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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Education (Modular Masters in Education)

Course Fact File

Code	MEDM & MEDMOD
Duration	1 to 5 years
Teaching Mode	Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
Qualifications	MEd (Modular)
NFQ Level	Level 9
Fees	See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	26 May 2025
Start Date	2 September 2025

Course Outline

The MEd masters degree is a modularised programme and can be attained through a credit accumulation process, the focus is on the continuing professional development of teachers and educators at all levels of education.  Students can design their own special programme from the available modules to suit their own professional specialisation, research areas and personal interests. However, students should note that a minimum and maximum quota of students will be applied to each module. 

• MEDOD - MEd Modular (120-credit route): Applicants meeting the initial entry requirements should apply for the 120-credit route.
• MEDM - MEd Modular (60-credit route): Applicants meeting the initial entry requirements and who have an approved postgraduate diploma in the general education area or equivalent (with an honours grade) should apply for the 60-credit route. Equivalencies are subject to the School and College approval. 

A total of 120 credits, or 60 credits in the case of a holder of one of the approved diplomas, must be completed. Students are limited to studying a maximum of 30 credits in any one semester (and a maximum of 60 credits in any one year). Teaching periods are September-December and January-March/April).

The M.Ed degree offers a variety of taught modules that explore contemporary issues for education, e.g. early childhood education, leadership, inclusion and special educational needs, modern foreign languages, curriculum and assessment, digital education, physical and health education. 

Modules are informed and driven by research and are assessed by project work that links your professional settings to contemporary educational research. This leads to a dissertation based on your professional educational research interests. 

Students can design their own special programme from the available modules to suit their own professional specialisation, research areas and personal interests, including:

• Leadership
• Children’s Literature and Pedagogy
• Wellbeing
• Assessment
• Second/Foreign Language Teaching
• SEN
• Early Childhood Studies
• Digital Learning
• EAL
• Mentoring

All students are required to complete the ED6035 dissertation module (30 credits).  Students are advised that the dissertation module is taken only on completion of the required number of other taught modules.

Dissertation students are required to attend and participate in a series of compulsory research seminars and independently prepare a research proposal on their chosen research area. Students must then write a dissertation of 15,000 words under the supervision of an allocated Staff member.

 

Additional Teaching Mode Information

The programme can be studied in a flexible timescale within a 5-year period.

(This is a part-time Modular Programme and is open to Irish/EU Students only).

 

Additional Teaching Mode Information

The programme can be studied in a flexible timescale within a 5-year period.

(This is a part-time Modular Programme and is open to Irish/EU Students only).

Course Practicalities

Lectures are timetabled to facilitate working teachers. Each 15-credit module is timetabled for two hours (e.g. 5-7 pm or 7-9 pm) on one night per week. Lectures are currently timetabled on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the two 12-week semesters (September-December and January-March/April). You can register for a maximum of 30 credits in any one teaching period.  Should you have any specific queries regarding lectures of the various modules the staff of the School of Education please contact us.

All assessment of MEd degree modules is by project work (normally 5,000 words), leading to the completion of a 15,000-word dissertation based on your professional research interests. There are no end-of-year written examinations. All MEd degree modules feature readings, reflections, presentations, and other in-class assignments.

Why Choose This Course

• The MEd degree course is grounded in current educational issues.
• The range and choice of modules available make the course relevant to all members of the teaching community.
• The course is organised and timetabled to suit the schedule of working teachers.
• Its modular and flexible structure allows credits to be accumulated over a two to five-year period depending on individual students’ choices and circumstances.
• Connecting educational research is linked to professional practice experiences throughout the course.

Skills and Careers Information

Our MEd programme offers continuing professional development for educators at all levels.  A broad knowledge of educational studies and an introduction to key research in this area. Critical reflection on educational theory and classroom practice.

Skills needed to conduct a research study and write a dissertation.

MEd degree graduates have gone on to other posts in the education sector, e.g. school Principals, the inspectorate, college lectureships, research positions and the professional development service for teachers.

School of Education: News Link:https://www.ucc.ie/en/education

Requirements

To apply for entry  to the M.Ed degree modular programme you must hold:

• a primary degree and the Professional Master of Education (formerly the Postgraduate/Higher Diploma in Education) with a Second Class Honours in one (or its' equivalent)
• or have a Second Class Honours BEd degree, (or its' equivalent)
• or have a Second Class Honours BSc (Education in Physical Sciences), (or its' equivalent)
• or have a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years & Childhood Studies (or its' equivalent)

Professional teaching experience, equivalent to five full years (excluding initial teacher education), will be considered as an honours equivalent.

Furthermore applicants must also possess a minimum of one year’s post teacher education professional teaching experience, or certified equivalent (e.g. research in schools, voluntary work with schools, working with school teams).

In addition to the above requirements, applicants who have achieved at least a Second Class Honours grade in one of the following postgraduate diplomas (or equivalent – equivalencies are subject to School and College approval) will be eligible to apply for the 60 credit route: 

Approved Postgraduate Diplomas: 

• Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration
• Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership
• Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Religious Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Science in the Primary School
• Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education Needs/Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support/Compensatory and Remedial Education
• Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation through Design Thinking
• Postgraduate Diploma in Curriculum Studies (CSPE)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
• Postgraduate Diploma in Italian/Spanish for Post-Primary Teachers
• Postgraduate Diploma in English and the Teaching of English
• An tArd Teastas i dTeagasc agus i Litriocht na Gaeilge

Fees and Costs

The fee for this course is based upon a fee per 15-credit module.

Part-time students

If your course is offered full-time and part-time, normally the fee for part-time course is half the full-time fee per year, please check the fact file for confirmation.

Deposits

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

EU student fee payment

Fees for EU students are payable in two equal instalments. First payment at registration in August and the second in January.

How can I pay?

By Credit/Debit card online or by credit transfer.

Questions?

If you have any questions on fee payment please email our Fees Office at fees@ucc.ie

 

How To Apply

Important Note (All Applicants)

Early applications are advised. Applications for this programme are assessed as they come in, therefore the programme quota may be achieved before the closing date.  Applicants that meet the programme entry criteria, but who submit after the programme has been filled, will be placed on a waiting list for spaces that may open due to withdrawals or cancellations.

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.

• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Programme codes are MEDOD (120 credit route) or MEDM (60 credit route). For full details of the application procedure visit our How to apply page.

Selection will be based on teaching qualification, academic record, professional experience, and the online additional/supplementary questions completed during the online application process.

Deferrals

Deferrals are not permitted on this programme.

 

Contacts:

Prospective applicants can contact the School of Education Administrative Staff to discuss the programme details:

·  Ms Anita Cronin (a.cronin@ucc.ie)

·  Ms Claire Dooley (c.dooley@ucc.ie)

 

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