Course Details
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Express Interest
Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.
Brief Description
The Community Wellness, Empowerment, Leadership and Life skills (CWELL) diploma is a unique academic programme that has been co-designed with local Limerick communities to address their community-identified needs. The CWELL diploma programme represents a long-term university commitment to supporting both individuals and communities in under-represented parts of Limerick. The course acronym reflects the curriculum content, which is designed to apply to both individual and community needs in terms of: managing physical and mental well-being; empowering individuals and groups to identify and advocate for their needs; and developing the necessary leadership and life skills to address personal and community development objectives in a proactive and strategic manner.
CWELL is innovative in terms of its collaborative co-design, philosophy and governance structures, as well as the community-oriented teaching approaches it deploys. The programme was originally developed in a partnership between St Mary’s Parish and staff from UL Education and Health Sciences faculty. In 2018, the programme moved to the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) and, with support from Limerick City and County Council, was expanded across the whole of Limerick city.
In order to ensure that the expanded CWELL programme retains its community-oriented ethos, CWELL is supported by a network of community partners and supporters across the city including representatives from local residents, schools, adult education groups, community service groups, higher education, and local business / social enterprises. In addition to supporting CWELL students and local community projects, the network of CWELL community partners provides a forum for local communities to represent their interests to UL, ensuring respectful and reciprocal codes of practice apply to UL / CWELL community projects, partnerships and relationships.
Over the course of the two-year programme, students gain relevant professional skills and academic training designed to promote both personal and community development. Following a foundational first year, the key component of the second year is the programme’s facilitation for student teams to design and deliver a project to address a community identified need. In collaboration with community partners, CWELL students are guided through a series of practical steps and skills acquisition to carry out real-life community consultation and project design from start to finish, leaving a lasting legacy to their participation in the programme.
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Autumn semester year 2 |
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CWELL is open to anyone over the age of 18yrs. Applicants are expected to hold a Leaving Certificate. Applicants who do not hold a Leaving Certificate may apply if they hold the University of Limerick Mature Student Access Certificate (MSAC) or equivalent. In addition, students who have completed a relevant education course (e.g. Fetac Level 6) may apply. Applicants who have completed work experience may also submit a portfolio to be considered for recognition of prior learning (RPL) demonstrating their ability to succeed on a Diploma Programme (Level 7).
What do include with our application
- Leaving Certificate results or equivalent (if applicable)
- Certificates for completed educational courses (if applicable)
- Portfolio demonstrating your recognised prior learning/experience (RPL) (if applicable)
- A copy of your Birth certificate/passport
- If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice
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If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
• English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts
AND
• English language competency certificateFor more information Click Here
Fees are 400euro per annum
CWELL students are typically community workers and volunteers, carrying out a range of important community activities, but often not gaining the recognition (or formal payment) for their work. CWELL graduates are the same people, but with the added personal and professional validation provided by a University of Limerick Level 7 diploma. The CWELL programme is intended to equip its graduates with the necessary skills and confidence to reach their potential and claim their worth in the important community work that they do.