The programme is designed to appeal to three main groups of students: (i) post-Leaving Certificate students who, in advance of embarking on their chosen degree programme, wish to gain a stand-alone qualification in languages, which will, for example, provide them with the language skills needed to exploit to the full the opportunities for Erasmus mobility in their degree programme: language skills and the maturity and independence acquired through study abroad are recognised by prospective employers as an important part of the educational experience; (ii) mature students who wish to improve existing language skills and/or learn new languages for personal development or career reasons; (iii) students currently registered on UCC degree programmes may apply for permission to take the certificate over two academic years, as an additional 10 credits per academic year (i.e. one language per year).