a practical, ethical and effective field of action with relevance in the contemporary world. For students who perform well on this course and wish to progress to a professionally recognised masters-level qualification there is an option to transfer to the second year of the UCC M.Plan course which is a comprehensive, two-year course compatible with European standards and with international professional training models for planning.
The course will be of particular interest to students from developing countries who want to gain a foundation training in Planning and Sustainable Development as well as other international students who have a particular interest in studying in Ireland and have a wider interest in the theory and practice of planning. Students who do not feel able or ready to commit to two years study for the accredited qualification will find that the Course is an excellent way to gain a foundation qualification and fully assess their motivation to progress to the second year of the accredited MPlan Course.
Modules will cover various topics including:
- place-making and design
- community engagement
- spatial planning at various different scales
- environmental awareness
- development in urban areas
- legal and political know-how
- International and global planning issues and processes
- technical competence and an understanding of the realities of sustainable development.
The course develops a wide range of skills and abilities leading to a strong capacity for making real-world, imaginative and balanced contributions about the future of places in many different sectors.
Transfer to the MPlan
Students who pass all modules with an aggregate score of 50% (i.e. 600 out of 1200 marks) may opt not to be conferred with the Postgraduate Diploma and may transfer their registration to the Second Year of the Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan2) in the following academic year (full-time). For details of MPlan, see http://www.ucc.ie/en/cke69/. Such students must inform Student Records and Examinations Office (exams@ucc.ie) that they will not be conferred with the Postgraduate Diploma and opt instead to progress to Year 2 of the Masters in Planning and Sustainable Development (MPlan2) in the following academic year (full-time).
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
This programme is taken on a full time basis over two 12-week teaching terms. Lectures will be scheduled on four to five days per week and there will also be afternoon studio sessions or tutorials each week, all supported by individual study / reading time.
Field Trips
There will be residential and day fieldtrips, both within and outside Ireland, and students will be asked to contribute towards the cost of these.
Assessment
Modules are assessed almost entirely through coursework: essays, designs, field journals, tutorials, team projects, written reflection, individual presentations and individual projects. Around 25% of the modules also have a short written examination at the end of the relevant teaching period, making up 30-40% of the marks available for the module.
Who teaches this course?
The core of this course is taught by the full-time and part-time staff of the UCC Centre for Planning Education and Research (which is a full member of Association of European Schools of Planning) and by other UCC Departments. Additional teaching contributions are made by professional practitioners and guests as required. Our team include:
- Brendan O’Sullivan (Senior Lecturer, CPER)
- Dr. Karen Ray (Lecturer, CPER)
- Jeanette Fitzsimons (Lecturer, CPER)
- Professor Cathal O’Connell (School of Applied Social Studies)
- Dr. Phyllis Comerford (Department of Law)
- Pádraig Collins MRTPI
- Dr. Nicholas Mansergh MIPI
- Kevin Burke MRTPI
- Mona Hallinan (Built Heritage)
Why Choose This Course
The UCC Centre for Planning Education and Research is known for the high quality of its graduates and its broad-based approach to learning. This Diploma is ideal for early- or mid- career students who have a personal or career interest and engagement in this subject area but are not in a position to commit to a full two-year master’s programme. With an international focus and a disciplinary ethos which straddles the physical sciences, the social sciences and the humanities, it is a course that is also suitable for English-speaking graduates from North America, Asia and from the Global South who are interested in furthering their education in a progressive European university.
Skills and Careers Information
This Diploma is an ideal postgraduate platform for those of you who wish to build on your primary degree into an applied and relevant subject area. This means that an initial foundation in geography, arts, social science, politics, law, design, humanities, science or other fields can be built on in ways that enable a real contribution to how cities, towns, regions and places can be designed and managed into the future in the interests of society and the common good.
With a built-in option to convert to a full masters in this subject area our graduates will have opportunities to work in the public, private, education and community sectors and their skills and competencies are recognised by a range of employers in a wide variety of contexts both in Ireland and internationally
Requirements
Applicants must have a Second Class Honours in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or higher, in an appropriate subject in Science, Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Law, Commerce, Health, Engineering or Architecture. Selection will be based on academic achievement, written expression of interest, an interview and relevant work experience (if any).
Applicants who do not hold a degree at Second Class Honours in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) may also be accepted under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) subject to the requirement that they demonstrate, at interview, a very high level of engagement and interest in the subject, a proven track record of significant experience in a relevant field, and a clear capacity for carrying out studies at postgraduate level.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
How To Apply
1. Check dates
Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.
2. Gather documents
Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.
3. Apply online
Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements (All Applicants)
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:
- You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
- In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
- Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
- Please enter the details of a referee who can provide a reference for either previous relevant work experience and professional performance OR previous relevant academic performance, qualifications and aptitude.
The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
Apply Now