Lead with clarity in a changing world. This course equips you to inspire teams, navigate change, and make confident, values-led decisions. Expect practical, case-based learning across strategic leadership, coaching and mentoring, collaborative communication, and agile team leadership. The course also explores future-oriented leadership, delving into the role of AI, Generative AI, and emerging trends shaping modern organisations.
COURSE LENGTH:
COURSE STRUCTURE:
- Strategic Leadership and Organisational Culture
- Self-Leadership and Personal Development
- Leading and Inspiring Others
- Sustainable and Ethical Leadership Practices
- Collaborative Leadership and Communication
- Introduction to Coaching
- Leading Agile and Flexible Teams
- Team Development and Performance
- Leading Adaptability and Change
- Strategic Decision-Making and Problem-Solving
- Future-Oriented Leadership and Innovation
- Career Growth and Leadership Development
STUDY OPTIONS:
Part Time
12 weeks live online classes available both in the evening & morning
Full Time: 1 Week Bootcamp
5 days full time live online study (Mon–Fri, 9am–4pm)
On Demand
Learn at your own pace, over 18 weeks, with pre-recorded lectures
On Campus
1 x 3 hour live lecture per week over 12 weeks
SUMMARY:
As organisations look for leaders who can balance performance with responsibility, this course prepares you to step forward with the skills to motivate teams, embrace innovation, and shape long-term success in modern workplaces.
Across 12 weeks of live online study, you will explore the foundations of strategic leadership and organisational culture, while developing your own resilience, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. Through a practical, case-based approach, you will gain hands-on experience in coaching and mentoring, collaborative communication, and people management strategies that help you inspire and empower teams.
You’ll learn how to build agile and high-performing groups in both traditional and hybrid environments, navigate challenges such as proximity bias, and apply modern approaches to performance management. The course also places strong emphasis on ethical and sustainable leadership, helping you balance organisational goals with responsibility to people and society.
You will strengthen your ability to lead through uncertainty and change, applying proven frameworks to overcome resistance and make confident, strategic decisions. With a forward-looking focus on innovation and the impact of AI, the course ensures you are ready to anticipate future trends and shape a culture of continuous development.
By the end of the course, you will not only understand the theories of leadership but also know how to apply them in practice - motivating people, driving innovation, and building a leadership brand that supports your long-term career growth.
Learners taking part in this course will now have access to the EBSCO Online Library, free of charge, for the full duration of the course. Here you can browse thousands of relevant journal articles and other reliable academic and commercial texts like the Harvard Business Review, Bloomberg Businessweek and Forbes Magazine, to supplement your learning and assignments.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES:
This Leadership & Management course is ideal for professionals who want to strengthen their CV with practical, future-focused leadership skills. By completing the course, you will demonstrate your ability to motivate teams, manage performance, and guide organisations through change.
These skills are valued across industries, making this diploma a strong asset whether you are seeking promotion in your current role, stepping into management for the first time, or positioning yourself for long-term career growth.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
No previous management or academic qualifications are required.
Prospective students for whom English is not a first language must have proficiency at IELTS Level 6.5 or higher in order to successfully participate and complete assignments.
ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION
This course consists of live online sessions, delivered in 2-hour classes each week over 12 weeks, with an additional hour of pre-class work to complete before each session. This course is assessed through:
- Action Learner Log (worth 40%), completed throughout the course.
- Final Written Assignment (worth 60%), due two weeks after the course ends.
Your UCD Professional Academy Diploma will be issued electronically on a secure platform, with a link that you can share with employers and others wishing to verify your credentials. You’ll also be able to add the certification to your LinkedIn profile to demonstrate your achievement to your network as well as recruiters and potential employers searching for individuals with your skills and experience.
This course is not on the National Framework of Qualifications.
LEARNER PROFILE:
This course is suitable for professionals at all stages of their leadership journey. It is ideal for current managers who want to strengthen and expand their leadership skills, as well as those new to management who are ready to build confidence and capability.
Learners may come from a wide range of backgrounds across both the public and private sector, in Ireland or internationally. Whether you are leading a small team, managing projects, or preparing for greater responsibility, this course will help you inspire others, adapt to change, and progress your career with confidence.
Business owners and entrepreneurs can also benefit from the knowledge and expertise learnt on this course.
