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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Postgraduate Diploma
5. Education Studies

Course Fact File

Code	PDES
Duration	1 to 4 years
Teaching Mode	Part-Time. See Additional Teaching Mode Information for more info.
Qualifications	PG Dip
NFQ Level	Level 9
EU Fees	€1,500 per 15-credit module See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	2 June 2026
Start Date	1 September 2026

Course Outline

Note: If you are interested in becoming a Post-Primary teacher, please see our Professional Master of Education . The programme outlined on this page is for qualified teachers.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education Studies is a modular programme that can be completed through a flexible credit accumulation process over 1-4 years. It is designed to support the continuing professional development of teachers and educators across all sectors of education. Students can tailor their programme by selecting from a wide range of modules, allowing them to align their studies with their professional specialisation, research interests, and personal goals.

Stackable Award Pathways and Progression

This programme is part of three stackable award pathways - Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master of Education - enabling students to build their qualifications incrementally over time.

Important Note on Progression:
Students may receive an academic award only once for a given set of credits. Credits used toward one award (e.g. a Postgraduate Certificate) cannot be reused for another award (e.g. a Postgraduate Diploma or MEd). Therefore, students who wish to progress to a higher award must do so without formally accepting the award of their current programme of study. For example, students who intend to progress from the Certificate to the Diploma must not graduate with the Certificate award.

Students can choose either to:

• Exit the programme with an award at a specific level (Certificate, Diploma, or MEd), or
  
  
• Continue their studies and accumulate credits toward the next award level, provided they notify the programme team of their intention to progress before a specified deadline. This ensures that no formal award is conferred prematurely, which would prevent further progression using the same credits.

Award Pathway Details

Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Studies (PDES, 60 credits)
Students may enter directly or progress from the Certificate stage (without graduating with the Certificate award). To achieve the award, students must complete four elective modules (15 credits each), including any credits earned at Certificate level.

The PCES/PDES/MEd programmes offer a broad range of taught modules that address key contemporary issues in education, including areas such as early childhood education, educational leadership, inclusion and special educational needs, modern foreign languages, curriculum and assessment, digital learning, and physical and health education. All modules are research-informed and assessed through practice-oriented project work, encouraging students to critically engage with contemporary educational research in relation to their own professional contexts.  Students have the flexibility to design a personalised programme by selecting modules that reflect their professional specialisation, research focus, and personal interests. The selection of modules available varies from year to year, with offerings rotated on an annual basis. Areas of focus include:

• Leadership in Education
• Children’s Literature and Pedagogy
• Wellbeing in Educational Contexts
• Assessment and Learning
• Second/Foreign Language Teaching
• Special Educational Needs (SEN)
• Early Childhood Studies
• Digital Learning and Educational Technology
• English as an Additional Language (EAL)
• Mentoring and Professional Development

Additional Teaching Mode Information

The programme can be studied in a flexible timescale within a 4-year period.

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

Course Practicalities

Delivery: Part-time, blended-learning format.

Duration: Flexible (typically completed over 1–4 years).

Location: Online and face-to-face sessions, delivered by the School of Education at University College Cork.

Start Date: September annually.

Class Schedule: 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.  If you have any specific queries about the lecture schedule for particular modules, please do not hesitate to contact the School of Education.

Why Choose This Course

• Flexibility: Study at your own pace and accumulate credits towards progressively higher awards
• Career Advancement: Ideal for educators, leaders, and education professionals seeking professional learning and academic qualifications
• Research-Led: Strong focus on applying research to professional contexts, culminating in a minor dissertation
• Stackable Awards: Exit or re-enter at various points – from Certificate to Diploma to MEd
• Tailored Learning: Wide choice of modules covering leadership, inclusion, curriculum, digital education, and more
• Accessible and Affordable: Blended delivery and modular design reduce financial and time barriers

Skills and Careers Information

Our Postgraduate Diploma 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.

Graduates of our Master of Education 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

Requirements

Applicants must have one of the following: 

• A Second Class Honours Grade 2 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) and a Professional Master of Education (formerly the Postgraduate/Higher Diploma in Education)
• or a Second Class Honours BEd degree (NFQ, Level 8)
• or a Second Class Honours BSc (Education in Physical Sciences) (NFQ, Level 8)
• or a Second Class Honours Grade 1 BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years & Childhood Studies (NFQ, Level 8)

Note: Under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) relevant 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 professional teaching experience, post completion of initial teacher education
• or a certified equivalent (e.g. research in schools, voluntary work with schools, working with school teams). Must be certified by employer

Exemptions

In addition to the above entry requirements, applicants who have also achieved at least a Second Class Honours in one of the following postgraduate certificates (or equivalent as approved by the School of Education) can apply for exemptions post admission to reduce the number of credits that are required to achieve the award of Postgraduate Diploma. 

Approved Postgraduate Certificates:

• Postgraduate Certificate in 21st Century Teaching and Learning

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is €1,500 per 15-credit module.

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.

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.

 

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