Download or Print

1. Study
2. Adult Continuing Education
3. Study At ACE
4. Certificate
5. Arts - Psychology

Course Fact File

Code	CA
Duration	1 year
Teaching Mode	Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
Qualifications	Cert
NFQ Level	Level 6
NFQ Award Title	Special Purpose
Fees	€1000 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	Round One: 26 June 2026
Next Intake	21 Aug 2026
Venue	Online
Start Date	September 2026

Course Outline

This Certificate will be of interest both to those who wish to pursue careers in psychology, and to those who are motivated by an interest in the area. It provides prerequisites for all modules of year 1 of the Higher Diploma in Psychology (although completion of the Certificate course does not guarantee entry to the H Dip). The course will provide students with a general introduction to the discipline of psychology. Students will be introduced to key domains of academic psychology, along with having exposure to research and analytic techniques. Students completing the Certificate course should have a good basic understanding of the fundamentals of academic psychology. 

This Certificate is suited to anyone who is interested in the scientific study of the human mind and behaviour. The course provides a comprehensive introduction to all of the key topics within the discipline of psychology.  Students will be introduced to key domains of academic psychology, along with having exposure to research and analytic techniques. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the field psychology and the work of professional psychologists.  

The areas addressed include

• Social Psychology: How the real, imagined or implied presence of others influences our thoughts and behaviours, and how we interact socially. Prejudice, discrimination, helping behaviour, obedience etc.
• Developmental Psychology: How we develop from birth, through childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
• Biological Psychology: The physiological underpinnings of experience and behaviour. Describing the anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and endocrine systems (e.g. the brain, neurons, neurotransmitters), and how they influence behaviours such as sleep, eating, and stress.
• Cognitive Psychology: How we think, perceive, learn, and remember.  Understanding the structure and function of brain regions and how they relate to sensation, perception and memory. Describing attention and memory theories.
• History of Psychology: How the discipline began and developed. Introductions to such seminal thinkers as Freud and Skinner.
• Practice of Psychology: The scientific method in modern psychology, the different strands of professional psychology, and how different types of psychologists work.
• Research and data analysis: An introduction to how we expand and develop knowledge in the field.

The Modules for the Certificate are as follows:

• AD1063: Science and the Practice of Psychology
• AD1064: Introduction to Biological and Cognitive Perspectives on Psychology
• AD1065: Introduction to Developmental and Social Perspectives on Psychology 
• AD1066: Introduction to Research and Statistical Analysis

Course Queries

For any further Academic or Course Content Queries not listed on this page, please contact the Programme Coordinator Eleanor McSherry: eleanor.mcsherry@ucc.ie 

For Online Application Support please click here. 

Application Deadlines:

Applications are accepted in two rounds.

• Round 1 closes on 26 June and Round 2 closes on 28 August.
• Please note: if all places are filled by eligible applicants by the Round 1 deadline, the programme will not open for Round 2.
• For round 2, applications will remain open until the final deadline or until all places are filled, whichever occurs first. Early application is strongly advised.

Additional Teaching Mode Information

Lecture Schedule:

• This course takes place on Wednesday evening from 6.00pm - 10.00pm from September/October to December and January to April.
• Tutorials will be held on Tuesday evening from 7.00pm -8.00pm.

Course Practicalities

Assessment

• End of module examination.
• Continuous assessment.

Who teaches this course?

Staff and doctoral students from School of Applied Psychology

Requirements

• This course is open to adult learners and will be of interest both to those who wish to pursue further study in psychology and to those who are motivated by an interest in the area.
• Minimum entry age: 18.

Fees and Costs

The fee for this programme is €1000

Please note that self-funded (fee paying applicants) will be required to pay this full fee (€1000) on application. 

This payment is fully refundable if:

• You are not accepted onto the course
• The course does not run
• You withdraw your application (via UCC Apply) before the course commences.

The initial payment is not required at application stage if:

• You are sponsored by your organisation
• You have been awarded a Sanctuary Scholarship

For information on fees and financial supports please click here.

How To Apply

Before you apply, please prepare the following items which you will need during your application:

• Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
• Passport-style Photograph
• English Language Test Report (if applicable)
• Supporting documentation if required for RPL
• Programme fee (€1,000)

Start Your Application

Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).

1. Start a new application
   • WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
2. During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
   • Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
   • Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses
   • Academic Programme: Environment Sustainability & Climate Diploma 

A step-by-step visual application guide for this specific programme is available – please email the Programme Coordinator. You can view a general application guide for all part-time programmes here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/ace/helphub/ 

Apply Now