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Graduate Diploma Disability

GradDip (NFQ Level 9)

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

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The Graduate Diploma 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.

This one-year full-time 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. The Graduate Diploma is part of a pathways programme towards the MSc in Disability. Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma may be interested to continue their studies and acquire an MSc in Disability by taking an additional 30 credits of study. These credits are taken from a suite of disability-related modules specialising in education, health, law, psychology, public health and social policy.

The Graduate Diploma 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.

About This Course

  • 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

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
PSY40640 Advanced Disability Studies Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
PSY40890 Disability Policy Legislation Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
PSY40490 Person Centred Programme Development Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
PSY40540 Applied Research Methods Summer  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
PSY40870 Multielement Behaviour Support Summer  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
PSY40880 Identity Sexuality & Mortality Summer  10

Graduate Diploma Disability (W550) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 6900
nonEU    fee per year - € 15070

***Fees are subject to change
  • EU fees €6,735
  • Non EU fees €15,065

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.
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


General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Graduate Diploma Disability:

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W550
Graduate Diploma Disability
Graduate Diploma

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