Education - Modular

The MEd masters degree is a modularised programme and can be attained through a credit accumulation process, the focus is on the continuing professional development of teachers and educators at all levels of education. Students can design their own special programme from the available modules to suit their own professional specialisation, research areas and personal interests. However, students should note that a minimum and maximum quota of students will be applied to each module.



MEDOD - MEd Modular (120-credit route): Applicants meeting the initial entry requirements should apply for the 120-credit route.



MEDM - MEd Modular (60-credit route): Applicants meeting the initial entry requirements and who have an approved postgraduate diploma in the general education area or equivalent (with an honours grade) should apply for the 60-credit route. Equivalencies are subject to the School and College approval.



A total of 120 credits, or 60 credits in the case of a holder of one of the approved diplomas, must be completed. Students are limited to studying a maximum of 30 credits in any one semester (and a maximum of 60 credits in any one year). Teaching periods are September-December and January-March/April).



The M.Ed. degree offers a variety of taught modules that explore contemporary issues for education, e.g. early childhood education, leadership, inclusion and special educational needs, modern foreign languages, curriculum and assessment, digital education, physical and health education.



Modules are informed and driven by research and are assessed by project work that links your professional settings to contemporary educational research. This leads to a dissertation based on your professional educational research interests.



Students can design their own special programme from the available modules to suit their own professional specialisation, research areas and personal interests, including:



Leadership

Children’s Literature and Pedagogy

Wellbeing

Assessment

Second/Foreign Language Teaching

SEN

Early Childhood Studies

Digital Learning

EAL



Mentoring

All students are required to complete the ED6035 dissertation module (30 credits). Students are advised that the dissertation module is taken only on completion of the required number of other taught modules.



Dissertation students are required to attend and participate in a series of compulsory research seminars and independently prepare a research proposal on their chosen research area. Students must then write a dissertation of 15,000 words under the supervision of an allocated Staff member.

Modules will be finalised in January 2022. Students can design their own special programme from the available modules to suit their own professional specialisation, research areas and personal interests, including:



Leadership

Children’s Literature and Pedagogy

Wellbeing

Assessment

Second/Foreign Language Teaching

SEN

Early Childhood Studies

Digital Learning

EAL

Mentoring



All students are required to complete the ED6035 dissertation module (30 credits). Students are advised that the dissertation module is normally taken only on completion of the required number of other taught modules.



Dissertation students are required to attend and participate in a series of compulsory research seminars and independently prepare a research proposal on their chosen research area. Students must then write a dissertation of 15,000 words under the supervision of an allocated Staff member.

Requirements

To apply for entry to the M.Ed. degree modular programme you must hold:



- a primary degree and the Professional Master of Education (formerly the Postgraduate/Higher Diploma in Education) with a Second Class Honours in one (or its' equivalent)

- or have a Second Class Honours BEd degree, (or its' equivalent)

- or have a Second Class Honours BSc (Education in Physical Sciences), (or its' equivalent)

- or have a Second Class Honours Grade I in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years & Childhood Studies (or its' equivalent)



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 post teacher education professional teaching experience, or certified equivalent (e.g. research in schools, voluntary work with schools, working with school teams).



In addition to the above requirements, applicants who have achieved at least a Second Class Honours grade in one of the following postgraduate diplomas (or equivalent – equivalencies are subject to School and College approval) will be eligible to apply for the 60 credit route:



Approved Postgraduate Diplomas:

Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Administration

Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership

Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Religious Education

Postgraduate Diploma in the Teaching of Science in the Primary School

Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education Needs/Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Support/Compensatory and Remedial Education

Postgraduate Diploma in Innovation through Design Thinking

Postgraduate Diploma in Curriculum Studies (CSPE)

Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling

Postgraduate Diploma in Italian/Spanish for Post-Primary Teachers

Postgraduate Diploma in English and the Teaching of English

An tArd Teastas i dTeagasc agus i Litriocht na Gaeilge



For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.



International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.



- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.



- Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.



English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Closing Date: 26th May 2025.

All assessment of M.Ed degree modules is by project work (normally 5,000 words), leading to the completion of a 15,000 word dissertation based on your professional research interests. There are no end-of-year written examinations. All M.Ed degree modules feature readings, reflections, presentations and other in-class assignments.

60 or 120

1 to 5 years part-time. The programme can be studied in a flexible timescale within a 5-year period. (This is a part-time Modular Programme and is open to Irish/EU Students only).

Start Date: 2nd September 2025.

Our MEd programme 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.



Skills needed to conduct a research study and write a dissertation.



MEd degree graduates 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:https://www.ucc.ie/en/education