Certificate in Global Citizenship Education

Love Organise Resist!, Mandate Trade Union solidarity banner, Cavendish Row, Dublin.

^{'Global Citizenship Education - Critical Learning for a Better World'}

This specialized level-9 programme in GCE (global citizenship education) is designed for educators working with learners at all levels (from early childhood to youth, in adult and community education and in schools). Addressing the major global challenges facing our world, it offers participants a unique learning experience, and training in GCE, shaped by peer reflection and applied learning.

Overview

Through the programme, participants will develop their knowledge, understanding and analysis of the global challenges facing our world, making connections between the economic, social, cultural, political and environmental aspects of these challenges. They will also gain the confidence and pedagogical skills to have difficult conversations with learners about issues such as global poverty and inequality, climate change and sustainable development, trade, migration and refugee rights, conflict, populism and racism. Addressing the causes of these complex global challenges, participants will explore responses to them in communities, with young people, in schools and in other adult education settings.

In the programme, participants are supported to reflect critically on their own practice in light of theory on different learning approaches related to GCE. These include development and global education; intercultural, anti-racism and decolonial approaches; community and adult education and global youth work. They will develop the skills to harness their own interest and commitment to global justice and equality and to support learners to deal with complexity while working towards justice and fairness.

The programme is a one-year part time, 20 credit postgraduate one. It runs from October to May and is offered on a hybrid basis, with some evening and Saturday classes on campus at Maynooth University and some online elements. Some scholarships are available for successful applicants – please see further information on our FAQs page. We welcome applications from educators and practitioners in all education sectors.

This 20 credit (ECTS) part-time programme is offered by the Maynooth University Department of International Development with the Departments of Education, Adult and Community Education, Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Applied Social Studies at Maynooth.

The Certificate in Global Citizenship Education

The certificate supports participants to develop their knowledge, understanding, skills and practice in GCE, especially related to critical pedagogy, education leadership, policy and action.
In total, participants take 20 credits involving one compulsory 10 credit module on ‘Contemporary Global Development Challenges, Issues and Responses’ and two 5 credit elective modules delivered by the different departments involved, each of which is designed to address different theory and practical dimensions of practicing GCE with learners. More details on the content of the modules are available here. Assessment is by continuous assessment only.

Modules are timetabled to suit those who are working full-time during regular working hours, i.e., on campus on Saturdays, in the evenings or during holidays, with some online dimensions. Modules involve 24 contact hours with continuous assessment designed to reflect the learning outcomes, credit weighting and reflective nature of the modules. Due to the process and experiential nature of the pedagogies applied in this programme, there is a minimum attendance requirement of 80%.

The programme is designed to support the realisation of, and critical engagement with the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 4.7 - “by 2030 ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development”.

Find out about Elaine and Cliodhna's experience of the programme at the 'student experience' tab below.

Modules Offered

^{'Global Citizenship Education - Planting Seeds of Change'}

Contemporary Global Development Issues, Challenges and Responses (KD637) - 10 ECTS, compulsory - Department of International Development.
In this module learners explore contemporary global development issues, challenges and responses with a view to supporting critical engagement with different theoretical perspectives, research and case studies on global development and the complexity of contemporary challenges and responses.

Sharing the World: Education, Pluralism, and Conflict (ED690A)- 5 ECTS, elective - Department of Education.
This module address contemporary issues relating to difference, pluralism, inclusion, and identity. It examines the relationship between education, concepts of pluralism and what it means to share the world. It offers a pedagogical and experiential framework to analyse and unpack injustices and exclusions, alongside skills to engage in difficult conversations. The course introduces a range of creative pedagogical approaches to support educators in exploring and addressing these issues.

Community and Youth Work Practice: Local Issues, Global Lens (CY650) - 5 ECTS, elective - Department of Applied Social Studies.
This module provides learners with an overview of key areas of debate at local and global levels and their implications for the future, seeking to link community and youth work practice in the Global North with issues and outcomes in the Global South. It also examines aspects of development and development education appropriate to youth work and community work contexts and considers the contribution of global citizenship education concepts and practices to these contexts.

Critical Reflective Practice in Global Citizenship Education (AD641) - 5 ECTS, elective - Department of Adult and Community Education
In this module students will be invited to walk, think and enter into dialogue with each other, scholarship and the living and material landscape of Maynooth in a process of critical reflection that will take us in many directions in exploring the capacity of adult education to transform our inner and outer worlds. As with any critical reflexive process, the aim in our learning inquiry is not just to reveal stories of our collective experiences and hopes, but also to identify ways in which we can interrupt patterns of injustice, inequity and exploitation across the social and living world. Participants will be supported to critically reflect on their own GCE practice and to develop their skills of engaging GCE groups in more challenging, critical and transformative ways.

Decolonising the Curriculum (EDF633) - 5 ECTS, elective - Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education.
This interdisciplinary elective module supports learners to reflect on complex global issues such as decolonisation, ethnocentrism, stereotyping and the ethics of representation; as well as concepts such as power, privilege and solidarity. Multiple perspectives, including critical race theory, are infused into teaching and learning by drawing on a range of theorists from the Global South, and scholars from other under-represented backgrounds.

Course Schedule

TThe Cert in GCE is a one-year (8 months) part time course of study commencing in September. Classes will be timetabled to suit those who are working full-time during regular working hours, i.e., on campus on Saturdays, in the evenings or during holidays, with some online dimensions. See also Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

Progression Options

Participants who successfully complete the Certificate in Global Citizenship Education at MU have the option of progressing onto a PG Diploma or MA in International Development in MU in a subsequent year and can avail of some exemptions for 20 ECTS credits of coursework completed where there are compatible modules. To do so participants must apply through the MU online application portal for a place on the MA or PG Diploma in International Development and complete an Exemptions request form. Please contact the programme co-ordinator, Dr. Tom Campbell, for more details – email: [email protected]

How to Apply

This programme will be offered from September 2025. See https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/international-development/our-courses/certificate-global-citizenship-education for further details of Entry Requirements and How to Apply and follow the links to the to the online application portal where you will receive guidance on how to upload your details and apply for a place. Please note there is a non-refundable charge of €50 to apply via the online application portal so please ensure you have looked at all the information and guidelines before applying. Please note that the closing date for applications is Wednesday 31st July 2025.

Course Fees:
The tuition fees for this certificate programme in 2025 are €1,600. All students also need to pay an additional €150 student levy on registration.

Some partial fee grants are available for primary and post primary teachers and for further and adult educators in 2025 through Global Village, Worldwise Global Schools and Saolta respectively. Details of how to apply for this support will be made available soon. Those eligible to apply for partial fee support from these organisations need to apply first (and be accepted) for a place on the course. Do not contact these organisations until you have been accepted onto the programme. Please contact the programme co-ordinator, Dr. Tom Campbell, for more details – email: [email protected]

Further information on applications and fees can be found under Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below.

For enquiries please email us at: [email protected]

Telephone: +353 1 7084626

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Re: Applications

What are the entry requirements?

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree, which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level, or relevant experience which can be recognized as equivalent prior learning.

Applicants must demonstrate an interest in or engagement with global education in an education or work context.

How should I apply?

Please apply by completing the application form on the online application portal. To accompany the application form, you will need transcripts of your academic qualifications to date and one reference (academic or work-related).

See https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/international-development/our-courses/certificate-global-citizenship-education for further details of Entry Requirements and How to Apply. Please note that the closing date for applications is Wednesday 31st July 2025.

When will I know if my application has been successful or not?

Applications are usually processed within three – four weeks.

Fees and Scholarship Information

Fees – how much does the Certificate in Global Citizenship Education cost?

The tuition fees for this certificate programme in 2025 are €1,600. All students also need to pay an additional €150 student levy on registration.

Are there scholarships available for the Certificate programme?

Some partial fee grants are available for primary and post primary teachers and for further and adult educators in 2024 through Global Village, Worldwise Global Schools and Saolta respectively. Details of how to apply for this support will be made available soon. Those eligible to apply for partial fee support from these organisations need to apply first (and be accepted) for a place on the course. Do not contact these organisations until you have been accepted onto the programme. Please contact the programme co-ordinator, Dr. Tom Campbell, for more details – email: [email protected]

When do fees have to be paid?

Fees are paid on registration.

Can I get my tuition fees back if I can’t participate?

Maynooth University regulations apply with regard to the handling of tuition fees for this programme. Please contact the Fees office for further details. https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/student-fees-grants

Certificate Schedule and Standard

When will classes be held?

Classes will be timetabled to suit those who are working full-time during regular working hours, i.e., on campus on Saturdays, in the evenings or during holidays, with some online dimensions.

Can I participate fully online?

No. To facilitate in-person engagement and participatory, experiential learning, the certificate is designed as an on-campus programme with some blended (a mix of online and on campus) or online dimensions.

Is there a lot of work involved?

This is a 20 credit (ECTS) certificate at level 9. Participants will usually undertake one 10 ECTS compulsory module in the first semester and two 5 ECTS elective modules in the second semester. Each module will involve approx. 24 hours of face-to-face engagement with additional hours of self-directed or group learning activities. These include assessments, reading, reflection, writing and group work. Each credit in the ECTS equates to approx. 25 hours of student effort. The time involved varies per person and the amount of work you want to put into it, but it is generally expected that 20 credits over a year would be approx. 12 hours a week over 33 weeks, i.e., from beginning of Sept to end of April. That includes class contact time (approx. 24 hours per module). Though this requires significant work to complete over one year, it is designed as a 20 ECTS certificate to facilitate participation by those who are engaged in full-time or part-time work and other commitments for much of their time.

Instead of taking all the modules in one year, can I do the course over 2 years?

Unfortunately, this is not possible at the present time. All modules must be completed within one academic year.

If something unforeseen arises, can I defer my place on the programme to next year?

In certain circumstances, it is possible to defer your place on programme for another year. This depends on the stage at which you wish to defer, e.g., if the programme has started or not or if you have paid tuition fees or not. Please contact the programme co-ordinator for more details – Dr. Tom Campbell – email: [email protected]

Can I sign up for just one or two modules?

This is not possible as this certificate is designed as a 20-ECTS programme to meet the specialist learning needs of practitioners in global citizenship education.

Is there a minimum attendance requirement?

Yes. Apart from exceptional circumstances (including certified illness or bereavement), participants are required to participate in 80% of in-class learning engagement.

What standard of English is required?

Please visit Maynooth University International Office website for information about English language tests accepted and required scores. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and non- EU applicants.

Certificate Content and Progression

What content will the certificate cover?

This certificate programme will support participants to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills in the area of global citizenship education. As such, participants will learn more about contemporary global development challenges (and what can be done about them), about what’s involved in global citizenship, and about how to engage learners in making local-global connections in relation to the challenging issues of our time. Participants will undertake on compulsory 10-ECTS module, Contemporary Global Development Issues, Challenges and Responses’. In this module learners will explore contemporary global development issues, challenges and responses with a view to supporting critical engagement with different theoretical perspectives, research and case studies on global development and the complexity of contemporary challenges and responses. Full details on the content of the module can be found on MU Course Finder https://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/study-maynooth/postgraduate-studies/courses/certificate-global-citizenship-education

Participants will choose two 5-ECTS modules from the following selection, the details of which are also on MU Course Finder.

Sharing the World: Education, Pluralism, and Conflict
Community and Youth Work Practice: Local Issues, Global Lens
Critical Reflective Practice in Global Citizenship Education
Decolonising the Curriculum

[Please note that each module requires a minimum of 12 participants to ensure it will be running]

What is the assessment like?

The assessment for this programme is designed to support learning, reflection on practice and the connection between theory, reading and practice. As such, it will be continuous assessment, and involve a range of different assessment types. These include essays, reflections, presentations, group work and minor projects. There will be no sit-down exams.

Is there a reading list that we can consult ahead of time?

While there is no specific required reading in advance, you may wish to consult the following journals and websites which offer an extensive range of resources and academic peer-reviewed articles in areas related to global citizenship education.

The Bridge 47 Resources Library - https://www.bridge47.org/resources
Developmenteducation.ie website of resources on global citizenship education - https://developmenteducation.ie/
Journal of Transformative Education - https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jtd
International Journal of Development Education and Global Learning - https://www.uclpress.co.uk/pages/international-journal-of-development-education-and-global-learning
Policy and Practice: A Development Education Review - https://www.developmenteducationreview.com/
The Irish Development Education Association, IDEA, is the national network for Development Education in Ireland – www.ideaonline.ie

Will this course allow me to progress onto a Masters?

Participants who successfully complete the Certificate in Global Citizenship Education at MU have the option of progressing onto a PG Diploma or MA in International Development in MU in a subsequent year and can avail of some exemptions for 20 ECTS credits of coursework completed where there are compatible modules. To do so participants must apply through PAC for a place on the MA or PG Diploma in International Development and complete an Exemptions request form. Please contact the programme co-ordinator, Dr. Tom Campbell, for more details – email: [email protected]

Download Brochure

PG Cert in GCE brochure 2024

Student Experience

Elaine Mahon - PG Cert. in Global Citizenship Education participant

Cliodhna Malone - PG Cert. in Global Citizenship Education participant

The postgraduate certificate in Global Citizenship Education completed with the Maynooth University Department of International Development has allowed me to explore a variety of new approaches to education as both a learner and facilitator. This course utilised the expertise of five different departments in Maynooth University.

Various styles of learning and facilitating were used and all concentrated on understanding, critical reflection, and participatory methods for learning. We had a few brilliant guest lecturers and speakers, as well as a module that was shared with some of the MA students in Maynooth.

This course has helped me to come full-circle in my ‘development’ journey where I now have the tools to engage and facilitate global citizenship education for both young people and adults in a voluntary or professional capacity.

I could be slightly biased but I would definitely recommend this part-time course to those interested in global issues and active citizenship.

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