Overview
The MTeach is designed for serving teachers seeking master's level accreditation for the highest standards of structured, evidence-based teaching, reflection and action in their own classrooms and schools. This qualification provides a learning opportunity in which the study of teaching, and in particular, the study of one's own teaching, can be an evolving, fulfilling and collaborative experience where practitioners theorise their practice, generate personal theories of practice, and learn to articulate the importance and significance of doing so.
The overall outcome of the MTeach is to ensure that educational practitioners are better equipped to address the challenges of pedagogy in the 21st century whilst the principles that underpin the MTeach mean that schools will be better placed to meet individual pupils' learning needs as teachers take a practice-based qualification that is tailored to their personal and professional needs.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Graduates have found that this course enhances job satisfaction and equips teachers with the knowledge, skills and dispositions to assume leadership posts in their schools.
Opportunities for career enhancement through education posts in other schools also emerge from this pathway, as well as roles as regional subject leaders or posts in higher education.
Entry Requirements
THERE IS NO INTAKE FOR THIS PROGRAMME FOR SEPTEMBER 2020
As the programme places particular emphasis on practitioner knowledge and the enhancement of teaching, applicants should currently hold a teaching post at primary or secondary level.
Candidates are usually required to have a good honours primary degree, minimum H2.2. Consideration will also be given to those who have appropriate access to a relevant teaching or training setting and who have an interest or an appropriate reason for attending.
All MTeach students are strongly encouraged to identify a workplace advocate for the duration of their studies. The workplace advocate is an important "critical friend" to the MTeach student. He or she may have specialist expertise in an aspect of educational leadership, or a known special interest in the field of education. The workplace advocate will have sufficient confidence and authority to enable a supportive learning community for the candidate in their own teaching setting.
Student Visas
Applicants who require a student visa for entry to Ireland are encouraged to seek clarification from the relevant Irish embassy regarding the closing date for application for such visas. Applicants who do not secure a study visa in time will be unable to take up their offer of a place on any DCU programme.
If you need 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.
Applying through the Postgraduate Applications Centre
Use the following PAC Codes:
- DC985 - Master of Teaching - Standard Route
Programme Structure
The aims of the MTeach programme are to enable participants to:
- Pursue an interest in improving the quality of teaching and learning in an educational context, beginning with one's own professional practice, whether as a beginning or experienced educational practitioner
- Acquire advanced knowledge and skills in teaching and a deeper understanding of the teaching, learning and assessment cycle
- Obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to engage in critical, action-oriented inquiry at postgraduate level in order to generate personal theories of practice and to articulate the importance and significance of doing so for the improvement in the quality of one's practice
- Meet the demands of a rapidly changing educational and professional environment
- Keep abreast of theory and practice in teaching and learning and trends in continuing professional development internationally
- Seek promotion as a leading or expert teacher as one who is committed to lifelong learning.
Fees and Funding
How To Apply
Dates for Submission of Applications
EU Applicants
This programme is not running for 2020/21 and DCU is not currently accepting applications
Non EU Applicants
This programme is not running for 2020/2021 and DCU is not currently accepting applications
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.
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
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Bachelor of Education in Technology, Engineering and Graphics - DC015
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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Science Education - DC203
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Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Education with Biology - DC205
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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