Education - Post Primary / Second Level Teaching
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.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | QQI |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
The PME in Post-Primary Education is a flexible programme, but it requires a full-time commitment (37 hours per week minimum).
Entry Requirements
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 advisor@hiberniacollege.net.
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,
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.
https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/assets/uploads/2026/01/05.01.26-Curricular-Subject-Requirements.pdf
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
Subject declaration forms can be found at https://www.teachingcouncil.ie/applying-in-2024-for-a-place-on-a-professional-master-of-education-pme/
Choosing Subjects
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
Accounting
Agricultural Science
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Computer Science
Economics
English
French
Gaeilge
Geography
German
History
Mathematics
Physics
Politics and Society
Spanish
PE
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.
Garda Vetting
Hibernia College offers programmes of study that require participants to work with children and/or other vulnerable groups. For this reason, successful applicants will be required to complete and sign a Garda Vetting Invitation Form. By completing and signing the Garda Vetting Invitation Form, the applicant is granting permission to Hibernia College to process details of any prosecutions/convictions for the purpose of assessing the applicant’s suitability for the programme for which he/she has applied and the completion of work placements associated with the programme.
Further information
Next Intakes: Spring 2026, Autumn 2026
Application Fee
€95
Tuition Fees
On acceptance of place: €1,050 deposit. Includes €50 in respect of Garda Vetting processing fee.
First instalment (before course begins): €6,875
Second instalment (approx. 10 months later): €7,875
How to Pay Tuition Fees
The application fee is paid online and must be paid in full before an application can be processed. Tuition fees are to be paid by bank transfer.
Graduation Fee
The current fee for attending the graduation ceremony is €125.
1.7% Learner Protection Charge
This charge is incurred to finance arrangements required under Part 6 of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act, 2012, to ensure protection of enrolled learners and is applied to each fee instalment.
QQI Certification Fee
A QQI (Quality & Qualifications Ireland) Certification Fee is applicable in the award stage of all QQI programmes. The applicable Certification Fee for the PME is €200.
Supplementary Fees
There is a list of supplementary fees, which covers additional services in relation to the programme. It will be available to view on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) from the commencement of the programme.
Loan Facility
TUI Credit Union has formulated a loan facility that may interest you. For more information, read about the facility on their website.
Tax Relief
Under current Revenue rules, tax relief is available if you are eligible at the standard rate of income tax (20%) for qualifying tuition fees. From September 2017, subject to compliance with Revenue regulations, students who are eligible will be able to claim approximately €800 per year in tax relief over the two years of the course, thereby reducing the actual cost of the course to €14,150 (€15,750 – €1,600). For further information, explore the Revenue website.
Please note that the above, provided for information purposes, is of a general nature and is not a substitute for formal advice on taxation matters. We recommend, where necessary, you seek professional advice in relation to taxation matters.
SPRING 2026: CLOSING FEBRUARY 12TH
AUTUMN 2026: CLOSING JUNE 24TH
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.
Programme Structure
Online Tutorials
You should expect to have approximately three to four tutorials each week (Monday–Friday). Tutorials are 1–2 hours in length and typically occur between the hours of 5.00 PM and 9.30 PM. Please note that these classes are live, and you will be expected to attend at the times stated.
Face-to-Face Events
You will meet face-to-face on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. The number of Saturdays is dependent on which module you are undertaking. Depending on the module, attendance at face-to-face events on Saturdays may be required consecutively over a number of weekends. There will also be a number of face-to-face weeks as well as some mid-term face-to-face days.
School Experience
You will complete 24 weeks of school placement in total throughout the programme. Placements are broken down into two 7-week blocks and one 10-week block. You arrange your own placements, and at least two of the placements must be in different schools.
Assessments
The programme is assessed on a continual basis. Assessments include but are not limited to essays, reflective journals, presentations, practical demonstrations, learning logs, a research project, written exam, portfolio submissions and a mini-thesis of 10,000 words.
Required Study and Attendance
It is recommended that you set aside approximately 37 hours per week for study, including tutorials and classes. The programme is 24 continuous months, with a short break at Christmas and in summer. The programme is full-time, delivered through a blended learning model, and full attendance is required.
Modules
Module Title Credits
101 Professional Studies: Evidence-Informed Practice in Teaching and Learning 5
102 Foundation Studies: Education, Schools and Society 5
103 Foundation Studies: Psychology for Teaching and Learning 5
104 Foundation Studies: Inclusion, Diversity and Global Education 5
105 Professional Studies: Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 1 5
106 Professional Studies: Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment 2 5
107 School Experience and Professional Practice 1 10
108 Foundation Studies: History, Policy and Contemporary Issues in Education 5
109 Foundation Studies: Curriculum Studies 5
110 Foundation Studies: Philosophy of Education 5
111 School Experience and Professional Practice 2 15
112 Professional Studies: Inclusive Pedagogy 5
113 Electives:
113a Wellbeing in Post-Primary Schools 5
113b Digital Technology for Teaching and Learning 5
113c Development Education 5
113d Inclusion of Learners with AENs 5
114 Professional Studies: Core Teaching Methodologies 5
115 Advanced School Experience and Professional Practice 25
116 Professional Practice and Inquiry: The Teacher as Researcher 10
The programme is assessed on a continual basis. Assessments include but are not limited to essays, reflective journals, presentations, practical demonstrations, learning logs, a research project, written exam, portfolio submissions and a mini-thesis of 10,000 words.
If you have any questions, please contact our Enrolment team at +353 (0)1 661 0168 (press 2) between 9 AM and 5 PM Monday to Friday. You are also welcome to email advisor@hiberniacollege.net.