The course fosters a critical understanding of educational research, policy and practice and promote the ability to participate effectively in the advancement of knowledge. It comprises eleven strands that allow students to gain a comprehensive and contemporary understanding in one of the specialisms offered.
The course is open to teachers at all levels of the education system, to appropriately qualified professionals working in the areas of education, training, administration and management, and to graduates in areas related to the strand specialisms. We welcome applications from both Irish and international graduates who wish to relate their particular fields of competence to the theory and practice of education.
*PLEASE NOTE Music in Education and Positive Behaviour Management will not be running for 2022-23.
The M.Ed. programme comprises the strands listed below, each focusing on a distinct specialism within education. Please note, not all specialisms may run in a given academic year. Timetables are individual to each strand and applicants can get an indication of the strand timetables, see timetable link at the bottom of the page.
In addition to the eleven strands available on the M.Ed., many of the strands may offer students the opportunity to study on a 1-Year Full-Time, 2-Year Part-Time and a 3-Year Part-Time basis.
4 strand modules, 1 common M.Ed. module on Academic Literacy and Research Methods and a 20,000 word dissertation completed in one year.
4 strand modules, 1 common M.Ed. module on Academic Literacy and Research Methods and a 20,000 word dissertation completed over two years. The taught component is completed in year 1, and the dissertation is completed in year 2.
4 strand modules, 1 common M.Ed. module on Academic Literacy and Research Methods and a 20,000 word dissertation completed over three years. 2 strand modules and the common M.Ed. module on Academic Literacy and Research Methods are completed in year 1, 2 further strand modules are completed in year 2, and the dissertation is completed in year 3.
2-year part-time students wishing to progress to the dissertation year must submit their completed coursework for the taught component of the programme (5 modules) by May 10th of the year following entry to the programme.
3-year part-time students wishing to progress to the dissertation year must submit their completed coursework for the taught component of the programme (5 modules) by May 10th in their second year of the programme.
The closing date for applications for the academic year 2022-23 is 30th June 2022 with the exception of Drama in Education (May 31st 2022 ). Applications for all strands for 2022-23 should be made through the web portal system.
Please note that not all strands may run in a given academic year and all are subject to minimum and maximum student numbers.
Please note - applications for strands on this course may close in advance of the listed deadline if we recruit the required number of applicants. Thus, we advise applicants to apply expeditiously.
Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honour's degree (normally a 2.1 or equivalent). In order to complete the application, electronic copies of undergraduate degree transcripts, the email addresses of two academic referees and an up-to-date CV are required. Professional experience in the field of education is desirable for all strands and is a requirement for some strands. Applicants who have completed their primary degree through a medium other than English should provide confirmation of their linguistic proficiency in English (e.g. certification at grade 6.5 IELTS, or equivalent). Applicants to the 1-year Full-Time M.Ed. route must also submit an outline of their area of research interest (1-2 pages) as part of the application process.
No. The M.Ed. is an academic programme and not a professional programme. While the M.Ed. allows students to explore issues in education and aims to enhance participants' knowledge and practice in educational spheres, it is not designed so as to qualify graduates to teach.
The deadline for strands is June 30th 2023, with the exception for Drama in Education and Music in Education strands (May 31st 2023).
An application form, two academic references and an up-to-date CV are required for all applications. Students applying to the Full-time route are also required to submit a M.Ed. Description of Area of Research Interest 2023-24 (PDF). Students who studied for their primary degree through a medium other than English are asked to provide certification of their linguistic competence in English (e.g. grade 6.5 IELTS).
Applications are assessed and offers are made on a rolling basis. For non-EU students, we aim to communicate a decision on applications within three weeks of receiving the completed application.
Two academic references are generally required. These are normally provided by lecturers who have taught the applicant. In some circumstances, professional references may be accepted e.g. from schools principals.
For general M.Ed. queries, please contact the M.Ed. administrators at [email protected], or by telephone: Ms. Keara Eades +353-1-896-3568
For queries that relate specifically to individual strand content, please contact the strand leader (contact details available within each strand description).
The M.Ed. programme fees for the academic year 2023/2024 are as follows:
EU Student Rates
Non-EU Student Rates
Option 1 (Full-time) €7,589 (5 modules and dissertation) Option 2 (Part-time)
Option 3 (Part-time)
Option 1 (Full-time)
Option 2 (Part-time)
