Adults returning to education have so much to offer in terms of the life experience and knowledge that they bring to university but they can sometimes be at a loss as to where to begin. The following are some of the questions that people making enquiries about our Continuing Education certificate and degree courses often ask.
- Do I need a Leaving Cert.? NO
- Am I too old? NO
- Am I too long out of education? NO
- Are there Exams? NO
- Will I get Study Support? Yes.
- How old do I have to be to take part in one of your Part-Time courses as a mature student? For PART-TIME courses only you must be 21 years of age on 1 January in the year that you are beginning the course.
- Do I have to Fill out the CAO? Only for the BA in Local Studies or the BA in Community Studies but you don’t need to worry about points or exams, you just need to fill out the short personal statement and that’s all.
- What is Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)? RPL is a process whereby learning that people have acquired over their lifetime can be taken into consideration for the award of the BA Local Studies/Community Studies. This can be from previous courses from FETAC Level 6 upwards or from life experience.
- Will I get a grant? Part-time study does not qualify people for a SUSI grant however the Dept. of Education and Skills have recognised that there are costs associated with Adults returning to education and taking part-time courses. Therefore, they have made some financial supports available to help off-set the costs of travel, childcare, materials, bills etc. Once a student is fully registered they can make an application to the Student Budgeting Service in MU and their application will be dealt with on a case by case basis. MH803 students can also apply for the 1916 Bursary and the Uversity Bursary.
- For more information about any of these or other questions you may have ring Kay Loughlin on 01 708 6062 or Derek Barter on 01 708 3948 and we will be happy to help you.
The aim of this course is to provide participants with a broad overview of key theoretical frameworks in relation to substance misuse and dependence, and to enable them to develop basic helping and intervention skills. Relevant to Garda, Teachers, Health Care Professionals, Social Workers and Community Workers as well as the general public. This course focuses on introducing participants to current debates on addiction. On completion, participants will have become familiar with contemporary addiction theory as well as prevention and treatment strategies. They will have explored associated issues such as public policy, factual information on substance misuse, gender issues and community drug prevention issues to name but a few. The course will provide participants with adequate knowledge and skills to respond effectively and positively to addiction-related issues as they arise at work or in the community.
The Certificate in Addiction Studies is available in the following locations:
Bluebell/Inchicore Start Date: 5th October 2022 Wednesdays 6.00-9.00
Maynooth University Start Date: 4th October 2022 Tuesdays 7.00-10.00
Other Venues to be announced shortly.
Certificate in Addiction Studies
Student Assistance Fund please apply here
Adult education is a transformative and powerful tool for change. Impacting positively on the lives of those who participate, their wider communities and society as a whole, adult education provides a platform for radical and progressive thinking. The Certificate in Adult and Community Education, delivered by experienced and dedicated tutors, introduces research based teaching and learning methods which will provide students with both the knowledge and practical skills required to work with adults across a range of settings. The course provides an excellent foundation for those considering a change in career towards adult teaching or for people employed in sectors where communication with adults in a learning environment is required such as libraries, galleries, museums, etc., or educational settings for rehabilitation and recovery.
Start Date: Monday 3rd Oct 2022: 6.30-9.30pm
The NUI Certificate is a standalone qualification however however it can be combined with the NUI (On Line) and another of our certificate courses such as ; ; or whereby it forms part of the Diploma in Arts: Training and Development for Socially Inclusive Workplaces. To find out more about our CPD courses please visit:
Certificate in Addiction Studies
Every year a number of students from this course successfully progress onto the BA Community Studies (MH803) carrying with them the credits that they have accumulated on this level 8 course as Recognition of Prior Learning.
For further information please e-mail kay.loughlin@mu.ie
Apply Here
Student Assistance Fund apply here
Certificate Adult Guidance Theory and Practice (Level 8)
The course will begin to address the needs of those working in a guidance capacity with adult learners, unemployed and disadvantaged adults and those exploring career option
It will introduce people to models of labour market educational guidance and will begin to explore the theoretical principles which underpin good guidance.
Certificate in Adult Guidance Theory and Practice
Please note our application process will open mid April 2022 for intake in October 2022. For course information contact Maggie Noone at maggie.noone@mu.ie or email adultguidancecourses@mu.ie to discuss your application.
Application Process will re-open in April 2022.
This course will give participants a practical grounding in the writing of fiction and creative non-fiction for publication. The course allows students to work with professional writers who will act in a mentoring capacity. The practical emphasis will help students to progress towards producing work of publishable standard and marketing it. The development of critiquing and editing skills are essential for creative writing. Student interaction and engagement with each other’s work guided by experienced writers and lecturers is aimed to provide a supportive environment for the development of these skills.
Course Aims:
- To develop creative writing skills.
- To cultivate a disciplined approach to writing.
- To develop students’ skills in critically assessing their own and others’ work.
- To provide an understanding of the economics and structure of the publishing industry
Start Date: 6th Oct 2022 Thursdays 6.30-9.30
One of the most valuable aspects of participation in this course for the aspiring writer is to have their work critiqued and work-shopped regularly by professional novelists, playwrights and publishing industry experts such as John MacKenna, Shauna Gilligan and Orla Murphy. To find out more call Kay Loughlin e-mail: kay.loughlin@mu.ie
Apply HERE
Student assistance fund apply here
Certificate in Creative Writing for Publication
Disability Studies is a unique course for people working or wanting to be employed in the disability sector. It attracts both disabled and non-disabled students eager to understand oppression, exclusion and the politics of disability. The course is delivered in a participative, non-threatening way through a series of intertwining modules. The modules enable students to understand current theories and debates of disability, along with tutorials on Independent Living, universal access, social inclusion and general equality issues. If you’re looking to challenge and be challenged regarding the assumptions surrounding disability in an enjoyable yet provocative way then disability studies will give you this learning opportunity. On completion students will have explored such topics as models of disability (medical vs social), legislation, access, gender, sexuality, equality issues name but a few.
Start Date: 5th October 2022 Wednesdays 7-10pm
The NUI Certificate in Disability Studies is a standalone qualification however credits from this course can be used for Recognition of Prior Learning to go towards the Degree in Community Studies. Our Disability Studies courses have been found to benefit and inform the work practices of people working in the areas of Disability, Social Care, Education and Health. The Cert. in Disability studies when combined with the NUI (Train the Trainer Level 7) plus the (On Line) entitles students to apply for the award of the Diploma in Arts: Training and Development for Socially Inclusive Workplaces. This suite of CPD courses provide a comprehensive educational/training package in core skills such as managing issues of equality and diversity in the workplace for Team Leaders, Managers and Learning and Development Specialists. For further information please contact Kay Loughlin e-mail kay.loughlin@mu.ie
Apply Here
Student assistance fund apply here
The course will provide students with the knowledge and understanding needed to deal effectively with issues of equality and diversity in the workplace in a rapidly changing Ireland. The course will equip practitioners with the competence to become professional trainers in this challenging area in order to contribute to the development of socially inclusive workplaces. The course is relevant to all who espouse the values of social inclusion and equality. It has particular resonance to private sector companies and businesses and staff of community and voluntary organisations, who seek to create workplaces where diversity is prized as an asset for generating new ideas and new ways of working.
The Certificate consists of four modules. Module 1: Reflecting on Equality and Diversity: Reflective Practice; Concepts, and ideologies; Sources of prejudice and discrimination; Conducting research.
Module 2: The Shape of Irish Society: Using a sociological lens, we consider the stratification systems that are based on social class, race/ethnicity, and gender, and explore the impact that these structural inequalities have on a variety of subordinate groups and how they can be challenged by service workers and policy makers in Ireland.
Module 3: Equality and Diversity in the Workplace: Using the equality framework, and from a sociological perspective, we examine how structural inequalities based on class, race/ethnic and gender as well as the politics of difference based on disability, religion and age may be tackled in the workplace and how subordinate groups as part of a broader equality movement are advocating for the elimination of inequality.
Module 4: Delivering Equality: Development of equality and diversity policies; Managing equality and diversity issues; Recruitment and selection, Training and development; Facilitation and mentoring.
Held every two weeks Thursdays 6.15-7.45pm Face to Face Workshop Saturday 1st October 2022 10am to 4pm and online commencement October 2022 6.00-7.45pm
The NUI in Training and Development (On Line) is a standalone qualification however when combined with the and the NUI (Train the Trainer Level 7) plus another of our the NUI Certificate courses such as the Certificate in it forms part of the Diploma in Arts for Socially Inclusive Workplaces. This suite of CPD courses provide a comprehensive educational/training package in core skills such as managing issues of equality and cultural diversity in the workplace for Team Leaders, Managers and Learning and Development Specialists.Click: to see our brochure on CPD in Advanced Professional Skills for Trainers
To find out more contact Kay Loughlin e-mail kay.loughlin@mu.ie
Make your application Here
Student Assistance Fund apply here
This Certificate level course is offered by the Department of Modern History, Maynooth University. The course examines the ‘local dimension of Ireland’s past’. The course aims to provide participants interested in local history with an opportunity to obtain formal training in the subject. This course sets out to provide students with a methodological approach to the research and writing of local history. The Cert. in Local History is a standalone qualification. It carries 20 credits on the European Credit Transfer System. These credits can be used for Recognition of Prior Learning on the BA Local Studies (MH 803). Many students who complete the Cert. in Local History go on to study for the evening degree in Local Studies. This is the only interdisciplinary degree of its kind in Ireland combining the expertise of Ireland’s leading history department for the study of local history, with one of the most well regarded geography departments in the country. Students can study folk traditions, Gaelic Literature and Culture with modules from the Centre for Irish Cultural Heritage and Ancient Classics and deepen this knowledge with classes in Anthropology or Sociology.
Start Date: 20th September 2022 Tuesdays 6.15-8.00
Student Assistance Fund apply here
Too find out more contact Kay Loughlin at kay.loughlin@mu.ie
Apply Here
This Maynooth University NUI Certificate level course is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to develop an understanding of psychology and to explore its relevance to the individual, family, community and society. Upon successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- Understand the main psychological theories and schools and their contribution to the development of the discipline
- Understand the biological basis of behaviour
- Apply critical psychological theory to the processes of learning, memory, feeling and personality development.
- Understand and apply psychobiological, psychodynamic, behavioral/cognitive and phenomenological approaches to lifespan development.
- Illustrate self directed learning by completing a research proposal with relevance to psychology and presenting this proposal to the class.
- Conduct a literature review for the research proposal and submitting a bibliography with the proposal.
- Use academic and stylistic conventions appropriately and consistently
- Submit a learning journal which reflects the impact of the course on the student’s understanding of psychology and how this has influenced their knowledge of themselves, ideas, perceptions and attitudes.
The Certificate in Psychology is avaiable in the following locations:
Cork College of Commerce Start Date: 4th October 2022 Tuesdays 6.00-9.30pm
Clane: Start Date: 4th October 2022 Tuesdays 7.00-10.00pm
Baldoyle: Start Date: 4th October 2022 Tuesdays 7.00-10.00pm
Apply HERE
The NUI Certificate in Psychology is a standalone qualification however when combined with the NUI (Train the Trainer Level 7) and the NUI in Training and Development (On Line) it forms part of the Diploma in Arts in Training and Development for Socially Inclusive Workplaces. This suite of CPD courses provide a comprehensive educational/training package in core skills such as managing issues of equality and cultural diversity in the workplace for Team Leaders, Managers and Learning and Development Specialists. A number of our students have used this certificate course as a preparatory course to more major degree awards in Maynooth University and other institutions of Higher Education. PLEASE NOTE The Certificate in Psychology is only available in OFF CAMPUS locations. For further information contact Kay Loughlin at kay.loughlin@mu.ie. For Roscommon please call: 090 6625898
Certificate in Psychology 2022
Student Assistance Fund apply here
The NUI Certificate in Training and Continuing Education has been developed by a team of adult educators, HR and training professionals, and organisational psychologists. It focuses on delivering a high quality, relevant and widely recognised training qualification using a unique blend of face to face workshops and online learning. Who is this qualification for? Trainers who wish to update their current skill levels. Individuals who aspire to a career in training. Managers and team leaders who have responsibility for training. Organisational learning and development professionals employed in Private, Voluntary, Community and Statutory Sectors. It is essential for trainers wishing to deliver courses up to QQI (FETAC) level 6 (no top ups are required). Overview
The Certificate consists of four mandatory modules which are continuously reviewed and updated to reflect current best practice.
- Assessing Training and Development Needs.
- Designing a Training Programme.
- Training Delivery.
- Training Evaluation and Contemporary Trends.
The Maynooth University NUI Certificate in Training and Continuing Education ( Level 7 20 ECTS) will take place in Maynooth over 5 Saturday workshops beginning October 2022.
Places are limited so apply now. Group Rates are available. On Site Training is available.
For further information contact kay.loughlin@mu.ie
Apply HERE
The NUI Certificate in Training and Continuing Education is a standalone qualification however when combined with the NUI for Training and Development and one of our other certificate courses such as it forms part of the Diploma in Arts: Training and Development for Socially Inclusive Workplaces. This suit of CPD courses provide a comprehensive educational/training package in core skills such as managing issues of equality and cultural diversity for the workplace for Team Leaders, Managers and Learning and Development Specialists. For more information see:
As with all of our level 7 and 8 certificate and diploma courses credits gained can be used for Recognition of Prior Learning Maynooth University and other participating institutions internationally. A number of student who have successfully completed this certificate course have go on to the BA Community Studies (CAO MH803). See our brochure
Student Assistance Fund apply here
The Maynooth University Return to Learning certificate encompass Study Skills, Information and Communications Technology, Sociology and Local History. Students will sample subjects from the faculties of Arts and Social Sciences with lecturers who have years of experience in a wide range of academic settings. The Return to Learning course is aimed at people who have been out of formal education for a number of years and who want to experience a university education without having to commit to a full degree. Students who do progress onto undergraduate degrees, often excel in their chosen subjects due to the solid foundation of academic research and writing skills that the course had given them. However, the Dept. of Adult and Community Education's Return to Learning course is more than just about acquiring the mechanical skills that people need to succeed in Higher Education. For many adults the initial step of crossing the threshold of a college can be very daunting. This can be enough to stop a person from even thinking about going to university. These initial qualms about being different to the majority of the students, being expected to know how to do things like use the library or be competent on computers are dealt with over time and this element of personal development and confidence building is of central concern to us as adult educators. What the RtL does more than anything else is allows the student time to come to terms with university life and begin to understand who they are as a learner. This is another reason why RtL students who progress onto either the full-time or part-time degrees do so well, they have learned how to learn. Students who successfully complete the Return to Learning programme are eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning onto the Part-Time degree for Adults BA Local Studies/BA Community Studies MH803 and can be fast-tracked into the Continuing Students modules without having to complete the Introduction to Programmes modules. NB Please be aware that the age to access Full-time undergraduate study remains at 23 years of age on 1st January in year of application.
Classes held on Mon & Weds 10.00am-12.30pm OR Weds Evening 6.00-10.00
Start Dates: Day Classes - 26th September 2022
Night Class 5th October 2022
To find out more call Kay Loughlin e-mail: kay.loughlin@mu.ie
Apply HERE
See our brochure:
Return to Learning 2022
Student Assistance Fund apply here
Two ComMUniversities have been ongoing since January and it was great to be back face to face with participants in both Coolock and Crumlin. This partnership initiative between Maynooth University, Local Development Companies and Local Libraries is now in its tenth year and this time around we have had great interest in the Local Studies with Frank and Coleman. Paul Ginnel from the European Anti-Poverty Network (Ireland) has been with both groups giving workshops on the Foundations for Futures Europe project and the Critical Skills module and Criminology modules in Coolock have gone down very well. In Crumlin Cathal has just finished the Politics module and Tony is mid way through Economics. This time both programmes will finish with Psychology with and Mary and Penny.
So as Spring 2022 is starting to head towards the finish line of the Celebration of Learning Day in Maynooth University on the 30 June we are preparing for Autumn and we are looking forward to working with the County Kildare LEADER Partnership Company again and South Dublin Partnership for the first time. If you are interested in finding out more about the ComMUniversity you can contact
Paul in the Northside Partnership (paul.hayes@nspartnership.ie )
Asia in the South City Partnership (asia@dscp.ie)
For the South Dublin County Partnership contact Sallyann (sallyann.alexander@sdcpartnership.ie)
And Sinead ( sinead@countykildarelp.ie ) for Kildare.
A very exciting development is underway in bringing the initiative into a second level school Pobalscoil Neasain in Baldoyle for Transition Year students under the title ComMUniversiTY. Some one off sessions on Disability Studies, Criminology and Local History held recently got really positive feedback from the lecturers. So we are in discussion to pilot a full programme this in the Autumn but the prospect of bringing non-curricular subjects such as Psychology, Philosophy, Anthropology, Irish Cultural Heritage, etc. into the classroom has been enthusiastically received by all involved.
For anyone who doesn't know the Communiversity is a first point of contact pre-access programme where people can attend higher education courses in the familiar surroundings of their local libraries. To date Maynooth University has set up Communiversities in Dublin, Kildare, Louth and Monaghan. Each course begins with a taster session at which the tutors outline their planned programme also explaining to the student that they can ask for specific topics or other subjects to be explored. The tutors use short hand-outs on different subjects to stimulate discussion but they are directed by the interests of the group and are encouraged to follow their lead by being flexible with the modules they teach. The use of the public libraries as venues mean that university education can be brought out and delivered to people in their own communities.
One of the aims of the project is to de-mystify the idea of higher education in the minds of people who might feel alienated from universities and academics and to date the feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. When asked what they liked most about the course people spoke about the variety of subjects that were covered. They also commented on the fact that, they were not patronised but were being '... taught to think and not being told what to do.' This aspect of critical thinking and self directed learning is of enormous importance for adult learners. The social aspect and the intergenerational make up of the groups play a very significant part towards community development.
This project is a good example of what can be achieved through partnership between different sections of the public service in implementing policy for the benefit of wider society. In some cases students have been stimulated to begin thinking about returning to education in a more formal setting, such as our
Return to Learning 2022
course. For some, participation in the programme was enough in itself to forge new relationships with people in their own communities and combat a sense of isolation; the mix of ages and genders has been very important in achieving this. The Department of Adult and Community Education is happy to talk to any Local Partnership Companies or Local Development Companies or other interested parties who have links into the community about the possibility of setting up a Communiversity in their area.
If you are interested in participating in future courses and live in the following Partnership areas you should contact:
South City Partnership contact Asia on (01) 4731 296
Northside Partnership contact Paul on 01 848 5630.
The County Kildare LEADER Partnership, Sinead 045 895450
South Dublin County Partnership Sallyann 086 801 3752
We are also open to discussing potential partnership arrangements through the Communiversity Network for further information e-mail derek.barter@mu.ie
Listen to Dr. Derek Barter Director of the ComMUniversity speak about the programme and its links to Access, Lifelong Learning, Adult Education, and Learning for Fun as part of the Free Thought FM project HERE
