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Professional Certificate Social Justice

ProfCert (NFQ Level 9)

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

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The programme is about understanding social injustice with a view to bringing about positive social change in the world we all inhabit. It is interdisciplinary and emphasises the relationship of theory to practice.
  • learning environment is student-centred and participatory
  • equip you will critical thinking, analytical and other skills you can bring to bear on any field of endeavour.
  • one of its kind in Europe and offers a unique opportunity to examine equality issues from a range of vantage points. 

The objective of the programme is to cultivate an appreciation of a set of equality issues of both national and international significance from one of the following fields of study: feminist theory and practice, the role of law in maintaining and challenging inequality, the sociological understanding of inequality, the economics of inequality, global justice, disability, sexuality, and racism and anti-racism. The programme is aimed at students who wish to enhance their professional development through the study of equality in a particular dimension, or who wish to become advocates or activists for equality in civil society or politics. The School adopts a student-centred approach that is carried through all aspects of the teaching and learning process. Teaching is dialogical and operates on the principle that students have much to bring to the learning experience, that students can learn from each other and that staff can learn from students. Assessment takes a variety of forms and is carefully designed to build students' knowledge and skills at the appropriate level. Extensive student feedback is sought for all modules and this is used to review and revise subsequent courses, assignments and assessments.

About This Course

  • Apply their knowledge and understanding of the component areas of Equality Studies to new, unfamiliar, multi-disciplinary contexts
  • Communicate their conclusions within the area of Equality Studies, and the knowledge and rationale underpinning these, to specialist and non-specialist audiences clearly and unambiguously
  • Demonstrate an ability to apply their knowledge to a range of equality issues, and to handle the complexities involved in the analysis of inequality and the development of equality-related policies
  • Demonstrate specialized, detailed and advanced theoretical and conceptual knowledge and understanding of the issues and theories that constitute their chosen area of study within the interdisciplinary field of Equality Studies
  • Develop and/or apply their ideas in the field of equality studies in an original way, through research as evidenced in a research paper prepared for assessment
  • Explain current debates and controversies animating their chosen field of study within equality studies

  • Our graduates work in every sector, including trade unions, non-governmental organisations, statutory agencies, the civil service, and journalism.

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:
Choose one module
EQUL40180 Sociology of Inequality Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one module
EQUL40310 Masculinities, Gender and Equality Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one module
GS40110 Gender, Sexuality, and the Body; The Politics of Belonging Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one module
EQUL40070 Human Rights Law and Equality Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of:
Choose one module
LAW42290 Gender, Conflict-related Harm & Transitional Justice Spring  10

Professional Certificate Social Justice (W217) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 1250
nonEU    fee per year - € 2510

***Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website

  • An appropriate level of academic and/or professional experience. 
  • A short statement of your interest in the programme: why you would like to receive an offer for a place on this programme and how it will contribute to your professional development. It could be useful to include a note of any relevant experience (e.g. voluntary or paid work in the community or public sector).
  • Names and contact details for two referees
  • Students who complete the Professional Certificate in Social Justice and who subsequently obtain a place on one of the Masters courses offered by the School where the module forms part of the course structure can apply to have the module recognized and the credits and result counted towards the Masters programme.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: No


We welcome applicants from a wide a range of backgrounds, with diverse experience and interests.Current students are of various nationalities and include recent graduates, community activists, educators, health care professionals, civil servants and journalists.


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Professional Certificate Social Justice:

ROWCLASS Apply to
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W217
Professional Certificate Social Justice
Professional Certificate

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Not available to International applicantsApply
* you can change options at the top of the page