Professional Diploma in Office Administration
Launch a career in administration by gaining the skills and knowledge needed to keep offices running like clockwork. Demonstrate your ability to maximise efficiency and productivity in the office and deliver this central support role with confidence and reliability.
Why UCD Professional Academy?
- Valuable, trusted qualification
- Industry expert lecturers
- Flexible live online learning

Secure your place with a 5% deposit and continue your professional development.
Course Information
Choose a start date below
Location
Supported learning with live, online lectures
Duration
36 hours: Evening class: 3 hours per lesson, once a week for 12 weeks
Timetable
Online evening course: 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm Thursday evenings.
Course Type
Live online learning
Location
Supported learning with live, online lectures
Duration
36 hours: Evening class: 3 hours per lesson, once a week for 12 weeks
Timetable
Online evening course: 6.30 pm - 9.30 pm Thursday evenings.
Course Type
Live online learning
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Industry-focused courses recognised by top companies worldwide
We offer ambitious professionals the opportunity to stay competitive and relevant in the changing workplace. With flexible learning that slots easily into your busy life, access industry-focused courses that deliver job-ready skills. Our courses are developed and delivered by experienced industry experts.
98 of our students say they would take another course with us

Fit professional advancement into your busy career and life
As an alternative to on-campus learning, we deliver all instructor-led courses via an easy-to-use online study environment. This facilitates student-teacher interaction with live lectures delivered straight to your computer. Our friendly Student Services team is on hand to answer your questions and fix any technical issues you may have.
96 of our alumni would recommend us to friends and family
Course overview
Learning outcomes and course content
Learn to run a productive, safe, and positive working environment for all. The rounded nature of this course makes it ideal for professionals working in any role that includes administration.
What will I learn?

Office administrators handle a wide range of tasks and meet all kinds of needs in a timely manner. This course covers the broad range of skills an administrator needs to have in a busy, modern company. Learn about essential structures, procedures, and strategies for keeping teams well-organised. Gain insight into complying with legislative requirements, managing personal data, and selecting suppliers. Hone your interpersonal and communications skills as well as your ability to delegate tasks, motivate teams, and manage meetings.

Supervisory Management
Supervisory Management
Learn to supervise a business unit - looking after your team’s wellbeing, including leave, and developing the general know-how that spans all functions of the organisation.
- Leave
- TOIL
- Travel
- Expense and overtime claims
- Attendance, and appraisals.
Facilities Management
Facilities Management
Maintain an efficient and functioning working environment for all. This module looks at elements such as IT, physical infrastructure, sanitation, equipment, and security.
- Managing space and place
- Delivering services
- Integrating the organisation’s support infrastructure
Health & Safety In The Workplace
Health & Safety In The Workplace
Know how to comply with regulations, ensuring employee welfare, mitigating risk, and embedding procedures for staff to flag issues.
- Health and safety
- Laws and regulations
- Keeping people safe and well
Scheduling Yourself & Others
Scheduling Yourself & Others
Learn effective techniques for managing, sharing, and communicating calendars, schedules, events, and meetings. Know how to communicate timelines and deadlines.
- Time management
- Tools and techniques
- Effective communication
Collaboration
Collaboration
Use IT and cloud-based platforms to share information and enable collaborative editing. Manage different levels of access to shared drives and back up data.
- Working in teams
- Collaboration
- IT
- Cloud-based platforms
Database Functions
Database Functions
Learn to use spreadsheet functionality to collate information. You will look at sorting, grouping, and illustrating data for reports to management and using spreadsheets to ensure accuracy and increase efficiency.
- Database functions
- Collating information
- V:HLOOKUP, charts, and pivot tables
- Illustrating and presenting information
Query Handling
Query Handling
Understand that the office administrator is the internal and external link in an organisation. Learn techniques for ensuring prompt turnaround on queries from frontline customer service and internal staff members.
- Tracking and follow-up of complaints
- Feedback and suggestions
Privacy & Data Protection
Privacy & Data Protection
Ensure compliance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Successfully embed protocols for gathering, handling, and deleting personal data. Learn to mitigate the risk of data breaches.
- Responsibilities of data controllers
- Managing personal data
- Data subject requests
- Managing data breach
Procurement
Procurement
Unpack the complex elements of procurement such as searching for value, agreeing on requirements and also the administration of purchase orders, invoice reconciliation, budgets, and in-house purchasing processes.
- Checking requirements
- Comparing quotations
- Managing purchase orders and invoices
- Budgetary and legislative constraints
Organisation
Organisation
Master good organisation by structuring shared drives for maximum efficiency. Look at the storage of hard-copy documentation and the digitalisation of administrative processes.
- Establishing structure
- Encouraging productivity and efficiency
Business Communication Skills
Business Communication Skills
Learn how to communicate effectively in professional contexts. Understand that communicating ideas effectively allows people to add value through innovation, quality, delivery, and cost.
- Email, telephone, or in-person communication
- Managing relationships
- Influencing others
- Working in teams
Supporting Colleagues & Managers
Supporting Colleagues & Managers
Develop soft management skills - getting buy-in and enhancing collaboration, keeping teams informed and engaged, and recognising input. Learn to overcome obstacles and challenges while instilling a sense of teamwork.
- People skills
- Social skills
- Communication skills
- Character and personality traits
- Supporting colleagues and managers.
Have questions about this course?
Find out how this industry-focused course will give you the job-ready skills and knowledge to advance your career.
Is this course right for me?
You do not need to have any prior experience in office administration as this industry-focused course will provide an excellent introduction to this area.
You may be:
• Someone looking to apply for a role as an office manager or office administrator
• Someone in a role that includes some administrative tasks, such as a personal assistant, receptionist, or customer service assistant
• A manager or supervisor
• A business owner or entrepreneur
• A recent graduate
How will this course help with my career?
As you look to move forward in your career, you may be considering roles in office administration or with some administrative duties. As these are so essential to the smooth running of a business, a qualification proving you have the right blend of skills and knowledge in this area will be a great boost to your CV. An Office Manager in Ireland earns an average salary of €36,500 depending on experience.
There are also specialist roles such as Data Protection Officer, Compliance Officer, and Data Privacy Officer.
What is the online learning experience like?
Our online experience is designed to be just as interactive, supportive, and inspiring as the UCD Professional Academy campus experience.
Online courses can be accessed from any computer or laptop with an internet connection.
Live lectures are delivered using Zoom. During these lectures, your teachers will use technology interactively to ensure an engaging learning experience. When appropriate, students will be encouraged to activate their microphones so that they can ask questions and communicate with other students.
What is the student experience like?
Student care is a high priority at UCD Professional Academy, which is why our Student Services team is on hand to support you throughout your time with us. They will respond to any queries you have, help you with any technical issues, and facilitate your learning experience at every point. All students are given access to our Student Portal, where you can see your timetable, access all your study materials, and manage your account.
How is this course assessed?
If you are studying an online course, your assessment will also be submitted online.
The Professional Academy Diploma in Office Administration is assessed through a weekly learner log, which will be submitted at the end of the course.
What are the benefits of a Professional Diploma?
A Professional Diploma is a relatively short, practical course that gives learners up-to-date skills in a professional area. They are suitable for learners wishing to advance their professional skills and career prospects rather than their academic credentials.
With their tight focus and duration, these diplomas are stand-alone qualifications and not referenced to NFQ levels or university degree/diploma courses. They are not generally accepted for transfer credit onto academic courses but are widely recognised and valued by employers.
How do I get my Diploma?
Your UCD Professional Academy Diploma will be issued electronically on a secure platform, with a link that you can share with employers and others wishing to verify your credentials. You can also add this qualification to your LinkedIn profile.
This Professional Diploma is not on the National Framework of Qualifications as a credit-bearing course. This is not unusual for professional courses of this nature, where the need is for fresh and actionable skills immediately applicable in the workplace.
What payment options are available?
A place on any of our programmes can be secured with a 5% deposit.
For full-time (bootcamp) programmes, the balance must be paid in full before course commencement.
For part-time programmes students will be required to pay 50% of the fees before the start of the course, with the remaining balance due within 30 days of the course commencing.
Please note that standard terms and conditions apply, which you can review here: https://www.ucd.ie/professionalacademy/terms-and-conditions/
Pricing
Professional Diploma in Office Administration
Become an organisational superhero! Develop the skills to run efficient, productive offices and take the next step in your career.