What's the difference between a CPD Credit Bearing Module and a CPD Offering (No ECTS Credits Bearing)?

CPD Modules

Continuing Professional Development Modules are stand-alone modules and can be undertaken after a primary degree or equivalent has been achieved, normally they are postgraduate level modules. The credits awarded for these CPD modules is called ECTS credits -  European Credit Transfer System Credits.  Full details on what a module means is outlined here. 

Recognition for completion of these modules is in the form of a transcript of results.  The CPD modules allow for flexibility in learning such that you can take one or more modules up to a maximum of 15 credits in any academic year.  Students can only take 20 credits worth of individual CPD modules in total.  If you wish to continue studying having taken 20 credits you will have to apply for the full programme.  In some cases a student may apply for exemptions if they subsequently register for a full programme within a certain timeframe of completion of the CPD module.  This time varies between 3 and 5 years depending on the content of the module and the full programme. You can order your academic transcripts on our Academic Transcript Request form. 

An academic transcript lists your complete academic history: programmes attended, a breakdown of marks/grades achieved in each module, the degree awarded, overall grade, conferring date, and awards/scholarships, if applicable.

• Credit Bearing CPD Modules (that are part of a programme)

Where a programme exists, the University preference is for a student to register on the programme once they have reached the 20 credit limit.

You may take up to 15 credits in any year, with a maximum of 20 credits as CPD.  Should you wish to continue studying after the 20 credits you may apply to do a full programme.  Should you proceed within the next five years to take a full programme in the area you studied you may be eligible for exemptions from the CPD modules you have taken. 

•  Credit Bearing CPD Modules (that are not part of a programme i.e. that are standalone modules)

CPD modules are stand-alone credits and cannot lead to an award.  On completion of a CPD module a transcript is available outlining the modules taken. You can order your academic transcripts on our Academic Transcript Request form. 

An academic transcript lists your complete academic history: programmes attended, a breakdown of marks/grades achieved in each module, the degree awarded, overall grade, conferring date, and awards/scholarships, if applicable.

A full online directory of the CPD Modules running in the current academic year are outlined here in the Prospectus.   The prospectus is the online A-Z of modules and their associated details.  

For further information contact:  cpdgraduatestudies@ucc.ie  

CPD Offerings / No ECTS Credits

CPD Offerings with no ECTS Credits can be used towards maintenance of CPD hours / CPD points in your chosen profession, and a UCC Certificate of Attendance/Completion will be issued to you.  A number of these offerings are accredited by professional bodies.  If you have any queries about whether a CPD offering is affiliated to or accredited by a professional body or whether the offering is suitable for your CPD portfolio, please contact the Centre for CPD - cpd@ucc.ie.

For further information contact: cpd@ucc.ie 

What will my professional body recognise as CPD?

This is entirely down to the professional body that you are a member of and or affiliated with.  We would advise you that if you are at all uncertain as to whether or not a CPD Module/Offering will meet your CPD requirements, that you should contact the Centre for CPD (cpd@ucc.ie) for advice and next steps.

If a CPD Module/Offering has been reviewed by a professional body and is accredited to that organisation, then it will be advertised with those details.  

In some instances, CPD offerings can be relevant to numerous professions and UCC may only have accreditation from one or two professional bodies.  This should not exclude you from using the CPD in your portfolio for a your professional body.

Can I apply for CPD?

This is dependent on a number of factors depending on if you are applying for a CPD Credit Bearing Module or an CPD Non Credit Bearing Offering:

CPD Credit Bearing Module:

Entry requirements vary by CPD Module, they are specified in the entry requirements section outlined under each CPD Module.  

These requirements can take various forms including:

• Previous academic qualifications.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• A certain level of professional experience.
• Access to technology, the Internet etc.

If you know the module code for the CPD module that you are interested in, you can check entry requirements online here:  Browse CPD Options or the A to Z Listing under UCC - Courses - Continuing Professional Development https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/courses/ ; https://www.ucc.ie/en/apply/ 

If you have a query please contact the CPD Co-Ordinator at cpdgraduatestudies@ucc.ie 

CPD Offering/ Non Credit Bearing Module

Entry requirements for CPD Offerings can be quite varied, but normally, it is the case that attendees must be qualified in their given profession, and if applicable, a member of a professional body.  Each CPD Offering will state the necessary entry requirements.  If there are no entry requirements listed on the CPD Offering, then it is usually the case that it is open for any level of professional to attend on payment of the registration fee.  If you have a query in relation to entry requirements for a CPD Offering, please contact the Centre for CPD (cpd@ucc.ie).

I have a query about the module content?

For queries about a particular module you should contact the Module Co-Ordinator or Administrator noted in the Contact Details section for each module on the prospectus page of your chosen module.  All module information will be updated on the specific module pages once the modules once again become available and open for applications, generally early Spring each year. You may note also that each Module Co-Ordinator’s details are displayed on the right hand side of the web-page should you wish to contact the relevant staff member directly and have a specific query regarding any submission of essays, course work, orientation etc. Also the Module Co-Ordinator may at an earlier stage give you an indication if this module is likely or not likely to run in the academic year 2022/2023 for intake.

I want to apply for a CPD module (credit-bearing)?

Application details are outined in the How To Apply section for each module by clicking here: Prospectus. 

For any queries please contact the: CPD Co-Ordinator,  Email:  cpdgraduatestudies@ucc.ie

If you have a query in relation to entry requirements for a CPD Non Credit Bearing Offering, please contact the Centre for CPD (cpd@ucc.ie).

I have a query about the Application Process?

CREDIT BEARING MODULES

For queries regarding the application process for CPD credit-bearing modules contact via e-mail cpdgraduatestudies@ucc.ie

  Applications are now open on various modules. 

• To apply for a credit bearing module please log on to the UCC APPLY page and create an account.  
• Gather any additional documents required.
• An application fee of €35 is payable for module application via the UCC Apply portal. 

NON CREDIT BEARING CPD OFFERINGS

If you have a query in relation to entry requirements for a non-credit bearing CPD Offering, please contact the Centre for CPD (cpd@ucc.ie)

Is there an Application Fee?

There is a non refundable application fee of €35 for Credit-Bearing CPD Modules. 

 Applications are now open for various modules. 

• To apply for a credit bearing module please log on to the UCC APPLY page and create an account.  
• Gather any additional documents required.
• An application fee of €35 is payable for a module via the UCC Apply portal.

This application fee is additional to the module fee which is payable once you have been accepted and are registering on-line for your approved CPD module.  

One application fee of €35 is due for each CPD application.

As a general rule you may take one module per each Semester, one in Sem I and one in Sem II. 

Is the Application Fee refundable?

The application fee is non-refundable unless the module does not run due to insufficient numbers of applicants.

What happens after I apply?

1. Once we receive your completed application on the UCC Apply system, details are logged and it is then forwarded to the relevant module Co-Ordinator for consideration.
2. Once a decision has been made you will receive a decision notification by e-mail.
3. If you have been offered a place you will only have to contact the CPD Centre, in the event, that you may not be able to study the module and register accordingly.
4. Following your acceptance of your place on the module two registration e-mails will be sent to you with details of how to register on the Student Portasl, arrange for payment of the module and gain acces to CANVAS.  You will need to complete this part of the registration process on-line personally.
5. Once all of the required documentation has been submitted and payment has been made you will be fully registered.  A student card will be available by request posted out to the correspondence address you provided on your application. For collection of Student ID cards -  Please log on to: https://www.ucc.ie/en/registration/id-cards For any further queries on ID Cards you can e-mail sreo@ucc.ie.

Note: If your fees are going to be paid by a third party you will need to submit a letter from the funding body or organisation, confirming that you are being funded, details on how to do this will be included in the registration e-mail.

All correspondence is via the e-mail address you supply on your application.  Please let us know if you change your e-mail address.  Please ensure your e-mail address is correctly entered on your Application.  This is the address which will be used on all correspondece to you regarding your status of application.