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During this programme, you will:  

• Learn from experts in law, health, and social care, with a curriculum developed in collaboration with the Department of Justice. 

• Build expertise in courtroom communication, professional ethics, and intermediary interventions, ensuring you are fully prepared for practice in legal settings.  

• Gain hands-on experience through practical training in UL’s state-of-the-art clinical facilities, using real-world case scenarios. 

• Develop the skills to help deliver the UN Sustainability Development Goal 16; ‘equal access to justice for all.’   

• On successful completion of this programme, graduates will be eligible for inclusion on the Register of Court Intermediaries. Courts use this register to select individuals to serve within the Irish justice system. 

Key information:  

• Complete part-time over one year 

• Delivered through a mix of online learning and on-campus training. (blended) 

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters 

• Approx. 12 weeks per semester  

• Can be used to complete 30 credits towards Master of Professional Practice (MPP) 

• Designed for working professionals – lectures often in the evenings and recorded for your convenience 

• Timetable provided after registration 

• Modules with (M) beside them can be taken as independent micro-credential  

• You will graduate with a Professional Diploma in Intermediary Studies,  

You will learn through a blend of: 

• Case-based inquiry methods, real-world scenarios, and hands-on skills training ensuring you develop the expertise required to work as a registered intermediary within the Irish justice system. 

• Lectures, workshops, and experiential learning 

• Reflective practice and supervised research 

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers through group work and assessments 

Year 1 

Autumn Semester 

• will examine key legal principles on admissibility, burden of proof, and witness testimony, focusing on their application in court. 

• will explore key issues in crime, criminal justice policy, and law enforcement, examining court processes, sentencing, and the role of victims' rights. 

Spring Semester 

• will help you understand intermediary practice, communication needs, and inclusive strategies within the Irish justice system. 

• will equip you with advanced skills in assessing communication needs, selecting appropriate support strategies, and advising on effective communication during legal proceedings. 

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8) with a at least a second-class honours, grade 2 (2.2) in a relevant discipline. 

• Applicants must also have at least three years of practice experience as a CORU-registered Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Social Worker in the Republic of Ireland, or an equivalent qualification. Previous legal experience or training is not required. 

International students:  

For details on country-specific qualifications visit postgraduate entry requirements for international students. 

International study visas are only available to students studying full-time in Ireland. This programme does not qualify for a study visa. 

Checklist of documents:  

• Academic transcripts and certificates*
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• A copy of CORU Certificate of Registration
• Copy of your CV
• English translation of your qualifications and transcripts
• A completed communication skills and experience form
• A Personal Statement
  • A brief overview of your education and professional experience, highlighting your CORU-registered background and relevant skills.
  • A reflection on your experience working with individuals with speech, language, and communication needs, including how this prepares you for the role of an intermediary.
  • Your understanding of the role of an intermediary in the Irish justice system and how you see yourself contributing. 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application  

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

EU - €TBC 

Non- EU - €TBC 

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

 
Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships.

The Professional Diploma in Intermediary Studies can lead graduates to the following sectors and careers:     

• Registered intermediary roles within the Irish justice system
• Specialist communication support for vulnerable individuals in legal settings
• Advocacy and policy development for equal access to justice
• Training and consultancy in communication strategies for legal professionals
• Research and development in forensic linguistics and accessibility in justice systems  

David O’Shea, Practice Manager/ Senior Speech and Language Therapist at Kerry Speech and Language Therapy Clinic graduate with a Professional Diploma in Intermediary Studies in 2024  

I chose to undertake the Professional Diploma in Intermediary Studies at ��ɫ��Ƶ as I wanted to apply my clinical skills, as a Speech and Language Therapist, in a new and exciting way- to support and facilitate individuals with communication difficulties to give their best evidence in their interactions with the Irish Criminal Justice system. 

The course is facilitated both by the School of Allied Health and the School of Law, which gave me practical knowledge and a deeper understanding of the intermediary role, thereby opening doors to new career opportunities. The course is part-time and the flexible structure and support from lecturers made it manageable. If you're considering this programme, I would highly recommend it - especially if you're passionate about working within the criminal justice system to support and facilitate individuals to give their best evidence and apply your clinical skills in a new environment. 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions