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University Teaching & Learning

Cert CPD (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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Certificate of Continuing Professional Development (CPD),  University Teaching & Learning is a professional qualification in university teaching and learning. The Certificate of CPD is a one module programme offering faculty the opportunity to take an in service programme which runs for one semester only.
  • Taught by experienced academic staff
  • Research-informed and experiential approaches to developing your repertoire of teaching, learning and assessment strategies
  • Learn about creative approaches to teaching through discussion with your peers
  • Participants will engage in active, discursive and collaborative learning approaches. The emphasis is on critically reflecting on one’s own practice to plan, implement and review new teaching and learning initiatives in disciplinary contexts.

About This Course

By the end of the Certificate in Continuing Professional Development in University Teaching and Learning you will also be able to;


  • Reflect critically on an aspect of your teaching practice (e.g. assessment, curriculum design etc.) based on your choice of module

  • Explore new ideas and strategies in this area

  • Adapt new ideas and strategies to your teaching practice

  • Contribute to a portfolio of teaching practice

  • Approach teaching more creatively through discussion and collaboration with your peers

  • Evaluate and plan for future continuing professional development needs.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Select one module only.
UTL40180 Becoming a Better University Teacher Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Select one module only.
UTL40200 Designing Curricula Autumn  7.5
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Select one module only.
UTL40260 Leading in University T&L Autumn  7.5

Cert CPD University Teaching & Learning (U006) Part Time
EU/NONEU    fee per credit - € 110

CPD University Teaching & Learning (U007) Part Time
EU/NONEU    fee per credit - € 110

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website. For UCD faculty and staff enrolling to UTL programmes, the programme fee will be waived.

Entry to the Professional Certificate and the Certificate of Continuing Professional Development is open to faculty and academic related staff who are;

1) currently teaching in higher education (i.e. within a university or at NFQ level 7 or above).

2) in an active teaching role including design, delivery and assessment of modules

3) undertaking a significant teaching commitment, defined as a minimum of 2 hours teaching per week per semester or 48 hours over the course of the academic year.

Professional staff who teach as part of their brief and meet criteria 1, 2 and 3 above may apply for the programme and will be considered on a case by case basis.

Please note that the Professional Certificate and the Certificate of Continuing Professional Development are not suitable for tutors or postdoctoral and research fellows. UCD Teaching and Learning offers the module University Teaching and Learning for Tutors, Demonstrators and TAs (UTL40230) and the University Teaching & Learning Practice seminar series. In the exceptional circumstances where a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (level 2) is approved as module coordinator by Academic Council (or its relevant subcommittee) and has completed the Seminar Series for Post Doctoral Researcher Fellows they are eligible to apply to the programmes. It will be a requirement on the part of the applicant to present evidence to support these criteria.

The final decision on eligibility of all candidates will be made by the Board of Studies on the recommendation of the Programme Director

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. No


The Certificate of CPD (7.5 ECTS credits) in University Teaching and Learning is an in-service programme for those who are currently teaching in higher education (i.e NQF level 7 or above). It offers academics at different stages of their careers opportunities to review and improve their teaching skills and their understanding of approaches and theories in effective higher education.

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to University Teaching & Learning:

ROWCLASS Apply to   Application Type  
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt U006
University Teaching & Learning
Certificate of Continuing Professional Development
Part-Time
Commencing 2024/2025 September
Graduate Taught Closed
* you can change options at the top of the page