Program Overview

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Older Person Rehabilitation

Course Fact File

• Code: MSCOPR
• Duration: 1 Year Full-time; 2 Years Part-time
• Teaching Mode: Full-time, Part-Time
• Qualifications: MSc
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Closing Date: Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
• Non-EU Closing Date: Open until all places have been filled or no later than 15 June. Early application is advised.
• Start Date: 2 September 2025

Course Outline

The MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation programme is designed to provide students from a range of different professional backgrounds with interdisciplinary learning in the theory and practice of Older Person Rehabilitation. Our Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation at UCC is at the forefront of interdisciplinary teaching and learning in Gerontology, Rehabilitation and End of Life Care. The Centre is committed to developing flexible, practical and interdisciplinary programmes in this important field. Our credit-bearing CPD modules are available to all healthcare disciplines and can be studied in different streams.

This Older Person Rehabilitation MSc programme is available as a full-time or part-time option and includes a period of clinical placement. The full-time programme runs over one calendar year (12 months) from the date of first registration and the part-time programme runs over two academic years (20 months).

Content Overview

• Full-time programme Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time via face-to-face, webinars or online options. Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). Students also undertake a research dissertation (**30**** credits) which is submitted at the end of the calendar year.
• Part-time programme The part-time MSc (Older Person Rehabilitation) runs over two academic years (20 months) from the date of first registration for the programme. Students take taught modules to the value of 60 credits over two years incorporating approximately 300 hours of structured contact time including face-to-face, webinars or online options (3-7 contact days per semester). Most classes are held in two-day blocks (weekdays). A maximum of 40 taught credits can be taken in a single year. Students also undertake a research dissertation (30 credits) which is submitted in the early Summer of Year 2.
  • Please note thatpart-time study is not open to non-EU candidates**.

Core Modules

Students take core modules to the value of 25 credits as follows:

• CG6009 Principles of Frailty and Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• CG6010 Clinical Practicum in Older Person Rehabilitation (5 credits)
• EH6038 Applied Research for Gerontology and Rehabilitation (10 credits) ****
• MH6014 Advanced Research Methods for Healthcare Professionals (10 credits)

Elective Modules

Students take elective** modules to the value of 35 credits from the following (a maximum of 10 credits can be taken in Year 1):

• CG6002 Stroke Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• CG6005 Amputee and Prosthetic Rehabilitation (5 credits)
• CG6006 Falls, Mobility and Movement Disorders (10 credits)
• CG6007 Independent Study (5 credits)**
• CG6011 In-depth Independent Study (15 credits)**
• CG6012 Neuromuscular Discorder (10 credits)
• CG6015 Understanding Cognitive Disorders and Dementia (10 credits)
• CG6016 Advanced Issues in Dementia Care (10 credits)

Research Module

• CG6008**** Research Dissertation (30 credits)

Alternative pathways

It is possible to exit the Master's programme early and graduate with a Certificate or Diploma:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation Upon satisfactory completion of 30 credits in Older Person Rehabilitation, to include module CG6009 (Principles in Older Person Rehabilitation), a student may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Certificate Examination. Such an application is subject to the approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.
• Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation Upon satisfactory completion of 60 credits, to include modules CG6009 and CG6010, a student may opt not to proceed with/complete the dissertation module (CG6008) and may opt to exit the programme and be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation. A student who subsequently applies to continue to Masters level must do so within 5 years of successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma Examination. Such an application is subject to the approval of the Programme Team, and if successful, exemptions will be granted for modules taken within the previous five years.
• Exemptions at the Point of Entry to the MSc Programme A student previously graduated with the Postgraduate Certificate in Older Person Rehabilitation/Postgraduate Diploma in Older Person Rehabilitation (exit award from the MSc) may register for the MSc in Older Person Rehabilitation within five years of completion, subject to the approval of the Programme Team, with exemptions granted for modules taken within the previous five years.

Why Choose This Course

Established in 2011, the Older Person Rehabilitation postgraduate programme is a unique course that will allow you to develop your skills as a leader in gerontology and rehabilitation. Our flexible approach allows students to choose from a range of modules to build a course tailored to their requirements. This student-centred focus promotes flexible timetabling and blended learning to minimise travel time. All the lecturers are experienced clinicians from a range of disciplines who promote interdisciplinary learning and practice.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff will support you in making meaningful connections within and between topics such as medicine, healthcare, science, and management.

Available Scholarships

At UCC we support our student community by offering scholarships and prizes to prospective and current students. Please see the Scholarships & Prizes page for more information.

Skills and Careers Information

In today’s competitive workforce higher professional qualifications are an essential part of continuous professional development and career advancement. This programme is particularly suitable for those who want to assume a management and leadership position in the care of older people.

On completion of this course you will:

• Have gained the critical skills to evaluate rehabilitation models and settings, and the evidence base for current practices in older person rehabilitation.
• Gain knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of key topics required to practice in stroke rehabilitation.
• Gain the knowledge and skills required to design, undertake and evaluate quantitative and qualitative research in older person rehabilitation.
• Have the skills to act as a leader and innovator in older person rehabilitation.

Requirements

Candidates must have the following:

• An honours primary degree (NFQ Level 8) in a relevant health care discipline** or an equivalent qualification and professional experience to be approved by the Programme Team.
• Ideally, candidates should have practical experience in their area of qualifications of at least one year post-registration;
• In some exceptional circumstances, candidates, by virtue of their training and experience may, at the discretion of the Programme Team, be deemed suitable for entry to the programme under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Such candidates may be requested to undergo an interview.

** A relevant health care discipline includes but is not limited to medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, speech and hearing science, audiology, physiotherapy, psychology, and social studies.

Garda Vetting

Students or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay?

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.