Course Summary
The aim of this Postgraduate Certificate programme is to provide staff in higher and further education with the opportunity to develop and professionalise their teaching practice to enhance learning, while gaining an internationally recognised postgraduate qualification in Teaching and Learning.
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Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) and be teaching in the third level education sector and have an active teaching timetable. An active teaching timetable could include, supervision, placement work, lab-based work, in the field or in an online context. A minimum of 12 hours of teaching in both semesters 1 and 2, is required in order to fulfil the learning outcomes of the programme, i.e., a minimum of 24 teaching hours over the academic year.
In exceptional circumstances, and subject to review by the programme team, applicants with a primary ordinary degree (NFQ, Level 7) may also be considered subject to meeting the teaching requirements.
PhD students who are not in a position to meet the minimum teaching hours required to successfully complete the Postgraduate Certificate are not eligible to apply for the programme but are encouraged to apply for the Postgraduate Training Modules in teaching and learning. PhD students should also consider, along with their supervisors, the significant workload of this 30-credit programme and whether the 5-credit Postgraduate Training Modules are more appropriate given time demands.
PhD students should contact [email protected] in the first instance to discuss.
CIRTL English Language Requirements
For applicants from non-native English speaking backgrounds, proof of English language certification is not required if currently employed in the third level education sector where the main language of instruction is English. Applicants who fall into this category are required to show proof of employment, e.g. a letter from your director of Human Resources, which is evidence of working in a third-level educational setting where the main language of instruction is English.
Take a look at the CTLHE Important Notes on the Application Process for more detailed information.
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.
Application Details
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.