Health Communications and Digital Solutions | HEA1042

NFQ level: 9

ECTS credits: 10

Commencing: January 2026

Cost: The fee for this module is €1,250.

The University does not refund application or registration fees for professional development courses, however, students can defer their registration to the next available sitting, except in the case of micro-credential courses where there is no availability for a deferred entry.

Closing date: 1st December 2025, or earlier if this course is oversubscribed.

Module aim
This module will prepare students to actively contribute to the role of digital transformation in health and social care in accordance with the national framework for digital competency and capability. Adopting a solution focused approach to the
eHealth and digital transformational programme, students will critically review and report on the application of core competencies required to practice in an ICT enabled health and social care environment. The module will investigate theoretical, representational and practical aspects of retrieving, organizing and presenting data across a range of formats in the era of Big Data. The student will gain key skills in digital data health literacy.

Who should apply?
Healthcare Staff

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:

• Describe the characteristics of digitalization in care delivery its use, methods and its impact on health and social care service provision.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge, competency, and skills on how health informatics and its associated theory can support the delivery of global policy to advance digital health data in accordance with new models of care and the all-Ireland Digital Competency and Capability Framework to advance digital literacy.
• Read, interpret and understand complex analytics from a wide variety of data sources.
• Understand and apply critical perspectives on health data management such as ethics and privacy.
• Demonstrate the development of good methodological practice for working with data, particularly focusing on data collection, representativeness, and limitations.
• Critically review and appraise the application and use of digital resources and emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in accordance with professional and regulatory standards and workplace policies.

Hybrid delivery –  2 in-person sessions in DCU on week1 and week 10 of the module. Remaining weeks delivered online over a 12-week semester. 

Entry requirements
Applicants will typically hold a (NFQ) Level 8 Honours Degree with a H2.2 or equivalent. Candidates will generally hold a primary degree in a relevant discipline. 

In line with DCU’s (2019) Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, candidates who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment for direct entry may apply for access via the Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. Prior learning may be formal accredited learning or experiential/uncertified learning which includes the knowledge, skills and personal qualities acquired through life, work experience and study which are not formally attested. 

Prospective students may apply through the RPL route if they meet one or more of the following entry 4 requirements:

• Relevant learning, qualifications and experience within their RPL application
• Holding a position or role related to health or social care, health and social inclusion promotion, or a related area
• Holding an appointment or professional position in the domain
• Professional qualifications in the domain, with clear articulation of intention to progress to work in the domain

Please Note: Applicants may not apply to take more than 30 credits of microcredentials.

How to apply

For information on how to apply for this micro-credential, please visit our Application Guide.

Click on this link to apply via the DCU Application Portal. 

For further details, contact: snpchenquiries@dcu.ie or email ciara.white@dcu.ie