Certificate in Religious Studies header
DC996

Certificate in Religious Studies

Course Details

Course Code:
DC996
Course Type:
Postgraduate
NFQ Level:
NFQ Level
Level 8
Delivery Mode:
Part-time
Duration
1 year
Phone:
+353 (0) 1
700 9267

If you’re a qualified teacher seeking a role in a Catholic primary school in the Republic of Ireland, this course gives you the skills and knowledge to teach Catholic religious education and equips you with the necessary understanding to lead and live the ethos in a Catholic primary school.

Overview

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This part-time programme fully meets the requirements of the Irish Bishops’ Conference. During it, you’ll study four core modules: Religious Education; Introduction to Theology; Spirituality, Liturgy and Sacraments; and Moral and Systematic Theology. 

Benefit from a flexible study programme
Taught by leading experts in the area of Catholic education, religious education, beliefs and values education and educational studies, the course is delivered in-person and online, and is designed to allow you to continue working while you study. 

Previous graduates have pursued primary school teaching, deputy principalship or principalship roles in Catholic schools in the Republic of Ireland as well as various other educational roles in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia. 

From 18th June 2024, as per the Irish Bishops Conference requirements to teach Catholic Religious Education in Catholic Primary Schools on the Island of Ireland, primary school teachers who qualified prior to 2011 are 'not required' to complete the Certificate, but the Certificate is understood as 'desirable' in Irish Catholic primary schools.

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Careers & Further Options

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Careers

Teachers applying for positions in Catholic primary schools in Ireland are required to hold a qualification equipping them to teach religion according to the tenets of the Catholic faith. 

The Certificate in Religious Studies (CRS) offered by DCU meets the requirements of the Irish Episcopal Conference in this regard and graduates have been successful in obtaining positions in Catholic primary schools.

Entry Requirements

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Entry to the part time Certificate in Religious Studies is open to any teacher with a recognised qualification (Level 8, Pass Degree / Third Class degree from Ireland or elsewhere) to teach in a primary school in Ireland.

Confirmation of your Teaching Council registration.  If, however your Teaching Council registration has expired or you are awaiting confirmation of same, you must submit certified academic transcripts for each and every year of study.

Programme Structure

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The aim of the programme is to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach religious education in Catholic primary schools.

Fees and Funding

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Fees

EU Status Fee Part-time
€1,300 per annum
Non EU Fee Part time
€2,600 per annum

How To Apply

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To apply for this programme:

  • All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here.  Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application. All Applicants must submit:

    • Confirmation of your Teaching Council registration.  If however your Teaching Council registration has expired or you are awaiting confirmation of same, you must submit certified academic transcripts for each and every year of study.

    • If you require a study visa and are a non EU student, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes, as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.

    • All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:

EU Applicants

  • Online applications open on 13th January 2025
  • Closing Date for EU applications is 31st July 2025.

Non EU Applicants

  • Online applications open on 13th January 2025.
  • Closing Date for Non EU applications is 1st July 2025

Application Queries

For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie


For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie

Commencement of Programme

The programme commences in January 2025.

 

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