HCI Pillar 1 Courses 

(FREE or 90% funded in 2022)

Higher Diploma (NFQ Level 8):

• Higher Diploma in Design and Manufacture of Biopharmaceuticals 
• Higher Diploma in Languages and Global Software Business 
• Higher Diploma in Sustainability in Enterprise 

Postgraduate Diploma (NFQ Level 9):

• Postgraduate Diploma in Bioanalytical Chemistry
• Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation Through Design Thinking
• Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Sciences

Who should apply?

To be eligible for a HCI Pillar 1 course, you will need to meet the following:

1. The academic or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) requirements and,
2. The employment eligibility criteria and,
3. The residency criteria
4. UCC’s English language requirements if applicable

When applying for a HCI Pillar 1 course the level of funding is based on your employment status at the time of course commencement:

• Employed - working either for yourself or someone else
• Unemployed - not currently working, receiving a qualifying welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection for at least 9 of the last 12 months (unless you are formerly self-employed) and actively seeking employment
• A Returner - a Homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months
• A Recent Graduate - a graduate who completed their studies in the year 2021 or will finish in 2022

Full eligibility information is available on the Springboard+ website.

How can I apply?

Documents Required:

1. Copies of academic transcripts (results) for any previous relevant educational qualifications
2. Up to date CV
3. Motivation Statement (In 500 words or less, please state why you wish to study this programme at University College Cork and how you meet the entry requirements)
4. Proof of ID: A copy of your birth cert OR passport 
5. Proof of employment status plus PPS number:
   - If unemployed: A recent document from DSP or your local INTREO office confirming you are in receipt of a qualifying payment for 9 of the past 12 months
   - If employed: Recent payslip / recent letter from your employer confirming you work for them / recent letter or statement from Revenue demonstrating your current employment
   - If self-employed: Recent document from Revenue confirming self-employment / recent letter from your solicitor or accountant confirming your self-employed status
   - If formally self-employed: A letter/statement from Revenue confirming you are no longer trading or a similar letter from your (former) accountant /  a sworn declaration stating you are no longer self-employed
   - If a recent graduate (2021 or 2022): Copy of results (transcript if available)
   - If a returner: download a declaration form from Springboard+ FAQ page and sign it before a Commissioner for Oaths / Peace Commissioner
6. Proof of residency (to be eligible for a HCI Pillar 1 funded place, you need to currently live in Ireland and have lived in either the EU, the EEA, the UK or Switzerland for at least 3 out of the last 5 years) i.e., employer letter/utility bills / 3 x P21’s / proof of refugee status in Ireland / Stamp 4 visa.
7. IF applying via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – (meaning you do not meet the minimum entry requirements of an NFQ Level 8 Primary Honours Degree but wish to apply based on experience) please provide a personal or academic reference to support your application
8. IF applying as a non-native English speaker and you have not studied at a third level education through English before, proof of English language competency is required

Additional Supporting Documents Required for 90 - 100% funding: 

If employed (EU/EEA/SWISS National): 

• Evidence of Valid PPSN (Payslip, revenue documents, DSP Service Card) 
• Evidence of Current Residency in the state (Current Utility Bill, Employment Letter) 
• Updated proof of employment status at the time of course commencement. 

If employed (Non EU/EEA/SWISS National) 

• Evidence of Valid PPSN (Payslip, revenue documents, DSP Serice Card) 
• Evidence that they hold a stamp 4 for at least 3 years (Stamp 4 on passport on Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) Card. 
• Evidence of Current Residency in the state (Current Utility Bill, Employer Letter) 
• Updated Proof of employment status at the time of course commencement. 

Self-Employed

• Evidence of Valid PPSN or Tax No. (Tax Documents or ROS Snips) 
• Evidence of Current Residency in the state (Current Utility Bil or Tax Documentation ROS) 
• Update Proof of employment status at the time of course commencement (Revenue Documentation or Letter from Accountant on headed Self-Employed) 

Formerly Self Employed

• Evidence of Valid PPSN or Tax No. (Tax Documents or ROS Snips)
• Evidence of Current Residency in the state (Current Utility Bill or Tax Documentation ROS) 
• Updated Proof of employment status at the time of course commencement. 

Student/Recent Graduate

• Evidence of Valid PPSN (Tax Documents or ROS Snips) 
• Evidence of Current Residency in the state (Current Utility Bill) 

Returner

• Evidence of Valid PPSN 

Unemployed PUP

• Evidence of Valid PPSN
• PUP must transfer to the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) 

Unemployed (must be in receipt of an eligible DSP payment for 9 of the previous 12 months)

• Evidence of Valid PPSN
• Updated Evidence they are on DSP payment for 9 of the previous 12 months (DSP payment receipt or letter from DSP on headed paper.  

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 DEASP payment for 9 out of the past 12 months or formerly self-employed: 100% of the course fee will be subsidised under the Springboard+ scheme. You must provide evidence of a relevant Department of Education and Social Protection (DEASP) payment at application stage and again on the official date of your course commencement i.e. if your course commences on the 13th September, you will be asked to provide a document to confirm your payments up to and including this date. Eligible payments include: Jobseekers Benefit, Jobseekers Allowance, One Parent Family, Disability Allowance, Qualified Adults of Working Age, Carers Allowance, Farm Assist/Fish Assist, Widow's, Widower's or surviving Civil Partner's Contributory or Non-contributory Pension, Blind Pension, Deserted Wives Allowance.

Participation on an HCI Pillar 1 course does not guarantee continuation of a Social Protection payment. Therefore applicants must inform their local DEASP Office or INTREO Office that they are undertaking an HCI Pillar 1 course to discuss the options available to them.

- Returners (formerly referred to as homemakers) for 9 out of the past 12 months or more: 100% of your fees will be subsidised under the Springboard+ scheme. You will be required to submit a declaration signed before a Commissioner for Oaths attesting to your status.

• 90% funded – You only pay 10% of the course fee if:

- Employed: Those in employment will receive 90% funding of the total course fee and 10% of the course fee will be payable by the applicant. You must provide evidence of employment at application stage and again on the official date of course commencement. 

- Recent Graduates: Recent Graduates who have successfully completed their studies (in 2021 or 2022) will be eligible to apply for a full-time HCI Pillar 1 course. These applicants will receive 90% funding of the total course fee and the remaining 10% of the course fee will be payable by the applicant.

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:

• Please email Niamh on hci@ucc.ie or phone 086-0676013 

For course specific queries please contact the Course Directors or Administrators listed below:  

• Higher Diploma in Languages and Global Software Business – Dr Patrick Crowley (p.crowley@ucc.ie) or Jeremy Hayes (J.Hayes@ucc.ie)
• Higher Diploma in Design and Manufacture of Biopharmaceuticals – Dr Eoin Fleming (J.Fleming@ucc.ie)
• Higher Diploma in Sustainability in Enterprise – Siobhan Consenheim (S.Consenheim@ucc.ie) or Dr Marguerite Nyhan (marguerite.nyhan@ucc.ie) 
• Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation through Design Thinking – Jennifer Crowley (j.crowley@ucc.ie) or Dr Paidi O'Reilly (P.OReilly@ucc.ie) or Dr Fiona Chambers (F.Chambers@ucc.ie)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Bioanalytical Chemistry – Dr Eric Moore (e.moore@ucc.ie)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Regulatory Sciences – Dr Patrick O’Dwyer (patrick.odwyer@ucc.ie)

Springboard+ Website 

• Am I eligible for a HCI Pillar 1 course? https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility  
• HCI Pillar 1 FAQ’s - https://springboardcourses.ie/faq  

Useful links: 

• Request an online statement of social welfare payments received here 
• Intreo - the public emplyment service
• Department of Social Protection
• Back to Education Programme and Back to Education Allowance
• EU Funds Website