Spanish for Teaching at Post Primary Level

he programme aims to provide domestic and international candidates with an opportunity to engage in a programme of studies that has been designed with the intention of meeting Teaching Council requirements for registration as an accredited Spanish teacher at post-primary level. The programme offers intensive studies in the areas of Spanish translation, Spanish/Latin American literary and cultural studies, and Spanish language pedagogy. The Postgraduate Diploma programme may also serve as an entry route to the MLitt / PhD programme in Spanish and Latin American Studies.



IMPORTANT: This programme does not involve professional accreditation. It provides its graduates with the requisite 60 ECTS credits configured to meeting current Teaching Council requirements for Spanish. In order to be accredited by the Teaching Council, all graduates of this programme must hold a PME or equivalent, and will be required to submit themselves for individual evaluation by the Teaching Council of Ireland.

Applicants can choose up to 30 ECTS from the following modules:



Module code/ Module title / Semester 1, 2, or full year/ New or existing module / Compulsory or optional module / Credit weight



SPA638 Border Crossers and Borderlands: Mexican and Chicana/o Studies 1 New Compulsory 10



SPA644 Narratives of Conflict—Spain 1 New Compulsory 10



SPA646 Methodologies for Teaching Spanish module as a Foreign Language 1 New Compulsory 10



SPA622 Advanced Translation I 1 Existing Compulsory 5



SPA641 Advanced Translation II 2 Existing Compulsory 5



SPA637 Crime Narrative and Globalisation in the Americas 2 New Compulsory 10



SPA643 Narratives of Conflict—Latin American Documentary Film 2 New Compulsory 10



Year Total credits for the year 60



NB: Prospective candidates who are undertaking the programme in order to meet the Teaching Council requirements for Spanish are strongly advised to consult with the Teaching Council regarding the number and type of credits that they must complete.

Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level. Under normal circumstances, applicants should have a BA involving Spanish Studies or a cognate discipline (e.g. linguistics, literary/cultural studies) with at least a 2.1 degree, or equivalent. Applicants whose previous history of education does not fit this profile are invited to contact the Programme Director to enquire about their eligibility to apply for the programme.



Minimum CEFR Proficiency level of B2.2 in Spanish and C1.1 in English. You will be required to provide one of the following:

a) Documentation from a previous institution/course in which the proficiency acquired is deemed to be commensurate with B2.2

b) Where this is not available, you could complete a “SIELE” exam to confirm level of proficiency. The Cervantes Institute in Dublin, for example, would facilitate these exams.



Minimum English language requirements: please visit Maynooth University International Office website for information about English language tests accepted and required scores. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and non-EU applicants.



National University of Ireland Maynooth’s TOEFL code is 8850

Applications are open for the 2025/6 academic year. Visit our online application portal to start your application.

We are here to support you throughout the admissions process.



For queries on your postgraduate course options please contact pgstudies@mu.ie

For queries or support on your application process please contact pgadmissions@mu.ie



If you are an international (Non-EU) applicant please contact internationaladmissions@mu.ie

1 year Full-time, 2 years Part-time.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Spanish for Teaching at Post-Primary Level is intended for candidates who already possess a Professional Masters of Education (PME), or equivalent, or those who intend on pursuing a PME upon completion of this postgraduate diploma with the end goal of becoming fully accredited post-primary teachers of Spanish in Ireland. The Postgraduate Diploma programme may also serve as an entry route to the MLitt / PhD programme in Spanish and Latin American Studies.