DC542 | Online Programmes
DURATION 1 Year ( 2 Semesters) delivered primarily online, complemented by 2–3 in person days per semester
EU FEES €5,550 per annum
NON EU FEES €10,500 per annum
START DATE January 2027
APPLICATION Accepting Applications
Note: Please submit your interest here and Dr Paul Davis will get back to you to answer any questions.
Apply using code DC542 HERE
Download the Brochure HERE
The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Public Procurement (GCSPP) is an innovative, 30 ECTS award at NFQ Level 9 developed by DCU Business School. This course was designed in direct response to a distinct, growing demand within the public sector for advanced education in strategic public procurement.
Public procurement in Ireland represents roughly €18 billion in annual expenditure (approx. 8% of GDP), yet this course stands as the first dedicated postgraduate level qualification addressing it within the Irish higher education system. The programme combines rigorous academic theory with practical, professionally oriented learning, preparing students to navigate highly regulated, sustainability driven, and geopolitically uncertain environments
This programme is designed for the Working Professional. It is delivered on a part-time basis over one academic year (two semesters). It Utilises a flexible block delivery model (combining online sessions with on campus workshops, usually 2-3 One day workshops on campus per semester) to easily fit into the operational schedule of full time employees.
The programme outcomes are explicitly mapped to the ProcurCompEU (European Competency Framework for Public Procurement Professionals) framework, making your credential highly portable across Europe.
Master the complexities of EU and national regulatory frameworks. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the legal architectures, compliance obligations, and institutional accountability mechanisms that govern contracting authorities across diverse public sector contexts
Translate regulatory theory into high-impact professional practice. Build hands-on expertise in specification drafting, navigating go/no-go decision frameworks, constructing evaluation methodologies, and mastering robust debrief disciplines.
Position procurement as a core strategic governance function fit for complex institutional environments. Explore how to align procurement strategies with political accountability, democratic obligations, and strategic decision-making to drive maximum public value.
Equip yourself with the strategic foresight and analytical frameworks needed to operate in volatile environments. Learn to evaluate geopolitical risk, identify critical supply chain dependencies, and design resilience frameworks to shield public spending from global disruptions.
Apply rigorous economic analysis methods to high-value, complex public contracts. Gain command over whole-of-life costing, investment appraisal under uncertainty, and lifecycle value-for-money assessment methodologies
Embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles directly into your sourcing strategies. Address accelerating sustainability obligations by mastering green procurement practices and leveraging public contracts as instruments for broader public policy impact.
Develop the professional capability to communicate and defend complex policy decisions under questioning. Through interactive simulations and group projects, enhance your ability to collaborate across teams and present strategic frameworks confidently to senior stakeholders.
Prepare for senior leadership and policy-advisory roles across central government, local authorities, health sectors, and state agencies. Acquire advanced competencies aligned with international frameworks like ProcurCompEU, opening doors to high-level procurement, category management, and director roles
Associate Professor Management
Graduates are highly equipped to advance into senior operational, advisory, or leadership pathways within the public sector. Typical roles include:
Additionally, this certificate establishes a firm 30 ECTS foundation at Level 9, easing progression into future taught Masters options in supply chain, procurement, or public management.
Who is this programme for?
This programme is custom tailored for mature learners and professionals working across the wider public sector. It is open to suitably qualified applicants from:
Structure & Delivery:
The programme is delivered on a part time basis over one academic year (two semesters).
The curriculum consists of four newly developed, sequential core modules:
| Year / Stage | Semester 1 (Jan 2027 – May 2027)Applied Foundation Phase | Semester 2 (Sept 2027 – Dec 2027) Level 9 Strategic Phase |
| Year 1 ( 30 ECTS Total) | Module 1a (5 ECTS)
Module 1b (5 ECTS) Format: 4 × 4-hr online sessions + 1 full-day intensive per module. |
Module 2 (10 ECTS)
Module 3 (10 ECTS) Format: 6 × 4-hr online sessions + 1 full-day intensive per module. Both modules run in parallel on alternating weeks. |
For admission to the Graduate Certificate in Strategic Public Procurement you must hold either:
To apply for this programme:
All applicants should apply using code DC542 HERE. Here’s a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
Applicants will be required to provide:
Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until:
If you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
Queries
Queries from EU applicants should be directed to postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
Queries from non EU applicants should be directed to internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in January 2027
All programme fees are per annum and subject to an annual increase.
€5,550
MSc in Human Resource Management 
