Overview
This programme is open to primary and post-primary teachers who provide special education teaching, teachers in special schools and classes, and special education teachers in further education and alternative settings.*
You’ll gain an understanding of important principles and concepts of inclusion and special education, and learn more about short and long-term planning and inclusive pedagogies and teaching practices. You’ll also explore the role of effective collaboration and leadership for inclusion in your school setting.
Grow your knowledge, skills and competencies
Fully funded by the Department of Education (including substitution where required), the course offers a hybrid study format with on-campus and online learning. You’ll also get the opportunity to observe practice in other educational settings to give you an insight into special educational provisions different to your own.
On completion, you’ll be eligible to apply for certain Master’s programmes within DCU once you meet course requirements. You can contact respective programme chairpersons for more information.
*Subject to the specifications as set out in the DES Circular annually.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
This postgraduate qualification may support graduates to enter leadership roles especially those within Inclusive and Special Education.
Entry Requirements
Please review the Department of Education Circular for 2024 here in English and here in Irish.
The programme is open to primary and post-primary teachers who are employed in a position that is funded by the Department of Education and who provide Special Education Teaching in recognised primary schools, post-primary schools, and in other recognised educational services. Teachers serving in special schools and special classes are also eligible to apply. The programme provides a qualification that is recognised by the Department of Education for teachers working in the areas of inclusive education, special education and learning support who work in the following roles: Special Education Teacher, Teacher in a Special School, Teacher in a Special Class. Teachers must meet the criteria set out in the relevant DE Circular.
Programme Structure
This is a one-year, part-time postgraduate diploma programme that aims to provide substantial theoretical and practical continuing professional development to teachers who work with learners deemed to have special educational needs and/or who require learning support in primary, post-primary and special schools and other recognised educational settings.
This course is offered in a blended format, with on campus learning in DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, combined with some online learning days. Please note, on campus learning days are not offered in a hybrid format, therefore in person attendance is required.
This involves attending lectures, seminars and workshops during eight weeks of block-release that is spread out over the course of one academic year. It also includes online learning, and attendance at a maximum of ten online evening classes during the year and supervised work in teachers’ own schools/centres.
Learning also occurs during visits by course tutors to schools, in dedicated online sessions and through engagement with resources made available on DCU learning platforms.
In order to participate in the programme, teachers will need access to a computer and broadband internet access.
- Principles and concepts of inclusive and special education
- Identity, holistic profiling and responses
- Planning, teaching and learning for all 1
- Planning, teaching and learning for all 2
- Collaboration and leadership
- Elective modules
The course will begin with a joint session for Principals & Participants in early September.
Thereafter participants are required to attend three blocks of lectures (in their entirety). DE-funded substitution is available to the schools/centres of all those who are offered a place on the programme to allow this to occur.
Please note these dates may be subject to change at the discretion of the University - full details of dates will be provided to successful candidates
- Block release 1 - 9th Sept - 18th Oct 2024
- Block release 2 - 13th - 17th Jan 2025
- Block release 3 - 3rd - 7th March 2025
Lectures are normally held continuously from 9.00am to 3.45pm daily
Fees and Funding
How To Apply
Applications will open in Spring 2025.
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.
Applicants must provide the following:
- Additional Questions Form - submitted within the Application Portal
- An up-to-date Teaching Council Registration Certificate - upload to the portal
- A Principal Declaration Form - This form must be signed by the Principal (not the Deputy Principal or any other school representative) - submitted within the Application Portal
*Please note that only teachers who have been fully probated (completed induction) are eligible to apply for this course
Registry issue first round offers after the closing date has passed. Throughout the summer, Registry continue to make additional offers. It is the applicant's responsibility to monitor their email (checking junk/spam/promotions folder) and accept their place within the deadlines provided.
Queries
Closing Date: TBC
Queries on applications may be emailed to pgedapplications@dcu.ie. Please include the programme code (DC983) in the subject line of your email.
Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on the GDISE programme
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU St Patrick's Campus
FAQs
What courses are offered by the DCU Institute of Education?
DCU Institute of Education brings together students of education and provides a rich menu of undergraduate courses across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate courses at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate level and have a distinguished record in providing continuing professional development.
Is there Garda vetting for students who study DCU Institute of Education courses?
Garda vetting is required for all students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the registration process.
What are the potential teaching pathways for primary, post-primary and further education and training offered by DCU?
Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
Postgraduate**
- Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) - DC970
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Post-Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
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Bachelor of Religious Education & English or History or Music - DC010 | DC011 | DC012
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Bachelor of Education in Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish - DC013
-
Bachelor of Education in Technology, Engineering and Graphics - DC015
-
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Science Education - DC203
-
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Education with Biology - DC205
-
Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Mathematics - DC206
Postgraduate**
- Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary Teaching) - DC905
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Further Education and Training Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
- BSc (Hons) in Education and Training (Further, Adult and Continuing Education) - DC235
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
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