Effective Leadership & Change Management - Carlow
Strong leadership is critical in times of organisational complexity, reform and transformation. The Certificate in Effective Leadership and Change Management at South East Technological University (Carlow Campus) is a Level 8 Minor Award designed for professionals who want to critically evaluate and strengthen their leadership capability while learning how to successfully lead change.
| Award Name | Minor Certificate (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Minor |
| Awarding Body | South East Technological University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Certificate (Level 8 NFQ) | Minor | South East Technological University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
12 weeks part-time, online.
Delivery
This course will be delivered online.
Entry Requirements
All applicants will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Lifelong Learning reserves the right to require applicants to attend for an interview to determine their suitability for the course.
Careers / Further progression
Career & Progression Opportunities
On completion, you will be able to:
Differentiate and apply advanced leadership approaches
Critically evaluate change management strategies
Assess the role of culture, politics and power in organisational success
Contribute more effectively to strategic leadership decisions
This certificate is also delivered within the Higher Diploma in Business in Innovative Data Generation, Analytics and Management, providing a clear pathway for continued academic and professional progression.
Further information
Next Intake September 2026
Application Deadline 30 Sep 2026
Strong leadership is critical in times of organisational complexity, reform and transformation.Strong leadership is critical in times of organisational complexity, reform and transformation. The Certificate in Effective Leadership and Change Management at South East Technological University (Carlow Campus) is a Level 8 Minor Award designed for professionals who want to critically evaluate and strengthen their leadership capability while learning how to successfully lead change.
In collaboration with the Government of Ireland through the Higher Education Authority (HEA), this course is available to 30 eligible learners with an 80% discount of the fees. The student contribution is €140 with €560 being contributed by the HEA. In order to qualify for a subsidised place you must meet the strict eligibility criteria detailed at: https://microcreds.ie/subsidy-eligibility.
Initial offers will be strictly conditional on you meeting the eligibility criteria, and you will be required to evidence your eligibility in the weeks prior to course commencement date. Failure to do so, or false declarations may result in your subsidised place being revoked which will make you liable for the full course fee. The Learner Fee Subsidy s a separate scheme to Springboard+, you must apply for micro-credentials approved for the learner fee subsidy here - HEA - Springboard+
It is important to note that if you are not eligible for a funded place, you can apply for a place on the course as a self financing student.
The programme will typically run over 12 weeks on one evening per week from 7pm to 10pm. It will be delivered online via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard.
This programme is ideal for ambitious professionals seeking to progress into senior roles or enhance their strategic leadership impact.
Develop Advanced Leadership Capability
This Level 8 certificate goes beyond foundational leadership theory. You will critically explore:
Key leadership theories including skills, situational and contingency approaches
Modern leadership perspectives such as servant, authentic and collaborative leadership
The relationship between leadership practice and corporate strategy
The impact of organisational culture, politics and power on performance
How leadership behaviour influences team effectiveness and change outcomes
You will also critically analyse your own leadership style and evaluate how it shapes your workplace behaviour and decision-making.
Lead Change with Strategic Insight
Organisations across sectors face constant internal and external pressures. This programme equips you to:
Distinguish between planned and emergent change
Analyse causes and categories of change
Apply practical change tools such as SWOT and PESTLE analysis
Evaluate workforce characteristics and cultural influences
Identify and implement effective change strategies
You will gain a deep understanding of how culture, politics and power dynamics influence the success — or failure — of organisational change.
Designed for Working Professionals
Award: Level 8 Minor Award (10 ECTS)
Mode: Part-time
Duration: 1 semester
Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Assessment: 100% continuous assessment (no final exam)
The flexible structure allows you to balance study with professional commitments while applying your learning directly to your workplace.
Who Should Apply?
This programme is particularly suited to:
Managers and team leaders
Professionals working in social care, public service or corporate environments
HR and organisational development practitioners
Those preparing for senior leadership roles
Graduates seeking to build advanced leadership competence
In collaboration with the Government of Ireland through the Higher Education Authority (HEA), this course is available to 30 eligible learners with an 80% discount of the fees. The student contribution is €140 with €560 being contributed by the HEA. In order to qualify for a subsidised place you must meet the strict eligibility criteria detailed at: https://microcreds.ie/subsidy-eligibility.
Initial offers will be strictly conditional on you meeting the eligibility criteria, and you will be required to evidence your eligibility in the weeks prior to course commencement date. Failure to do so, or false declarations may result in your subsidised place being revoked which will make you liable for the full course fee. The Learner Fee Subsidy s a separate scheme to Springboard+, you must apply for micro-credentials approved for the learner fee subsidy here - HEA - Springboard+
It is important to note that if you are not eligible for a funded place, you can apply for a place on the course as a self financing student.
The programme will typically run over 12 weeks on one evening per week from 7pm to 10pm. It will be delivered online via our virtual learning environment, Blackboard.
This programme is ideal for ambitious professionals seeking to progress into senior roles or enhance their strategic leadership impact.
Develop Advanced Leadership Capability
This Level 8 certificate goes beyond foundational leadership theory. You will critically explore:
Key leadership theories including skills, situational and contingency approaches
Modern leadership perspectives such as servant, authentic and collaborative leadership
The relationship between leadership practice and corporate strategy
The impact of organisational culture, politics and power on performance
How leadership behaviour influences team effectiveness and change outcomes
You will also critically analyse your own leadership style and evaluate how it shapes your workplace behaviour and decision-making.
Lead Change with Strategic Insight
Organisations across sectors face constant internal and external pressures. This programme equips you to:
Distinguish between planned and emergent change
Analyse causes and categories of change
Apply practical change tools such as SWOT and PESTLE analysis
Evaluate workforce characteristics and cultural influences
Identify and implement effective change strategies
You will gain a deep understanding of how culture, politics and power dynamics influence the success — or failure — of organisational change.
Designed for Working Professionals
Award: Level 8 Minor Award (10 ECTS)
Mode: Part-time
Duration: 1 semester
Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Assessment: 100% continuous assessment (no final exam)
The flexible structure allows you to balance study with professional commitments while applying your learning directly to your workplace.
Who Should Apply?
This programme is particularly suited to:
Managers and team leaders
Professionals working in social care, public service or corporate environments
HR and organisational development practitioners
Those preparing for senior leadership roles
Graduates seeking to build advanced leadership competence
Become a More Strategic, Reflective Leader
Effective leadership at Level 8 demands more than operational competence — it requires critical thinking, cultural awareness and strategic insight.
If you are ready to elevate your leadership capability and confidently lead change in complex environments, this certificate will provide the advanced knowledge and practical tools to do so.
Apply now and take the next step toward senior leadership impact.
The course will critically explore the areas of leadership and change management as outlined below;
Topic: Leadership
Distinguishing leadership roles from management roles. Major leadership theories which may include: skills approach, situational approach, contingency leadership.
Topic: Modern leadership approaches
Leader participation theory, collaborative leadership skills approach, servant leadership, authentic leadership.
Topic: The Nature of Change
Categories and causes of change. Ecological systems of change - open/closed systems.
Topic: Models of Change
Models of change management - Planned change, emergent change. Tools for change management SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, workforce characteristics.
Topic: Organsiational Culture
Examination and understanding of organizational cultures and the impact of culture and politics in change management process. Leadership and organizational culture
Course Leader
Eoin O'Brien
Lifelong learning manager -
Call: +353599175280
Email: eoin.obrien@setu.ie