Professional Master Of Education

Course details

This programme equips students with the principles, curriculum knowledge and pedagogical understanding with which to begin their teaching careers as competent professionals. The programme is responsive to the changing contexts of primary education, offering student teachers opportunities to engage critically with the interface between society and education.

As with any professional course, the Professional Master of Education is intensive and requires a considerable commitment from students. It is also a rewarding and interesting experience and you will find that you have been comprehensively prepared for your teaching career.

Minimum Entry Requirements:

Applicants must have the following academic qualifications:

• An honours Bachelor degree with a minimum of an honours degree 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 one of the following sets of second level qualifications:
• in the Leaving Certificate Examination from 1969 onwards: a grade C3 or above in Higher Level Irish; a grade D3 or above in Mathematics (Ordinary or Higher level); and a grade C3 or above in English (Ordinary level) or grade D3 or above in English (Higher level);
• in the Leaving Certificate Examination prior to 1969,  Honours in Irish and passes in English and Mathematics; or
• in the Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE A Level Examinations: a Grade C at GCE A Level Irish; a Grade C at GC(S)E Level in both English and English Literature or Grade B at GC(S)E Level in either; and a Grade D at GC(S)E Level in Additional Mathematics or a Grade C at GC(S)E Level in Mathematics.

Applicants must provide evidence to the Colleges of Education that their honours Bachelor Degree is placed at level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications. Holders of a major award at level 9 or a major award at level 10 must also provide evidence of their award’s position on the NFQ. This should be included with the completed application form.

Please note that a minimum entry requirement of H2.2 Bachelor Degree at Level 8 will apply from 2016.

Alternatives to second level qualifications in Irish, English or Mathematics

A Pass in a University First Arts Examination in Irish, English or Mathematics will be accepted in lieu of the Leaving Certificate Examination / GCE / GC(S)E 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 / GC(S)E requirement. In addition, the following are accepted as satisfying the Leaving Certificate Examination / GCE / GC(S)E requirement.

• Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge , NUI Maynooth
• Teastas Eorpach na Ghaeilge (TEG) at Level B2, NUI Maynooth
• Diploma in Arts (Applied Irish ), University College Cork
• Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach,UCD
• Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, Level C1, NUIG
• 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 / GC(S)E requirement.