Education & Training

The HRB CRF-UCC, in collaboration with UCC’s School of Public Health, provides a fully online, part-time Postgraduate Certificate in Clinical Trials (CKU17), Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Trials (CKW03), and MSc Clinical Trials (CKX28) designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to pursue a career in clinical trials in the pharmaceutical, medical device, or academic sectors. Entry is normally via the Postgraduate Certificate, with progression routes to the Diploma and MSc, and applications based on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) considered in line with UCC policy.

Graduates develop the methodological, regulatory, and data management skills needed to work in roles such as clinical trialist, project manager, quality manager, trial monitor, data manager, clinical research associate, clinical research nurse, research coordinator, pharmacovigilance associate, and regulatory affairs associate in Ireland and internationally.

The suite is designed with flexible online delivery that supports career development while in full-time employment. Together, these programmes offer a unique, fully online Masters pathway in clinical trials to students worldwide, positioning graduates to contribute to high quality, patient focused research in hospital, industry, and academic settings.

We also provide tailored training to equip Investigators and site personnel with the knowledge needed to conduct studies compliantly and offer the following:

• ICH-GCP Training: Comprehensive courses in line with ICH-Good Clinical Practice.
  • ICH Good Clinical Practice for investigators and Site Staff
  • ICH Good Clinical Practice for Investigators and Site Staff - Refresher
• Regulatory and Study Documentation Training: Targeted sessions (e.g., pharmacovigilance requirements, safety reporting obligations, documentation standards). Contact us to learn more.

Training for Change: Enhancing Inclusivity in Clinical Trials (EH6138): 10-credit online micro-credential from the HRB Clinical Research Facility and UCC’s School of Public Health, designed for trialists, biomedical and health professionals who want to run more inclusive, equity focused trials. Delivered fully online through self-directed learning and live tutorials, the module explores the history of inclusivity in trials, who under served groups are, and the structural and practical barriers that limit their participation.

Introduction to Data Stewardship (DH5001): Accredited by University College Cork College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences and developed by Sonraí Irish Data Stewardship Network, this micro-credential is focused on practical, professional data management and the broader open research agenda. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to plan, apply, and evaluate data stewardship practices. It introduces key concepts of data security and sovereignty helping data stewards to protect sensitive data, respect jurisdictional boundaries and uphold the rights of data subjects and communities. Topics include compliance, security, ethics, and effective management of research data across discipline and data types.

Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) in Research is a validated micro-credential awarded to earners in an online format. The course is open to researchers at all career stages from within and outside UCC. Participants can take the course in their own time, at their own pace.

The badge highlights the collaborative nature of the PPI Ignite Network as it includes content from powerful PPI contributors and experienced academics from the University of Limerick, the University of Galway, Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and Dublin City University - all fellow members of the National PPI Ignite Network.

To register for the course, click this link: DB Public and Patient Involvement in Research.  
If you require further information, please contact ppi@ucc.ie.

Reproducible Research Practices using R (PG6030) is available for credit to UCC PhD and Master by Research (MRes) students as part of their training. The module introduces fundamental concepts of reproducible research alongside hands-on training in the R programming language. Attendees will be instructed on data collection, data management and metadata development. This will serve as a foundation towards downstream visualisation, analysis and reporting via scripted, reproducible workflows. Instruction is provided using sample data sets, but there will be opportunities to apply your own data throughout.