Explore UCD

UCD Home >

Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Trials Part-time

GradCert (NFQ Level 9)

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

Contact Us

The Graduate Certificate in Clinical Trials aims to develop employment ready experts, who will implement clinical research programmes to the highest ethical, regulatory and scientific standards. Our graduates will be industry ready, internationally mobile and adequately skilled to pursue successful clinical research careers. Students are taught and assessed by experts from the Clinical Research Centre, ensuring students have the opportunity to develop employment relevant knowledge and skills.
The online learning environment allows you to study in your own location, while providing you with constant access to the tutors at the UCD Clinical Research Centre through discussion forums and regular email contact.

 

On successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Clinical ReSearch students will be able to

  • Understand the key activities to be undertaken to ensure successful clinical trial initiation and management.
  • Comprehend clinical trial regulations and appreciate the importance, practical use and evolution of these regulations.
  • Participate in programmes of clinical research that comply with the highest national and international legal, regulatory and scientific standards.
  • Be familiar with the documents required to be compiled for an ethics & regulatory clinical trial application & appreciate the importance of quality systems and SOPS.
  • Appraise, evaluate and enhance clinical research protocols, ensuring the highest quality research outputs.
  • Possess excellent communication and presentation skills, appropriate to the multidisciplinary clinical research environment.
  • Collaborate with patients, academic partners and industry to complete clinical research programmes.
  • Commit to continuous lifelong learning and further diffusion of their clinical research expertise.

About This Course

A large number of graduates have sent in feed back on progression in their careers since completing this course, many are in pharma research. This course is a great way of upskilling within your job or if you wish to move into a new area of clinical trials. This innovative training programme is delivered entirely online where the class room comes to you, you can progress through the course at a pace that fits in with your work and other commitments.

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 Core Modules
MDCS41970 Clinical Trial Mgt Online Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
MDCS41980 Clinical Trials Online Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
MDCS41990 Biostatistics&Data Mgt Online Spring  10

"The Online component meant that I could work the material and learning around my schedule which made everything so much more manageable. It's a must-do for anyone doing or planning to do clinical research"

Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Trials Part-time (X787) Part Time
EU/NONEU    fee per year - € 4540

***Fees are subject to change

  • Applicants must possess an honours bachelors degree  (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) in any Science, Health Science, or a related discipline.
  • Applicants will be assessed for entry to the programme based on undergraduate performance and final degree award.
  • Subject to availability, consideration will be given to graduates of non- science degrees who have subsequent postgraduate experience.
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: Yes



  • Applicants must possess a level 8 degree or equivalent in any Science, Health Science, or a related discipline.

  • Applicants will be assessed for entry to the programme based on undergraduate performance and final degree award.

  • Subject to availability, consideration will be given to graduates of non- science degrees who have subsequent postgraduate experience.

General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Trials Part-time:

ROWCLASS Apply to
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
X787
Online Graduate Certificate in Clinical Trials Part-time
Graduate Certificate

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
* you can change options at the top of the page