| Code | PCIPC |
|---|---|
| Duration | 8 Months |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | PG Cert |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 |
| Closing Date | Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised. |
| Non-EU Closing Date | Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised. |
| Course Delivery Method | Online |
| Start Date | 9 September 2024 |
Course Outline
Our Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control is a structured part-time QQI Level 9 certificate which is taught online. There is no requirement to attend face-to-face lectures on this programme.
Our innovative online Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control provides students with the core knowledge, theory, and skills that are necessary for the management and implementation of infection prevention and control in a clinical setting. We emphasise the use of evidence-based practice that enables our students to work and flourish in an infection prevention and control setting, while also emphasising the importance of patient safety principles, in both the research and professional context.
The PG Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control has Category 2 approval from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI).
Programme Details
10-credit modules are delivered over 8 weeks and 5-credit modules are delivered over 4 weeks. Modules are delivered one after the other according to the pre-determined course calendar each year. The PG Certificate typically commences around the second week of September, and it runs for a full 8 months.
Modules (30 credits total)
Semester 1 (15 credits total):
- EH6146 The Principles and Clinical Practices of Infection Prevention and Control (10 credits)
- MB6009 Principles of Microbiology (5 credits)
Semester 2 (15 credits total):
- BU6010 Leadership and Management of Infection Prevention & Control (10 credits)
- EH6147 Infection Prevention & Control Quality Improvement & Patient Safety (5 credits)
The PG Certificate (30 credits) must be completed within 36 months (3 years) of the programme commencement.
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
The student workload for each 10-credit module consists of approximately 200 hours and 100 hours for a 5-credit module. Student workload includes online self-directed learning, required readings, and subject investigation; E-activities (e.g., student quizzes and regular participation in discussion boards); and preparation of a written and/or oral assignment.
Self-directed lecture content is released each Monday allowing students a full seven days to complete the weekly content. This allows students to engage with the coursework around their busy work schedules and personal lives.
Some module coordinators/lecturers may occasionally hold live online workshops to support online content. These are recorded and shared for those unable to attend.
It is our experience that line manager support is essential to student progress. We also recommend that students are allocated some protected time and/or study leave from their clinical settings, to allow for full engagement with the course content and assessment process.
Funding Options
Some funding may be allocated from NMPDU for nursing and midwifery applicants working within the HSE. Talk to your line manager at work or Apply for funding for nursing and midwifery educational programmes - healthservice.ie
There may also be an option to fund a number of places for students from non-HSE organisations through Leading Healthcare Providers Skillnet. LHP Skillnet is a not-for-profit training organisation that supports the education of the private healthcare sector. The contact details for LHP Skillnet are as follows: 012187698 and office@lhpskillnet.ie.
Why Choose This Course
This is a multi-disciplinary programme specifically designed to give healthcare professionals infection prevention and control knowledge and skills for application in the healthcare setting to improve patient safety.
Our modules are developed and taught by a dedicated team of staff, who are experts in infection prevention and control, public health, microbiology, and management and our students will experience a wide range of teaching styles using the most up-to-date technology-enhanced learning methods.
Our online PG Cert IPC builds on the success of our PG Certificate in Health Protection (Online) and our Master of Public Health (Online) programmes and allows you to progress to the MSc Infection Prevention & Control (Online) programme.
Skills and Careers Information
This course will equip healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills to implement infection prevention and control measures in the healthcare setting.
Students who have successfully completed the UCC Postgraduate Certificate in Infection Prevention & Control with a minimum Second Class Honours Grade I will be eligible to apply for the MSc Infection Prevention & Control.
Requirements
Applicants must have a minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in one of the following subject areas: biological sciences, nursing, medical and health sciences, public health, and social sciences. Qualified nurses and midwives without a primary degree and who are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland are also eligible to apply.
Applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements may be recommended for entry to the programme following a review of their individual qualifications and experience under the University Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL) policy.
Technical Requirements
This programme will be delivered wholly online. As such, there are specific technical requirements that you need to meet.
- You will need access to a laptop or desktop (either Mac OS or Windows) running a relatively recent operating system (Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, or Mac OSX 10.8, 10.9, 10.10, or later). Access to the Canvas Virtual Learning Environment is supported by UCC through IOS and Android apps, which are available from the respective App stores.
- You will need access to a reliable broadband connection with at least 2MB download speeds. You can test your broadband or 4G speeds by visiting http://www.speedtest.net.
- You must have a modern web browser installed. The most reliable options for use with UCC online learning are Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Download and installation instructions will be provided. Safari is not suitable.
- You must have Java and Flash Runtimes installed. Download and installation instructions will be provided.
- You will require an Office suite of software (Microsoft Office 2003 or later or equivalent) and a PDF reader (preferably Adobe Acrobat Reader XI or later). Please note that registered UCC students have access to discounted software from Microsoft and Adobe.
To engage productively and successfully with the content, basic technical computer skills such as familiarity with word processing, web browsing, and email is recommended.
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. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Fees and Costs
Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025
See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.
Deposits
If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.
Fee payment
Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.
How can I pay?
See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.
Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.
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.
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:
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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.
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In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
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Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
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