Download or Print

1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Postgraduate Certificates
5. Older Person Rehabilitation

Course Fact File

Code	PCOPR
Duration	1 or 2 Years Part-time
Teaching Mode	Part-Time
Qualifications	PG Cert
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	2 September 2025

Course Outline

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.

The Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation runs over one or two academic years (9-20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 30 credits incorporating approximately 100 hours of structured contact time (approximately one day per month during the semester if taken over one academic year). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays).

Taught modules

Students take a core module to the value of 10 credits as follows:

• CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)

Students take elective modules to the value of 20 credits from the following:

• CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits) 
• CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
• CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits) 
• CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)
• CG6012 Neuromuscular Disorders (10 credits)
• CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)
• CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)
• EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

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.

See the Postgraduate College Calendar (PG Cert Older Person Rehabilitation) for more information.

Course Practicalities

Part-Time Option

The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 1 or 2 years.

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

In today’s competitive workforce, higher professional qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development and career advancement.  The MSc 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.

Requirements

Candidates must have the following:

• 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;
• In some exceptional circumstances, candidates, by virtue of their training and experience may, at the discretion of the Programme Team, be deemed suitable for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Such candidates may be requested to undergo an interview.

*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.

Fees and Costs

How To Apply

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 questions:

• 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 upload certification of current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
• Please enter the names and email addresses of the two referees. 

 

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