Overview
This part-time programme fully meets the requirements of the Irish Bishops’ Conference. During it, you’ll study four core modules: Religious Education; Introduction to Theology; Spirituality, Liturgy and Sacraments; and Moral and Systematic Theology.
Benefit from a flexible study programme
Taught by leading experts in the area of Catholic education, religious education, beliefs and values education and educational studies, the course is delivered in-person and online, and is designed to allow you to continue working while you study.
Previous graduates have pursued primary school teaching, deputy principalship or principalship roles in Catholic schools in the Republic of Ireland as well as various other educational roles in the UK, Europe, North America and Australia.
From 18th June 2024, as per the Irish Bishops' Conference requirements to teach Catholic Religious Education in Catholic Primary Schools on the Island of Ireland, primary school teachers who qualified prior to 2011 are 'not required' to complete the Certificate, but the Certificate is understood as 'desirable' in Irish Catholic primary schools.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
Teachers applying for positions in Catholic primary schools in Ireland are required to hold a qualification equipping them to teach religion according to the tenets of the Catholic faith.
The Certificate in Religious Studies (CRS) offered by DCU meets the requirements of the Irish Episcopal Conference in this regard and graduates have been successful in obtaining positions in Catholic primary schools.
Entry Requirements
Entry to the part time Certificate in Religious Studies is open to any teacher with a recognised qualification (Level 8, Pass Degree / Third Class degree from Ireland or elsewhere) to teach in a primary school in Ireland.
Confirmation of your Teaching Council registration. If, however your Teaching Council registration has expired or you are awaiting confirmation of same, you must submit certified academic transcripts for each and every year of study.
Programme Structure
The aim of the programme is to equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach religious education in Catholic primary schools.
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
To apply for this programme:
-
All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application. All Applicants must submit:
• Confirmation of your Teaching Council registration. If however your Teaching Council registration has expired or you are awaiting confirmation of same, you must submit certified academic transcripts for each and every year of study.
• If you require a study visa and are a non EU student, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes, as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
• All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:
EU Applicants
- Online applications open on 13th January 2025
- Closing Date for EU applications is 31st July 2025.
Non EU Applicants
- Online applications open on 13th January 2025.
- Closing Date for Non EU applications is 1st July 2025
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2025.
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice & Learning Skills Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU St Patrick's Campus
FAQs
What courses are offered by the DCU Institute of Education?
DCU Institute of Education brings together students of education and provides a rich menu of undergraduate courses across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate courses at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate level and have a distinguished record in providing continuing professional development.
Is there Garda vetting for students who study DCU Institute of Education courses?
Garda vetting is required for all students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the registration process.
What are the potential teaching pathways for primary, post-primary and further education and training offered by DCU?
Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
Postgraduate**
- Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) - DC970
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Post-Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
- Bachelor of Religious Education & English or History or Music - DC010 | DC011 | DC012
- Bachelor of Education in Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish - DC013
- Bachelor of Education in Technology, Engineering and Graphics - DC015
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Science Education - DC203
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Education with Biology - DC205
- Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Mathematics - DC206
Postgraduate**
- Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary Teaching) - DC905
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Further Education and Training Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
- BSc (Hons) in Education and Training (Further, Adult and Continuing Education) - DC235
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
Have You Considered?
