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Education & Training
Duration
2 years
Level
Postgraduate
Outlook
Stable
This postgraduate programme prepares you to teach and facilitate learning with adult learners in Further Education and Training (FET) contexts, including ETB colleges, community education, workplace training, and PLC providers. You explore adult learning theories, curriculum design, inclusive teaching strategies, and assessment practices tailored to diverse adult cohorts. Modules are typically delivered in blended or part-time formats, recognising that many students are already working as tutors or trainers. Practical teaching placements in FET settings form a core element, allowing you to apply theory directly in classrooms and community venues. A typical week combines online study, face-to-face workshops, peer observation, and reflective portfolio work, making the programme highly applicable to your day-to-day professional practice.
Entry to this programme normally requires an NFQ Level 8 Honours Bachelor degree (minimum 2.2) in any discipline, along with some experience of teaching, training, or facilitation in an adult or FET context. Applicants without a Level 8 award may be considered on the basis of significant relevant professional experience under mature-entry provisions. There are no specific Leaving Certificate subject requirements at this level, though a background in Education, Social Science, or a vocational area is advantageous. HEAR and DARE access schemes operate at undergraduate level and do not typically apply here, though individual institutions may consider RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) for non-standard applicants. Completion of this programme satisfies the Teaching Council's Further Education registration route, which is a key motivation for many enrolees.
Demand for qualified FET professionals in Ireland remains steady, driven by ongoing government investment in Solas and ETB-delivered programmes and the continued expansion of lifelong learning initiatives. Teaching Council registration gives graduates a competitive advantage when applying for permanency within ETBs. The growth of Springboard+, Skills to Advance, and MICRO-CRED initiatives has created additional demand for experienced, qualified adult educators. While the sector is not as rapidly expanding as some STEM fields, job security for registered FET tutors with ETB contracts is generally strong.
AI tools are beginning to reshape how adult educators design learning materials, differentiate instruction, and provide feedback, with platforms capable of generating adaptive resources for learners with varied literacy levels. You will be expected to critically evaluate these tools rather than simply adopt them, developing a nuanced understanding of their benefits and limitations in community and FET settings. AI cannot replicate the relational and motivational dimensions of adult teaching, which remain central to effective practice with learners who may have had negative prior experiences of education. Familiarity with AI-assisted content creation and e-learning platforms is increasingly valued by ETB and private training employers.
1 CAO course lead to this qualification. Points shown are last year's Round 1 score.
Providers and indicative points are curated with AI support. Always double-check with the institution itself.
How to apply
These are postgraduate programmes (PGDip or MA level) and are not accessed through the CAO; applicants apply directly to each institution, typically requiring a Level 8 honours degree (NFQ) and, in many cases, relevant experience in a FET, adult education or community setting. Some programmes are offered part-time and/or blended to suit working practitioners in the ETB/FET sector.
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