Disability

The MSc in Disability is a one-year full-time programme delivered by the UCD Centre for Disability Studies within the UCD School of Psychology. The MSc in Disability is developed for all who have an interest in disability including individuals with disabilities, family members and professionals. The philosophy of the programme is to promote an inclusive society respecting the will and preference of persons with disability. The programme includes six mandatory (core) 10 credit modules which provide students with a critical understanding of disability identity, intersectionality, policy and legislation as well as practice-based skills in research methodologies, behavioural support and programme development.



The programme is delivered by academics, practitioners and experts by experience using a variety of approaches including expert tuition, small group interaction, peer support and autonomous student learning. Assessment including essays, presentations, group-based work, and critical reflections. This programme runs across three trimesters, Autumn, Spring and Summer.

Stage 1 Core Modules

PSY40640 Advanced Disability Studies Autumn 10

PSY40890 Disability Policy Legislation Autumn 10

PSY40490 Person Centred Programme Development Spring 10

PSY40540 Applied Research Methods Summer 10

PSY40870 Multielement Behaviour Support Summer 10

PSY40880 Identity Sexuality & Mortality Summer 10



Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:



Students should select 30 credits from the below options. Students are required to select 10 credits in Trimester 1 and 20 credits in Trimester 2 from these option modules. The trimester in which each option module is delivered is detailed in the module descriptors below.



EDUC44160 Early Childhood Inclusion Autumn 10

LAW40760 NGOs: Law, Governance and Social Change Autumn 10

PSY40820 Fundamentals of Neuropsych Autumn 10

SPOL40470 Comparing Healthcare Systems Autumn 10

EDUC40420 Assessment in Inclusive and Special Education Spring 10

LAW42130 United Nations Human Rights Practice Spring 10

NMHS44210 Strategy&Innovation in HS Spring 10

PHPS40040 Public Health Practice and Policy Spring 5

PHPS40300 Health Promotion Spring 5

POL41030 Theory of Human Rights Spring 10

PSY40790 Clinical Cases in Neuropsychology Spring 10

Candidates may apply for admission to the MSc in Disability if they meet the following criteria:



A primary degree with a minimum 2.2 classification (second class honours , grade two) or International equivalent



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme.



Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Closing date for applications is Friday, March 20, 2026.



Apply online.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

1 year, Full-time, On Campus.

W530 MSc in Disability Master of Science Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Most of our graduates are employed in disability services in management, policy and research posts. Those working in the disability field while studying can use the programme as a route to seek promotion. Some graduates have continued their studies to doctoral level and are now employed as researchers in the disability field.