Older Person Rehabilitation

Course Outline

The MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation programme is designed to provide students from a range of different professional backgrounds with interdisciplinary learning in the theory and practice of Older Person Rehabilitation. Our Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation at UCC is at the forefront of interdisciplinary teaching and learning in Gerontology, Rehabilitation and End of Life Care. The Centre is committed to developing flexible, practical and interdisciplinary programmes in this important field. Our credit-bearing CPD modules are available to all healthcare disciplines and can be studied in different streams.



This Older Person Rehabilitation MSc programme is available as a full-time or part-time option and includes a period of clinical placement. The full-time programme runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration and the part-time programme runs over two academic years (20 months).



Content Overview

Full-time programme

Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time via face-to-face, webinars or online options. Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted at the end of the calendar year.



Part-time programme

The part-time MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) runs over two academic years (20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits over two years incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time including face-to-face, webinars or online options (3-7 contact days per semester). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). A maximum of 40 taught credits can be taken in a single year. Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted in the early Summer of Year 2.



Alternative pathways

It is possible to exit the Master's programme early and graduate with a Certificate or Diploma:

Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation

Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits in Older Person Rehabilitation, to include module CG6009 (Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation), a student may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Certificate Examination. Such an application is subject to the approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.



Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation

Upon satisfactory completion of 60 credits, to include modules CG6009 and CG6010, a student may opt not to proceed with/complete the dissertation module (CG6008) and may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examination. Such an application is subject to the approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.



Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the MSc Programme

A student previously graduated with the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation/Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (exit award from the MSc) may register for the MSc in 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.

Core Modules

Students take core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:

CG6009 Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation (10 credits)

CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)



And either

EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits) Or

MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)



Elective Modules

Students take elective* modules to the value of 35 credits from the following (a maximum of 10 credits can be taken in Year 1):



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)**

CG6011 In-depth Independent Study (15 credits)**

CG6012 Neuromuscular Discorder (10 credits)

CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)

CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)



* Alternatively students may take up to a maximum of 15 credits, relevant to the rehabilitation of older people (unidisciplinary or interdisciplinary) from designated courses in UCC, subject to timetabling restraints, in lieu of 15 credits above.



** Students can take either CG6007 or CG6011 but not both.



Research Module

CG6008 Research Dissertation (30 credits)

Candidates must have the following:

An honours primary degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant health care discipline*or an equivalent qualification and professional 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 health care 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.



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 note that part-time study is not open to non-EU candidates.

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.

Start Date 2 September 2025

Skills and Careers Information

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