| Code | CLAN |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year or 2 years |
| Teaching Mode | Part-Time |
| Qualifications | Cert |
| NFQ Level | Level 6 |
| NFQ Award Title | Special Purpose |
| Fees | 鈧�700 if taken over 1 year; 鈧�350 per year if taken over 2 years See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| Closing Date | Round One: 26 June 2026 |
| Next Intake | September 2026 |
| Venue | UCC Campus |
| Start Date | September 2026 |
Course Outline
The programme is designed to appeal to three main groups of students
1. Post-Leaving Certificate Students
Who, in advance of embarking on their chosen degree programme, wish to gain a stand-alone qualification in languages, which will, for example, provide them with the language skills needed to exploit to the full the opportunities for Erasmus mobility in their degree programme: language skills and the maturity and independence acquired through study abroad are recognised by prospective employers as an important part of the educational experience
2. Mature Students
Who wish to improve existing language skills and/or learn new languages for personal development or career reasons
3. Students currently registered on UCC degree programmes
You may apply for permission to take the certificate over two academic years, as an additional 10 credits per academic year (i.e. one language per year).
CREDITS
Students take 20 credits as follows (10 credits each from two languages):
CHINESE
CH1001 Chinese Language (Mandarin) 1 (10 credits)
CH2001 Chinese Language (Mandarin) 2 (10 credits)
CH3000 Chinese Language (Mandarin) 3 (10 credits)
FRENCH
FR0105 Introduction to French: Complete Beginners (5 credits) and FR1005 French for near Beginners (5 credits)
FR1101 Foundation Course in Written and Oral French (10 credits)
FR1105 Threshold French (5 credits) and FR1107 French for Reading Purposes I (5 credits)
FR2101 Advanced French Language I (10 credits)
FR2105 Towards Vantage French (5 credits) and FR2107 French for Reading Purposes II (5 credits)
FR4101 Advanced Use of French (10 credits)
GERMAN
GE1101 Integrated Language Course (10 credits)
GE1103 Integrated Written and Oral Language Course for Beginners (10 credits)
GE2101 Integrated Language Course (10 credits)
GE2801 Integrated Language Course (10 credits)
GE3101 Advanced Integrated Language Course (10 credits)
GE3901 Advanced Integrated Language Course (10 credits)
ITALIAN
IT1101 Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
IT1109 Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
IT2101 Intermediate Italian Language (10 credits)
IT3101 Advanced Italian Language (10 credits)
HISPANIC STUDIES
PORTUGUESE
PU1101 Portuguese Beginners Language (10 credits)
SPANISH
HS0028 Spanish Language (Beginner Level) (10 credits)
HS0128 Spanish Improvers (10 credits)
HS1102 First Year Spanish Language for Non-Beginners (10 credits)
HS2101 Second year Spanish Language Course (Ex-Beginners) (10 credits)
HS2102 Second Year Spanish Language Course (Ex non-Beginners) (10 credits)
HS3001 Final Year Spanish Language (10 credits)
Course Queries
For Academic Queries and Course Content Queries please contact the Programme Coordinator Margot Spencer at m.spencer@ucc.ie.
For Online Application Support please click here.
If you require further assistance with your online application please contact the Programme Administrator Deborah Kerrisk at deborah.kerrisk@ucc.ie.
Course Practicalities
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- read texts at an appropriate level in each of the languages studied and perform tasks based on their comprehension
- communicate in writing at an appropriate level and in a range of registers in each of the languages studied
- perform tasks based on aural comprehension at an appropriate level in each of the languages studied
- communicate orally at an appropriate level and in a range of registers in each of the languages studied
- demonstrate awareness of aspects of non-linguistic communication relevant to each of the languages studied
Why Choose This Course
The programme will broaden participants’ horizons by allowing them to engage with different cultures. It will also prepare them to play their part in the national strategy to up-skill the work force, with specific reference to the need for the linguistic skills which will contribute to export-driven economic recovery, and which are a specific regional skills requirement for the expanding Global Shared Services sector.
Requirements
- Applicants must have a minimum Grade HC3 in two subjects and passes in four other subjects at H or O level in the Leaving Certificate from Irish, English, another language and three other subjects recognised for entry purposes.
- Those who will be 23 years of age on or before 1st January of the year of proposed entry may be recommended for entry on the grounds of mature years even if they do not meet the entry requirements specified above.
- Students who are registered in Universities outside Ireland may apply for admission to this programme provided they meet equivalent entry requirements.
Fees and Costs
Programme Fee: €700 if taken over 1 year; €350 per year if taken over 2 years
- Applicants pay 50% (€350) on application.
- This fee is fully refundable if the programme does not run or you are not offered a place on the programme
- The remaining 50% programme fee is due by 31 Jan.
For further information on fees and financial supports please click here.
How To Apply
Applications are accepted in two rounds.
- Round 1 closes on 26 June and Round 2 closes on 28 August.
- If all places are filled by eligible applicants by the Round 1 deadline, the programme will not open for Round 2.
- For round 2, applications will remain open until the final deadline or until all places are filled, whichever occurs first. Early application is strongly advised.
Before you apply, please prepare the following items which you will need during your application:
- Proof of Identity (Birth Cert, Passport or Driver's Licence)
- Passport-style Photograph
- English Language Test Report (if applicable)
- Supporting documentation if required for RPL
- Programme fee
Create an account or login to UCC Apply (click the 'Apply' button below).
- Start a new application
- WHEN ASKED FOR APPLICATION TYPE - YOU MUST CHOOSE: ADULT & CONTINUING EDUCATION
- During the application on the tab titled Academic Level, under Level Selection, select the following options:
- Academic Level: Adult Continuing Education (ACE at UCC)
- Course Type: ACE Part-time Courses
- Academic Programme: Languages - Certificate - UCC
A step-by-step visual application guide for this specific programme is available – please email the Programme Coordinator. You can view a general application guide for all part-time programmes here: /en/ace/helphub/