Online Postgraduate in Diploma Managing Risk and System Change

Flexible Nights, Practical Learning, Real Results
All teaching is delivered online so you can study from anywhere without time away from work. Weekly materials, live evening lectures and recorded sessions give structure and flexibility — join live to network with peers or catch the recordings when it suits you. Real workplace projects replace exams, letting you produce outcomes that benefit your organisation while you study

Download a Sample Year 1 Timetable

**Students who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Managing Risk and System Change (four modules) may undertake an additional year of study (three further modules) to pursue the Postgraduate Diploma award.

*This module runs across all three semesters in year 1 of the course.

Complete four core modules across the academic year (Michaelmas, Hilary, Trinity terms). Finish the Certificate and you can add three more modules next year to upgrade to the Postgraduate Diploma — a clear route to the full MSc.

Ideal candidates:

• Mid-career professionals responsible for risk, safety, change, operations, quality, HR or system design.

• Practitioners from healthcare, aviation, defence, IT, finance, emergency services, pharma, manufacturing and regulated sectors.

• Professionals who need practical tools and evidence to lead system change while remaining in full-time roles. Trinity College Dublin

Why it works for busy people:
Flexible online delivery, workplace-based assessments and evening sessions let you learn on the job — producing outputs that benefit your employer as you study.

I typically work evenings and weekends, so I need to be able to log on to Blackboard when it suits me. This course affords me the required flexibility to attain this qualification.

Online Managing Risk and Systems Change Student

Practical Assessment — No Final Exams
Assessment is continuous and workplace-relevant: case reports, mini projects, reflective essays and professional dossiers. This approach builds an evidence portfolio you can show employers — theory tied to measurable operational outcomes.

• PS7501 — The Role of People & Processes in Organisations (10 ECTS)
  Learn to map how people, culture and information flow create—or block—value so you can redesign processes that actually work in practice.

• PS7502 — Stability & Change (10 ECTS)
  Master the science of why organisational change fails and how to build robust business cases and capability for sustainable change.

• PS7503 — Managing Performance & Risk (10 ECTS)
  Translate risk analysis into performance improvement: design indicators, understand human-centred failure modes and reduce operational surprises.

• PS7504 — Socio-Technical System Design (10 ECTS)
  Apply human-centred design methods to complex systems so technology, people and processes deliver safer, more effective outcomes.

• PS7505 — Leading Change (5 ECTS)
  Build practical leadership frameworks to mobilise teams, resolve ethical dilemmas and drive risk-informed decisions.

• PS7506 — Strategic HR Management (5 ECTS)
  Align people strategy with operational goals: create the skilled, resilient workforce your organisation needs to change and to perform.

• PS7507 — Statistics & Action Research Methods (10 ECTS)
  Learn applied research and statistics for real-world improvement projects — design, measure and validate interventions that matter.

Full Module Descriptions

Students receive a full handbook covering regulations, key dates and assessments, plus academic and technical support to make online study run smoothly around work. 

Copies are made available to students as part of the registration and welcome process.

Who we’re looking for & flexibility for experienced hires
Typical applicants hold an honours degree (2.1 or equivalent) with 3–4 years’ relevant experience and access to a workplace for applied research.

Exceptional experienced candidates may be considered via the recognition of prior learning route; applicants might also be asked for writing samples or a short interview. 

Full Entry Criteria:

• Applicants will normally be required to hold an Honours degree (II.1)** or equivalent and have at least 3 to 4 years appropriate professional experience.

• Applicants will also have to be in (or have access) to an employment setting that facilitates the applicant to be able to satisfy the applied research aspect of the course.

• **Note: In exceptional circumstances, the course director shall make appropriate recommendations to the Dean of Graduate Studies for candidates who do not fully meet the above criteria but make a reasonable case for admissions otherwise i.e. based on their work experience. An applicant may be asked to provide written samples in support of academic writing ability or be set a piece of academic writing to complete.

• Students whose first language is not English are required to provide official evidence of proficiency in the English language. Applicants to this course are required to meet Band B (Standard Entry)English language requirements. For more details of qualifications that meet Band B, see the English Language Requirements page.

• Applicants may also be asked to take part in a short interview (in person or via phone/skype) as part of the assessment process.

• References: students are requested to submit the names of two referees on their application form. In the first instance our preference is for one academic and one professional reference. We do however have discretion to accept either two academic or two professional references. Note: the referees listed on the application are automatically emailed a secure link to complete and upload the reference. Any difficulties in relation to references should be brought to the attention of the course administrator.

Applications are reviewed as received.

Submit the online form plus a CV, transcripts and two referees; the application fee is €55.

Applications close on 31st July 2026, so early completion improves your chance of an offer.

Postgraduate Certificate Graduates:

Students who have already successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate should contact the course administrator for details on how to pursue the additional year of study for the Postgraduate Diploma award.

Apply for course

See Trinity’s Fees & Payments pages for current fee details and EU/non-EU guidance.

Many students secure employer sponsorship — ask us for a funding checklist and an employer-friendly application template. All fees are subject to annual review.

Postgraduate Certificate Graduates:

Students who have already successfully completed the Postgraduate Certificate can return to complete a further three modules and upgrade their qualification to a Postgraduate Diploma. Please contact the course administrator for details on the application procedure.

Attend an online information evening to meet staff, see Blackboard, review the timetable and ask about assessments and fees. Dates for the next sessions will be posted in early 2026.

Typical Open Evening Structure

• Course Structure
• Student Learning Software Demonstration (Backboard)
• Is This Course For You
• Timetable
• Assessments
• Entry Requirements
• Tuition Costs

For admissions, suitability, or employer funding questions, email the course administrator and attach your CV for a quick suitability check.