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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Postgraduate Certificates
5. Dementia

Course Fact File

Code	PCDEM
Duration	1 or 2 years (9-20 months) 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 interdisciplinary Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia provides healthcare professionals with the skills to expertly care for a person with dementia from diagnosis to end-of-life. Taking a biopsychosocial approach, with expert lecturers and facilitators from a range of academic and clinical backgrounds, the course content includes dementia presentations, assessments, sub-types and differentials; restorative and adaptive cognitive and non-cognitive interventions; a strong focus on communication, ethical approaches and care planning; translation of evidence to clinical practice; and reflection on legislative, policy and societal influences on dementia care across health and social care settings. At all times the emphasis is on critical appraisal of research evidence, and knowledge of current policy and societal influences, and how these translate into the best possible care for the person with dementia in real-world settings. The Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia can be taken over one or two academic years (9-20 months).

Students take CORE MODULES to the value of 20 credits as follows:

• CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)
• CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)

Students take ELECTIVE MODULES to the value of 10 credits from the following:

• CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
• CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)
• CG6012 Neuromuscular Disorders (10 credits)
• CG6017 Clinical Practicum in Dementia (5 credits)
• EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• IP5001  Holistic Approach to Palliative Care (5 credits)*
• MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)
• MH6016 Advance Care Planning (5 credits)
• NU6053 Ethics for Specialist Practice (5 credits)

* Can only be selected if the student has active registration or is eligible for registration with the appropriate professional healthcare registration body.

Course Practicalities

The Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia is a blended learning programme with some content provided online or via evening webinars and augmented by face-to-face lectures, tutorials, workshops and case-based learning. The workshops focus on peer learning and skills practice (e.g. communication skills, capacity assessment, critical appraisal).

Students take taught modules to the value of 30 credits (two core 10-credit modules and, one x 10-credit or two x 5-credit elective modules) incorporating approximately 150 total hours of structured contact time, provided face-to-face, via webinars or online. Most classes are held in two-day blocks during weekdays. In addition to the structured contact time, students perform approximately 450 hours of self-directed learning, submitting module assignments and reports.

Following successful completion of the examinations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia and subject to the approval of the Programme Team, a student may opt to transfer to the MSc in Dementia, with exemptions for modules already taken within the Postgraduate Certificate. This will not require a new separate application by the student. Preliminary transfer requests should be made to the Programme Administrator, Mr. Christopher Walsh.

A student previously graduated with the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia, within the preceding five years, and subject to approval by the Programme Team, may register for the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years. This will not require a new separate application by the student. Preliminary requests should be made to the Programme Administrator, Mr. Christopher Walsh.

Why Choose This Course

As the population ages and dementia becomes very common, almost all Healthcare Professionals will care for people with dementia in their everyday work, and so need up-to-date knowledge and skills in dementia.

The lecturers and facilitators in this course are clinicians and academics from several disciplines, and all are experts in the area of dementia. The course coordinator is the Clinical Lead for the National Dementia Office in Ireland and is a highly experienced clinician, researcher and policy influencer. Each module is taught to MSc standard and there is a strong focus on translating evidence and policy into practice.

This Postgraduate Certificate combines two core modules in dementia (CG6015 and CG6016) with a choice of one-two taught module from an extensive list, including a unique placement module (CG6017) where you can experience dementia care in a range of settings, enhancing your appreciation of other service models and disciplines.

The optional independent study module (CG6007) allows you to perform an in-depth review of a topic within or outside of the course curriculum, or to plan and implement a quality improvement project, audit or service evaluation. We also offer a research methods module if you are considering progression to a Research MSc or PhD in Dementia.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

This course includes an optional clinical placement module (CG6017) where you can experience dementia care in a range of settings, including novel and innovative services, enhancing your appreciation of integrated service models and the role of other disciplines. The Practice Education Coordinator works closely with you to develop a tailored placement timetable, with placement sessions available local to your usual place of work, or throughout Ireland and abroad, as is practical for you. Previous student feedback on this module is that it is highly valuable for personal clinical practice and for supporting quality improvements in their own work setting.

Skills and Careers Information

In today’s competitive workforce, higher professional qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development and career advancement. The Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia gives Healthcare Professionals the key skills and competencies to confidently care for a person with dementia of any age and in any setting.

This course can also be used as a stepping stone to the MSc in Dementia, or a research MSc or PhD. It can also be taken as an adjunct to a Diploma or MSc in a related area (e.g. Gerontological Nursing or Intellectual Disability studies), giving specialist expertise in dementia.

Requirements

Candidates must have the following:

• A Primary Degree in a relevant health care discipline* or an equivalent academic qualification and professional experience to be approved by Programme Team;
• Ideally, candidates should have at least one year's practical experience in their area of qualification 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. Such candidates may be requested to undergo an interview.

*A relevant health care discipline includes but is not limited to medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing sciences, 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.

Recognition of Prior Learning
In accordance with UCC's policy on Recognition of Prior Learning, a student who has successfully completed modules for Continuous Professional Development within the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia programme, and/or has completed relevant university postgraduate modules in a cognate area at a similar NFQ level (subject to the approval of the Programme Team), and who meet the entry requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia, can apply to register for the Postgraduate Certificate in Dementia with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years. This will require an application by the student for the Postgraduate Certificate.

 

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 detail your research interest(s).

• Please add the name and email addresses of 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.

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