| Code | PCHW |
|---|---|
| Duration | 9 Months |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | PG Cert |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| EU Fees | €3,130 See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | 18 September 2023 |
| Course Delivery Method | Online |
| Start Date | 25 September 2023 |
Course Outline
Our online Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Wellbeing programme is delivered jointly by University College Cork (the co-ordinating institution) and Munster Technological University in Cork. The Certificate is part of our new suite of Health & Wellbeing programmes and on successful completion of the Certificate, you can progress to Diploma and subsequently MSc level.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Wellbeing is designed to allow you to explore the evidence base underpinning the development and implementation of effective interventions and policies aimed at sustainable improvements in health and wellbeing, including in diverse organisational settings.
This suite of programmes will support and challenge participants from a range of professional and academic settings and contexts, including but not limited to the healthcare and biopharmaceutical industry, the wider health sector, social work, education, the voluntary sector, and many more. The Certificate is available as a part-time programme, taken over 9 months, and can be undertaken while in full-time employment. Modules, to the value of 30 ECTS credits, are delivered online.
PG Certificate Modules
- MX6013 Contemporary Issues in the Field of Health and Wellbeing (10 Credits)
- MX6019 Health and Wellbeing across the Lifespan (10 Credits)
and one of the following two optional modules:
- MX6020 Innovations in Workplace Wellness (10 Credits)
- MX6014 Reflective Practice, Wellbeing, and Resilience (10 Credits)
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this programme, you should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of perspectives on the conceptualisation and measurement of health and wellbeing in a variety of settings.
2. Critically examine the understanding of resilience and well-being in the context of your own professional practice.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of lifespan approaches toward the study of resilience and individual wellbeing.
4. Summarise the basic principles of aerobic and anaerobic fitness and their relationship with health and disease.
5. Identify the issues that diverse organisations are facing in relation to stress management and health and wellbeing promotion.
6. Design and prepare a feasible and evidence-based workplace health promotion initiative to include an implementation and evaluation plan.
Progression Routes
Following successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate in Health and Wellbeing, and subject to approval by the programme board, you may progress to the Postgraduate Diploma in Health and Wellbeing.
A student who applies to continue to the Postgraduate Diploma level must do so within 5 years from the date of first registration for the Postgraduate Certificate.
MSc Health and Wellbeing
Progression to MSc is possible once all Certificate and Diploma assessments are successfully completed.
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
You are required to engage with online materials, link with peers, plan, perform and reflect on module content, and complete personal reading and written assignments. Online work, including completion of online materials and contribution to discussions, is expected to take in the region of 40 lecture hours per 10-credit module (120 contact hours per 30-credit programme). Additional time should be spent on self-directed reading, planning, performing, and reflecting on course materials. The total estimated workload for each 10-credit module consists of 200 hours.
Students require the following skills and equipment:
- Basic computing and word processing skills.
- PC or a laptop with an up-to-date operating systems capable of playing SCORM packages.
- High-Speed Broadband
Online materials are delivered via Canvas, the UCC and MTU virtual learning environment (VLE). Orientation will be provided in the form of videos on how to use the VLE, library resources, and downloadable module handbooks.
Why Choose This Course
The Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and MSc in Health and Wellbeing is the only suite of programmes of their kind available nationally, totalling 90 ECTS credits. This suite can be completed over 3-5 years and is designed to suit busy professionals, including those working full-time, who want to learn flexibly.
Our multidisciplinary Postgraduate Certificate enables students to acquire the required knowledge and skills to develop and evaluate interventions and strategies to improve health and wellbeing. With an emphasis on innovation and translation of research into practice, the teaching and learning strategy is designed to be flexible, accessible, and responsive to emerging skills needs.
The Certificate is a fully online course, jointly delivered between the School of Medicine, UCC, and the Department of Sport, Leisure & Childhood Studies at MTU.
On successful completion of the Certificate, students have the option to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma and MSc in Health and Wellbeing, both of which are blended learning offerings. This gives our students the flexibility of part-time study, with the possibility of choosing elective modules, enabling them to develop skills in their particular areas of interest.
Skills and Careers Information
The Postgraduate Certificate is designed for professionals and practitioners across all sectors with an interest in the creation of health and wellbeing within society, sectors, and organisational settings. The programme will help to support you in your personal and professional development towards being health and wellbeing champions and advocates in your organisation.
On successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate/Postgraduate Diploma/MSc suite of Health and Wellbeing programmes, our graduates can seek employment in the public or private sector including the health and biopharmaceutical industry, government departments, statutory bodies, voluntary sector, policy organisations, and higher education.
Job roles might include workplace wellbeing programme lead, community health and wellbeing officer, social prescribing coordinator, student wellbeing and welfare manager, student experience officer (student wellbeing), wellness and resiliency counsellor, as well as a myriad of other academic/educational roles.
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health
Note applicants seeking a qualification which will prepare them to apply for occupational health and safety positions are advised to apply instead for an IOSH-accredited postgraduate certificate and higher diploma options in Safety, Health and Welfare and Work in addition to the IOSH-accredited MSc Occupational Health programmes offered both fully online and in blended formats and operating within the APHEA-accredited School of Public Health at UCC.
Requirements
- Applicants must have a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in any subject.
- Applicants who have completed relevant university postgraduate modules in a cognate area at a similar NFQ level may apply for exemptions for modules taken within the last five years, subject to approval of the programme board.
- The programme board may review applications from individuals who do not fulfil the usual entry requirements regarding their suitability for the programme.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must have a minimum IELTS of 6.5 with scores in no individual section less than 6.0, regardless of nationality or employment status within the EU.
- The admission of all applicants is subject to approval by the programme board.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Consideration under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may also be given to applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements but who have relevant experience. To demonstrate relevant experience, applicants will be assessed on criteria including academic achievement, work experience, a personal statement and reference. An interview may also be required.
- Applicants apply via UCC Apply.
For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.
International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Vsit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
The EU fee for this course is €3,130.
Deposits
If your course required a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
EU student fee payment
Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration in August and the second in January.
International student fee payment
International Students can pay in two equal instalments once they have paid the appropriate deposit. The initial payment is due on registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
You can pay by Credit/Debit card online or by credit transfer.
Questions?
If you have any questions on fee payment please contact the Fees Office.
How To Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.
- For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
- Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.
2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
- Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.
3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
- Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
Additional Requirements
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following:
- You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
- In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
- Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.