PME in Post-Primary Education
Our flexible post-primary teaching programme
Do you want to affect change in a meaningful way by realising the talents and passions of students and encouraging young people to utilise and get the most out of their abilities? Then, this course is for you.
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Programme Type: Professional Master of Education
Next Intakes: Autumn 2025
NFQ: Level 9
ECTS: 120 credits
Academic Validation: QQI
Professional Accreditation: The Teaching Council
PME in Post-Primary Education
Are you passionate about empowering young people? With a Professional Master of Education (PME) from Hibernia College, you can register with the Teaching Council as a member of the teaching profession.
Your enthusiasm and knowledge of your teaching subject(s) will enable you to inspire your future students. Our PME programme will teach you how to facilitate academic and personal growth and help each student achieve their full potential. 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 Post-Primary Education is a 120-credit award at Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). It is delivered over 24 months and is a blended learning programme, combining online and face-to-face delivery to develop professionals positioned to be leaders in the field of post-primary education.
The programme consists of a sequence of modules that reflect contemporary issues in education and the skills and knowledge required to be post-primary school teachers who enable effective learning. Our emphasis on research ensures that student teachers understand teaching as a form of self-critical learning. Student teachers are trained to use evidence-based reflection to continually improve their practice.
NFQ Level 8 Degree
Applicants must have an undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the NFQ, which has an ECTS weighting of at least 180 credits.
Note: Do your official undergraduate transcripts include module codes and ECTS credits? If not, you will need to request these from your undergraduate provider. If you have any issues, please email firstname.lastname@example.org.
The programme will be delivered within Ireland and requires Irish residency. The College is not in a position to sponsor visa applications for the purposes of studying within Ireland,
Is your answer ‘yes’ to the following questions? | |
Do you have an honours Level 8 degree in subject(s) strongly related to the subject(s) you hope to teach? | ✓ |
Do your relevant qualifications meet the requirements of the Subject Declaration Form (SDF)? | ✓ |
Teaching Council Curricular Subject Requirements
Teaching Council regulations stipulate that, in addition to holding a Level 8 degree that has an ECTS weighting of at least 180 credits on the NFQ (or equivalent), applicants must meet the curricular subject requirements for at least one post-primary curricular subject to be eligible for entry to the PME.
When applying for a place on the PME, an applicant will be required to complete and submit a Subject Declaration Form for their chosen subject(s), declaring they:
- Hold an honours bachelor degree at NFQ Level 8, or equivalent, carrying at least 180 ECTS credits
- Have studied the requisite number of ECTS credits in the subject(s) they wish to have recorded on the Register of Teachers
- Have studied the subject(s) at third-year degree level, or higher
- Have met all other specific subject requirements outlined by the Teaching Council. e.g. have studied modules across the required areas of study
When making subject choices, it is important to note that you are required to meet all Teaching Council requirements in your Subject 1, including the requisite number of ECTS credits, and submit a completed Subject Declaration Form.
If you hold 40 credits or more in a second subject, we recommend you select this as your Subject 2. While you will not be in a position to register in this subject, unless you meet all Teaching Council requirements, you will be required to upload a Subject Declaration Form for the purposes of your application only. If you hold less than 40 credits in a second subject or you do not have a second subject, we offer a ‘Digital Technology for Teaching and Learning’ module in lieu of a second subject. Your subject knowledge and eligibility to teach both of your chosen subjects will be considered at interview.
Post-Primary Teaching Subjects
- Agricultural Science
- Computer Science
- Politics and Society
- PE *New subject Autumn 25
Once your online application has been reviewed and processed, you will be called for an interview. The interview will be approximately 30 minutes in length.
At the start of the interview, you will present on a Junior or Senior Cycle curriculum topic of interest. The chosen topic must be related to your first subject choice. The presentation should be no longer than three minutes. If your first subject is a language, you should consider conducting your presentation in this language. You will then be given the opportunity to show interest and enthusiasm for both of your chosen subject areas, where relevant, and the profession.
The interview will focus on the following key elements:
- Motivations and the Profession: You will be given the opportunity to show you possess skills, interest and enthusiasm for both of your subject areas and the profession.
- Suitability to Teach and Subject Knowledge: You will be provided with an opportunity to show that you have investigated both of your subjects and have given some thought to teaching at different levels to different class groups. If you have chosen a language as one of your subjects, some questions will be asked through the medium of your chosen language.
- Preparation: You should be able to display knowledge of Hibernia College and the programme for which you have applied.
- Competencies: You will have the opportunity to demonstrate competencies that 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.
Support for Students
Administrative and technical support teams, faculty and tutors are committed to helping students meet academic and career goals while having a positive experience. Students can draw from a range of available support to navigate big and small questions.
Our dedicated faculty are mentors and leaders who bring their rich experience to the learning environment at Hibernia College. They are educators, practitioners and active researchers. Common among all our faculty is their focus on students.
Are you curious about studying at Hibernia College? Former students share their own reasons for choosing Hibernia College. Read about their prior experience, research and careers. ‘As a mother and mature student, the course’s flexibility and the use of blended learning made it possible for me to balance my studies with taking care of my family.’ – Therese Barrett