Education - Primary Teaching

The role of the primary school teacher is to educate while demonstrating respect, care, trust and integrity. Our PME programme will teach you how to nurture the intellectual and personal development of children while instilling a passion for lifelong learning in young lives. 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 Primary Education is a 120-credit award at Level 9 delivered over 24 months. It is a blended learning programme, combining online and face-to-face delivery to develop professionals positioned to be leaders in the field of primary education.



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



Programme Stucture



Online Tutorials

You should expect to have approximately three to four tutorials each week (Monday–Friday). Tutorials are 1–2 hours in length and occur typically between the hours of 5 PM and 9 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 on Saturdays at a regional study centre 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 F2F events on Saturday may be consecutive over a number of weekends. Locations for the centres are determined closer to the start of term because locations are based on where our students are located. There will also be a number of face-to-face weeks as well as some mid term days.



School Experience

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



Gaeltacht

The Gaeltacht is a core part of the PME in Primary Education programme. You should expect to spend four weeks (two weeks each year) in a Gaeltacht area, and attendance on designated weeks is compulsory for registration with The Teaching Council. Please note that the College has no role in the provision of accommodation for families.



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 the summer. The programme is full-time, delivered through a blended learning model, and full attendance is required.



Academic Validation: QQI

Professional Accreditation: The Teaching Council

Modules



Module Title Credits

101 Foundation Studies: History and Policy of Education, Philosophy of Education and Curriculum Studies 5

102 Foundation Studies: Sociology of Education and Psychology of Education 5

103 Professional Studies: The Arts Education (Visual, Music, Dance, Drama, Film and Digital) 5

104 Professional Studies: A Global Curriculum (Social and Environmental Education, GCE) 5

105 Professional Studies: Languages, Literacy and Learning 5

106 Professional Studies: Numeracy and Mathematical Understanding 5

107 School Placement 1: The Professional Teacher 10

108 School Placement 2: The Inclusive Teacher 15

109 Advanced School Placement: The Agentic Teacher 25

110 Research: Evidence-Informed Pedagogical Practice 10

111 Professional Studies: Health and Wellbeing (SPHE, PE) 5

112 Professional Studies: Science and Digital Technology Education 5

113 Inclusion, Identity and Diversity — Inclusive Pedagogy 5

114 An Ghaeilge Ghairmiúil 5



115 Electives:

115a Outdoor Play and Learning in Early Childhood 5

115b Ag Múineadh Trí Mheán na Gaeilge/Teaching Through the Medium of Irish 5

115c Building 21st-Century Skills for Teachers and Pupils 5

115d Digital Technology — Problem Solving and Computational Thinking 5

116 Ethical Multi-Belief Education and Professional Competencies 5

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), which has an ECTS weighting of at least 180 credits.



The grade and subject of the degree are not relevant for the purpose of meeting the minimum entry requirements.



Department of Education Minimum Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements:



Gaeilge: C2 Higher Level H4

English: C2 Ordinary Level O4 or E Higher Level H7

Maths C2 Ordinary Level O4 or E Higher Level H7



Once your online application has been reviewed and processed, you will be called for an interview.



The interview will comprise of a 20-minute general component and approximately 10 minutes of an oral Gaeilge component to determine your language proficiency, including but not limited to conversational fluency including verb usage, vocabulary, grammar and tenses. To improve your Gaeilge language skills, we advise regular practice and completion of a Gaeilge course that will adequately prepare you for interview.



Before your interview, you should be speaking Gaeilge conversationally for at least 30 minutes per day. It is also essential to comprehensively prepare for the general component of the interview, including your motivations for becoming a teacher and up-to-date knowledge of teaching in Ireland.



Please note that if you have achieved a minimum of 65%/B1 in the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) (oral) within the last two years, this will be accepted in lieu of the Gaeilge interview.



Alternative Requirements



GCSE/GCE A Level Requirements

Minimum grade C in GCE A level Gaeilge

Minimum grade C in both GCSE English and English Literature

Minimum grade B in GCSE English or English Literature

Minimum grade D in GCSE Additional Mathematics or minimum grade C at GCSE level in Mathematics



Alternatives to English, Gaeilge and Mathematics Requirements

A pass in a University First Arts exam in the appropriate subject at NFQ Level 8



Alternatives to Gaeilge Requirement

Diploma in Arts (Applied Irish) from University College Cork

Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge (Leibhéal B2) from University of Galway

Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach from University College Dublin

Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge from Maynooth University

Diploma in Irish from the University of Ulster

Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Leibhéal B2 (Meánleibhéal 2) from Maynooth University

Minimum grade C in the NUI matriculation exam (pre-1992)



Alternatives to Mathematics Requirement

A Pass grade obtained in Mathematics in the Matriculation examination (which existed up to 1992)

A merit grade (65–79%) or distinction grade (80–100%) obtained in QQI Level 5 Mathematics course (5N 1833)

Please note that the above are the only accepted entry requirements, as set by the Department of Education. Because these are Department of Education imposed requirements, unfortunately, the College will not be in a position to accept any alternative qualifications.

SPRING 2025: CLOSES 12 FEBRUARY

AUTUMN 2025: CLOSES 25 JUNE

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 the summer. The programme is full-time, delivered through a blended learning model, and full attendance is required.

Next Intakes: Spring 2025, Autumn 2025