Education for Human Rights and Equality

Key Features

The programme is delivered fully online and welcomes participants worldwide to explore human rights and engage in discussion, peer learning, research and reflexive practice in a stimulating, challenging and safe environment. The programme will use the flipped classroom model and incorporate the principles of Universal Design for Learning. The programme will draw from international and national practitioners to offer a unique learning opportunity and will be coordinated and taught by Dr Catherine Stapleton and colleagues at MIC, many of whom have international educational experience. Assessment is flexible and varied involving submission of written assignments, groupwork, online engagement and presentations. All is done in the knowledge of participants having busy lives and, where possible, flexibility will form part of that assessment to play to people’s strengths and work context.

Part-time (over two years)



Year 1 - Semester 1

Historical Understanding of Diversity & Human Rights EDU694 (9 ECTS)

Leadership for Change and Managing Diversity and Conflict EDU691 (9 ECTS)

Education and the Law EDU609 (9 ECTS)

Year 1 - Semester 2

Philosophy and Practice EDU692 (6 ECTS)

Contemporary Issues in Sustainably and Global Citizenship Education: Ethics, Beliefs, Integration, and Equality EDU678 (12 ECTS)

Education for Human Rights & Equality: Applied Research Project EDU693 (12 ECTS)



Year 2 - Semester 1

Dissertation 1 EDU654 (6 ECTS)

Principles & Practices of Research in Education EDU602 (9 ECTS)

Year 2 - Semester 2

Dissertation 2 DUU655 (15 ECTS)



Full-time (one year)



Year 1 - Semester 1

Historical Understanding of Diversity & Human Rights EDU694 (9 ECTS)

Leadership for Change and Managing Diversity and Conflict EDU691 (12 ECTS)

Education and the Law EDU609 (9 ECTS)

Principles & Practices of Research in Education EDU602 (9 ECTS)

Dissertation 1 EDU654 (6 ECTS)



Year 1 - Semester 2

Philosophy and Practice EDU692 (6 ECTS)

Contemporary Issues in Sustainably and Global Citizenship Education: Ethics, Beliefs, Integration, and Equality EDU678 (12 ECTS)

Education for Human Rights & Equality: Self-Reflective Study EDU693 (12 ECTS)



Year 1 - Summer

Dissertation 2 EDU655 (15 ECTS)

Applicants should hold a relevant degree / Postgraduate Diploma / Professional Master at 2.2 Honours Level or higher (Level 8 - National Framework of Qualifications).



In cases where the applicant does not meet normal entry requirements, the applicant can be assessed on prior learning in line with university policy and procedures on the Recognition of Prior Learning. The admission procedures will include an interview wherein the prior learning and experience of applicants in education will be assessed.



Places on the programme will be offered based on the above, based on qualifications, performance at interview (if applicable), language proficiency level (if applicable), and application form.



Applicants for whom English is not a first language must provide evidence of their proficiency level English in the form of an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) composite score of 6.5 - 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any one component, or IELTS equivalent accepted by UL. Such applicants will also be required to undergo an interview through English.

How to Apply



EU Applicants

Applicants will normally hold a minimum 2.2 Honours Bachelor degree (major award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or a major award at Level 9 or a major award at Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications.



Applicants will normally have a minimum of two years relevant work experience in an education setting and should be currently working in a relevant education setting.



Other applicants who have substantial and relevant prior experience and/or learning will also be considered. Acceptance under this category will be subject to an interview and considered in light of the UL Policy on Accredited Prior Learning.



Applications for September 2025 intake are now open.



Please complete all the steps below.



Download and complete the application form here (application fee Payment Ref Number required).

Please pay the non-refundable €50 application fee here using Stripe, and return the completed application along with the supporting documents below by email only to TaughtProgrammes@mic.ul.ie

What to include with your Application



You will be required to send:



University transcripts and certificates

If English is not your first language/language of qualification, you will require:

English translation of transcript/qualification

Your English Language Competency Certificate (Academic IELTS or equivalent)

Applications will close on 27 June 2025.

1 Year Full Time or 2 Years Part - Time

Applications for September 2025 intake are now open.



Applications will close on 27 June 2025.

This programme is aimed at all who have an interest in human rights and equality and particularly those working in the field of education. The flexible design makes it attractive to national and international participants.



This programme has also been designed in line with the Teaching Council’s subject registration requirements to teach Leaving Certificate Politics & Society. Registered post-primary teachers with the Teaching Council who graduate from the M Ed in Education for Human Rights and Equality can apply to the Teaching Council to add the subject of Politics and Society to their registration, providing that all subject registration requirements have been met.



Please note: Applications must be made on an individual basis to the Council and completion of the M Ed in Education for Human Rights and Equality at MIC does not automatically result in additional subject registration.