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Innovation for Sustainability

ProfDip (NFQ Level 9)

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

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NOTICE: This programme is now at capacity! 🚨 We’re currently reviewing applications and managing a waiting list. Places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. If you'd like to keep up to date with future intakes and events for this programme, register your interest here https://bit.ly/3YcG3JD

This course is ideal for mid to senior managers across all sectors, wanting, or already with responsibility for sustainability within their team, department, organisation but without a background in innovation or sustainability.

The opportunity to work on real world projects gives a chance to up-skill and  incorporates relevant workplace projects. This course gives students the knowledge, skills and mindset to translate sustainability challenges into opportunities using innovation. It runs live online over eight months and students will gain a range of career skills including:
 

Key Highlights:


  • An introduction to key sustainability concepts, terms, models and policy within an Irish context;

  • Applied sustainability skills (Carbon Footprinting, Climate Adaptation Planning, Sustainability Reporting);

  • Innovation and Design Thinking;

  • Transversal skills: Creativity, teamwork, communications, learning agility;

  • A capstone two and a half month Innovation for Sustainability project in the workplace/community.

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A key focus of this programme is to enable students to help organisations (enterprise and non-profit) integrate sustainability into their strategy, operations and governance, ensuring that sustainability will be grounded as a source of innovation for organisations driving social and economic change.

For example, the module Sustainability: Human Drivers of Innovation looks at the societal drivers for sustainability. Students will learn about the changes in policy, EU regulation and societal values that are requiring organisations to respond to calls to act on climate change, gender equality, diversity, poverty, and other issues. Through the programme students will learn to apply design thinking methodology to sustainability, to achieve innovation in products, processes and behaviour-changes.

Students will gain a holistic view of sustainability which includes the three pillars People, Planet, and Prosperity – to innovate in organisations and enable sustainable development.

About This Course

By the end of the Professional Diploma in Innovation for Sustainability, you will:


  • Know key sustainability concepts, terms, models and policy within an Irish context;

  • Know applied green skills including Carbon Footprinting, Climate Adaptation Planning, Sustainability Reporting;

  • Put Innovation and Design Thinking into practice;

  • Develop transversal skills including creativity, teamwork, communications, learning agility;

  • Gain an innovator’s mindset;

  • Build creative confidence via practical challenges;

  • Build your CV with a substantial innovation project module;

  • 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.

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
IA40430 Creative Thinking & Innovation Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
IA40710 Sustainability: Innovation for Sustainability Solutions Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
IA40720 Sustainability: Human Drivers of Innovation Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
IA40730 Sustainability: Environmental Drivers of Innovation Autumn&Spring&Summer(separate)  5

This is a Level 9 Professional Diploma (20 ECTS)



 

ProfDip Innovation for Sustainability (F251) Part Time
EU/NONEU    fee per year - € 2600

***Fees are subject to change

€2,600 (EU) €2,600 (Non-EU) 

This programme is funded through the Higher Education Authority Springboard+ Initiative, with 90 – 100% funding available to eligible applicants. You can apply for Springboard funding here. See the Springboard eligibility criteria here.


  • FREE for eligible jobseekers receiving 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

The deadline for applications is 12pm 19th January 2024. 

This course is open for applications through the HEA Springboard+ website. Visit the How To Apply section below to begin your application. If you require more information, please register your interest on our website and we will be in contact with you shortly.

Applications will be reviewed and places offered on a rolling basis until the course is full.

Below is a summary of the application procedures and funding eligibility for this course. These are subject to change. 

The full document requirements are on Springboard+. Please read them carefully. 

Initial supporting documents

You will need to upload some supporting documents as part of your application:

  1. Current CV and Letter of Motivation.
  2. A copy of your academic transcript to show that you have a minimum of an Undergraduate Honours Bachelor's Degree (NFQ Level 8). If you previously studied at UCD, please provide your UCD student number on a Word document/PDF
  3. Applicants who do not have a level 8 qualification can apply through Recognition of Prior Learning.

Under UCD's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy, consideration will be given on a case by case basis to applicants who do not hold a Level 8 primary degree (Honours Bachelor's Degree) but who fulfil either of the following criteria:

Holding a Level 7 primary degree (Pass/Ordinary Bachelor's Degree): upload your academic transcript of your Level 7 and demonstrate min. 2 years work experience on your CV. Professional references may be required.

No Level 7/8 degree: min. 5 years work experience and 2 recently dated professional/employment references required. These should be on headed paper or from an official email address and including the referees name, role and email address. 

Please review your CV to ensure that it clearly demonstrates the following: 

a. Any experience of leadership and self-direction; 

b. Any experience of management or entrepreneurship; 

c. A description of any responsibilities that demonstrate accountability, resource management, or client engagement (if applicable).

If English is not your first language an English language qualification is required. Click HERE for full English Language Requirements for UCD.

Concluding steps:

Following provisional offers, UCD Innovation Academy will request evidence of eligibility in respect of holding a valid PPSN; Nationality; Current Residency; 3 of 5 Years EU/EEA residency; and current Employment Status between six weeks and two weeks from the stated course start date. It is only at this point that eligibility for funding through the HEA Springboard initiative can be ascertained. 

Visit our FAQs here

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


This course is ideal for mid to senior managers across all sectors, wanting, or already with responsibility for sustainability within their team/department/organisation but without a background in innovation or sustainability.



You might be:




  • Working in a large corporate or an SME

  • Making the leap into leadership

  • Unemployed or formerly self-employed

  • A carer or returner to work

  • A career changer


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

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F251
Innovation for Sustainability
Professional Diploma

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