Programme Overview:
- Duration:
- 9 Months
- Attendance:
- Part Time
- Mode of Delivery:
- Online
- Next Intake:
- 2024/2025 September
- Contact Name:
- Contact Number:
- Fees:
- Fee Information
When: 19:30 on Thursdays,
Course Duration: Autumn-Spring 2-Trimesters (September intake)
Location: Online via Zoom
Dermatological (skin and hair) issues comprise up to 25% of a General Practitioner’s workload, however dermatology remains poorly represented in both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
The Professional Certificate in Clinical Dermatology High Yield 2 (NFQ Level 9, 10 credits) is fully-online (September to May) and focuses on common dermatological conditions presenting to primary care. The programme consists of approx. 20-hours of consultant delivered teaching. Four lecture blocks, covering a comprehensive knowledge -base of clinical dermatology incorporating neutrophilic dermatoses, chronic pruritus and skin of the elderly, vasculitis and lichenoid eruptions.
Participants will develop a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of common dermatological diseases and enhance their knowledge of the scientific basis of clinical dermatology. They will also develop an understanding of the impact of dermatological conditions, referral pathways and management.
Lectures will be delivered by approximately 25 of Ireland top Specialist Registered Consultant Dermatologists, in addition to an introductory skin biology lecture by Institute Director Professor Tobin.
Webinars are interactive, with a Question & Answer session after each live webinar, to allow students to further delve into the clinical aspects of disease.
Each consultant led lecture will be followed by a brief .clinical pearls. session, delivered by a dermatology registrar in training.
Course Features:
Minimum IT Requirements:
Enrolled students will have to meet the minimum IT requirements for Zoom as well as ensuring they have prepared their laptop/PC before taking an online assessment. Students will also need an integrated webcam and microphone on the device they will be using to take the exam for e-proctoring purposes.
Preparing your PC or Laptop for Online Assessment
This programme leads to a University award of a Professional Certificate in Clinical Dermatology, worth 10 ECTS, and graduates are free to use both the award and their official transcript as evidence of CPD / CME activity as part of their professional body annual or biennial returns. As this is a full university programme, leading to an award, we do not separately apply for CPD / CME points from professional bodies. The course will consist of 20 hours of webinar-based interactive teaching and 250 hours of autonomous student learning.
Clinical Masterclass (Optional) Students who are selected (on a first come, first served basis) for the one-day Clinical Masterclass (which is non-credit-bearing) at the end of course will have the opportunity to observe real-life patients with common dermatology conditions.
Curricular information is subject to change
Part Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants currently residing outside of the EEA Region. Yes
Students must have been awarded a Medical Degree from a recognised Irish/EU or international Medical School.Applicants must also meet UCD’s English Language Requirements. We may accept a degree that was completed in English as proof of language proficiency. We will also accept proof of IMC registration, proof of MCRP I & MCRP II completion from students as proof of english language proficiency. Please Note: Podiatry is not accepted as proof of medical degree
This Professional Certificate-level course covers all aspects of clinical dermatology, with a comprehensive lecture schedule delivered by expert Consultant Dermatologists. Lectures will be delivered through an interactive webinar series and organised into relevant blocks. The course will consist of 20 hours of webinar-based interactive teaching and 250 hours of autonomous student learning.
Lecture topics covered include*:
Trimester 1 (September to December) : Precise order subject to change
● Other papulosquamous
● Vulvar dermatology
● Vasculitis
● Drug rash
● Immunobullous
● Lichenoid eruptions
● Neo-natal eruptions and vascular birthmarks
Trimester 2 (January- May) : Precise order subject to change
● Neutrophilic dermatoses
● Photobiology & Photodermatology
● Skin of colour
● Psychodermatology
● Chronic pruritus and skin of the elderly
● Cutaneous manifestations of systemic disease
● Cutaneous manifestations of internal malignancy
● Nurse treatment
*Precise order and topics in curriculum are subject to change.
A short revision period follows at end of each trimester, which culminates with online MCQ assessments.
Students who are selected (on a first come, first served basis) for the one-day Clinical Masterclass (which is non-credit-bearing) at the end of course will have the opportunity to observe real-life patients with common dermatology conditions at the end of course.
All aspects of the course delivery that are credit-bearing are online, via webinars broadcasted via Adobe Connect on Thursdays at 19:30 Irish Standard Time (typically). As this is an interactive course with a Q & A session at the end of each live-streamed lecture, we strongly suggest that students attend the live sessions. However, webinars will also be available for playback (during trimester period it was delivered in) unless otherwise specified.
For further course information at dermatologyeducation.charles@ucd.ie
Academic Course Director: Professor Desmond J Tobin, Charles Institute of Dermatology, UCD School of Medicine, UCD, Belfield, Dublin, Ireland.
Module Coordinator: Dr Rosalind Hughes, St Vincent's Hospital & Blackrock Clinic, Dublin, Ireland.
There will be two online case-based scenario MCQ exams, one held at the end of each trimester, which will present various clinical based scenarios, to facilitate problem-solving, critical analysis and evidence-based care. The exams will be e-proctored to ensure academic robustness.. Students will need a device with integrated webcam and microphone, which meets the e-proctoring software minimum system requirements for invigilation purposes.
This course is set at Level 9 National Framework Qualification and is a 10-credit award.
ProfCert High Yield Dermatology (X992) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 1680
nonEU fee per year - € 2750
***Fees are subject to change
ProfCert High Yield Dermatology 2 (X992) Part Time
EU fee per year - € 1600
nonEU fee per year - € 2620
***Fees are subject to change
For information on current course fees, please see the University Fees Office website
Ali Alsharqi Consultant Dermatologist, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin
Julianne Clowry Dermatology Specialist Registrar, St. James’s Hospital, Dublin and Trinity College Dublin
Karen Eustace Consultant Dermatologist, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin
Catherine Foley Consultancy Dermatologist, Beacon Hospital, Dublin
Rosalind Hughes Consultant Dermatologist, St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin, and University College Dublin
Trevor Markham Consultant Dermatologist, University Hospital Galway and National University of Ireland, Galway
Ian McDonald Consultant Dermatologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, and University College Dublin
Fergal Moloney Consultant Dermatologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, and University College Dublin
Susan O'Gorman Consultant Dermatologist, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, and Trinity College Dublin
Nicola Ralph Consultant Dermatologist, Institute of Dermatologists®, Dublin, and University College Dublin
Aisling Ryan Consultant Dermatologist, St Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin and University College Dublin
Eoin Storan Consultant Dermatologist, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Dublin, and University College Dublin
Anne Marie Tobin Consultant Dermatologist Tallaght University Hospital, Clinical Associate Professor Trinity College Dublin
Enrolled students will have to meet the minimum IT requirements for Zoom as well as ensuring they have prepared their laptop/PC before taking an online assessment. Students will also need an integrated webcam and microphone on the device they will be using to take the exam for e-proctoring purposes.
Zoom System Requirements
Preparing your PC or Laptop for Online Assessment
The following entry routes are available:
* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised
Applicants can apply online here. If you are applying to UCD for the first time you must register an account. Returning applicants may sign into an existing account. Once logged in, to find our course go to ‘Course Finder’ and search for Clinical Dermatology and then apply.
Please note: Places are subject to availability and a strict closing date.
A detailed, step-by step guide to the online application process is available here.
Q.Is this Professional Certificate equivalent to diploma or masters?
A.No, this is a special purpose award which is on Level 9 NFQ worth 10-credits, whereas a higher diploma and masters programmes usually range from 90 credits, to 90-120 credits respectively and have more contact hours and a higher workload- Please see here for more information:
https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/taughtprogrammes/degreetypes/
Q.What is the difference between this award (Prof.Cert) and a Graduate Certificate qualification?
A.Graduate Certificate is a minor award on Level 9 NFQ and has a credit range of between 30-40 credits, whereas this is a special purpose award worth 10-credits in total.
Q.What are career pathways available to me after obtaining a Professional Certificate in Clinical Dermatology?
A.None that are automatic for this course .The course is primarily designed to inform GPs, but may be also useful for those who have an interest in entering dermatology training, if qualified to do so. This course does not qualify graduates to do so on its own as it is a dermatology education course. No comment can be made on whether this would help career prospects for those interested in entering dermatology training, following graduation from this course.
Q. Is there any exposure/ lecture time spent on surgical techniques e,g dermoscopy, punch biopsies etc.
A.There are no surgery elements dealt with in course content, as the content delivered is educational-based, with such techniques beyond the remit of the course.
Q. How many ECTS is this course worth and what is the total credit hours/student effort time?
A It is worth 10 ECTS and is equivalent to approx. 250 hours of total student effort hours.
Q. How many hours of lectures are there in total?
A There are 28 hours of lectures, 14 in Trimester 1 and 14 in Trimester. Lectures take place once a week, on Thursday evenings at 19:30 Irish Time.
Q.Is this course eligible for CPD points?-
A This programme leads to a University award of a Professional Certificate in Clinical Dermatology, worth 10 ECTS, and graduates are free to use both the award and their official transcript as evidence of CPD / CME activity as part of their professional body annual or biennial returns. As this is a full university programme, leading to an award, we do not separately apply for CPD / CME points from professional; bodies". ( From Associate Dean of Graduate Studies)
Q. Is this an internationally recognized postgraduate credential?
A.University College Dublin is a recognised awarding body, meaning the University has the authority to make awards in accordance with the National Framework of Qualifications. UCD courses are quality assured and are subject to periodic reviews of effectiveness of quality assurance procedures by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). UCD qualifications are recognised both nationally and internationally. In addition, UCD has strong global connections since it is a member of several international networks and collaborations within research and education.The Professional Certificate in Clinical Dermatology is a 10-credit Level 9 NFQ award.
Q. Can I get a post-nominal academic title; post-nominal letters beside my name following qualification?
A.There are no formally assigned post-nominals for specified purpose awards. If you are successful in gaining this award, you may put ‘Prof. Cert ‘ and name of programme after your name or in brackets.
Q. Can I continue with a dermatology diploma after I'm done with the certificate?
A.TBA
Q. Are there any scholarship funding opportunities available to me?
A. As this is an online course and part-time, it is not subject to scholarship funding.
Q How many students have completed the course to date
A.To date over 300 students have completed the course (correct as of January 2023)
Q. Am I eligible to take this course?
A. Applicants must have a Medical Degree from a recognised Irish or International Medical School (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent). Applicants must also meet UCD’s English Language Requirements. We may accept a degree that was completed in English as proof of language proficiency. We will also accept proof of IMC registration, proof of MCRP I & MCRP II completion from students as proof of english language proficiency. Please Note: Podiatry is not accepted as proof of medical degree.
Q. Do I have to pay the application fee?
A.In most cases, yes. Please see here for exemptions.
Q. Am I eligible for EU Fees?
A We cannot comment on EU Fee eligibility, each application is considered on a case-by-case basis: Please see here for EU Fee Assessment: https://www.ucd.ie/students/fees/eufeeassessment/
There is option that allows you to take Fee Assessment eligibility reckoner which can help determine whether you are eligible Note: Students who have submitted an application will then have to make an official online application to be considered for EU Fees
Q. What do I need to provide in terms of document verification?
A.Please see here.
Q. If I obtain award, am I eligible to prescribe roaccutane as a GP?
A No, as this course is an educational one and is not associated with any form of clinical training/competence scheme.',
For Application Process FAQ, please seee here- https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/studywithus/applicationprocess/applicationfaq/
https://www.ucd.ie/graduatestudies/researchstudenthub/newgraduatestudents/