School of Education

Contact Us Room 3087
Arts Building
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland

View the contact page for more contact and location information

adminedu@tcd.ie Gaeilge

Welcome to International Students

The School of Education warmly welcomes applications from students from around the world. As Ireland's leading School of Education, we are deeply committed to advancing educational research with a focus on global, national and local impact. Through our teaching, research and community engagement with local and global partners, our School community shapes a dynamic, inclusive and intellectually stimulating environment, reflected in the School's consistent ranking among the top 100 Schools of Education internationally.

International students are an important part of our School community. On all programmes, we offer a broad range of modules with global relevance, and our teaching draws on the diverse perspectives our faculty and students bring, fostering an engaging, outward-looking learning environment where we explore some of the most profound, provocative and pressing issues in education.  

Our research culture is a cornerstone of our School. It informs our teaching and the wider work of our faculty and is supported by two College research centres and six research groups. Together, these create a vibrant environment supporting collaboration, innovation and educational enquiry, where the enduring and emerging questions at the heart of education are explored from multiple perspectives. We regularly welcome visiting scholars from partner institutions around the world, and our centres and groups host a programme of seminars, workshops and events throughout the year, open to all of our students, as well as our School's partners in the educational community and the broader public. 

Whether you are interested in a taught postgraduate programme or a research degree, we have brought together the information below to help you explore your study options, understand the application process, and learn more about the supports available before and after you arrive in Dublin. 

Postgraduate Study Opportunities 

The School of Education offers a range of postgraduate opportunities, including both taught programmes and research degrees. 

Please visit the Trinity Postgraduate Prospectus and the School of Education course pages to find information on: 

  • Postgraduate course information
  • Entry requirements
  • English language requirements
  • Application procedures and deadlines
  • The course page includes details on the postgraduate research proposal as required (M.Ed., D.Ed., PhD)
  • Fees and funding opportunities
  • Student life and support services at Trinity

 

International Doctoral Students (D.Ed. and Ph.D.) 

Doctoral research is central to the work of the School of Education, and we welcome applications from international students interested in pursuing a Doctor in Education (D.Ed.) or Ph.D. You can read about the research degrees we offer here. 

Our international postgraduate researchers have made considerable contributions to our research community and culture, and you can read what some of them have to say about their experiences in the testimonials section of this page. 

Before You Apply 

If you are considering applying for a doctoral degree, there are several important factors to consider. One of the first steps is to begin developing a written research proposal and identifying a potential supervisor whose expertise aligns with your proposed area of study. 

You can explore potential supervisors by visiting our people page, where academic staff outline their research interests, current and previous research projects, and publications. You may also wish to explore the School's research groups and designated research staff to identify expertise relevant to your proposed research topic. To support prospective applicants, we have provided guidance - SoE-PhD Research-proposal-template-and-guide. 

 

Fees, Funding and Application Information

We recognise that funding and fees are important considerations for many international students. Further information is available on: 

 

For the full list of awards and scholarships offered by College, please see here:

https://www.tcd.ie/graduatestudies/awards/ 

https://www.tcd.ie/study/international/scholarships/postgraduate/ 

  

International Student Services and Support 

The International Admissions & Study Abroad team provides comprehensive information for international applicants, including guidance on visas, immigration requirements, travel planning and living in Ireland. Further information is available at https://www.tcd.ie/study/ 

Moving to a new country and studying in a different educational environment can be both exciting and challenging. Trinity offers a range of dedicated supports to help international students settle into university life and make the most of their experience. 

The International Student Experience team provides information, advice and practical support to help students settle into Trinity and life in Dublin. Whether you have questions before arrival or during your studies, the team is available to assist throughout your transition to university life in Ireland. Find out more on the International Student Experience webpage. 

 

Global Room 

The Global Room is a dedicated information, support and student space for Trinity's international student community. The team provides guidance on a wide range of topics, including immigration, accommodation and everyday life at Trinity. 

The Global Ambassador programme connects incoming students with current Trinity students who can offer advice and support as they settle into their new environment. The Global Room also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, celebrating international cultures and creating opportunities for students to connect with one another. Find out more on the Global Room webpage. 

 

Testimonials

I've really valued my year abroad studying at Trinity College Dublin. Since arriving here I've gained many new experiences, made new friends and have learnt skills that I wouldn't have been able to gain anywhere else. Trinity College is a beautiful campus with welcoming people and numerous opportunities and activities. There is always something going on - I've been particularly inspired by the Trinity Arts Group who have arranged a number of events that have promoted the value of arts education.

The city of Dublin is full of life with a vibrant music scene and I've really enjoyed experiencing the county's strong cultural values. Choosing to do my Erasmus year here has definitely helped me to develop my artistic abilities and has influenced my future studies.

Christine Edwards

Scotland

My experience in Trinity has overall been very positive: I wanted to be taught by professors knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subject, as well as accessible to students. I was delighted to find such professors in Trinity's School of Education Masters programme, and especially in the Cooperative Learning Strand!

A pleasant surprise was that, despite this being a Masters programme, its content and teaching methods were very practical and relevant to classroom practice, while still being scientific and academic.

Maria Effrosyni

Greece

After completing my undergraduate degree in France and my M.Phil. in England, choosing Trinity and Ireland could seem like a big change. However, the School of Education provides a collegial environment unique in Ireland with accessible and leading academics in their respective fields. Studying at Ireland's first university is an unparalleled experience you won't forget. Both its location at the heart of a city that is ranked one of the top ten student cities in the world to study in and the school's high position in international university rankings make it a destination of choice for high calibre students (QS, 2012).

The School has an inclusive and supportive policy for its postgraduate research students, including office space, prestigious studentships, structured research methods sessions in first year, as well as monthly coffee mornings and seminars which Ph.D. students are strongly encouraged to attend. There is also a profusion of student development courses offered at College level to support you in your research. While pursuing a Ph.D. is sometimes described as a lonely experience, you can be sure of one thing here, you are not alone, in fact you are very much part of a community of scholars.

Ludovic Highman

France

Why Trinity College Dublin?

My connection with TCD dates back to 2007 when I was accepted to do my M. Ed. course in Leadership and Management. The specification of courses offered in TCD appeal to a large spectrum of interests. I recall searching Maynooth, UCD and Mater Dei Institute of Education websites but in TCD's course lists that I finally got what I wanted. Other reasons which make TCD preferable for me are:

Location: It is one of the greatest English speaking universities in Europe, particularly situated in Ireland, and not UK was appealing. Coming from a country, Uganda that has adopted English as its official language, it is easier to connect and there is hope of even improving on the language in an environment of English speakers as their mother tongue. The same could apply to universities in the UK, however, its colonial legacy in Africa and elsewhere in the world tends to undermine my confidence [this is personal].

History: Because of its long establishment, since 1592, TCD's programmes seem to have evolved and polished over time. For instance, the models within a particular course are well taught and assessed, which gives students a tight focus for concentration and subsequent performance.

Good Reputation and Influence: TCD has good reputation outside for excellence among the world's Universities, especially in the School of Education. Hence, in 2008, the Minister of Education and Sports from Uganda together with the Education Permanent Secretary, then, Mr Francis Nsubuga (my country) visited TCD in connection to information about teacher training. I personally attended part of the presentations delivered in her presence. This shows TCD's international influence in the field of academics and training.

Internationality: TCD has good international presence; as an international student, you don't feel alone even if you are not particularly connected with anyone from outside of Ireland.

Sr. Alice Drajea Jurugo SHS

Uganda

My experience as a postgraduate student in Trinity College Dublin - This year I made the big decision to move into another country and live without my parents for the first time, in order to have the opportunity to study in Trinity College Dublin. It has been the most exciting year of my life.

My studies in Trinity and my life in Ireland have made me communicant of an international environment and have fulfilled me with strength and confidence. As a university, Trinity College exceeded my expectations, since its facilities and the organisation of student life cannot be compared to my undergraduate experience in the Greek university, where my opportunities were limited.

My course has satisfied my needs and desires, although it has been extremely challenging for me. The way of independent and creative research was completely new for me and it took me some time to grasp the essence of this mode of study.

Angeliki Maria Malandrenia

Greece