The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Adult and Further Education is a 60-credit, NFQ Level 8 honours degree co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. Designed as a follow-on pathway from the Level 7 BA in Adult and Further Education, this programme caters to active tutors and educational practitioners across the Further Education and Training (FET) sector who do not require Teaching Council registration or who already possess it. Delivered over 18 months, the degree deepens participants' critical understanding of adult education frameworks, systemic educational challenges, and national and international trends, while equipping them with advanced research capabilities to examine and improve their professional practice.
Practical Learning & Flexible Delivery
The programme is structured specifically to support working adult educators, utilizing interactive methodologies and flexible scheduling:
Part-Time Modular Schedule: Delivered over an 18-month duration, allowing adult learners to balance their studies with ongoing professional responsibilities in the FET sector.
Collaborative Workshop Format: Classes are conducted in creative, workshop-style environments that foster peer reflection, collective learning, and collaborative problem-solving based on real-world classroom experiences.
Applied Primary Research: Participants execute an independent primary research project tailored directly to their current work context, generating actionable insights for their educational institutions or subject areas.
Coursework
The Level 8 curriculum focuses on advanced educational theory, systemic policy evaluation, and primary research execution:
Advanced Adult Education Theory: Analysing contemporary national and international trends, power dynamics, equity, and critical pedagogy in FET.
Educational Systems & Policy Analysis: Evaluating structural frameworks, institutional policy, and systemic challenges facing adult learners and educators.
Research Methodologies: Developing quantitative and qualitative research design, ethics, data collection methods, and literature synthesis.
Practice-Based Dissertation / Research Project: Conducting and presenting an original primary research study focused on an applied adult or further education context.
Career Opportunities
Graduates earn an accredited Level 8 honours degree that enhances their leadership capacity, research skills, and career advancement prospects across the adult, further, and community education sectors:
Senior FET Tutor & Facilitator (ETBs, Adult Literacy, and Community Education settings)
Adult Education Coordinator & Programme Developer
Educational Researcher & Curriculum Specialist
Community Education Officer & Project Leader
Progression to Postgraduate Study (Master’s and Doctoral programmes in Adult Education, Lifelong Learning, or Educational Leadership)
Upon completion of the Level 8 honours degree, participants hold the advanced theoretical insights, primary research expertise, and recognized academic qualification needed to drive educational quality and assume senior roles across the adult and further education sector.
Delivery
The BA (Hons) in Teaching in Adult & Further Education is a part-time blended learning modular programme with a flexible delivery model that facilitates the working practitioner. Traditionally, the programme is delivered through a combination of face-to-face and blended learning. Classes are delivered in weekend blocs (Friday and Saturday) on campus in SETU on our Waterford campus (on average 1 or 2 per month) and use of the SETU virtual learning environment (Moodle) in order to facilitate adult learners.
The programme consists of a combination of taught modules, and a supervised research project. There are a number of mandatory modules and one elective module (60 credits in total). The modules address key areas in adult and further education including curriculum planning, research, policy, psychology, critical education theories and equality.
Please Note: Participants must complete all 6 mandatory modules and may choose one elective module. Choice of elective module is subject to numbers/availability.
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
Quality, Curriculum Planning & Assessment in Practice (10 credits)
Education, Equality & Social Inclusion (5 credits)
Psychology and Learning in Further & Adult Education ( 5 credits)
Critical Education Studies ( 5 credits)
Research Methodologies (10 credits )
Year 2
Semester 3
Semester 4
Research Project (15 Credits)
Elective (10 credits): Promoting Literacies for Learning in Adult & Further Education OR Strategic Management and Leadership in Adult & Further Education (choice is subject to Numbers )
Entry Requirements
Applicants for this programme are required to hold a BA in Adult and Further Education (NFQ Level 7) OR a BA in Community Education and Development (NFQ Level 7) OR a relevant qualification equivalent to a full award at Level 7 (180 ECTS).
Applicants must have a minimum of 18 months professional experience in the adult and further education and training (FET) sector.
Applicants must have access to ongoing professional experience for the duration of the programme.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, you will need an IELTS score of 6 (minimum of 5 in each component) or equivalent. Please see here for more details
Non-Standard Applications/Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Applications for recognition of prior learning (advanced entry or exemptions) are welcomed from potential applicants who may have the appropriate level of knowledge and with significant professional experience in the FET sector.
