Education for Human Rights & Equality

Programme Overview

The timely Masters of Education in Education for Human Rights and Equality is a one year full-time or two year part-time programme, providing an academic qualification for educators interested in human rights and equality offered by MIC Thurles. The programme is designed to develop participants’ knowledge and critical understanding of human rights and equality in the field of education to enable them in their professional capacity to integrate knowledge, handle complexity and formulate judgements to promote the upholding of human rights and equality.



Key Features

The programme is delivered fully online and welcomes participants worldwide to explore human rights and engage in discussion, peer learning, research and reflexive practice in a stimulating, challenging and safe environment. The programme will use the flipped classroom model and incorporate the principles of Universal Design for Learning. The programme will draw from international and national practitioners to offer a unique learning opportunity and will be coordinated and taught by Dr Catherine Stapleton and colleagues at MIC, many of whom have international educational experience. Assessment is flexible and varied involving submission of written assignments, groupwork, online engagement and presentations. All is done in the knowledge of participants having busy lives and, where possible, flexibility will form part of that assessment to play to people’s strengths and work context.

Part-time (over two years):

Year 1

Semester 1

• Historical Understanding of Diversity & Human Rights EDU694 (9 ECTS)

• Leadership for Change and Managing Diversity and Conflict EDU691 (9 ECTS)

• Education and the Law EDU609 (9 ECTS)



Semester 2

• Philosophy and Practice EDU692 (6 ECTS)

• Contemporary Issues in Sustainably and Global Citizenship Education: Ethics, Beliefs, Integration, and Equality EDU678 (12 ECTS)

• Education for Human Rights & Equality: Applied Research Project EDU693 (12 ECTS)



Year 2

Semester 1

• Dissertation 1 EDU654 (6 ECTS)

• Principles & Practices of Research in Education EDU602 (9 ECTS)



Semester 2

• Dissertation 2 DUU655 (15 ECTS)



Full-time (one year):

Year 1

Semester 1

• Historical Understanding of Diversity & Human Rights EDU694 (9 ECTS)

• Leadership for Change and Managing Diversity and Conflict EDU691 (12 ECTS)

• Education and the Law EDU609 (9 ECTS)

• Principles & Practices of Research in Education EDU602 (9 ECTS)

• Dissertation 1 EDU654 (6 ECTS)



Semester 2

• Philosophy and Practice EDU692 (6 ECTS)

• Contemporary Issues in Sustainably and Global Citizenship Education: Ethics, Beliefs, Integration, and Equality EDU678 (12 ECTS)

• Education for Human Rights & Equality: Self-Reflective Study EDU693 (12 ECTS)



Year 1 - Summer

• Dissertation 2 EDU655 (15 ECTS)

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



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.



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.



Applicants for whom English is not a first language must provide evidence of their proficiency level English in the form of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) composite score of 6.5 - 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any one component, or IELTS equivalent accepted by UL. Such applicants will also be required to undergo an interview through English.

How To Apply

To apply please see "Application Weblink" above.



This programme is suitable for EU and Non-EU Applicants:

EU Applicants – Applicants from EU/Worked in EU for the last 3 years

Non-EU Applicants – Applicants living/working outside of the EU



EU Applicants:

Applications for September 2026 intake are now open.



Closing date for applications is 4pm, Friday 24 July 2026.



Non-EU Applicants

You are advised to contact the MIC International Office before applying:

E: International@mic.ul.ie T: +353 61 204988 /+353 61 774790

1 year full-time, 2 years part-time. Delivery: Fully Online.

Career Progression and Further Study

This programme is aimed at all who have an interest in human rights and equality and particularly those working in the field of education. The flexible design makes it attractive to national and international participants.



This programme has also been designed in line with the Teaching Council’s subject registration requirements to teach Leaving Certificate Politics & Society. Registered post-primary teachers with the Teaching Council who graduate from the M Ed in Education for Human Rights and Equality can apply to the Teaching Council to add the subject of Politics and Society to their registration, providing that all subject registration requirements have been met.



Graduates also have the option to complete further study to PhD level; see MA / PhD in Education by Research for additional information, including entry requirements.