Education - PME - Second Level Teaching

Business
This two year Level 9 qualification sets about generating a wide spectrum of capabilities for the modern business teacher. In addition to generating leadership of learning in any combination of the three core subject areas (Business, Accounting or Economics), competence and expertise is cultivated in Entrepreneurship Education/ Enterprise Education; Business input into Transition Year and LCVP/LCA learning areas; Project work in business topics, in line with curricular developments, coupled with capacity to promote learning using appropriate ICT pedagogical supports.

Languages
The Languages stream of the PME programme is a two-year, full-time Level 9 programme that aims to be creative, innovative and consistent with good practice internationally. The programme is a required qualification for individuals wishing to work as post primary school teachers of languages in Ireland. It aims to develop competence and appropriate expertise, both disciplinary and pedagogical in the chosen subjects. Applicants shall normally be required to hold a minimum of an honours 2.2 Level 8 degree.

Mathematics
This is a two-year full-time initial teacher education programme designed to train mathematics teachers for Irish post-primary schools. It facilitates an interactive and imaginative approach to teaching mathematics at post-primary level in order to enhance school students’ mathematics learning and performance while deepening and enriching the prospective teachers’ knowledge and understanding of mathematics. Applicants shall normally be required to hold a minimum of an honours 2.2 Level 8 degree.

Music
The Music stream of the Professional Master of Education is taught at Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and is specially designed to meet the needs of graduates who wish to become teachers of music. This course will prepare you to teach music in innovative and creative ways and will introduce you to research in music education. PME Music students demonstrate the ability to adapt specialist knowledge to the music classroom and to plan appropriate courses in music education with a specific focus on effective teaching of composition, performance, improvisation and listening to music.

Physical Education
The Physical Education pathway of the Professional Master of Education is a full-time two-year initial teacher education to prepare graduates for a professional teaching qualification in physical education. This course will prepare teachers skilled in designing instructionally aligned, evidence based physical education programs. PME Physical Education students will gain cutting edge knowledge regarding the content and implementation of Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle, and Leaving Certificate Physical Education.

Science
The Science stream of the Professional Master of Education is a two-year full time programme designed to meet the needs of graduates who wish to become post-primary teachers of junior cycle science and one of: Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Agricultural science to Leaving Certificate. Building on the Level 8 background of the graduate student, this programme promotes inquiry based learning as well as enhancing students understanding of contemporary issues relating to science and nature of science.

Technological Education
The technology stream of the Professional Master of Education is a two-year full-time programme designed to meet the needs of graduates who wish to become post-primary teachers of technology subjects including; Engineering, Technology, Construction Studies, and Design & Communication Graphics. Building on the Level 8 background of the graduate student, this programme promotes an interactive and creative approach to becoming a teacher of technology subjects.

Subjects taught

Year 1
Autumn Modules
• Becoming a teacher: Identity and Agency
• Planning for School placement
• Understanding Diversity of Learners
• Pedagogy 1A
• Pedagogy 1B

Spring Modules
• School Placement 1
• Diversity of Learning: Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Inclusive Teaching
• Pedagogy 2A
• Pedagogy 2B

Year 2
Autumn Modules
• School Placement 2
• Teacher as Researcher 1

Spring Modules
• Curriculum and Professional Agency
• Teacher as Researcher 2
• History, Policy and Contemporary Issues in Education
• Sociological Perspectives on Diversity and Social Justice in Schools and Society
• Pedagogy 3A
• Pedagogy 3B

Entry requirements

Applicants must possess a relevant primary degree at 2.2 honours level or higher (Level 8 - National Qualifications Authority of Ireland or equivalent) or be about to graduate with such a degree. In line with Teaching Council and HEA protocol, when applying for a place on the Professional Master of Education programme, the PME Applicant is required to make a formal declaration, using a Subject Declaration Form, that he/she:
• Holds/will hold, by the date of commencement of the PME programme, a level 8 honours degree.

• Has studied the relevant number of ECTS credits in the relevant
subject area(s) as part of their degree (see the link in point (4) below).

• Has studied higher level degree content related to the subject area(s) in year 3 or 4 of their degree.

• Has covered, as part of their degree, the mandatory topics/subjects as set out in the Teaching Council subject requirements which can be found at: https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/pme/applying-in-2021-for-a-place-on-a-professional-master-of-education-pme-.html

The Subject Declaration Form for each of the subjects you wish to teach must be fully completed and attached with your application to this programme.

Candidates may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of either prior successful completion of a degree qualification taught through the medium of English or meet one of the criteria (no longer than two years prior to application) as outlined on https://www.ul.ie/graduateschool/ english-language-requirements. Results in examinations other than those listed on this site may also be accepted as meeting our English language requirements. Contact the International Education Division for advice.

School Placement
Placements are organised by the School Placement Office (www.ul.ie/ schoolplacement). While every effort is made to place student teachers in their preferred geographical location no guarantee can be made that this will happen.

Garda Vetting
Successful completion of the Garda Vetting process is required. The University oversees the Garda Vetting Process.

You are required to submit a Police Clearance Certificate if you have lived abroad for more than 6 months since over 16 years of age. Please review the process here: https://ulsites.ul.ie/executive/student-vetting

Application dates

How to apply:
1. Choose your programme.
2. Check closing date for the programme.
3. Apply online at www.ul.ie
4. Have your supporting documentation ready to upload.
5. Pay the application fee (€35 online / €40 bank draft or cheque).
6. Submit your application.

Applicants must include:
• Qualification transcripts and certificates

• English language qualification if English is not your first language

• Certified English translation of your qualification(s)/certificate(s) where the originals are in a language other than English.

• A copy of your birth certificate.

• Subject Declaration Form

• Form indicating which discipline(s) you are applying for

Duration

2 years full-time, on-campus.

Post Course Info

Graduate careers
Graduates are qualified to work as teachers in Irish secondary schools. UL Offers a unique opportunity for students who wish to specialise in two different disciplines selected from the main pathways e.g. Mathematics and Business. This is dependent on the students meeting the Teaching Council requirements for Level 8 study.

More details
  • Qualification letters

    PME

  • Qualifications

    Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ)

  • Attendance type

    Daytime,Full time

  • Apply to

    Course provider