Who should apply?
To be eligible for a HCI Pillar 1 course, you will need to meet the following:
- The academic or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) requirements and,
- The employment eligibility criteria and,
- The residency criteria
- UCC’s English language requirements if applicable
Academic requirements:
Information on academic entry requirements can be found under the ‘requirements’ section of each individual course page. Please go to the ‘Courses’ section of the main HCI Pillar 1 webpage to search for individual courses.
Employment eligibility criteria:
- Employed - working either for yourself or someone else
- Unemployed - not currently working, receiving a qualifying welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) for at least 9 of the last 12 months and actively seeking employment
- Formerly Self-employed
- A Returner - a Homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months. Returners are required to submit the following completed declaration form as part of their application.
- A Recent Graduate - a graduate who completed their studies in the year 2022 or 2023
Residency criteria:
All applicants must
- be living full time in the Republic of Ireland
- hold a valid Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)
- have lived in the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland for 3 out of the past 5 years
- meet the nationality/visa requirement i.e.,
- you are an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss national OR
- you have a Stamp 4/Stamp 4 EU FAM, Stamp 5, or Stamp 6 on your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card or GNIB card.
English language requirements:
All applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency. See our English language proficiency requirements for further information.
Full eligibility information is available on the Springboard+ website.
How can I apply?
Applications are now open for 2023 and can be made via Springboard+:
- If you already have a Springboard+ account - please apply here
- If you are new to Springboard+ - please register for an account here
- When you log in to your existing account or register for a new account, go to the courses tab at the top of the page and search for the course you are interested in applying for. Further instructions can be found in the 'How to Apply' section of the Springboard+ webpage.
Please note, you will be unable to access the Springboard+ website if applying from outside of the Republic of Ireland.
What will it cost?
Eligible applicants will receive 100% or 90% funding depending on their employment status.
- 100% funded - No course fees are applicable for:
- Unemployed and in receipt of an eligible Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment for 9 out of the past 12 months
- Returners i.e a Homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months. Returners are required to submit the following completed declaration form as part of their application.
- 90% funded – You only pay 10% of the course fee if:
- Employed
- Self-Employed
- Recent Graduates 2022 or 2023
- Formerly Self-Employed
Like most funding schemes, there are terms and conditions and exclusions do apply. Candidates should check the eligibility requirements and carefully read the FAQ section on the Springboard+ website to make sure that they qualify for funding.
University College Cork Contacts:
General admission/eligibility queries:
For course specific queries please contact the Course Directors/Team listed below:
Springboard+ Website
Useful links:
