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CPD Professional Certificates

Professional Certificates are SCQF level 11 qualifications that can be studied fully online from anywhere in the world.

These certificates offer the opportunity to study short, single upskilling knowledge and theory modules, and potentially build credits towards a PG Cert, PG Dip and MSc award, if accumulated with others over time.

Worth 10-20 credits, they are ideal for those currently working within the sustainability sector looking to enhance their skillset or those seeking a career change.

Fees

Find out about professional certificates fees or contact UHI North, West and Hebrides at admissions.nwh@uhi.ac.uk for further information.

Entry requirements

No formal entry requirements are specified to gain entry to these certificates, but some previous degree level study or relevant work experience would be an advantage.

Assessments and completion

To receive the certificate, participants will need to complete one assessment for each 10 credit Professional Certificate. It is also possible to enrol for the full 20 credits at the outset and study alongside our MSc student cohort, completing two assessments over 12 weeks. Participants can study the module content and participate in learning activities at a time during the week that suits them, making it easy to fit studies around work and personal commitments. 

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Environmental Impact Assessment content

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment

Environmental Impact Assessment (UK) 1

Start date: September 2025

Duration: 6 weeks

This module is suitable for participants working across a range of sectors who are seeking to develop their knowledge and understanding of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in the UK.

The module will develop knowledge of the core stages in the EIA process, including:

  • Baseline data collection
  • Impact assessment and prediction
  • Mitigation, compensation and enhancement
  • Pre-EIA and screening
  • Scoping

Case studies will be used to explore the challenges and opportunities that a well delivered EIA can deliver. Additional learning elements will seek to develop participants further to the stage where they can apply their learning to critically evaluate policy developments and analyse case studies. The course will discuss EIA from a range of perspectives, using case studies and guest industry-sector input to achieve an appreciation of the complexity involved in delivering well-managed and effective environmental assessment and management.

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Environmental Impact Assessment (UK) 2

Start date: September 2025

Duration: 6 weeks

Building on the first module, participants will gain further knowledge on the processes of EIA, , linking this to a wider context in policy and legislative terms. . Topics covered include:

  • Monitoring and audit
  • Process and presentation of EIA
  • Public participation and engagement
  • Trends and future of EIA

Participants will also consider specific elements of the post planning process including: EIA mitigation commitments; Habitat Management Plans; aspects of the review and scrutiny processes relating to EIA.

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Extreme Weather content

Extreme Weather

Extreme Weather

Extreme Weather 1

Start date: January 2026

Duration: 6 weeks

This module is ideal for individuals working across a range of sectors who seek to upskill their knowledge and understanding of extreme weather in the UK and abroad, as well as its implications for commercial and community activity across society.

The programme of study will build and develop the skills of participants new to extreme weather. It will seek to evaluate all the different types of extreme weather, the impacts they cause and consider the risks and hazards associated with them. The module will further evaluate the vulnerability of ecological and human systems to extreme weather, including its increasing and unprecedented effects through time. Study on this module will also consider the links between extreme weather and climate change.

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Extreme Weather 2

Start date: January 2026

Duration: 6 weeks

This module is ideal for participants working across a range of sectors who seek to upskill their knowledge and understanding of extreme weather in the UK and abroad, as well as its implications for business and commerce and community life in our 21st century society.

The programme of study will build and develop the skills of practitioners new to extreme weather. In this module participants will gain knowledge of the science of meteorology and begin to understand extreme weather modelling. The module will conclude by considering how to mitigate, adapt and take protection against extreme weather events in both anticipatory and reactionary capacities.

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The Economics of Community Wealth Building content

The Economics of Community Wealth Building

The Economics of Community Wealth Building

The Economics of Community Wealth Building​ 1

Start date: January 2026

Duration: 6 weeks

This module is suitable for participants either working in regional economic development or seeking entry into this field of work and seeking to upskill their knowledge in this field

The module begins by examining contemporary and historical theories related to local and regional economic development. Participants consider whether such conventional economic approaches are ‘fit for purpose’ in a global context of transgressing planetary boundaries and seeking to foster resilient local economies.

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The Economics of Community Wealth Building​ 2

Start date: January 2026

Duration: 6 weeks

The second part of this module is about re-thinking conventional economics and challenging students to appraise heterodox economic approaches and their relevance to socio-ecological sustainability. Students will evaluate emerging ideas and approaches in the area of post-growth to appraise their potential in helping to achieve a wellbeing economy which focuses on tailored local regeneration.

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Understanding GIS for Spatial and Data Analysis content

Understanding GIS for Spatial and Data Analysis

Understanding GIS for Spatial and Data Analysis

Understanding GIS for Spatial and Data Analysis 1

Start date: January 2026

Duration: 6 weeks

This module is suitable for participants working across a range of sectors seeking to upskill their knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its applications. It will provide participants with key knowledge of an increasingly used tool across a range of business and community sectors.

This module begins by introducing GIS to students and considering its application in the modern workplace. It then goes on to examine the fundamentals of cartography using QGIS is and essentially how to create differing maps with QGIS. The course takes the participant through the primary elements they will need to use and become familiar with in the software to help them upskill their knowledge and usage of GIS.

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Using GIS for Spatial and Data Analysis 2

Start date: January 2026

Duration: 6 weeks

This module is suitable for participants working across a range of sectors seeking to upskill their knowledge of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and its applications. It will provide participants with key knowledge of an increasingly used tool across a range of business and community sectors.

This module is about re-thinking conventional approaches to displaying spatial data and seeks to investigate how QGIS can be used as an effective tool to map and interpret spatial data, using case studies and simulations to illustrate learning to participants. The module will evaluate methods to query data and perform simple vector and raster data processing and analysis using QGIS and evaluate methods to effectively present spatial data and output maps in QGIS for various uses. 

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Working with Communities content

Working with Communities

Working with Communities

Working with Communities​ 1

Start date: January 2026

Duration: 6 weeks

Working with communities is these days a vital part of many job roles and voluntary positions, which brings with it many considerations. These short courses are suitable for participants working across a range of sectors seeking to upskill their knowledge of working with communities to facilitate the development and enhancement of community life from the ground up. They will provide participants with the key knowledge and skills to work effectively with communities.

Working with Communities 1 will set the foundation for your understanding of ‘community’, and through reviewing academic literature and practical guidance, will help you to explore how to understand and engage with communities, to carry out research within and with communities, and to communicate, collaborate and organise within communities.

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Working with Communities 2

Start date: January 2026

Duration: 6 weeks

Working with Communities 2 will explore theoretical understandings of leadership within communities and examine what effective leadership looks like in practice. It will explore other practical aspects of community work, including project management, funding, advocacy, networking and partnerships and how to evaluate ‘success’ in community work. Participants will put this knowledge and skills into practice by reflecting on how these could apply to their own local community/workplace.

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