ProfDip Creativity, Innovation & Leadership

Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 20)

The most successful leaders are those who adapt and respond well to change. In an era of polycrises, alongside advancing technology, AI, automation and continued disruption, organisations are looking for agile and creative leaders to drive innovation.

This course will help you master the mindset, skills, and tools to become an intrapreneur and to cultivate an innovative environment within your organisation. You’ll develop the skills to influence others and harness the energy of a team to solve challenges together. And you’ll apply these skills to a real innovation project – for your organisation or a community project of your own – for an outstanding upgrade to your CV.

Wherever you are in your career, this professional diploma course will reignite your spark and give you the confidence to present your ideas and lead from the front. It is expected that all participants will make progress in their career. 

This exceptional learning experience will open your mind to a more creative and innovative way of thinking. By the end, you’ll be ready to take the lead for intrapreneurship within your organisation, in your current role or the next.

Curricular information is subject to change


Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

This course is perfect for anyone looking for their next step in their career. You’ll learn the skills and confidence to become an innovation champion and take your career to the next level.

You might be:

  • A career changer
  • A public sector leader or aspiring leader
  • Working in a large corporate or an SME
  • Making the leap into leadership
  • Unemployed or formerly self-employed
  • A carer or returner to work

UCD Innovation Academy provides transformational educational experiences for the betterment of society and the economy. We prepare learners from all walks of life to succeed in an uncertain world. We work with higher education, enterprise and the public sector, national and international, to equip learners with the mindset, tools and skills to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. We act as a catalyst for positive change, within individuals, institutions and societies.

Our approach to teaching and learning - the “IA way" is underpinned by innovation, creativity, leadership, entrepreneurial thinking and design thinking. Our unique 21st century learning pedagogy centres on experiential, challenge based learning in interdisciplinary groups. By providing learners with the tools, the skills and the mindset to enable innovation, we help people and organisations unlock their true potential.

By the end of the Professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership, you will

  • Gain an innovator’s mindset.

  • Build creative confidence via practical challenges.

  • Build your CV with a substantial innovation project module.

  • Develop your leadership skills to engage others.

  • Build a peer network of friends, contacts and collaborators.

  • Leave ready to apply your new skills to progress your career.

  • Have a Level 9 qualification from UCD.

€2,600 (EU) or €2,600 (Non-EU)

100% or 90% funding available for eligible applicants through the HEA Springboard+ Initiative.

See https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility for eligibility criteria or speak to a recruitment advisor at innovation.academy@ucd.ie

  • FREE for eligible jobseekers: those who have received eligible DEASP Payments.
  • FREE for returners to work and carers.
  • 90% subsidised (student pays €260) eligible individuals in employment or self-employment, and formerly self-employed.

This is a level 9 Professional Diploma (20 ECTS)

“The diploma course gave me the courage to be a leader. It helped me climb over the huge barriers I had created against myself.” – Lisa Finlay, Senior Learning & Development and Innovation Specialist, William Fry, Programme Alumna.

“I love design thinking. It’s that simple. And for this, I am so pleased I was able to persuade my senior leadership to make it part of what I do. That was the leadership influencing I learned on this Prof. Dip. coming into play – to be able to sell my vision of what bringing design thinking and innovation frameworks into the organization could be.” – Tracy Mooney, Senior Manger LinkedIn, Programme Alumna.

“The programme provided me with the mindset shift I needed at just the right moment in my career.”  - Vinny Lanigan, Irish Defence Forces and Former Public Sector Innovation Network, Programme Alumni.

 

The following entry routes are available:

Prof Diploma Creativity, Innovation & Leadership Sept PT (F215)
Duration
1 Years
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised

100% or 90% funding available for eligible applicants through the HEA Springboard+ Initiative

Apply Here on Springboard

If you have any questions or would like to speak with a member of the Innovation Academy team, email us at innovation.academy@ucd.ie. We'd be happy to support you starting your education journey.