Educational Guidance Counselling

This is a one-year full-time taught postgraduate diploma (Aug to June) which is designed to prepare qualified second-level teachers to provide and lead a school guidance counselling service. The programme is recognised by the Irish Department of Education (DES) and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) as a professional, international qualification in Guidance Counselling.



Participants attend Maynooth University one full day per week (Friday) and engage in school placement one day per week (Monday-Thursday) in a school other than where they work. The programme begins in late-August with full-day induction and workshops (attendance is mandatory). Intensive training in Psychometric Testing is scheduled for the October mid-term break (dates to be confirmed) and there will be 2/3 Saturday workshops in Semester 1



Programme participants are responsible for arranging the school placement component of the course (within a 160 km travel distance of Maynooth) during which they work in close co-operation with the School Guidance Counsellor.

EDGCF5 - Educational Guidance Counselling

Applicants will be qualified, registered second-level teachers with an honours Professional Masters in Education (PME) or equivalent qualifications. At least three years experience of teaching and experience in areas such as pastoral care or a school care team are essential.



This does not include your teaching experience while training as a second level schoolteacher.

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

1 year Full-time

Successful completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Guidance Counselling will qualify participants to provide and manage a School Guidance Counselling Service.



The programme is recognised by the Irish Department of Education, the National Centre for Guidance in Education and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors as a professional, international qualification in Guidance Counselling.