Paediatrics & Child Health

These courses are the first University-accredited postgraduate programmes in Paediatrics and Child Health in Ireland and form part of a unique suite of Paediatrics and Child Health courses. Students who complete the Postgraduate Certificate in their first year have the option to proceed to a Diploma and Master's level qualification in their second and third years respectively.

If students have Recognised Prior Learning from another institution, up to 30 of those credits can be applied to this programme and they may be able to enter the Diploma year (see 'Requirements' below for more information).

These Paediatrics and Child Health courses were established by the College of Medicine and Health to meet the demand for dynamic multidisciplinary healthcare models for treating children. They offer broad coverage of the scientific basis of childhood disease, the principles of evidence-based paediatric medicine, and focus on the various multidisciplinary assessment and treatment approaches within the field of paediatrics.

Paediatrics and Child Health Programme
The Paediatrics and Child Health programme is delivered entirely online and constitutes a suite of three courses providing postgraduate training in paediatrics to doctors in speciality training (GP or paediatric), nurses, and allied health professionals who wish to sub-specialise. We also believe that established professionals from multiple disciplines will benefit from this suite of courses as part of their Continued Professional Development (CPD).

The online PG Certificate consists of four modules worth 30 credits. Students who complete the Certificate may progress to the Diploma (additional four modules worth 30 credits) which builds on the knowledge base gained in the Certificate with an emphasis on research methods and reflective practice in childhood neurodisability, chronic disease and adolescent medicine. Upon completion of the Diploma, students may progress to the MSc, completing a 30-credit research dissertation. See the University Calendar (Paediatrics & Child Health - Online) for more information.

Year 1 - PG Certificate in Paediatrics and Child Health (30 credits)
Year 2 - PG Diploma in Paediatrics and Child Health (30 credits) (accumulated 60 credits)
Year 3 - MSc in Paediatrics and Child Health (30 credits) (accumulated 90 credits)

Course Practicalities
This Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatrics and Child Health is a part-time course run over one academic year (9 months). Students take taught modules to a total value of 30 credits, incorporating approximately 100 hours of structured contact time, provided via webinars or online (3 to 8 in-class days per month during term).

Most classes are held during the academic year via UCC's e-learning platform Canvas. Canvas will host asynchronous lectures, assignments, discussions, and course communications. There will also be synchronous components, such as live teaching sessions and workshops which will be delivered via the Microsoft Teams platform.

Why Choose This Course
Our Paediatrics and Child Health courses are designed for busy healthcare professionals, including those working full time, who want to learn flexibly. This is the only fully online postgraduate programme in child health in Ireland with University accreditation and includes the option to proceed to MSc level.

UCC has a strong tradition in the education of paediatricians, paediatric nurses and allied health professionals. The course team includes faculty members from a broad range of specialities including neonatology, paediatric emergency medicine, allergy, neuro-disability, neurology, endocrinology, and pulmonology.

Placement or Study Abroad Information
The UCC Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma and Masters in Paediatrics and Child Health will provide you with the skills and knowledge to apply for opportunities abroad.

There is no work placement in this programme, but candidates should ideally be working in clinical practice. However, while there are no placements within the course design, the faculty are available to advise regarding such opportunities within their professional experience.

Subjects taught

Postgraduate Certificate in Paediatrics and Child Health (30 credits)

Our Certificate course is designed to facilitate students with a wide range of background skills in paediatrics, who require a detailed understanding of core research methodologies, critical evaluation, evidence-based approaches, and the scientific basis of childhood disease.

PC6001 Newborn Health and Child Development (10 credits)
PC6002 The Febrile Child (5 credits)
PC6003 Evidence-Based Management of Common Paediatric Presentations (10 credits)
PC6004 Acute Injury in Children (5 credits)

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Entry requirements

1. A primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in a relevant health care discipline such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, speech and language, physiotherapy, and dietetics.

2. Ideally applicants should have at least one year's practical experience in their area of qualification.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more 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 dates

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC;
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Duration

1 year part-time, online.

Post Course Info

Skills and Careers Information
In today's competitive workforce, higher professional qualifications are an essential part of development and career advancement. We are confident that this Certificate in Paediatrics and Child Health will provide you with the skills and competencies required to confidently care for children in your respective field.