Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

The MSc in Disability one-year full-time programme is available to:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes

The MSc in Disability is a one-year full-time programme delivered by the UCD Centre for Disability Studies within the UCD School of Psychology. This programme is developed for all who have an interest in disability, including people with disabilities, family members and those working in the disability field. The programme exposes students to concepts of disability, evidence based disability practice, national and international disability policy and current developments in disability legislation. 

The MSc in Disability is developed for all who have an interest in matters of disability including individuals with disabilities, family members and professionals. The philosophy of the programme is to promote an inclusive society respecting the will and preference of persons with disability.

The programme comprises six mandatory modules which explore current and past concepts of disability, evidence-based disability practice, national and international disability policy and current developments in disability legislation. To promote a personalised learning experience, students select their remaining modules from a suite of sixteen disability-related modules specialising in education, health, law, psychology, public health and social policy.

The programme is delivered by academics, practitioners and experts by experience using a variety of approaches including expert tuition, small group interaction, peer support and autonomous student learning.  Assessment including essays, presentations, group-based work, and critical reflections. This programme runs across three trimesters, Autumn, Spring and Summer.

Programme Outcomes

• Integrate knowledge and understanding of the role of national and international disability legislation and policy.
• Appreciate the contribution of models of disability to historical, current and future conceptions of disability.
• Develop an intersectional understanding of disability.
• Promote the application of evidence-based practice and policy in supporting individuals with disability to exercise will and preference.
• Understand health, educational and therapeutic models and services for supporting identity, sexuality and mortality for individuals with a disability.
• Critically appraise and evaluate the validity of behaviour support models.
• Develop and critique education and training programmes within the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) national framework.
• Demonstrate an integrated knowledge and understanding of research evidence and apply critically in support of one’s argument.
• Demonstrate proficiency in post-graduate academic skills such as academic writing, critical thinking and reflection.

View All Modules Here

MSc Disability (W530) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 9310
nonEU    fee per year - € 21520

***Fees are subject to change

Candidates may apply for admission to the MSc in Disability if they meet the following criteria:

• A primary degree with a minimum 2.2 classification (second class honours , grade two) or International equivalent   
• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent.

Angela Locke-Reilly
2021 Graduate

Having taken a career break to be a carer to my son I had not been in an educational setting in many years and was apprehensive about returning, especially to such a prestigious university. My experience at UCD was such a breath of fresh air. I felt that the delivery of the course material was so inclusive and accommodating that I instantly felt at home there. Every lecture was brim full of information that I now use professionally as an advocate with Inclusion Ireland. It was such a privilege and a boon to my professional development to learn from sucha diverse and experienced group of lecturers. I plan to return at every opportunity to learn more.

The following entry routes are available: