Adult Continuing Education

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Courses

Students Pointing at Laptop — Part-time Programmes for Adult Learners

Online registration now open | Courses commencing Spring 2027

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Springboard+ Funded Programmes

Application Guides & Assistance

Adult Continuing Education (ACE) has been offering part-time education programmes to Cork, Munster, and beyond since 1946 and is proud to celebrate over 75 years of educational services to the community.

Courses Open Now for Application

Programmes commencing in Spring 2027 are now open for applications.
Click here to see all programmes.

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Need support with your application?

Our Help Hub provides detailed, step-by-step guides with visual prompts to support you throughout the application process. Find guidance on submitting an application, applying as a sponsored applicant, accessing the concession scheme, applying for a Sanctuary Scholarship, and more.

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Welcome from the Director

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Filters and search

Time	Date	Title	Description	Topic	Location
12pm - 1pm	16 Nov 2026	Climate Action and Local Leadership Information Session		Sustainability	Online	/en/ace/info-session-ccpdca.html
10am - 10am	6 Nov 2026	Autumn Conferrings		General	Student Centre (Áras na Mac Léinn)	/en/ace/conferring.html

Part Time Courses

Adult Continuing Education at UCC offers part-time programmes for adult learners. We offer programmes from levels 6-9. Our part-time programmes are the perfect opportunity to upskill or reskill in a flexible way. In addition to our in-person and blended delivery programmes, we also offer online courses so that you can study remotely from work, home or even a different country.

Arts, Heritage & Languages

Social Sciences, Inclusion & Community

Professional Skills & Health & Safety

Education, Teaching & Learning

Sustainability, Climate & Offshore Wind

Food Science, Leadership & Innovation

BioPharma, Engineering & Manufacturing

Coaching, Wellbeing, Trauma & Psychology

Nursing & Midwifery

Support for Adult Learners

Thinking about our programmes but feeling a bit unsure about your capability? Don’t worry, you are not alone, and there’s plenty of support available. As an ACE student, you’ll have access to the UCC Skills Centre with free dedicated sessions designed just for adult learners including digital skills, study skills and more. You can also book one-to-one sessions with friendly tutors, drop in for quick advice, or even get feedback on your essay structure and style.

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ACE News

22 Jan 2026

Team Spotlight: Gwen Roche

If you have ever contacted Adult Continuing Education (ACE) at University College Cork (UCC) with a question about courses, applications, or returning to education, there’s a good chance Gwen Roche was the first person you spoke to.

19 Dec 2025

Dr Lyndsey El Amoud recognised for social impact at Fáilte Ireland Ambassador Awards

UCC Deputy Director of Adult Continuing Education (ACE), Dr Lyndsey El Amoud, has received the Social Impact Sustainability Spotlight Award at the Fáilte Ireland Ambassador Recognition Awards.

19 Dec 2025

Irish Traveller Rights Advocate Anne Burke Awarded UCC's Bertram Windle Award 2025

Anne Burke, Traveller Rights Advocate has been awarded the 2025 Adult Continuing Education (ACE) annual Bertram Windle Award at University College Cork (UCC) .

11 Dec 2025

Certificates Presented to students from Dillon’s Cross Project, Cork Migrant Centre and Cork Alliance

Learners from two important community education programmes were celebrated this morning at a certificate presentation event held in the North Wing Council Room in UCC. The occasion marked the achievements of participants from the Dillon’s Cross Project who completed the Introduction to Addiction Studies programme and participants from Cork Alliance and Cork Migrant Centre who completed the Certificate in Continuing Professional Development in Community-Based Mentoring.

The most enjoyable learning experience I have ever had. I never felt more challenged but I enjoyed that. I cannot understand why I did not do this earlier in my life."

Graduate from DePuy Synthes

For over 10 years, I have attended short courses run by ACE at UCC. All courses met my needs in providing intellectual stimulation and meeting like-minded people. I found the courses excellent."

Mary McCarthy, Skibbereen

When I was offered the place on the course I was thrilled, it was the perfect opportunity to learn new skills and make myself more employable. I now run my own business and have so much confidence."

Maeve Aherne O'Neill

Learn More about Springboard+

I found the course very do-able, even though I have a full time job & children...there was loads of time given to complete assignments and the feedback from each of them was clear and easy to follow.

Martha B.

Diploma in Disability Studies Graduate

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