Designing Healthcare Products and Services (Professional Diploma)

Design is an important driver of economic growth, integral to both industry and society. EGFSN together for Design (2020) identified three major types of design as important for Ireland’s economic success: - Digital design;(Digital Media, Interaction Design, Web Design) - Product design; (Product Design Innovation, Process Design, Manufacturing Design) and - Strategic design; (Service Design, Design Thinking, Co-Design, Design Management, Design Innovation).

The core design modules on this program are based on conducting research in a health care setting to produce a design guide. This forms the basis of the subsequent ideation process to create a breath of product and service system solutions. The design modules are complimented with modules in business, entrepreneurship and health promotion. The program emphasises problem solving and creativity that centres on interdisciplinary collaboration, human centred design and contemporary design processes.

Graduates of this course will be able to:

- Demonstrate an understanding of the design process as applied to generating product or service solutions based on a design guide.

- Apply product design principles in the identification of opportunities for new products and services to health and wellbeing challenges, using appropriate design tools.

- Appreciate the concept of health and its various determinants and how these influence product and service design.

The programme is delivered in a design studio environment, through flexible online and on campus teaching. The focus is on cultivating a culture of creativity, peer learning and transdisciplinary collaboration.

The approach is based on real-world challenges linked with industry (medical devices, life sciences) and healthcare providers. Through this real-world approach students learn to identify stakeholder needs and develop a breath of solutions through ideation. Participants will conduct research in a clinical setting as well as work on external partner specified design briefs around specific development requests.

Applicants must have a 1st or 2nd class Level 8 honours degree (NFQ or internationally recognised equivalent) in a relevant subject or equivalent prior learning that is recognised by the University as meeting this requirement.

Applicants must also satisfy the English Language Requirements of the University. The University reserves the right to shortlist and interview applicants.

Applications are welcome from students of design and non-design backgrounds with an interest in innovating solutions for healthcare and wellbeing challenges and opportunities.

Backgrounds can include, but are not limited to, technical disciplines (science and engineering), business, medicine, allied health, social sciences. Supporting documentation will be reviewed by Course Director and course team.

‘What to Include with your Application

• Qualification transcripts and certificates
• A copy of your birth certificate or passport
• A statement of interest as to why you would like to be considered for the professional diploma in Designing Healthcare Products and Services
• If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice
• If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
• English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND
• English language competency certificate
• Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements

Microsoft Word - University Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning-1 (ul.ie)

Guidelines on Completing your Application

• To ensure a speedy assessment of your application, please upload the above documents with your application form – your application cannot be assessed until relevant documentation is uploaded

• Please title appropriately any documents you are uploading with the application form, for example "Supporting Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc.

International students can find more information on eligibility requirements here.