Education

The MA in Education was developed for education professionals, teachers, or those with a personal interest in education who would like to develop their strengths and interests to an advanced level.



The course is a one-year, full-time, taught masters degree that includes a supervised dissertation. Students choose optional courses from two separate strands – professional development and educational sciences – as well as undertaking advanced courses in research methods. Students develop an understanding of the core academic disciplines informing the study of education, and of key issues, policies and debates within the field. Students are exposed to a range of research skills and techniques that enable them to engage with, and produce, high-quality educational research.



- The programme offers a number of elective modules in Educational Sciences and Professional Development.

- Students are exposed to a range of research skills and techniques which enable them to engage with, and produce, high quality educational research



(*Please note this is not a professional training programme, applicants who intend to train as secondary school teachers should apply for the Professional Masters in Education)

Stage 1 Core Modules

EDUC42890 Research Methods (Blended) Autumn 10

EDUC43870 Global Development Education Spring 10

EDUC43260 Internship: Work Experience and Career Development Summer 30



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 4 of:

MIN1OF: (MA Education Option)

EDUC40310 Education Sciences: Psychology Applied to Schools Autumn 10

EDUC41500 Critical Policy Analysis Autumn 10

EDUC41520 Children's Rights & Participation Autumn 10

EDUC42590 Equalities, Social Justice and Children's Learning Autumn 10

EDUC43270 School Effectiveness Autumn 10

EDUC44150 Education for the 21st century Autumn 10

EDUC44160 Early Childhood Inclusion Autumn 10

EDUC44230 Childhood and Youth in Context Autumn 10

EDUC50190 Key Issues in Second Language Development Autumn 10

EDUC40420 Assessment in Inclusive and Special Education Spring 10

EDUC43250 Wellbeing of Children and Youth Spring 10

This programme is intended for applicants with an upper second class honours, or international equivalent in their primary degree and who demonstrate evidence of interest in educational issues.



Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5 (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.



These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/

Apply online



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

1 year full time.

W027 MA Education

Master of Arts Full-Time

Commencing September 2026

Careers & Employability

Graduates who have graduated with an MA in Education work in a diverse range of careers in education in roles such as: teachers, policy advisors, education professionals, education leaders, education outreach officers, and education and training officers.