Education courses

About Postgraduate Diploma In Arts In Learning And Teaching - Further Education in National College of Ireland

The Postgraduate Diploma in Arts in Learning and Teaching (Further Education Strand) is a part-time teacher education course designed to provide the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies to enhance your teaching in further education institutions. This course is focused on the development of your knowledge, skills and competence in educational theory, as well as your ability to apply this theory to pedagogic design and professional development.

The course focuses on facilitating your ability to develop the learning of others in different contexts by, for example, the application of new technologies to instruction, the use of strategies to support learning, and the creation of valuable and effective assessments.

The course will use a variety of participative teaching approaches. You will be encouraged to enquire, question and critique modern conceptions of how we learn and how we can bring about learning in others. You will be expected to complete practical assignments and to build your skills as an educator, including undertaking a placement in host FE colleges or centres.

Who is the course for?

The Postgraduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching (Further Education Strand) is specifically designed as an accredited further education teacher education qualification recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland.

The course is suitable for those intending to pursue a career in teaching in the further education sector. Regulation Five of the Teaching Council Regulations (2009) deals with teacher registration for the further education sector. This regulation includes a requirement, with effect from 01 April 2013, for applicants for registration to have attained, inter alia, a Council approved further education teacher education qualification. Applicants should also consult the Teaching Council for the complete set of requirements under Regulation Five.

Tuesday and Thursday 18.30 - 21.30 and some Saturdays 09.30 - 13.30. Some classes may be delivered online.

Applicants holding an honours degree 2.2 (level 8) in any discipline ideally with professional involvement in the delivery of learning in education will be considered for the course. The college operates a Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) scheme, which means that applicants who do not meet the normal academic requirements may be considered based on relevant work or other relevant experience. All applicants will be interviewed by the Programme Director or member of the programme team. 

Garda Vetting

NCI applicants undertaking the Postgraduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching Further Education must undergo the Garda Vetting process. For courses that need to be Garda vetted a students’ registration is not considered complete until Garda Vetting has taken place and the student is deemed suitable for placement.

Applicants who accept places in programmes which require Garda Vetting will be sent the necessary forms by NCI. Your rights in relation to this are available on the vetting section of An Garda Síochána’s website 

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