Older Person Rehabilitation

Course Outline

The Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation is designed to provide students, from a range of different professional backgrounds, with interdisciplinary learning in the theory and practice of Older Person Rehabilitation.



The Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation runs over one or two academic years (9-20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 30 credits incorporating approximately 100 hours of structured contact time (approximately one day per month during the semester if taken over one academic year). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays).

Taught modules

Students take a core module to the value of 10 credits as follows:

CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)



Students take elective modules to the value of 20 credits from the following:

CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)

CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits)

CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)

CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)

CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)

CG6012 Neuromuscular Disorders (10 credits)

CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)

CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)

EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits)

MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Candidates must have the following:

A primary degree in a relevant health care discipline* or an equivalent qualification and work experience to be approved by the Programme Team;

Ideally, candidates should have practical experience in their area of qualifications of at least one-year post-registration;



In some exceptional circumstances, candidates, by virtue of their training and experience may, at the discretion of the Programme Team, be deemed suitable for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Such candidates may be requested to undergo an interview.



*A relevant healthcare discipline includes but is not limited to, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing science, audiology, physiotherapy, psychology and social studies.



Garda Vetting

Students or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.



Fitness to Practise

This programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.



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.

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 15 June. Early application is advised.

Please see the Book of Modules for details on assessment of modules.

1 or 2 years part-time.



The part-time option will be taught during weekday working hours over 1 or 2 years.

Start Date 2 September 2025

Progression to MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation

Following successful completion of the examinations for the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, a student may opt to transfer to the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation with exemptions granted for the modules already taken. A student previously conferred with the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation / Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (exit award from the MSc) may register for the MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) within five years of completion, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.



Skills and Careers Information

In today’s competitive workforce, higher professional qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development and career advancement. The MSc is particularly suitable for those who want to assume a management and leadership position in the care of older people.