MEd Programme of Professional Development 2023-24

St Mary’s MEd programme offers you an excellent opportunity to develop your professional practice as part of a vibrant community of teacher professional learning. The programme aims to build on your strengths, promoting personal excellence and leadership.


Programme Aims

St Mary’s provides teachers and education-related professionals with a stimulating, welcoming and supportive environment in which to work alongside a strong community of like-minded professionals. The programme aims to:

  • Embed a culture of self-evaluation by providing opportunity for critical reflection.
  • Ensure that teachers receive the targeted and supportive professional development, needed to strengthen leadership capacity and raise achievement in school.
  • Facilitate school improvement by encouraging and promoting professional collaboration and sharing best practice.
  • Inspire creativity, passion and optimism in the teaching profession.
  • Make educational excellence and success accessible to all.
  • Nurture the talent and ambition of teachers who are committed to their own professional development.
  • Promote personal excellence, teamwork and leadership among educational professionals.
  • Support career-long professional development.

Prospectus and Programme Information

Programme Structure

Courses are on a part-time basis, flexibly structured, and taught in a range of modes of delivery including summer school, distance learning, evening classes and Saturday courses.

Postgraduate awards include Master of Education (MEd), Postgraduate Diploma in Education Studies (PgDipEd), and Postgraduate Certificate in Education Studies (PgCertEd).


Specialist Options

  • Curriculum Development and Primary Education
  • Developing Physical Education, School Sport and Coaching Science
  • Early Years Education
  • Effective Teaching
  • English and Literacy in the Curriculum
  • Irish and Irish-Medium Education
  • Leadership for Catholic Schools
  • Leadership for Learning
  • Pastoral Issues
  • Special Education

Fees and Funding: New Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan

Students wishing to complete a course do so, on a self-funding basis but are eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan. Students may apply for a Postgraduate Tuition Fee Loan of up to £5,500. The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study.

For full terms and conditions, please contact Student Finance NI:

For further information please contact the College's Finance Office, telephone 02890 268234.


How to Apply

For the new academic year 2023-2024 applications for enrollment to semester two, January 2024 and summer school, July 2024 are open.

For further information please contact the Academic Registry, telephone: 02890 268320.


Further Information

Irish-medium courses

Programme Director