Hibernia College

Entry Requirements
All applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

Level 8 degree

English qualification

Level 8 Degree

Applicants are required to have a Level 8 degree, which satisfies the curricular subject criteria which are set and regulated by the Department of Education and Skills in association with the Teaching Council of Ireland, and which must be satisfied independently of Hibernia College's entry requirements.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ascertain whether their specific qualifications are in accord with the Teaching Council requirements, satisfying the general and specific criteria for post primary registration purposes. As part of your PME Post Primary application, you are required to complete a subject declaration form for all subjects you are qualified to teach and which you are seeking to have recorded on the Teaching Council's Register of Teachers. Teaching Council regulations stipulate that, in addition to holding a Level 8 degree (or equivalent) on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, you must meet the requirements for at least one post primary curricular subject. The requirements for all qualifying subjects are set by the Teaching Council.

Applicants must follow the Teaching Council guidelines:

1.Click on the subject(s) of your choice and complete the form.

2.Please ensure that all details on the form are correct, that you hold a Level 8 degree (or equivalent) and the requisite total number of ECTS credits in the relevant subject.

3.Print the form, sign it and return it with the other documentation requested. This form must be returned to Hibernia College with your application form and transcripts. This form will be submitted to the Teaching Council if your application to this programme is successful.

English Requirement

In addition to the above, Hibernia College requires all applicants to possess:

A minimum grade O5 (Ordinary Level) or grade H6 (Higher Level) in Leaving Certificate English.
Or
A minimum grade C in GCSE English or minimum grade C in GCSE English Literature
Or
An equivalent qualification and standard in English

Additional Information

Note 1: Applicants who are unsure of the level of their primary degree should contact the conferring college or university or contact QQI.

Note 2: Hibernia College is in no way responsible for the assessment of qualifications for the purpose of registration. While we will make every effort at the time of application to notify applicants if we believe there may be a concern with their qualification, the fact that they are accepted on to the Professional Master of Education programme does not mean their degree will be recognised for entry on to the Register of Teachers by the Teaching Council. Hibernia College will not be held responsible if a graduate of the Professional Master of Education is refused admission to the Register of Teachers on the basis of an erroneous declaration at the point of application and admission to the programme.

Note 3: There are no concessions for mature students. All applicants must meet the same minimum entry requirements to be considered for admission to the programme, and all applicants who meet those requirements will be called for interview.

Note 4: All students entering the programme will be subject to Garda vetting. Students successful in securing an offer of a place on the programme will be advised that all offers are subject to a satisfactory Garda vetting.

Admissions
All applicants who are deemed to have met the entry requirements and who have submitted a fully completed application form, with supporting documentation and payment of the application fee, will be interviewed.

We strongly encourage applicants to submit their completed application form as early as possible.

Interview Scheduling

Acceptance and entry to the course is by interview. The process is as follows:

•Applications that are fully completed with all supporting documentation will be acknowledged by email.

•Applicants are placed in the queue for processing and will be contacted by phone or email during daytime hours to schedule an interview.

•The Admissions Team will make contact directly with the applicant to arrange an interview. During busy periods, the waiting time for interview may be slightly longer.

•Applicants will usually be given a notice period of approximately one week ahead of their allotted interview date and time.

•Interviews normally take place in the daytime, Monday to Thursday at Hibernia College, 9-10 Fenian Street, Dublin 2.

•Applicants are expected to attend at the scheduled time and date.

•Applicants must bring a valid photographic identification with them to the interview. This should be a current passport or driving license. If an applicant fails to present identification, the interview panel cannot proceed with the interview.

•Applicants will receive a reminder by email confirming the scheduled interview, directions to our premises and other information.

Once an interview has been scheduled, in the unlikely event that an applicant has no choice but to cancel, the Admissions Team will endeavour to re-schedule the interview. However, during busy periods or nearing the start date of the programme, this may not be possible. Please note that if you are not in a position to attend the interview on the date offered, it is important that this is communicated to the Admissions Team at the earliest opportunity.

The Interview
The interview is approximately 35 minutes long and is before a panel of two subject experts.

The interview will have general and subject specific questions.

Applicants will be asked question on both of their subjects and should prepare accordingly.

All candidates will complete a 15 minute reflective task prior to interview. The reflective task will provide candidates with an opportunity to demonstrate their subject competence in their elected subject areas.

General Interview
The interview will focus on four key elements:

1.Motivations and the Profession
Candidates will be given the opportunity to show they possess skills, interest and enthusiasm for both of their subject areas and the profession.

2.Suitability to Teach and Subject Knowledge
Candidates will be provided with an opportunity to show that they have investigated both of their subjects and have given some thought to teaching at different levels to different class groups. The reflective task which candidates will complete prior to interview will also be used to ascertain the candidate's subject knowledge.

3.Preparation
Candidates should be able to display knowledge of Hibernia College and the programme for which they have applied.

4.Competencies
Candidates will have the opportunity to demonstrate competencies which 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.

Subject Specific Interview
The subject-specific questions aim to assess knowledge and awareness of both your chosen subjects' curricula.

Interview Outcomes
•The outcome of the interview will be that the applicant is recommended or not recommended.

•The outcome of the interview is communicated via e-mail only and is not given to applicants by phone.

•In the interest of fairness to applicants who are unsuccessful, the College will accept one repeat application following the initial application.

•Applicants can make two consecutive applications only. Following which, they must take a break in applying for two calendar years. This is intended as a means of affording applicants the time required to address any shortcomings identified in their application.

•Those who are recommended will be made an offer for the next available cohort. To accept an offer, applicants must submit documentation and payment in accordance with the terms of the offer.

•To accept an offer, all applicants will have to pay a deposit it €1050.

•Where the College has concerns about any individual failing to show genuine commitment to the commencement and/or completion of the programme following repeated applications/admissions, the College reserves the right to refuse future applications. In addition to this, in instances where an individual demonstrates that they do not have the potential to succeed on the programme and/or in the associated profession, the College reserves the right to refuse a subsequent application.