Course Summary
Our Postgraduate Diploma in English as an Additional Language (EAL) at UCC is a 10-month, Full-time (Blended Online Learning) postgraduate course for teaching professionals from across the educational spectrum who wish to upskill in the areas of English as an Additional Language and linguistic and cultural inclusion.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
A Second Class Honours (Second Division or II.2) (NFQ, Level 8) BEd degree Or
A Second Class Honours (Second Division or II.2) (NFQ, Level 8) BSc Education in Physical Sciences Or
A Second Class Honours Grade I (Second Division or II.2) (NFQ, Level 8) BA (Hons) Degree in Early Years and Childhood Studies Or
A QQI Special Needs Assistant Course (Level 6) or equivalent + at least 3 years full-time experience in an educational context + submission of a 1,500-word written task on a theme related to education prior to starting the course.
Additionally, 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).
Applicants must also be working in an educational context (Early Years, Primary, Post-Primary or Further Education setting) for the duration of the qualification.
Under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) professional teaching experience, equivalent to three full years (excluding initial teacher education), will be considered as an honours equivalent.
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. Vsit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.
Application Details
The closing date for non-EU applications is 28 June 2024
How To Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.
2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.
3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
*Please note:
Early applications are advised. Applications for this programme are assessed as they come in, therefore the programme quota may be achieved before the closing date. Applicants that meet the programme entry criteria, but who submit after the programme has been filled, will be placed on a waiting list for spaces that may open up due to withdrawals or cancellations.
Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on this programme.
Start Date 7 September 2024
Orientation and Induction Day
To assist our EAL students in engaging with online, self-directed learning, an orientation and induction day will be organised at the beginning of each academic year in August before the full school term begins. Our orientation day is an opportunity for you to:
Familiarise yourself with the structure of the course.
Familiarise yourself with our student learning platform Canvas, as well as MS Teams and OneDrive including online apps.
Experience a typical section of a module that is self-directed in Canvas and how to orientate this.
Establish collaboratively our expectations for the use of public discussion spaces in the digital realm, and expectations for face-to-face and online synchronous participation.
Undertake an introduction to MS OneNote and how this will be utilised as the student portfolio.
We will also outline attendance expectations for both online and in-person events and how these will be tracked digitally.
Fees
How To Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.
2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:
Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.
3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.
Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.
*Please note:
Early applications are advised. Applications for this programme are assessed as they come in, therefore the programme quota may be achieved before the closing date. Applicants that meet the programme entry criteria, but who submit after the programme has been filled, will be placed on a waiting list for spaces that may open up due to withdrawals or cancellations.
Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on this programme.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Career Progression
For applicants who satisfactorily meet the entry requirements of the MEd, and have achieved an honours grade in the Postgraduate Diploma, an exemption of 60 credits of the taught element of the MEd programme will be granted. However, the remaining 60 credits of the MEd programme must include the compulsory dissertation of 30 credits. Places on the MEd are limited each year and there is a competitive selection procedure for places. See the MEd (Modular) page for more information.
Skills and Careers Information
While this course is focused on developing the knowledge and skills required to support EAL students, it also has a much broader appeal to educational professionals interested in this fascinating but often undervalued part of the equality, diversity, and inclusion agenda.
Participation in this course will:
Heighten your awareness of the role that language and identity play, both for you and your students, in teaching and learning, places of learning, communities, and countries;
Help you to develop a highly specialised and sought-after set of values, skills, and knowledge, especially in our increasingly diverse, multilingual societies;
Demonstrate a commitment to your own life-long learning as a professional;
Enable you to interpret and apply more rigorously national curriculum policies and established approaches.