Certificate in Social Prescribing (Online)

Course Summary

This programme aims to provide existing and potential Social Prescribing Link Workers with targeted evidence-informed knowledge, skills and competencies in the field of Social Prescribing, delivered in an easily accessible manner.  

In supporting the role of Social Prescribers this certificate will equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively communicate with participants and stakeholders, identify local expertise and resources, coordinate and facilitate programmes of activities, write reports and funding applications and conduct evaluations to support the diverse health and wellbeing of their local community. 

Students will develop a practical understanding of the importance of engaging with allied health professionals and community practitioners in supporting the needs of participants through a series of guest lectures and online seminars. 

Key Course Information

In undertaking the Certificate in Social Prescribing, students will be required to complete a variety of assessments, all of which are continuous assessments, completed in the student's own time. In keeping with the principles of Universal Design, students will be offered different options in how they might approach their assessments. For example, students may be offered the choice of doing a poster or a written essay. The assessment marking scheme and learning outcomes are the same but students who engage visually may choose to do a poster, while those who prefer the written word may opt to write an essay. All assessment information and lecture notes are made available through Moodle, our online platform. There are no terminal exams.

Application Closing Date : 15th August 2025

Entry Requirements

To qualify for entry to this Special Purpose Award a standard applicant must achieve a pass in the leaving certificate (or equivalent examinations) with five grade D's which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. An E in Higher Level Mathematics is also acceptable, as is a B2 or higher in Foundation Mathematics.

Applicants who may not meet the above minimum entry requirements can have their experiential, work-based learning considered and need to contact the programme team.

The programme welcomes, and will be of value to all, but especially those working in health, social care, wellbeing, disability services, primary care, those working with children and older people and people working within health promotion, allied health professions, community development, public service.

Further Study

Graduates of the programme may consider undertaking awards in related fields of social care, occupational health, and psychology. These programmes are available with ATU Sligo. Interested students will be provided with a programme progression talk before they complete their programme.

Students may also wish to progress to community development awards which are available Atlantic Technological University network.

Programme Fees

Academic Year 2024/25 Total Fees:

Total programme fees: €1,500

To help make the payment of fees more manageable for students who are self-funding their studies, tuition fees can be paid through payment instalment plans at ATU Sligo. For further information on instalment plans, please visit our Fees and Funding webpage. 

If you apply and are approved for an online course at ATU Sligo, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €250 to secure your place. Your deposit will then be credited against the course fees once you are registered as a student. Students at ATU Sligo are also eligible to claim tax relief at the standard rate for tuition fees.

For further information and guidance about Fees and Funding for online and part-time courses at ATU Sligo, click here. 

Course Format

Semester 1

Semester 2