Education for Human Rights & Equality
The programme is designed to develop participants’ knowledge and critical understanding of human rights and equality in the field of education to enable them in their professional capacity to integrate knowledge, handle complexity and formulate judgements to promote the upholding of human rights and equality.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | University of Limerick |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | University of Limerick | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time. Delivery: Fully Online.
Entry Requirements
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.
Careers / Further progression
Career Progression and Further Study
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.
Graduates also have the option to complete further study to PhD level; see MA / PhD in Education by Research for additional information, including entry requirements.
Further information
How To Apply
To apply please see "Application Weblink" above.
This programme is suitable for EU and Non-EU Applicants:
EU Applicants – Applicants from EU/Worked in EU for the last 3 years
Non-EU Applicants – Applicants living/working outside of the EU
EU Applicants:
Applications for September 2026 intake are now open.
Closing date for applications is 4pm, Friday 24 July 2026.
Non-EU Applicants
You are advised to contact the MIC International Office before applying:
E: International@mic.ul.ie T: +353 61 204988 /+353 61 774790
Programme Overview
The timely Masters of Education in Education for Human Rights and Equality is a one year full-time or two year part-time programme, providing an academic qualification for educators interested in human rights and equality offered by MIC Thurles. The programme is designed to develop participants’ knowledge and critical understanding of human rights and equality in the field of education to enable them in their professional capacity to integrate knowledge, handle complexity and formulate judgements to promote the upholding of 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)
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)
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)
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)
Mixed; submission of written assignments, groupwork, online engagement and presentations, and dissertation.
Programme Aims
On successful completion of this programme, it is expected that students will be able to:
• Access the concept of diversity as the essence of humanity in key educational philosophies and legislation
• Critically analyse key issues that impact on the achievement of human rights and equality at a personal, organisational, local and global level in the field of education
• Interrogate the ethical, moral, and social issues related to the grounds of discrimination, namely gender, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, membership of the Traveller/ minority community, marital, family and social status
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the weight of history on human experience and that memories survive which impact on current understanding and attitudes in both positive and challenging ways
• Apply professional skills of communication and collaboration in a reflexive manner to affirm the uniqueness of each persons’ identity and promote human rights and equality in a variety of educational settings
• Develop the skills, tools, and techniques to lead change and transformation in an educational organisation and facilitate the peaceful ending of conflict, discrimination and retribution
• Engage in practitioner-based research and contribute to the growth of research in education for human rights and equality
Dr Catherine Stapleton, Programme Coordinator
T: +353 87 1346994
E: Catherine.Stapleton@mic.ul.ie