Course Title: Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership for Not For Profit
Charities in Ireland play a crucial role in civil society, with over 11,500 registered charities contributing an annual income of €14.5 billion, employing over 189,000 people, and engaging 300,000 volunteers. Approximately 74,000 charity trustees lead and govern these organisations on a voluntary basis. The majority of these charities are small, with around 80% having an annual turnover of under €500,000 and 40% having less than €50,000 in turnover. A three-stage project involving Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Charitable Boards, and small community groups assessed training needs within the charity sector. The results identified areas requiring development, including Strategic Planning, Financial Planning, Performance Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Risk Management, Corporate Governance, and Organisational Behaviour.
The not for profit sector which is estimated to consist of around 30,000 organisations includes many organisations that are not registered charities, including sports bodies, and training needs analyses of these organisations have identified similar needs to those of registered charities.
In 2021, Carmichael and TU Dublin collaborated to create a Certified Charity Trustee Programme, focusing on the regulatory requirements and corporate governance responsibilities of trustees, and addressing the impact of organisational behaviour on compliance.
Additional feedback from alumni of the Certified Charity Trustee Programme and the training needs assessment emphasised the necessity for leadership development content to better equip trustees with the critical skills required for effective governance in the non-profit sector. These skills include ethical decision-making, meeting regulatory requirements, and ensuring responsible board actions. Engagement with organisations like Carmichael, The Wheel, Sports Ireland, and others has further solidified the demand for leadership training in the not for profit sector, especially for those at a senior governance level. The findings from this engagement and the assessment of community needs show a clear demand for training in leadership, strategic thinking, and other areas critical to the effective management of charities in Ireland.
The lectures will run 6 hours per week, online. The indicative schedule is Tuesdays 6-10pm (4 hours) and Thursdays 6-8pm (2 hours) for the Winter Semester. This is subject to change.
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Applicants should have a minimum Second Class Honours bachelor's degree (2.2 or higher) in any discipline or equivalent third level qualification. Applicants not meeting the normal entry requirements but with relevant prior experiential learning may submit relevant documentation for recognition of prior learning. The decision on non-standard applications is made by the Admissions Office and the Head of School on a case-by-case basis.
English Language Requirements
If English is not a first language, applicants will need to provide evidence of their English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this course should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.
Is the programme fully online?
Yes, the programme is fully online. You will need to access the programme online using a laptop/computer/pad with a stable internet connection. On-site support at TU Dublin is available by request. However, there is no obligation to attend in person at TU Dublin. You must ensure you have the required technology skills to participate in a fully online programme before applying.
I don’t qualify for Springboard but I would like to join the programme. Is that possible?
No. At the moment, the only entry route for this year is via Springboard, and not direct.
What qualifications do I need to have, and how do I show these? What are the entry requirements?
Applicants should have a minimum second-class honour Bachelor's degree (2.2 or higher) in any discipline or equivalent third level qualification. Applicants not meeting the normal entry requirements but with relevant prior experiential learning may submit relevant documentation for recognition of prior learning. The decision on non-standard applications is made by the Admissions Office and the Head of School on a case-by-case basis. All applications and supporting full transcripts are submitted via the Springboard application portal only.
When do classes begin?
Postgraduate Orientation will take place on Thursday 11th September 2025 from 6-8pm. This will take place online in a hybrid mode. However, you are welcome to attend in person in TU Dublin Aungier Street Room 5-050 if you wish (there is no obligation to attend in person). Lectures are due to begin with online programme orientation on Tuesday 23rd September 2025 at 6pm. A link will be sent to all students in advance.
Do I need to have good technology skills to take part in this course?
You will need to have reasonably good technology skills to join a fully-online programme such as this. The tools you will be using on this programme will include MS Teams, a virtual learning environment (VLE, in TU Dublin we use Brightspace), MS Office packages including MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Excel and you would be expected to navigate the web and join sessions using MS Teams links or via the VLE. You may not have used all of these tools but have used similar tools. The ‘look and feel’ may be different but the functionality will be similar, for example Zoom is very similar to MS Teams; Blackboard or Moodle are VLEs which provide similar functionality to Brightspace but have a different ‘look and feel’. Students will be introduced to TU Dublin’s VLE Brightspace in the online orientation, and set-up
support videos will be shared to support your ability to interact with the VLE. It is expected that students will be proficient in the use of computers/laptops and the web and be proficient in the suite of Microsoft Office programmes including MS Word, MS Teams, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel. You will be required to compose written reports in MS Word and submit online. Students will need to work collaboratively with other students online for some projects. Further, students will be required to prepare presentations using MS PowerPoint and present online.
Are there exams, and if so, when?
There are no exams on this programme. All modules are 100% Continuous Assessment. This includes project work, essays, reports, presentations, and other assessments as outlined by the lecturers in the first classes. Some assessments will be individual, and some will be group assessments, where you will be expected to collaborate online with classmates. There will be regular deliverables of assessments throughout the year, and students will be expected to work on the assessments in their own time outside of the online classes.
Leadership and Strategy (10 ECTS)
- Covers essential concepts and practices that define effective leadership in driving strategic goals in the not-for-profit sector. Topics include the role of leadership in shaping vision, mission, and organisational culture, the types of leadership styles, and the impact of leadership on employee and trustee motivation and performance. Further explores strategic analysis tools, competitive advantage, strategic decision-making processes, and aligning strategy with goals. The importance of ethical leadership, innovation, and adaptability in a dynamic environment is also emphasised, alongside the integration of leadership skills in strategic execution and change management.
Governance, Risk and Compliance (10 ECTS)
- Provides an outline of the essential elements of good corporate governance for not-for-profits; focuses on the frameworks and practices that not-for-profit organisations use to ensure accountability, manage risks, and comply with company and charity laws and regulations. Topics include principles of corporate governance, understanding the roles of charitable boards and committees, and management in overseeing risk, and the processes for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. Further covers risk management strategies, compliance management, regulatory requirements, including an understanding of the role of the Charities Regulator and the Charities Governance Code, Charites Act 2009 and Charites (Amendment) Act 2024, and the importance of maintaining ethical standards in the not-for-profit sector.
Finance for Non-Finance Managers in the Not-For-Profit Sector (5 ECTS)
- Introduces essential financial concepts tailored to non-profit organisations. Includes the basics of charity financial statements, financial reporting & governance, budgeting, and financial planning in a non-profit context. The module covers funding sources, an understanding of charity reserves, restricted and unrestricted funds, and how they affect financial management. It explores financial controls, transparency, and accountability in non-profit operations. Additionally, it addresses regulatory compliance and the importance of financial sustainability.
Marketing and Communications in Not for Profits (5 ECTS)
- Focuses on strategies to effectively promote non-profit missions and engage stakeholders. Topics include crafting compelling messaging, brand development, and storytelling techniques that resonate with donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries. Includes digital marketing tools and strategies, and content creation to increase visibility and reach, as well as public relations, media relations, and event planning. Emphasis is placed on ethical communication, stakeholder engagement, and maintaining transparency to foster trust and long-term support.
The lectures will run 6 hours per week, online. The indicative schedule is Tuesdays 6-10pm (4 hours) and Thursdays 6-8pm (2 hours) for the Winter Semester. This is subject to change.
This course is funded under the Springboard+ initiative in 2025. Applications should be made via the Springboard+ website, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
For further information, please contact the team at springboard@tudublin.ie.
Please note we will hold an information session on this new programme Wednesday 25th June at 08:30-09:15 on MS Teams – please register on this Eventbrite Link and you will be sent a MS Teams link the evening before the webinar.
