UCC | CPD | Neurodiversity for the Arts & Creative Sector | ESF+ 2026

Start Date	Duration	Cost	Max Participant Numbers
6th October 2026	12 Weeks	320	30

NFQ 6 – Special Purpose Award | 2 x 5 Credit Modules

THIS PROGRAMME IS CO FUNDED BY THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND AND THE EUROPEAN UNION (EUFUNDS.IE)

A collaboration between Cultural & Creative Industry Skillnet and UCC-ACE, this programme is offered to creative professionals at a special CCIS partnership rate of €320 (normally the fee for this course would be €600 in 2026).

Overview

This programme provides an interdisciplinary introduction to the concept of Neurodiversity in the context of the creative sector. The programme will provide students with a holistic and people-centred understanding of the multi-faceted concept and movement of Neurodiversity. It will explore the legal obligations and the practicalities that govern best practice for companies and practitioners in this area. The hope is to create a culture in which everyone has the opportunities to thrive and participate in the industry’s operations and leadership.

When I first came across the Neurodiversity for the Arts & Creative Sector programme, I had never seen anything like it. As a neurodivergent artist myself, I wanted to deepen my understanding so I could better support others in the creative community who share similar experiences. The course exceeded my expectations. It offered a genuinely people‑centred exploration of the lived human experience at the heart of the Neurodiversity community, alongside clear insights into current policy and best practice. Our module coordinator, Eleanor McSherry, brought an extraordinary breadth of real‑world, cross‑disciplinary expertise. She also fostered an inclusive, supportive environment where every student felt valued. The module content, resources, and materials were exceptional, and I know they are resources I’ll keep on using. The programme not only expanded my professional practice but also offered a space where I felt a real sense of connection, clarity, and personal growth. I’d recommend this course to anyone. The insights and skills it offers feel like things we should all have if we’re serious about creating a more inclusive world for neurodivergent people, whatever sector we work in.
Adam Breen, Writer & Creative Practitioner

This part-time course will be delivered wholly online with live & pre-recorded lectures including:

3 hours per week
1.5 pre-recorded, 1.5- hour live lecture, weekly discussion boards
Two full day workshops
Other moderated online activities, discussion boards and readings, equating to 152 hrs

Students will complete two 5 credit modules as follows:

Introduction to Neurodiversity
Representation, Policy and Practice of neurodiverse conditions in the creative sector

Course Delivery

Classes are delivered through Microsoft Teams and all course materials will be provided on Canvas (UCC’s online learning environment).

Live classes online: Monday Nights at 7-9/10 pm,
Two full Saturday workshops, over ten weeks.

All classes are recorded, so you can catch up if you miss one.

You must comply with the university attendance policy.

Aims & Objectives

This programme in Professional Development seeks to enhance and develop the capacity of participants to act as leaders in their respective positions to make their workplace more diversity-compliant:

designed to specifically address the needs of the arts and creative sectors to be more cognisant of the Neurodiverse movement.
aims to introduce participants to the different ways in which Neurodiversity currently exists in the industry and to make them aware of the history of Neurodiversity, including the different strengths, challenges and conceptualisations.
focus will also be given to the legal obligations and the practicalities that govern best practices for companies in this area.

Participant profile/Who can apply/Eligibility

This course is designed specifically for the creative industries by creative professionals, including Screen Ireland. The course is aimed at Company leaders, HOD’s, Managers, Supervisors, Teams, and anyone interested in fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and in the creative sector in general.

It is for practitioners who are interested in learning more about Neurodiversity and how it relates to Creatives. You will be introduced to the different ways in which Neurodiversity currently exists in the creative industry, its history, including what the different strengths, challenges and conceptualisations are.

Candidates should be at least 21 years of age by 1 January of the year of application and must:
Be working in the arts and creative sector for at least two-years;
Hold a QQI level 5 or equivalent qualification.
Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who do not meet the above criteria will be considered for entry based on an interview and successfully demonstrating that they hold an equivalent professional qualification or sufficient practice experience relevant to the course aims and objectives.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of equivalent competence in the English Language, through their school leaving examination or matriculation examination or by achieving the minimum standard (there may be higher levels for matriculation and/or particular programmes in individual institutions) in a recognised English language test, as specified here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/comparison/english/undergraduate/

For example, candidates must have attained an IELTS minimum overall score of 6.5 and a minimum of 6.5 in each band.

I recently completed the UCC course on Neurodiversity and the Arts. The course was incredibly informative for me personally and professionally. Even though I’m Autistic, I still learned a lot from it with regards to the various challenges Neurodivergent people face. The course also gave me a good grounding in the legislative and policy frameworks that shape Ireland’s approach to these subjects. I found the information invaluable and the peer learning from my classmates was hugely enriching as well.
Taryn de Vere, an Artist and Arts Manager

Location

This programme will take place online via UCC – Adult Continuing Education

Tutor

Eleanor McSherry is the Programme Coordinator of Autism Studies at UCC ACE. She designed, lectures and coordinates the CPD Cert in Advocacy, the CPD Cert in Neurodiversity in the Screen Industry and Arts & Creative Sectors, and the pilot programme Wellbeing Coordination (developed in conjunction with Screen Ireland). She also has lectures/ed for a number of colleges/universities: Limerick Writers Centre, Limerick College of Further Education, Hibernia College Dublin, Mary Immaculate College and Maynooth University. She also is a film/tv consultant on autism and neurodiversity.

CCIS Membership Support

Who Qualifies:
INDIVIDUALS

Sole traders or Freelancers who are Resident in the ROI are eligible as Member Companies.
Private company (SME) or Enterprise employees.

COMPANIES

Private Enterprise & SMEs based in the Republic of Ireland.
Commercial semi-state companies providing that income contributed to a Network is not sourced from the public purse (must provide a letter).
Social enterprises that trade as commercial social enterprises, and are companies registered with the CRO

Who Does Not Qualify:
INDIVIDUALS

Applicants who are not Resident in the Republic of Ireland
Applicants who are Unemployed and in receipt of Long Term Unemployment Benefit
Applicants participating on a CE Scheme
Applicants in receipt of a BURSARY, SCHOLARSHIP OR GRANT AID toward fees for this course from another government agency or programme.

COMPANIES

Skillnet Ireland funding is not available to public sector bodies or organisation that are publicly funded such as community-based not-for-profit companies or charities.
Social enterprises that are solely constituted as charities do not currently meet the eligibility criteria.

All programmes are provided without discrimination. This includes discrimination based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age, or sexual orientation. An inclusive environment that welcomes participants from diverse communities is promoted.

Application steps

This is a 3 x step application

Note: You can submit your CCIS Membership Application any time before you submit your course application.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION STEP BY STEP GUIDE HERE

This course is part funded by ESF+.

ESF+ stands for European Social Fund Plus. It is a European fund that focuses on lifelong learning through improving employment and education opportunities.

In addition to the CCIS support application, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet is required by Government to collect ‘Special Category Data‘ from those who wish to avail of ESF+ supports for this programme. Given the sensitive nature of this data, strict controls over access have been implemented.

Your Rights and Choices
The mandatory form will ask for general and special category data about you. You can choose if you want to share the special category information in questions 13 to 18. If you do answer these questions, we will handle answers with utmost care.

You have the right to access your data, get us to correct it if we get your details wrong, and ask us to delete your data. You can also choose to opt out or withdraw at any time (*I Do Not Consent). However, if you withdraw, we will not be able to provide you with access to the Neurodiversity For The Arts & Creative Sector course until you reapply.

At the end of this questionnaire, we will also ask you to declare that the information you have provided is true. If you would like to take part in the ESF+ course, you must answer all the questions even if they do not apply.

Further data will be collected at the following milestones.

the course certification date
6 months post certification

If you wish to use your rights to access or change your information, or are concerned about anything on your participant form, please email dpo@skillnetireland.ie.

For more information on ESF+ data processing and your rights, please see the ESF+ Data Privacy Notice. You can find this on the Skillnet Ireland website or email your postal address and we will post it to you.

Special Category Data Questionnaire

PLEASE FILL OUT THIS FORM OR ACCESS VIA THE QR CODE BELOW.

Costs/fee

The fee for this course is €320 per person (normally €600)
Payment will be due in full before the course commences and must come from a personal or private business account.
Refunds cannot be issued once the course has commenced.

CCIS membership application deadline

CCIS Membership Application Deadline: Rolling until 1 week prior to course commencement date.

If you experience any difficulties with your CCIS membership application please contact susantalbot@furthr.ie with a Subject Heading of UCC | CCIS Application | [Course Name]

Important: All Course Applications To Be Made Separately via UCC. (The UCC portal will open at the end of August 2026).

Dates and times of the course

Commences Tuesday 6th October 2026 and runs until Tuesday 2nd February 2027.
Live classes online: Monday Nights at 7-9/10 pm,
Two full Saturday workshops, over ten weeks.

Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet Membership Application

FREE

MEMBER PRICING

UCC | Neurodiversity For The Arts & Creative Sector | ESF 2026