Education - Primary Teaching

The course structure enables student teachers to make real connections between the theory and practice of education. This is achieved through the blend of methodology and foundation discipline courses on offer.

This is a full-time postgraduate teacher education programme for primary teaching (2022–2024) for persons who possess an honours Bachelor Degree at Level 8 or those who expect to have successfully completed final examinations before Monday, 4 July 2022.

Applicants must have the following academic qualifications:

(a) Minimum H2.2 Honours Bachelor Degree[1] (Major Award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or a major award at Level 9 or a major award at Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications, and

(b) one of the following sets of second level qualifications:
(i) in the Leaving Certificate Examination[2]

Table 1: Minimum Entry Requirements for September 2022
Minimum Grade (new 2017 Scheme)
Subject Irish H4 / Mathematics H7 or O4 / English H7 or O4

% Mark 60%< 70% / 30%<40% or 60%<70% / 30%<40% or 60%<70%

H – Higher Level
O – Ordinary Level

The grades and % marks in the 1992-2016 grading scheme and the new 2017 scheme are set out at Appendix 1 below.

(ii) in the Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE A Level Examinations: a Grade C at GCE A Level Irish; a Grade C at GCSE Level in both English and English Literature or Grade B at GCSE Level in either; and a Grade D at GCSE Level in Additional Mathematics or a Grade C at GCSE Level in Mathematics.

Applicants must provide evidence to the Higher Education Institution that their degree is placed as a major award at the appropriate level on the National Framework of Qualifications. Applicants must meet all entry requirements by Monday, 4th July 2022 and must provide documentary evidence of meeting these requirements.

Alternatives to second-level qualifications in Irish, English or Maths

A Pass in a University First Arts Examination in Irish, English or Mathematics will be accepted in lieu of the Leaving Certificate Examination GCE/GCSE requirement for the relevant subject.

In the case of Irish, a Grade C in the Matriculation Examination (which existed up to 1992) will also be accepted in lieu of the Leaving Certificate Examination/GCE/GCSE requirement. In addition, the following are accepted as satisfying the Leaving Certificate Examination/GCE/GCSE requirement:

Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, Level C1, NUIG
Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, Level B2, NUIG
Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, NUI Maynooth
Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) at Level B2, NUI Maynooth
Diploma in Arts (Applied Irish), University College Cork
Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach, UCD
Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge (An Ghaeilge sa Saol Comhaimseartha), University of Limerick
Diploma in Irish at the University of Ulster

In the case of Mathematics, a Pass in that subject in the Matriculation Examination will also be accepted in lieu of the Leaving Certificate Examination/GCSE requirement or A merit grade (65-79%) or distinction grade (80-100%) obtained in QQI Level 5 Mathematics Course (5N1833).

[1] Please note that notice of this requirement (H2.2 Bachelor Degree) which commenced in 2016 was included in the PME Entry Requirements 2014 and the PME Entry Requirements 2015.

[2] Please note that the overall position on minimum entry requirements from 2018 onwards are being reviewed by the Department of Education & Skills.

Prior to applying, please visit the following link to the Professional Masters in Education (Primary) to obtain further details. Applicants are required to achieve 65% in the TEG oral exam. Contact the TEG office directly on 01 708 3737 with queries relating to this section of the application process.

Applications to Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University and Marino Institute of Education, Dublin should be completed online at maestro.mie.ie/appcentre. The closing date for receipt of completed applications to the four institutions named above is 5p.m. on Tuesday, 29th March 2022. All applicants should note the selection procedure detailed below.

Interview
Eligible applicants will be required to undergo an interview. This interview will be conducted in English. Up to 100 marks may be awarded for performance in the interview. Applicants who get a "fail" grade in the interview will be eliminated from the competition. The purpose of the interview is to ascertain the suitability of the applicant for participation in a primary teacher education programme. Additional marks awarded for students who complete the TEG oral examination at a high level. · Up to 10 additional marks may be awarded for students who successfully complete the TEG oral examination at a high level and these marks will be added to their interview score. Candidates achieving from 90-100% receive 10 additional marks, candidates achieving from 80-89% receive 5 additional marks. · Candidates who complete the TEG oral examination and obtain 65-79% receive no additional marks but are deemed to have passed the test and are eligible for the programme · Candidates who have passed higher levels of TEG (B2, C1 and C2) receive 10 additional marks. Interview Locations Interviews may be held either remotely or in person in accordance with guidance provided by Government. If held in person, the location will be Dublin and/or Maynooth and/or Limerick. Applicants will be advised by the relevant Higher Education Institution of the date, time, venue etc. of their interview. Candidates will not be reimbursed for expenses incurred due to interview.

A limited number of places will be available on these programmes and successful applicants will be selected by way of competition. Applicants are advised that shortlisting may apply.

Persons who successfully complete this programme are eligible to be registered by the Teaching Council under Route 1: Primary and will thereby be eligible for appointment in primary schools.

Closing Date : 29 March 2023

2 years full-time

The Professional Masters of Education (Primary) is designed to prepare students to be primary school teachers.