Education - School Leadership

The Postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership is designed for teachers who aspire to leadership positions in schools. The programme will prepare aspiring leaders with the knowledge, skills, confidence and qualifications for senior school leadership positions. This programme is delivered by leading lecturers across four institutions (UL, NUIG and UCD) as well as by tutors with extensive experience in the area of educational leadership. This programme is part funded by the Department of Education and run in centres across the country.

Programme Content
Year 1
Autumn Semester
• Leading Learning and Teaching in the Irish context
• Professional Growth and Development

Spring Semester
• Leading School Development
• Mentoring and Coaching
• Situation Learning - Organisation

Year 2
Autumn Semester
• Managing the Organisation
• Developing Leadership Capacity
• Situation Learning - School based

Applicants for this programme must meet the following eligibility criteria and provide all required information:

Academic Entry Requirement - NFQ 8 (Hons) and Teacher Education Qualification.

Registration Status
This course is open to all qualified teachers who hold a recognised post in a recognised primary or post primary school, and who are fully registered with the Teaching Council under the appropriate Teaching Council Registration Regulation i.e. Regulation 2 or 4 of the Teaching Council (Registration) regulations 2009 up to 25th July 2016 or Route 1 or 2 of the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016 and The Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 thereafter.

Position & Experience
Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years' post qualification experience in a school and must have a teaching position in a primary or post primary school recognised by the Department of Education and Skills.

How to apply:
1. Choose your programme.
2. Check closing date for the programme.
3. Apply online at www.ul.ie
4. Have your supporting documentation ready to upload.
5. Pay the application fee (€35 online / €40 bank draft or cheque).
6. Submit your application.

What to Include with your Application
Delays in receiving these documents will affect the progress of your application.

Photo or scanned original copy of your transcripts for all years of study. (Graduates of UL need only provide us with their Student ID number.)

Photo or Scanned copy of passport to verify ID and full legal name

Certificate of your Teaching Council Registration: Contact Teaching Council for proof of registration

Evidence in writing from the principal of the participant's school confirming the school is in receipt of Department funding, that the teacher (at the time of application) holds a teaching position in the school and is not on secondment; Please note if you are a teacher, you only need your Principal to sign the form. If you are the principal, you need the Chairperson of the school to sign the letter. Please use template: Click here to download the declaration letter.

Applicants who do not have English as their first language may satisfy English Language requirements:

If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice. If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided: English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts. English language competency certificate

18 months, blended.

Start Date: 09/Sep/2019

Key Facts:
The Postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership (PDSL) / Dioplóma Gairmiúil i gCeannaireacht Scoile (DGCS) is designed to prepare aspiring leaders with the knowledge, skills, confidence and qualifications for senior school leadership positions.