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Design Thinking for Sustainability

GradDip (NFQ Level 9)

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

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The world of work is changing faster than ever before. Climate change is increasingly driving this rapid transformation across all sectors. No matter where you see your future, employers of all sizes and in all sectors want agile employees who are creative, collaborative and innovative and who can combine these attributes with a ‘Sustainability Mindset’. This UCD graduate programme has been developed in collaboration with industry, and it enables you to develop the skills and knowledge to lead change, embed sustainability and make a real impact. HCI Pillar 1 courses are designed to provide specialisation and conversion courses for graduates to ensure that they have the skills most needed by employers today. They are open to all, regardless of employment status.

Click HERE for more information about the Graduate Diploma in Design Thinking for Sustainability. 

INFORMATION EVENTS:

14 August: In Person Taster Morning 10am -12pm

Register for our in-person Taster Morning on Wednesday, August 14th, from 10 AM to 12 PM in the Shackleton Lounge at UCD. Enjoy a bite-sized introduction to our full-time Level 9 program. Discover the course structure, learning outcomes, available funding options (up to 100%), and see if this course aligns with your career goals.

Register Here

About This Course

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
 IA40350 Innovation Sprint Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IA40470 Entrepreneurship: Application and Mindset Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IA40610 Design for User-Centric, Sustainable Solutions Autumn and Spring (separate)  20
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IA40620 Systemic Approaches, Interdisciplinary Solutions Autumn and Spring (separate)  15
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IA40340 Leadership for Innovation and Creativity (OL) Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IA40430 Creative Thinking & Innovation Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
 IA40460 Design your Purposeful Life Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  5

This course was life-changing for me. I was a change maker before doing small things when it comes to sustainability, but this course has given me the connections and the skills to do bigger things and have the impact I want - Ciara O'Flaherty, '22/23 student 

It's fun, challenging and got me out of my comfort zone. I've seen myself grow in many ways, and I couldn't recommend the course more highly" - Richie Denieffe, '22/23 student

It was a fantastic experience. I came into this course feeling a bit lost, not quite sure what direction to go in, but now I feel so confident going into a job in the industry, in sustainability" - Lucy Shah, '22/23 student

GradDip Design Thinking for Sustainability (F189) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 8000
nonEU    fee per year - € 16000

***Fees are subject to change

€6,500 (EU) or €13,500(Non-EU)

Human Capital Initiative Funding

This course is supported by the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 1 Funding which is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Social Fund.

This fee is 100% or 90% funded for eligible applicants through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 1.

This course is:

FREE for eligible jobseekers: those who have received eligible DEASP Payments for 9 of the previous 12 months. 

FREE for returners to work and carers. 

90% subsidised (student pays €650) for recent graduates, eligible individuals in employment or self-employment, and the formerly self-employed. 

See springboardcourses.ie/eligibility for full eligibility criteria.

 

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.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes


This postgraduate conversion course is designed for recent graduates as well as early and mid-career professionals who want to start or transition into a career in the area of sustainability. It is open to participants with both technical and non-technical backgrounds. The class is likely to include a diverse range of participants, coming from science and engineering as well as business, the humanities and more – bringing a multidisciplinary, multi-sectoral approach to the complex challenges of sustainability.



You might be:





  • A recent graduate




  • Changing focus part way through your career




  • Recently been made redundant 




  • Unemployed or formerly self-employed




  • A carer or returner to work





Full Time option suitable for:



Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

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


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Design Thinking for Sustainability:

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Currently, there are no forthcoming intakes for this course that are open for application
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