Post-Primary Teacher Education - Technology Engineering & Graphics - Second Level Teaching
Across the 4 years of this course, you will gradually develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to become a passionate teacher and advocate for the Technology, Engineering, and Design and Communications Graphics subject areas.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | Dublin City University |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | Dublin City University | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
General Entry Requirements
Applicants must present a minimum of 6 Leaving Certificate subjects at Grade O6/H7, which must include Mathematics and English or Irish. In addition, applicants must present at least 2 subjects at Grade H5.
Additional Requirements
A minimum of O3 or H7 in Mathematics.
Garda Vetting
Garda vetting has been introduced for students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. You must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the process of registration.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
Certain subjects will not be scored separately if they occur in combination with subjects that are similar in content. In each case, the highest individual grade will be scored. The following 6 groups of subjects are affected by this:
1 Music and Musicianship, Music A, Music B.
2 Economics, Agricultural Economics.
3 Physics with Chemistry - if combined with Physics and Chemistry; only 2 best scored - if combined with Physics or Chemistry; only best scored.
4 History, Economics and Economic History - if all 3 subjects are taken; only the best 2 will be scored.
5 Latin, Classical Studies.
6 Greek, Classical Studies.
Candidates who meet the points requirements but not the specific course requirements, for example H4 in English for the BA in Journalism, are permitted to repeat that subject only to meet the course requirements.
Bonus Points for Honours Mathematics
25 bonus points will continue to be awarded for higher level Mathematics, at grades H6 and above in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent.
Leaving Certificate Mathematics Requirements
DCU does not award points for the subject of Mathematics at Leaving Certificate Ordinary Alternative or Foundation Level. However, these courses will be accepted for admission purposes for the following courses:
DC001 - Bachelor of Early Childhood Education
DC009 - Bachelor of Arts: Joint Honours
DC014 - BA in Jazz and Contemporary Music Performance
DC131 - BA in Communication Studies
DC132 - BA in Journalism
DC133 - BSc in Multimedia
DC155 - BA in Applied Language and Translation Studies
DC231 - BA in International Relations
DC232 - Bachelor of Civil Law and Society
DC235 - BSc in Education and Training
DC238 - BA in Social Sciences and Cultural Innovation
DC291 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Media)
DC292 – Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Law)
DC293 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (International Languages)
DC294 - BA in Climate and Environmental Sustainability
DC295 - Bachelor of Arts – Joint Honours (Politics)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Please note that LCVP link modules cannot be used as a subject for general or specific course entry requirements, but can be used for the calculation of points.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
DCU welcomes applicants with appropriate QQI-FET (Level 5/6) qualifications. Applicants who have a full National Framework of Qualifications Level 5 award in appropriate qualifications and modules can be admitted on a competitive basis to certain DCU courses.
QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route is a competitive entry route with a limited number of places. A quota of places are offered based on the CAO ranked order of applicants based on performance. For courses with a QQI-FET (Level 5) entry route, approximately 10% of places are retained for QQI-FET (Level 5) applicants. Application is made through the CAO.
Careers / Further progression
Future Careers
Post-Primary Teacher
Further Education
Media and Communications
Learning Design Specialists
In These Areas
Vocational School
Secondary School
Community School
Comprehensive School
Industry
Media
Government and Non-Governmental Organisations
Further information
September 2026
Mature applicants are those aged 23 years, or above, on 1 January in the year of entry. All candidates (presenting with EU/Non EU qualifications) applying on the grounds of mature years should apply ONLY through the CAO by 1 February.
For many DCU courses, mature application assessment is based on the CAO application and in some instances, an assessment and/or interview. ‘Other’ experience, apart from performance in examinations, may be taken into consideration - this may be work experience, further studies, or other such experience deemed to be relevant to the application. Interviews will take place in April either in person or remotely.
30
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
Why DCU?
− Centre of excellence in teacher education, with extensive experience in helping students become professionally qualified educators
− Front runners in innovation and research on education, with many internationally recognised experts in teaching, learning and assessment
− Only provider of a teacher education course specialising in technology, engineering, and design and communication graphics, east of the Shannon
− Advances the creation of just, equitable and sustainable futures for all
− You will be qualified to teach Technology, Engineering, Design and Communication Graphics in post-primary schools
Understanding: Technology, Engineering and Graphics – Post Primary Education
The Bachelor of Education in Technology, Engineering and Graphics will be delivered through an innovative partnership across 2 Irish Universities, Dublin City University (DCU) and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS). You will undertake Years 1 and 2 of study at the TUS Athlone campus, and Years 3 and 4 in the DCU Institute of Education, in Dublin.
This Post-Primary Teacher Education course is a ‘concurrent’ teacher education course - meaning that the academic and professional formation of the teacher is integrated in all 4 years.
You will be qualified to teach Technology, Engineering, and Design and Communication Graphics subjects in post-primary schools. Currently, there is a shortage of educators across these subject areas so graduates of this course will be highly sought after. The unique approach taken in this course will enable you to become a confident and innovative technology education teacher.
Course Structure
Across the 4 years of this course, you will gradually develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to become a passionate teacher and advocate for the Technology, Engineering, and Design and Communications Graphics subject areas. In Years 1 and 2, you will develop deep knowledge of and mastery in the design, implementation and evaluation processes associated with the Technology, Engineering, and Design and Communications Graphics subject areas. In Years 3 and 4, the focus will be on enhancing your understanding of teaching and learning, and honing your skills and practice as a teacher through sustained engagement in post-primary school settings.
Throughout the delivery of this course, you will experience a student-friendly, supportive, open, dynamic and practical approach to the study of education.
Foundational and Professional Studies in Education
Given its diverse nature, the study of technology education is exciting, engaging, and challenging – as reflected in the variety of modules on offer over the course of your 4 years. These include modules on philosophy, sociology, psychology, history of education, teaching methodologies, alongside the subject modules of technology, engineering and design and communication graphics.
Technology, Engineering, Design and Communication Graphics
Over the 4 years of the course, you will develop your professional knowledge and practice in how to teach technology, engineering and design and communication graphics. You will develop important competencies in these subject domains, in areas such as computer-aided design and mechatronics. In addition to this, you will be provided with the opportunity to engage in a STEM industry placement where adaptive expertise will be further developed.
Professional Placement
One of the most exciting and rewarding elements of the course is our hands-on approach to professional placement. Across the 4 years, you will have an opportunity to gain valuable and extensive experience in a range of teaching and learning environments including engagement in observation of practice, micro-teaching, peer-teaching, team-teaching and school-based placement (in the post-primary sector). In Years 3 and 4, the professional placement component of this course will enable you to learn about and get involved with the wider school community through engaging with activities, initiatives and work outside of classroom teaching. You will enjoy strong support throughout your professional development by experienced placement tutors and school-based cooperating teachers. These placements can take place nationwide.
What Will I Study?
Year 1 (Students based on TUS Campus, Athlone)
Education Theories 1 | Graphics 1 (Plane Geometry) | Models and Modelling | Process Technology 1.1 | Electronics | History of Education in Ireland | Graphics 2 - Descriptive Geometry | Graphicacy and Modelling | Process Technology 1.2 | Applied Control | Mechanics
Year 2 (Students based on TUS Campus, Athlone)
Technology Subjects Pedagogy 1 | Graphics 3 - Advanced Geometry | Design Learning | Thermal Manufacturing Technology | ICT and Connected Devices | Microteaching and Teaching Preparation | Graphics 4 - Applied Geometry | Design Realisation | Manufacturing Technology (CAE) | Manufacturing Systems
Year 3 (Students based on DCU Campus, Dublin)
Education Theories 2 (Psychology, Philosophy and Sociology) | Introduction to Inclusive Education | Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship | Technology Subject Pedagogy 2 | Process Design (Teacher Education) | Developing a Research Perspective | Professional Placement
Year 4 (Students based on DCU Campus, Dublin)
Curriculum, Policy and Assessment | Teacher Studies and Teacher as Professional | Technology Teacher Education Capstone Project | Extended Research Project | Advanced Professional Placement
Additional Information
This course will enable you to register on graduation as a post-primary teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland. Upon graduation you can apply for employment in post-primary schools as a teacher of Technology, Engineering, and Design and Communication Graphics.
Contact Details
studentrecruitment@dcu.ie
Phone: +353 (0) 1 700 9179