Global Citizenship Education

This level-9 programme offers a specialised learning experience in global citizenship education (GCE) for practitioners.



It is designed for educators and others working with learners at all levels (from early childhood to youth, in adult and community education, and in schools). These include teachers in primary and secondary schools as well as community, adult and youth workers and educators, GCE facilitators and those working with NGOs and development agencies. As such, it is being led by the Department of International Development, with participation and modules offered by the Departments of Education, Adult and Community Education, Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, and Applied Social Studies at Maynooth.



Participants will complete one compulsory module in Contemporary Global Development Challenges, Issues and Responses and will select two elective modules from a range of specialist options.



This certificate will support participants to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in this area. As such, participants will learn more about contemporary global development challenges (and what can be done about them), about what’s involved in global citizenship, and about how to engage learners in making local-global connections in relation to the challenging issues of our time.

The Certificate in Global Citizenship Education supports understanding, skills and practice-related aspects of GCE critical pedagogy, educational leadership, policy and action.



It involves one compulsory 10 credit module on contemporary global development challenges, issues and responses.



It allows participants to choose the other 10 credits from a selection of 5 credit modules delivered by the different departments involved, each of which is designed to address different theory and practical dimensions of practising GCE with learners.



Modules are timetabled to suit those who are working full-time during regular working hours, i.e., on campus on Saturdays, in the evenings or during holidays, with some online dimensions. Modules involve 24 contact hours with continuous assessment designed to reflect the learning outcomes, credit weighting and reflective nature of the modules. Due to the process and experiential nature of the pedagogies applied in this programme, there is a minimum attendance requirement of 80%

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level or relevant experience which can be recognized as equivalent prior learning.



Applicants must have an interest in or engagement with global education in an education or work context.



Minimum English language requirements: please visit Maynooth University International Office website for information about English language tests accepted and required scores. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and non- EU applicants.



National University of Ireland Maynooth's TOEFL code is 8850

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 part-time

This programme is designed to support the continuous professional development needs of educators and workers engaged in global citizenship education through a specialised programme in this area. As such, it is expected that those who participate in this programme will develop greater confidence and competence in their own understanding of global development challenges as well as in how to translate that into their work with learners.



Global citizenship education (GCE) is a growing area of focus among educators and community, youth and development workers, and it directed towards developing people’s understanding of our interconnected and interdependent world, of the challenges related to that, and of the responses needed at individual and wider social and economic levels. The importance of GCE for supporting people to engage more meaningfully and justly with global challenges has been recognised nationally by government and internationally through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.



While there are many involved in supporting this form of education at different levels, there are few formal or accredited opportunities for professional development in this area in Ireland, especially for those who are practising teachers or educators. This programme is designed to address this need.