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UCC Adult courses

Social and Psychological Health Studies - Dip

Course Fact File
CodeDSPHS
Duration2 years
Teaching ModePart-Time
QualificationsDip
NFQ LevelLevel 6/7
NFQ Award TitleMinor
Fees€1,500 per academic year See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing DateExtended to 29 June 2025
Next IntakeSeptember 2025
Venue

UCC Main Campus

Start DateSeptember 2025

Course Outline

Are you passionate about personal and social development? Do you work in, or would you like to work in community health, wellbeing, or advocacy? If so, this Diploma is designed for you!

This engaging and thought-provoking programme will deepen your understanding of the key theories shaping contemporary social and psychological health. Whether you’ve gained experience through structured learning, hands-on practice, or apprenticeship-style training, this diploma will equip you with the knowledge and critical thinking skills to reflect on, evaluate, and enhance your professional practice.

By the end of the programme, you’ll be able to:

  • Understand and apply key theories in social and psychological health.
  • Evaluate your practice with a strong theoretical foundation.
  • Advocate for positive change in individual and community well-being.

If your practice training has been through either structured experiential learning or apprenticeship processes it will give you an understanding of the principal theoretical positions that shape contemporary academic discourses within your field of work. Upon completing the course, you will be able to theorise, evaluate and be intellectually accountable for your practice.

 

SHEP Students

This programme is open to everyone, but students who have completed training in the Social and Health Education Project (SHEP) may find it of particular beneficial for progressing their studies. 

Please see a short introductory video about the course:

 

The Modules for the Diploma are as follows:

Year 1

  • AD1881: Human Relationships, Sexuality and Parenting
  • AD1882: Human Well-being
  • AD1883: Health-related Social Policy
  • AP1884: Lifespan Developmental Psychology
  • AD1868: Introduction to Academic Writing
  • AD1020: The Study of Human Beings

Year 2

  • AD2854: Adult Education - Theory and Approaches
  • AD2855: One-to-One Interventions - Theory and Approaches
  • AD2856: Theory and Practice
  • AP2857: Group Facilitation - Theory and Approaches
  • SS2858: Human Rights and Social Justice
  • SS2859: The Governance of Human Affairs

 

Course Practicalities

This course takes place one evening per week (Currently Wednesday evening) and 10 Saturdays each year from September to May

 

Assessment: 

The assignments for the modules on this course are either a 2,000-word essay or a 2,000-word personal learning journal. The assignment title for each module is designed by the module lecturer.

 

Who teaches this course: 

  • UCC staff
  • SHEP staff
  • External lecturers

Why Choose This Course

This diploma course offers an enriching programme which surpassed my expectations. Its structure and delivery are excellent; its climate supportive.I am delighted to recommend it.

Nuala McDonnell

Student

Who is this programme for?

This Diploma is ideal for:

  • Practitioners or volunteers in personal and social development roles within the community.
  • Graduates of the Social and Health Education Project (SHEP).
  • Activists and professionals working, volunteering, or wishing to work to improve individual and community wellbeing.

 

Experiential Learning 

Students like this course because it includes experiential workshops and the modules reflect the multi-dimensional character of health and well-being. Half of the assignments are personal learning journals, which require the students to reflect on their personal experience, their practice and their learning in the course. The remaining assignments are essays and the course incorporates workshops on essay writing skills to support students who may be studying at third level for the first time.

 

Requirements

  • At least 21 by 1 January of year of application
  • Hold Leaving Certificate or FETAC Level 5 or an equivalent qualification
  • A practitioner or experience in personal or social development (or both)
  • All applicants whose first language is not English must have attained IELTS Minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.0 in each band or the equivalent TOEFL/Duo Lingo score. A full list of accepted English language tests can be found here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/undergraduate/

Diploma programmes are offered subject to a minimum number of eligible applicants registering for the programme.   Following completion of year 1 of this programme, should a sufficient number of eligible students not wish to progress form year 1 to year 2 of this programme as to make the year 2 viable, students will graduate with a certificate at that point.  Programme viability is determined by reference to fee income and applicable costs in running the programme.

Fees and Costs

Fees:

€1,500 academic year

Please note 50% of fees for year one are payable on application and the remaining fees for year one are due by 31st Jan. 

For full details on fees and payments, visit: Ace Fees & Finance.

 

ACE at UCC Concession Scheme

We have introduced a Concession Scheme for applicants who are in receipt of an eligible Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment. You may be eligible for a concession rate if you are in receipt of eligible DSP payments. For full details on eligibility and this scheme, please visit: Ace Fees & Finance.

  • Concession fee is €1,000 
  • All students pay €750 on application  
  • Those in receipt of concessionary fee must pay balance of €250 by 31st January.  

 

Additional Supports:

ACE at UCC would like to make potential students aware of the following financial supports that they may be eligible to avail of: 

  • Students who are registered on this programme are eligible to apply for the Financial Aid Fund for Part Time Students. Eligibility criteria applies. For more information see Financial Aid Part Time | University College Cork (ucc.ie)
  • The UCC Student Assistance fund - Once you are a student, you may apply for this fund and any funds awarded to you can contribute to rent, utilities, food costs or student supplies. 
  • The Lough Credit Union - ACE have a strong relationship with the Lough Credit Union in Cork and have secured a competitive student loan rate for ACE students, this rate is competitive in the market and is lower than other credit unions.  The rate is fixed and will not increase following the upcoming ECB rate increase. A loan will be offered to ACE students (once they demonstrate capacity to pay), and it will allow ACE students to repay fees over a twelve month plus period.  The Lough Credit Union is student friendly, nearby, flexible and is open to anyone who lives, works or studies in the area. If you are registering for a course at ACE, you can contact the credit union to set up an account which may be opened within 24 hours. After you are a member you can apply for a loan, loan approval may be issued in 24 hours. Potential applicants should identify themselves as ACE students. Contact loans@lough.cu.ie for more information.
  • Student Budgeting Advice Service - When you are a student, this support offers advice on financial planning and support to UCC students, including offering one-on-one advice. 
  • The Student Union Hardship fund which may be able to provide some advice and assistance. 

How To Apply

Apply Now

Contact Details For This Course

Similar Courses

Social Studies

Year 1 Modules

Year 2 Modules

Year 3 Modules

Year 4 Modules

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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