Education - Post Primary / Second Level Teaching

Your enthusiasm and knowledge of your teaching subject(s) will enable you to inspire your future students. Our PME programme will teach you how to facilitate academic and personal growth and help each student achieve their full potential. The programme will prepare you to become the best and most professional teacher you can be. Prior teaching experience is not required to apply.



The PME in Post-Primary Education is a 120-credit award at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). It is delivered over 24 months and is a blended learning programme, combining online and face-to-face delivery to develop professionals positioned to be leaders in the field of post-primary education.



The programme consists of a sequence of modules that reflect contemporary issues in education and the skills and knowledge required to be post-primary school teachers who enable effective learning. Our emphasis on research ensures that student teachers understand teaching as a form of self-critical learning. Student teachers are trained to use evidence-based reflection to continually improve their practice.



Programme Structure



Online Tutorials

You should expect to have approximately three to four tutorials each week (Monday–Friday). Tutorials are 1–2 hours in length and typically occur between the hours of 5.00 PM and 9.30 PM. Please note that these classes are live, and you will be expected to attend at the times stated.



Face-to-Face Events

You will meet face-to-face on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The number of Saturdays is dependent on which module you are undertaking. Depending on the module, attendance at face-to-face events on Saturdays may be required consecutively over a number of weekends. There will also be a number of face-to-face weeks as well as some mid-term face-to-face days.



School Experience

You will complete 24 weeks of school placement in total throughout the programme. Placements are broken down into two 7-week blocks and one 10-week block. You arrange your own placements, and at least two of the placements must be in different schools.



Required Study and Attendance

It is recommended that you set aside approximately 37 hours per week for study, including tutorials and classes. The programme is 24 continuous months, with a short break at Christmas and in summer. The programme is full-time, delivered through a blended learning model, and full attendance is required.

Module Title Credits

101 Professional Studies: Evidence-Informed Practice in Teaching and Learning 5

102 Foundation Studies: Education, Schools and Society 5

103 Foundation Studies: Psychology for Teaching and Learning 5

104 Foundation Studies: Inclusion, Diversity and Global Education 5

105 Professional Studies: Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 5

106 Professional Studies: Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2 5

107 School Experience and Professional Practice 1 10

108 Foundation Studies: History, Policy and Contemporary Issues in Education 5

109 Foundation Studies: Curriculum Studies 5

110 Foundation Studies: Philosophy of Education 5

111 School Experience and Professional Practice 2 15

112 Professional Studies: Inclusive Pedagogy 5



113 Electives:

113a Wellbeing in Post-Primary Schools 5

113b Digital Technology for Teaching and Learning 5

113c Development Education 5

113d Inclusion of Learners with AENs 5

114 Professional Studies: Core Teaching Methodologies 5

115 Advanced School Experience and Professional Practice 25

116 Professional Practice and Inquiry: The Teacher as Researcher 10

NFQ Level 8 Degree

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the NFQ, which has an ECTS weighting of at least 180 credits.



Note: Do your official undergraduate transcripts include module codes and ECTS credits? If not, you will need to request these from your undergraduate provider. If you have any issues, please email advisor@hiberniacollege.net.



Is your answer ‘yes’ to the following questions?

Do you have an honours Level 8 degree in subject(s) strongly related to the subject(s) you hope to teach? ✓

Do your relevant qualifications meet the requirements of the Subject Declaration Form (SDF)? ✓



Teaching Council Curricular Subject Requirements

Teaching Council regulations stipulate that, in addition to holding a Level 8 degree that has an ECTS weighting of at least 180 credits on the NFQ (or equivalent), applicants must meet the curricular subject requirements for at least one post-primary curricular subject to be eligible for entry to the PME.



When applying for a place on the PME, an applicant will be required to complete and submit a Subject Declaration Form for their chosen subject(s), declaring they:



Hold an honours bachelor degree at NFQ Level 8, or equivalent, carrying at least 180 ECTS credits



Have studied the requisite number of ECTS credits in the subject(s) they wish to have recorded on the Register of Teachers



Have studied the subject(s) at third-year degree level, or higher



Have met all other specific subject requirements outlined by the Teaching Council. e.g. have studied modules across the required areas of study



Choosing Subjects

When making subject choices, it is important to note that you are required to meet all Teaching Council requirements in your Subject 1, including the requisite number of ECTS credits, and submit a completed Subject Declaration Form.



If you hold 40 credits or more in a second subject, we recommend you select this as your Subject 2. While you will not be in a position to register in this subject, unless you meet all Teaching Council requirements, you will be required to upload a Subject Declaration Form for the purposes of your application only. If you hold less than 40 credits in a second subject or you do not have a second subject, we offer a ‘Digital Technology for Teaching and Learning’ module in lieu of a second subject. Your subject knowledge and eligibility to teach both of your chosen subjects will be considered at interview.



Post-Primary Teaching Subjects



Accounting

Agricultural Science

Biology

Business

Chemistry

Computer Science

Economics

English

French

Gaeilge

Geography

German

History

Mathematics

Physics

Politics and Society

Spanish

PE *Autumn 25 (Pending validation)



Interview

Once your online application has been reviewed and processed, you will be called for an interview. The interview will be approximately 30 minutes in length.



At the start of the interview, you will present on a Junior or Senior Cycle curriculum topic of interest. The chosen topic must be related to your first subject choice. The presentation should be no longer than three minutes. If your first subject is a language, you should consider conducting your presentation in this language. You will then be given the opportunity to show interest and enthusiasm for both of your chosen subject areas, where relevant, and the profession.



The interview will focus on the following key elements:



Motivations and the Profession: You will be given the opportunity to show you possess skills, interest and enthusiasm for both of your subject areas and the profession.



Suitability to Teach and Subject Knowledge: You will be provided with an opportunity to show that you have investigated both of your subjects and have given some thought to teaching at different levels to different class groups. If you have chosen a language as one of your subjects, some questions will be asked through the medium of your chosen language.



Preparation: You should be able to display knowledge of Hibernia College and the programme for which you have applied.



Competencies: You will have the opportunity to demonstrate competencies that will be pertinent to teaching, e.g. effective planning, responsiveness, and interpersonal and reflective skills.



Please note that this list is given as a guide only.

SPRING 2025: CLOSES 12 FEBRUARY

It is recommended that you set aside approximately 37 hours per week for study, including tutorials and classes. The programme is 24 continuous months, with a short break at Christmas and in summer. The programme is full-time, delivered through a blended learning model, and full attendance is required.

Next Intakes: Spring 2025, Autumn 2025