Education

Programme Aims
St Mary’s provides teachers and education-related professionals with a stimulating, welcoming and supportive environment in which they have the opportunity to work alongside a strong community of fellow professionals. The programme has the following aims:
- Embed a culture of self-evaluation by providing opportunity for critical reflection.

- Ensure that teachers receive targeted and supportive professional development, needed to strengthen leadership capacity and raise achievement in schools.

- Facilitate school improvement by encouraging and promoting professional collaboration and sharing of best practice.

- Inspire creativity, passion and optimism in the teaching profession.

- Make educational excellence and success accessible to all.

- Nurture the talent and ambition of teachers who are committed to their own professional development.

- Promote personal excellence, teamwork and leadership among educational professionals.

- Support career-long professional development

Master of Education (MEd)
The MEd is designed to meet the diverse needs of educational professionals by offering a wide range of modules, delivered in a flexible way and covering contemporary school-based issues including:

- Educational Management
- Well-Being
- Special Education; and
- Effective Training.

The programme is aligned with the competence-based model of teacher education. It is offered on a part-time basis (normally 3 years), and there are three award levels (Certificate, Diploma, Masters). The content consists of a blend of practitioner and research perspectives.

Dissertation Students
Successful completion of the research methods module is a requirement before a student can proceed to dissertation study. Dissertation students must also have their dissertation proposal formally approved by the MEd Course Team in St Mary’s. Students whose dissertation research merits dissemination to the rest of the profession will be invited to make an electronic version of their dissertation available to the College library catalogue.

Candidates for admission to the Masters programme in Education should normally hold either:
(a) Qualified teacher status and an honours degree or equivalent qualification or
(b) An honours degree or equivalent qualification with at least two years’ professional experience in an educational, training or professionally related context.

Application Procedure
Application for a part-time MEd course can be made online (see "Application Weblink".

Application forms for entry to the MEd programme should be submitted to the Academic Registry Office no later than two weeks prior to the commencement of a course. Late applications will be considered subject to the availability of places.

Academic Registry Office
St Mary’s University College
191 Falls Road
Belfast BT12 6 F E
Tel: +44 (0)28 9026 8320

3 years part-time.

Tuition Fees

All full-time and part-time students will be charged tuition fees. This includes PGCE students. For students who are Northern Ireland domiciled, these are currently £4,160 per year and are normally subject to an annual inflationary uplift. A student will be liable for the full tuition fee at the point of enrolment and registration. This includes a non-refundable element of 25% of the calculated tuition fee.

Tuition Fee Loan
Students may defer their fees by applying for a Tuition Fee Loan, currently up to a maximum of £4,160, by paying the full fee directly to the College or by a combination of taking out a fee loan for part of the fees and paying the rest directly to the College.

A single application form PN1 is used in applying for a fee loan, for loans for living costs and maintenance grants and for the St Mary's College Bursary. Students can apply online or download an application form via the Student Finance Northern Ireland website www.studentfinanceni.co.uk.

Once applications have been assessed, the local branch of Student Finance NI will send the student a Student Notification which will include details of the amount of the fee loan the student has requested.

Payment Options
Students who do not avail of the fee loan can pay their fees in one of two ways:

• Direct Debit – Students can complete a direct debit authorisation which spreads the fee over six months from December to May.

• Cash or Cheques – Students who do not complete a direct debit authorisation will receive one invoice in November for the full amount, which will be payable within thirty days.

EU Students
Non-UK EU Students, including students from the Republic of Ireland, can defer their fees by applying for a fee loan, currently up to a maximum of £4,160.

The application is essentially the same as the system for applying for fee loans and other support. EU students may also be eligible for a College Bursary. This will be dependent on the level of their household income. EU students should contact the Student Loan Company EU team by telephoning 0141 243 3570 in Darlington for advice. For maintenance support EU students should contact their local county council.

Academic Year: 2024-25.

Careers
Graduates from this degree have found the skills and knowledge learned to be beneficial in their workplace by improving their professional practice. In the case of teachers this has meant the development of research-informed practice and the ability to lead professional development within their schools. A higher degree can enhance employment prospects and help secure future promotion.