Digital Leadership in Education

Programme Overview

The Graduate Certificate/Diploma/M Ed in Digital Leadership in Education is designed for those working in education to support them to lead, design, implement and evaluate an integrated and innovative model of digital learning within their educational contexts. Learners will work collaboratively to solve problems that explore the elements key to a successfully digital learning ecosystem in particular the relationship between digital learning policy; digital pedagogies; digital equality, diversity and inclusion (Digital EDI); open and distributed e-leadership; digital literacy and wellbeing and digital infrastructure when planning digital learning in their individual schools or educational institutes.



Key Features

A future focused programme which adopts an integrated approach to developing 21st Century educational leadership skills, the programme encourages learners to explore the relationship between open and connected leadership, e-leadership, digital literacies, digital wellbeing, digital EDI and digital pedagogies which are key for modern educational leadership and a successful digital learning ecosystem.



Delivered using a hyflex model learners can choose how they wish to engage with the programme material and with each other. Learners will cultivate cross-sectoral communities of practice to work collaboratively to bridge theory and practice and develop a digital learning ecosystem that considers the needs of the whole educational community including students, educators, parents, communities.



Based on an innovative, inclusive digital pedagogical approach the programme models and fosters a transformative digital learning experience based on principles of Universal Design for Learning, Heutagogy, Transformative Learning and Learner agency.



Learners will reflect on the dilemmas and problems experienced within a digital-learning era and how they can become agents for change at micro, meso, macro and mega levels to develop a sustainable model of digital learning within their institutes and across the education sector as a whole.

Full-time Option (over one year):

Please Note: Non-EU applicants can apply for all three full-time programme options, but the Certificate and Diploma options are online only until further notice.



Certificate in Digital Leadership in Education:

Semester 1

Digital EDI (9 ECTS)

Digital Pedagogies (9 ECTS)



Semester 2

Open Leadership (12 ECTS)



Diploma in Digital Leadership in Education:

Semester 1

Digital EDI (9 ECTS)

Digital Pedagogies (9 ECTS)

Applied Research Project (12 ECTS)



Semester 2

Open Leadership (12 ECTS)

Digital infrastructure (9 ECTS)

Digital Literacies (9 ECTS)



MEd in Digital Leadership in Education:

Semester 1

Digital EDI (9 ECTS)

Digital Pedagogies (9 ECTS)

Applied Research Project (12 ECTS)

Principles & Practice of Research (9 ECTS)

Dissertation 1 (6 ECTS)



Semester 2

Open Leadership (12 ECTS)

Digital infrastructure (9 ECTS)

Digital Literacies (9 ECTS)

Dissertation 2 (15 ECTS)



Part-time Option (over two years):

Certificate in Digital Leadership in Education:

N/A



Diploma in Digital Leadership in Education:

Year 1, Semester 1

Digital EDI (9 ECTS)

Digital Pedagogies (9 ECTS)



Year 1, Semester 2

Open Leadership (12 ECTS)



Year 2, Semester 1

Applied Research Project (12 ECTS)



Year 2, Semester 2

Digital infrastructure (9 ECTS)

Digital Literacies (9 ECTS)



M Ed in Digital Leadership in Education:

Year 1, Semester 1

Digital EDI (9 ECTS)

Digital Pedagogies (9 ECTS)

Applied Research Project (12 ECTS)



Year 1, Semester 2

Open Leadership (12 ECTS)

Digital infrastructure (9 ECTS)

Digital Literacies (9 ECTS)



Year 2, Semester 1

Principles & Practice of Research (9 ECTS)

Dissertation 1 (6 ECTS)



Year 2, Semester 2

Dissertation 2 (15 ECTS)



The programme is comprised of the following core modules:

Applied Research Project

Digital Pedagogies

Digital Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

Principles and Practice of Research in Education

Open and Distributed e-leadership

Digital Literacies and Wellbeing

Digital Learning Infrastructure

Dissertation Modules x 2



Full-time Structure: In Semester 1, students complete five core modules (Applied Research Project, Principles and Practice of Research in Education, Digital Pedagogies, Digital EDI and Dissertation 1) In Semester 2, students complete four core modules (Open and Distributed e-leadership, Digital Literacies and Wellbeing, Digital Learning Infrastructure and Dissertation 2)



Part-time Structure: In Semester 1, students complete three core modules (Applied Research Project, Digital Pedagogies, Digital EDI) In Semester 2, students complete three core modules (Open and Distributed e-leadership, Digital Literacies and Wellbeing and Digital Learning Infrastructure). In Year 2, (i.e. semester 3 & 4) students engage with two core modules in Semester 3 (Principles and Practice of Research in Education and Dissertation 1) and one core module (Dissertation 2) in Semester 4.



Semester 1 Modules

Applied Research Project

Digital Pedagogies

Digital Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)



Semester 2 Modules

Open and Distributed e-leadership

Digital Literacies and Wellbeing

Digital Learning Infrastructure

Applicants should hold a relevant degree / Postgraduate Diploma / Professional Master at 2.2 Honours Level or higher (Level 8 - National Framework of Qualifications).



It is expected that applicants should have a minimum of two years’ experience in education.



Places on the programme will be offered based on the above, based on qualifications, performance at interview (if applicable), language proficiency level (if applicable), and application form.



In cases where the applicant does not meet normal entry requirements, the applicant can be assessed on prior learning in line with University policy and procedures on the Recognition of Prior Learning. The admission procedures will include an interview wherein the prior learning and experience of applicants in education will be assessed.



For English language requirements, click on https://www.mic.ul.ie/international/study-in-ireland/essential-information/english-language-requirements

Applications for the Graduate Certificate/Diploma/M Ed in Digital Leadership in Education are now open.



To apply, please complete all the steps below:



Download and complete the application form here (application fee Payment Ref ID required)

Please pay the non-refundable €50 application fee here using Stripe, and return the completed application along with the supporting documents below by email only to TaughtProgrammes@mic.ul.ie

What to include with your Application



You will be required to send:



University transcripts and certificates

If English is not your first language/language of qualification, you will require:

English translation of transcript/qualification

Your English Language Competency Certificate (Academic IELTS or equivalent)

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time.



Delivery Mode: Students have the option of engaging online (Hyflex) or face to face (at weekends).

Applications for the Graduate Certificate/Diploma/MEd in Digital Leadership in Education are now open.



Applications will close on 27 June 2025.