Program Overview

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Employment Law and Practice - PgCert

Overview

Would you like to get a recognised, accredited qualification in employment law from the comfort of your own home/office, wherever you are based?

Summary

The importance of the employment relationship between employers, employees, unions and other statutory bodies and agencies is such that a thorough knowledge of both the context and the substantive law is necessary for those involved in this area in any capacity. This programme attempts to provide the basis for this knowledge and to put students in the position where they may not only have an understanding of the law both conceptually and substantively, but also be in a position to use that knowledge in the solution of problems.

About this course

About

The course includes 24 employment law and compliance lectures from the cream of Northern Ireland’s employment law expert practitioners and 12 afternoon sessions on ADR and tribunal representation, including role-play exercises with Labour Relations Agency staff. All live sessions take place on Tuesday afternoons, with the majority of sessions taking place online. Students will also be able to watch recordings of all sessions and presentations after they are broadcast.

Attendance

Attendance is fully online

Start dates

• September 2025
• January 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The course is 100% coursework assessed using mock employment tribunal bundles and other employment scenarios.

Modules

Year one

Employment Compliance and Development

Year: 1

Status: C

Whether you are a lawyer, human resources professional, personnel or industrial relations officer, this module will develop a range of skills, which will enable all students to remain fully abreast of the latest legislative and case law developments in employment compliance. It will ensure that all students acquire in-depth knowledge and understanding of how employment compliance issues operates in practice. Students will be provided with assistance enabling them to respond to complex practical, legal and ethical problems. Students will be encouraged to critically analyse the law and important legal issues they face in practice.

Employment Law

Year: 1

Status: C

The importance of the employment relationship between employers, employees, unions and other statutory bodies and agencies is such that a thorough knowledge of both the context and the substantive law is necessary for those involved in this area in any capacity. The module attempts to provide the basis for this knowledge and to put students in the position where they may not only have an understanding of the law both conceptually and substantively, but also be in a position to use that knowledge in the solution of problems.

Year two

ADR & Employment Tribunal Representation

Year: 2

Status: C

This module will provide students with an overview of the basic legal principles relating to the practice and procedure of industrial and fair employment tribunals. This will include an overview of jurisdiction, the initiation of proceedings, defending such proceedings, interlocutory processes and tribunal procedure, avoiding tribunal litigation and other matters relating to the tribunal process that commonly arise in practice.

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a degree in law or human resource management, or a degree with significant law content or a non law degree or non human resource degree but with appropriate work experience or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation or prior experiential learning

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

Career options

Graduates often use this qualification to secure promotion with existing employers, to secure higher-level promotion elsewhere or to establish themselves as independent practitioners.

Fees and funding

10% Alumni Discount

Are you a graduate of Ulster University? Did you know you could be eligible for a 10% fees discount.

Tuition Fee Loans Available

Students domiciled in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and UK students can apply to Student Finance NI for a Tuition Fee loan of up to £6,500 (subject to eligibility).

The price of your overall programme will be determined by the number of credit points that you initiate in the relevant academic year.

For modules commenced in the academic year 2025/26, the following fees apply:

Fees Credit Points| NI/ROI/GB Cost| International Cost*
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5| £421.95| £494.70
10| £843.90| £989.40
15| £1,265.85| £1,484.10
20| £1,687.80| £1,978.80
30| £2,531.70| £2,968.20
60| £5,063.40| £5,936.40
120| £10,126.80| £11,872.80
180| £15,190.20| £17,809.20

NB: A standard full-time PGCert is equivalent to 60 credit points per year. A standard full-time PGDip is equivalent to 120 credit points per year.

*Please note our on campus part-time postgraduate courses are not open to international (non-EU) students.

Testimonials

"This is easily the most comprehensive, pragmatic and worthwhile course currently on offer. It brings together the 'best of the best' practitioners in the jurisdiction and affords students an unparalleled opportunity to blend academic excellence with commercial experience and application. We are and have been delighted to support this initiative."
Gareth Walls, Partner, A&L Goodbody (Guest lecturer)

“This course is a truly unique post graduate course with a focus on skills and capacity building finely balanced with applied learning, real life context and expert practitioner input. This inspired blend makes for a learning experience like no other currently offered, it is truly a tailored added value product that everyone has been crying out for.”
Mark McAllister, Senior Employment Relations Officer, Labour Relations Agency (Guest lecturer)

"This course boasts an outstanding range of practising lawyers, who are leaders in their respective fields. As such, this course gives students access to practical, first-hand knowledge of legal principles and unprecedented practical insight."
Laura Gillespie, Partner, Pinsent Masons (Guest lecturer)

“Very relevant, up to date and thought provoking”
Damian Rushe, Employment Relations Officer, LRA

“Useful and practical information which allows for interrogation and debate on current issues and problems relevant to me. I found the Recruitment and Selection sessions most valuable as it uses real life adverts, with relevant case law and very practical, logical ways to overcome potential problems.”
Dylan Loughlin, Employment Law Consultant, MCL Employment Law