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Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1


What is the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1?

The Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1 is a government education fund originally running for 3 academic years from 2020/21 to 2022/23. However, in 2023 funding was extended for an additional 2 years and these courses will now run until 2024/2025. 6 new courses were also approved for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 entry. The HCI Pillar 1 initiative offers incentivised places for potential applicants to upskill or reskill in areas of skills shortages and emerging technologies.

Applications are now open for the September 2024 intake.

The courses on offer in 2024/2025 are:

Before You Apply

Before you apply, please check if you meet the eligibility requirements (outlined below) and if you have any queries on your eligibility, please email us at hci@ucc.ie. To be eligible for a HCI Pillar 1 course, you will need to meet the following criteria:

  1. The academic or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) requirements AND
  2. The employment eligibility criteria AND
  3. The residency criteria AND
  4. The nationality criteria AND
  5. UCC’s English language requirements if applicable

1. Academic / RPL requirements:

For specific entry requirements see the individual courses listed on the HCI Pillar 1 page

2. Employment eligibility criteria:

All applicants must fall under one of the following employment statuses to be eligible to participate on a HCI Pillar 1 course.

  • Employed - working either for yourself or someone else OR
  • Unemployed - not currently working, receiving a qualifying welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection (DSP) for at least 9 of the last 12 months and actively seeking employment. A full list of eligible DSP payments can be found on the Springboard+ website OR
  • Formerly Self-employed OR
  • A Returner - a Homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months. Returners are required to submit the following completed declaration form as part of their application OR
  • A Recent Graduate - a graduate who completed their studies in the year 2023 or 2024

3. Residency criteria:

All applicants must

  • be living full time in the Republic of Ireland
  • hold a valid Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)
  • have lived in the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland for 3 out of the past 5 years
    • EU applicants will be required to show evidence of residency in the EU/EEA/UK/Switzerland for 3 out of the past 5 years
    • Non-EU applicants will be required to provide evidence of the correct visa stamp for 3 out of the past 5 years. Accepted stamps for confirmation of 3 years residency include a stamp 1, stamp 1G, stamp 3, stamp 4, stamp 4 EU fam, stamp 5 or stamp 6. Please note a stamp 2 visa cannot be accepted as evidence of 3 years residency.

4. Nationality criteria:

All applicants must meet the nationality/visa requirement i.e., 

  • you must be an EU/EEA/UK/Swiss national OR
  • you must have a current Stamp 4/Stamp 4 EU FAM, Stamp 5, or Stamp 6 on your Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card or GNIB card if you are a non-EU national.

5. UCC’s English language requirements: 

  • If applying as a non-native English speaker and you have not studied at a third level education through English before, proof of English language competency is required.

Please note, all applicants are required to submit supporting documentation for each of the above criteria. Examples of accepted documentation can be found on the Springboard+ website. 

Full eligibility information is also available on the Springboard+ website.

Fees and Funding  

Eligible applicants will receive 100% or 90% funding depending on their employment status.

100% funded - No course fees are applicable for:

- Unemployed and in receipt of an eligible Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment for 9 out of the past 12 months 

- Returners i.e a Homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months. Returners are required to submit the following completed declaration form as part of their application.

90% funded – You only pay 10% of the course fee if:

- Employed

- Self-Employed

- Recent Graduates 2023 or 2024 (years based on 2023 eligibility requirements and are subject to change)

- Formerly Self-Employed

If you are successful in securing a place on one of our HCI Pillar 1 funded courses (and are not eligible for 100% funding) you will be required to pay 10% of the course fee while completing your online registration with UCC. Registration details will be emailed to successful applicants in late August or September for courses starting in September and in November for the course starting in December.

All applicants MUST contact their local INTREO office or Department of Social Protection (DSP) office for further advice on benefits or additional income support. Participation on a HCI Pillar 1 course does not confer an entitlement to receive income support for the duration of the course. The majority of the courses (10 of the 12) are considered 'Full Time' by the funding body and cannot be confirmed as 'Part Time', regardless of the course hrs involved. As income support may not be available for Full Time courses, it is essential that you contact the Department of Social Protection for further advice. 

Useful links:

Application Process

All applications must be made online through the Springboard+ platform. Postal or email applications will not be accepted. 

  • If you already have a Springboard+ account - please apply here
  • If you are new to Springboard+ - please apply here

Candidates are advised to apply early as high demand is anticipated, and places are limited. Full details on eligibility for the Springboard+ scheme can be found at: https://springboardcourses.ie/eligibility. Please note, you will be unable to access the Springboard+ website if applying from outside of the Republic of Ireland.

If you experience any technical difficulties contact: support@springboardcourses.ie / (076) 6151247

Applicants are required to provide the following documentation:

  1. Copies of academic transcripts (results) for any previous relevant educational qualifications
  2. Up to date CV
  3. Motivation Statement (In 500 words or less, please state why you wish to study this programme at University College Cork and how you meet the entry requirements)
  4. Proof of ID: A copy of your birth cert OR passport
  5. Evidence of a valid PPSN; i.e., a Public Services Card (PSC), Payslip or DSP statement
  6. Proof of employment status:
    - If unemployed: A recent document from DSP or your local INTREO office confirming you are in receipt of a qualifying payment for 9 of the past 12 months
    - If employed: Recent payslip / recent letter from your employer on headed paper confirming you work for them
    - If self-employed: Recent document from Revenue confirming self-employment / recent letter from your solicitor or accountant confirming your self-employed status
    - If formally self-employed: A letter/statement from Revenue confirming you are no longer trading or a similar letter from your (former) accountant confirming that you are no longer trading
    - If a recent graduate (2023 or 2024): Copy of results i.e. transcripts / parchment
    - If a returner: download a declaration form from Springboard+ FAQ page and sign it before a Commissioner for Oaths / Peace Commissioner
  7. Proof of current residency in Ireland: i.e. a recent utility bill, bank statement, DSP statement
  8. Proof of residency (to be eligible for a HCI Pillar 1 funded place, you must have lived in either the EU, the EEA, the UK or Switzerland for at least 3 out of the last 5 years) e.g., 3 x P21’s / 3 x Employment Detail Summary, 3 x utility bills, 3 x bank statements (not a statement of fees)
  9. Proof of nationality: EU/UK/EEA/Swiss nationals must provide a copy of their passport or NDLS driving licence; non-EU nationals must provide evidence of the relevant stamp on their GNIB card or IRP card.
  10. If applying via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – (meaning you do not meet the minimum entry requirements of an NFQ Level 8 Primary Honours Degree but wish to apply based on experience) please provide a personal or academic reference to support your application
  11. If applying as a non-native English speaker and you have not studied at a third level education through English before, proof of English language competency is required.

 

Please find closing dates for each course on the individual course pages:

Higher Diploma (NFQ Level 8):

Postgraduate Certificate/MicroCredential (NFQ Level 9):

Postgraduate Diploma (NFQ Level 9):

After You Apply

In general, we would hope to notify applicants with fully completed applications i.e. all documentation submitted, within two weeks after full submission. Please ensure to check your junk email for updates.

You may contact the Course Directors for feedback on your application: 

Please see individual course pages:

Higher Diploma (NFQ Level 8):

Postgradutate Certificate (NFQ Level 9) & MicroCredential:

Postgraduate Diploma (NFQ Level 9):

 If you require additional detail, you may contact the Course Directors or Administrators listed below:

Yes. All applicants to an HCI Pillar 1 graduate conversion course must be eligible at the time of course commencement but if your employment circumstances change you may continue to completion and will not need to fully fund the cost of your place on the course.

 

No, unfortunately, deferrals are not permitted on any of the HCI Pillar 1 funded courses. Any applicant who wishes to defer their place prior to course commencement should cancel / withdraw their place on the course.

Students who begin a HCI Pillar 1 funded course, should note that the funding is only valid for the academic year in which they commenced the course and cannot be carried forward to another academic year. Any applicant wishing to defer mid-course or who has to repeat any aspect of the course, should note that they will need to self-fund the remaining cost of the course the following year if they wish to return and complete the course. Please email the springboard@hea.ie for further information.

Students who are considering withdrawing from their course should firstly discuss options with their Programme Coordinator and if a decision is made to withdraw, please contact Student Records and Examinations and the Fees Office directly on sreo@ucc.ie and fees@ucc.ie requesting to withdraw, giving your student number in the email. Please also include hci@ucc.ie in your correspondence to ensure your application is withdrawn from Springboard+.

Springboard+ Website 

Other

Registered students can order a Letter of Attendance.

Request an online statement of social welfare payments received here

Intreo - the public employment service

Department of Social Protection

Back to Education Programme and Back to Education Allowance

Who can I contact for more information?

Please contact Niamh via email at hci@ucc.ie or by phone on 086-067 6013

 Please contact the Course Directors or Administrators listed below:

I have completed a Springboard+ course in previous academic years. Can I do another? 

Yes, but there are some restrictions. They are: 

1. If you have taken more than three courses in any five-year period, you will not be eligible. You will be able to take a Springboard+ programme again after two years. 

2. If you have failed to successfully complete more than two Springboard+ courses at any time in the past, you will not be eligible again. 

How many Springboard+ courses can I apply for at the same time? 

You can apply for a maximum of 10 courses at the same time. Once you accept an offer of a place, your other applications will be automatically cancelled. 

You cannot take a second Springboard+ course in the same academic year. 

 

Letter for a registered student

Where can I get a letter to say I am a registered student?

Registered students can order a Letter of Attendance.

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