HIGHER DIPLOMA IN FURTHER EDUCATION

The Higher Diploma in Further Education is a post-graduate programme for anyone working in, or seeking to work in, an environment where Further Education (FE) awards (QQI or equivalent) are offered. These include, but are not limited to, FE colleges, community education, YouthReach centres, charities and private providers.

This course is particularly suited to those already working with adult learning groups, particularly where this is in a setting that delivers QQI awards. If this is you, it may help to stabilise and advance your career prospects. It also allows you to take some space to reflect on your practice and the ideas that underpin it.

The course has professional accreditation from the Teaching Council (Further Education Initial Teacher Education - Route 3)

Please note that we are rolling out a new online application system this year. If you are having any difficulties or have not heard from us within two weeks of your application, please get in touch with Sinéad Hyland by email [email protected]

You need to fulfil one of the following criteria:

an honours degree (level 8);

or

an ordinary degree (level 7) with relevant experience;

or

another professional qualification (equivalent to 180 credits at level 7) with a minimum of three years’ relevant experience in vocational or instructional settings - applicants via this route will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to successful progression through a recognition of prior learning process (RPL).

Applicants should have an interest in, and ideally experience of, adult learning in groups.

A note on placement

Applicants must secure an appropriate teaching practice placement in an adult, community and/or further education centre in order to register for the programme. Further details on the requirements of the placement will be provided at various information sessions and by the programme team. You do not need a placement to apply for the programme but it will be required to be in place before you commence the course in September.

Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.

Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850

IELTS : 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each band

Duolingo English Test (DET) : The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 120 - with at least 110 in each individual subscore. 

Pearson Test of English : 63 with no less than 59 for each item in the Communicative Skills section

TOEFL internet-based test  : iBT: 90 with no less than 21 in writing and at least 19 in every other section

This course prepares students to work with adults in a variety of learning contexts across community and further education. Graduates of the programme have progressed to work in Colleges of Further Education, adult learning centres, YouthReach, community education, prison education, National Learning Network, private providers and education positions in NGOs etc.

This course has professional accreditation of Further Education Initial Teacher Education from the Teaching Council of Ireland. (https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/Registration/)