M Ed / Structured PhD in Literacy Education

M Ed in Literacy Education

The first two semesters of Year 1 of the programme will consist of taught discipline-specific modules, including research modules c. The core modules in Semester One will explore the nature of literacy in the 21st century and provide foundational knowledge on literacy acquisition and diversity in the developmental trajectory of same.

The core modules in Semester 2 will focus on inclusive instructional practice, literacy difficulties, early interventions and literacy leadership. Pedagogies such as dialogic teaching, the role of play in language development, the importance of high quality children’s literature in the promotion of children’s literacy development and the role of parental support in the process of enhancing language skills will be investigated. Participants will be encouraged through the process of school self-evaluation to evaluate critically current national policies and curricula with respect to the promotion of effective literacy instruction.

Students who intend to exit the programme at the end of Semester 2 of Year 1 may qualify for a Postgraduate Diploma in Literacy Education qualification, provided they fulfil the University requirements for such an award.

Students who intend to exit with a Master's degree in Year 2 will begin working on their dissertation proposals in Semester 2 of Year 1 and will  begin work on the dissertation in Semester 1 of Year 2 of the programme.

Structured PhD

Students may decide at the end of Semester 2 of Year 1 to continue onto the PhD stage of the programme. Those prospective doctoral candidate will develop a research proposal and participate in the International Research Methods Summer School (IRMSS) during the summer semester. On application to the doctoral component of the programme (Years 2, 3 and 4), participants are required to submit a draft proposal in summer semester, Year 1, which is approved at department and faculty level in terms of academic merit and suitability of topic. This proposal will then be reviewed by the MIC Postgraduate Research Sub-Committee (PRSC). Only students whose proposals have been approved at PRSC are eligible to continue onto the doctoral component of the programme.

Academic progress during stage two of the Structured PhD in Literacy Education will continue to be monitored by the Doctoral Studies Panel (DSP), in accordance with general academic regulations. The DSP will include a principal supervisor, plus any additional supervisor(s) and at least one other member, who will act as the student’s advisor. The DSP will be chaired by the principal supervisor; it will support and advise the student and supervisor(s) throughout the course of a student’s research programme. Members of the DSP will normally be members of faculty, or adjunct, visiting or affiliated academics or professionals.

The minimum entry requirements for this programme are as follows:

Applicants should be the holders of a first class honours primary degree or upper second class honours (2.1) primary degree (Level 8, NFQ) in a relevant or cognate discipline that incorporates a substantial education or social science component.

Or

A Master's degree or equivalent qualification (Level 9, NFQ), at a minimum 2.2 honours level, in Literacy Education, that has been obtained from a university or other institution recognised by the University of Limerick and in accordance with the University of Limerick Policy on the Recognition of Prior Learning.

And

• A minimum of two years’ experience as a teacher of Literacy or Literacy Education or related fields, may be considered as a basis for entry on a case-by-case basis. Acceptance under this criteria may be subject to an interview, which may be done in person or alternatively via video conferencing where the applicant is unavailable to attend.
• Applicants for whom English is not a first language must provide evidence of their proficiency level in 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 be required to undergo an interview through English.
• Performance at interview: an interview may form part of the selection process for applicants. This will be done in person if possible or alternatively via video conferencing where the applicant is unavailable to attend in person.

And

• Submission of a research proposal (PhD applicants only) and application form in line with the requirements set out by the Research and Graduate School, MIC.
• Places on the programme will be offered based on all the above, viz. qualifications, performance at interview, language proficiency level (if applicable), PhD proposal, as well as applicants’ references given in the application form.

For English language requirements, click here.

M Ed in Literacy Education

Applications for the M Ed in Literacy Education are now open.

To apply, please complete all the steps below:

1. Download and complete the application form here (application fee Payment Ref Number required).
2. 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:

1. University transcripts and certificates
2. 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.

Structured PhD in Literacy Education

Please note: The SPhD programme will not be running in 2024-25.

For fees click here.

Please Note: This programme is not open to applications from non-EU countries. Application fees are non-refundable due to applicant ineligibility. See International programme listing here.