Disability

The MSc in Disability is a one-year full-time programme delivered by the UCD Centre for Disability Studies within the UCD School of Psychology. The MSc in Disability is developed for all who have an interest in disability including individuals with disabilities, family members and professionals. The philosophy of the programme is to promote an inclusive society respecting the will and preference of persons with disability. The programme includes six mandatory (core) 10 credit modules which provide students with a critical understanding of disability identity, intersectionality, policy and legislation as well as practice-based skills in research methodologies, behavioural support and programme development.



What Will I Learn?

The programme is delivered by academics, practitioners and experts by experience using a variety of approaches including expert tuition, small group interaction, peer support and autonomous student learning.



NFQ Level: 9 (90 credits)

Level: Graduate Taught

Award: Master of Science

Stage 1 Core Modules

PSY40640: Advanced Disability Studies

PSY40890: Disability Policy Legislation

PSY40490: Person Centred Programme Development

PSY40540: Applied Research Methods

PSY40870: Multielement Behaviour Support

PSY40880: Identity Sexuality & Mortality



Stage 1 Options - B)3 of:

Students should select 30 credits from the below options. Students are required to select 10 credits in Trimester 1 and 20 credits in Trimester 2 from these option modules. The trimester in which each option module is delivered is detailed in the module descriptors below.



EDUC40130: Inclusion and Equality in Education

LAW40760: GOs: Law, Governance and Social Change

PSY40820: Fundamentals of Neuropsych

SPOL40470: Comparing Healthcare Systems

EDUC40420: Inclusive Education for Pupils with Additional support Needs

LAW42130: United Nations Human Rights Practice

PHPS40040: Public Health Practice and Policy

PHPS40300: Health Promotion

POL41030: Theory of Human Rights

PSY40400: Managing Change

PSY40790: Clinical Cases in Neuropsychology

Candidates may apply for admission to the MSc in Disability if they meet the following criteria:

A primary degree with a minimum 2.2 classification (second class honours , grade two) or International equivalent



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 7.0 (no band less than 6.5 in each element), or equivalent.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme.



Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page (https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax) for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

1 year part-time full-time

Delivery: On Campus

W530: MSc in Disability

Master of Science



Full-Time: Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught

Career & Graduate Study Opportunities

Most of our graduates are employed in disability services in management, policy and research posts. Those working in the disability field while studying can use the programme as a route to seek promotion. Some graduates have continued their studies to doctoral level

and are now employed as researchers in the disability field.