Program Overview

Educational Leadership (PG Diploma, Level 9)

Course Fact File

• Code: PDEL
• Duration: 1 year part-time
• Teaching Mode: Part-Time
• Qualifications: PG Dip
• NFQ Level: Level 9
• Closing Date: 9 June 2025
• Start Date: 13 September 2025

Course Outline

Our Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership at UCC is a one-year, part-time postgraduate course which supports the professional growth of current and aspiring leaders in education, enabling them to contribute effectively to the improvement of practice in their own professional settings and the wider professional community.

This diploma will enable participants to develop the means of using critical reflection to enhance their own and others’ professional practice. The course responds to the need for an updated conception of leadership along with coaching and mentoring in education. Leaders in organisations need to be able to motivate, coach and mentor staff in rapidly changing environments with limited resources – a theme increasingly emphasised by the Teaching Council of Ireland. In this course, you will learn about a variety of leadership styles as well as how to identify and develop personal, professional and pedagogical strengths and abilities to be an effective leader. We place great emphasis on transformational leadership and team capacity-building.

Modules

• ED6510 Organisational Management of the School (15 credits)
• ED6511 Effective Leadership in Education: Theory and Practice (15 credits)
• ED6512 Leading Learning and School Improvement (15 credits)
• ED6513 Mentoring and Coaching Practicum in Educational Leadership (15 credits)

The focus of this programme is on effective leadership and schools as organisations: we explore the discourse related to leadership at all levels. Our leadership modules are designed to support the development of leadership and management practices in individuals as this will contribute to career-long professional learning and school improvement.

The coaching and mentoring component focuses on supporting the professional learning and growth of colleagues; developing the knowledge, understanding and skills required to use a coaching and mentoring approach to developing capacity and capability in others.

Course Practicalities

The Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Leadership is a part-time programme running for 12 months from the date of first registration for the programme. The programme will run over one academic year from September with four 15-credit modules held on a Saturday, each module taking place over two Saturdays.

Modules will be delivered through a mixed-mode of seminars, online discussion, self-study materials and work-based learning. Attendance is imperative on the applicable dates conveyed to students.

Given its part-time nature, this programme is open to Irish/EU students only.

In the event you have not been provided with a commencement date please contact the School of Education to confirm details.

Assessment

Assessment will be continuous over the course: three modules will be assessed with small in-class assignments during the module and larger projects following the conclusion of each module. The Mentoring and Coaching module will be assessed on the basis of a professional practice portfolio and final dissertation developed over the course of the programme.

Why Choose This Course

Previous students have praised the course for its transformative impact on their professional development and its ability to provide a supportive community of peers.

Skills and Careers Information

The course is focused on leadership development and is aimed at those with some experience of leadership in an educational setting. This course will develop practices in individuals to contribute to career-long personal professional learning and the development of others. It will focus on the followership/mentorship aspects of leadership.

Requirements

Candidates must have:

• A primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) with three years or more relevant professional experience in education or cognate field.
• Relevant professional experience, equivalent to five full years, may be considered as an honours equivalent.

It is desirable that candidates also have:

• Gained some professional experience in educational leadership.
• A clear sense of professional purpose (demonstrated via a 750-word statement of purpose submitted with the application).

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2025/2026

See the Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How To Apply

1. Check dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process.
2. Gather documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal.
3. Apply online: Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button.

Additional Requirements

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.