The M.Ed. Programme (M.Ed.) at Trinity College Dublin

The Master in Education course fosters a critical understanding of educational research, policy and practice and promotes the ability to participate effectively in the advancement of knowledge. It comprises four specialised pathways options and one flexible open pathways option that allow students to gain a comprehensive and contemporary understanding in one of the specialisms offered. The M.Ed. is an academic programme and not a professional programme. While the M.Ed. allows students to explore issues in education and aims to enhance participants' knowledge and practice in educational spheres, it is not designed to qualify graduates to teach.

Who is this course for?

The course is open to teachers at all levels of the education system, to appropriately qualified professionals working in the areas of education, training, administration, and management, and to graduates in areas related to the strand specialisms. We welcome applications from both Irish and international graduates who wish to relate their particular fields of competence to the theory and practice of education.

Course Details

The M.Ed. programme comprises five pathways listed below, four of which each focusing on a distinct specialism within education and the final one 'Critical Perspectives' which allows you to design your own bespoke Masters based on subjects of interest. Please note, not all specialisms may run in a given academic year.

• Critical Perspectives on Education (Open Pathways)
• Drama in Education
• Leadership and Policy in Education
• Psychology of Education
• Teaching and Learning (Higher Education)

For further details on these pathways, please visit our School of Education Website

https://www.tcd.ie/education/courses/postgraduate/masters-in-education/

Entry Requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good honour's degree (normally a 2.1 or equivalent). To complete the application, electronic copies of undergraduate degree transcripts, the email addresses of two academic referees and an up-to-date CV are required. Professional experience in the field of education is desirable for all pathways and is a requirement for some pathways. Applicants who have completed their primary degree through a medium other than English should provide confirmation of their linguistic proficiency in English (e.g. certification at grade 6.5 IELTS, or equivalent). Applicants to the 1-year Full-Time M.Ed. route must also submit an outline of their area of research interest as part of the application process.

Application details

The closing date for applications for the 2025-26 academic year is 30th June 2025 with the exception of Drama in Education pathway (May 30th 2025). Applications for all pathways for 2025-26 should be made through the web portal systemhttps://www.tcd.ie/courses/postgraduate/.

Please note that not all pathways/modules may run in a given academic year and all are subject to minimum and maximum student numbers.

Please note applications for pathways on this course may close in advance of the listed deadline if we recruit the required number of applicants. Thus, we advise applicants to apply expeditiously.

Duration/Attendance

In addition to the five pathways available on the M.Ed., many of the strands may offer students the opportunity to study over different periods.

• 1-Year Full-Time (Traditional Pathway: ALRM module, 4 taught modules and Dissertation) or (Open Pathway: Core research module x 2, core subject module x2, choice module x2 and Dissertation).
• 2-Year Part-Time (Traditional Pathway: Year One: ALRM module & 4 taught modules, Year Two: Dissertation) or (Open Pathway: Year One: Core research module x 2, core subject module x2 & choice module x2, Year Two: Dissertation).
• 3-Year Part-Time (Traditional Pathway: Year One: ALRM & 2 taught modules, Year Two: 2 taught modules, Year Three: Dissertation) or (Open Pathway: Year One: Core research module x 1 & core subject module x2, Year Two: Choice module x2 & core research module x 1, Year Three: Dissertation).

*Note

Students intending to apply for the full-time route (option 1) must submit a description of their area of research interest when applying

Click here for dissertation form.

Fees