Education - Post Primary / Second Level Teaching
The Professional Master of Education is a two-year, full-time Level 9 programme which is creative, innovative and a leading model in initial teacher training internationally.
| Award Name | Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 9 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Masters (Level 9 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 9 NFQ |
Duration
2 years full-time
Entry Requirements
Applicants must apply directly to UCD (link will be available soon). The final closing date for applications is 31 January 2025.
When applying for a place on the Professional Master of Education, the PME Applicant will be required to make a formal declaration of studies undertaken in at least one post-primary curricular subject area.
He/she will be required to declare that they...
Hold an Honours Bachelor Degree 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 e.g. 60/80/90 ECTS credits.
Have completed at least 10 ECTS credits at third year degree level or higher
Have met all the specific detailed requirements of the Teaching Council in terms of mandatory areas of study
In all cases (a) – (d) the PME Applicant will be required to identify the specific module/course code where requirements have been met.
In the second semester of the first year, the Teaching Council will write to all PME student teachers on its database confirming...
That they meet the requirements for named curricular subject(s) and will be eligible to register on successful completion of the PME.
or
That they meet the requirements for at least one curricular subject but do not meet the requirements for one or more subsequent subjects and will be eligible to register on successful completion of the PME.
or
That they do not meet the requirements for at least one curricular subject and will therefore not be eligible for registration when they complete the PME.
In the case of number 3 above, the student teacher will be advised to notify the PME Programme Director who will determine if they can continue on the PME programme.
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage. https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax
Further information
Commencing September 2025
Applicants must register with the Postgraduate Applications Centre,www.pac.ie, and apply online via their website.
Please note that applications to our programme can be made by clicking upon the "Professional Master of Education NUI" icon on the PAC website and then hitting the "Apply" button on the top of the page. After you have created an online account with PAC you can start the application process. As you proceed with your application, it will request that you indicate what institution you are applying for, and then you must select UCD from the drop down list.
ProfMasters Education
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 120)
The programme pays systematic attention to dispositions, values and beliefs regarding professionalism as public service and commitment to social justice with confidence, competence and appropriate expertise, both disciplinary and pedagogical. It develops practice-oriented enquiry which is both rigorous and systematic and builds relevant and sustainable synergies between theory and practice.
Develop informed opinion and positions: predict and develop positions that might inform practice in relation to issues based on an understanding of their role as teachers, an informed ethics and the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers.
Demonstrate a keen understanding the significance of reflection in the development of expertise and innovative practice thus providing leadership within schools and the wider educational community.
Display a sophisticated level of pedagogical content knowledge.
Demonstrate a more in-depth knowledge and more critical engagement with the foundational disciplines of education to enhance and enrich the expertise acquired in undergraduate studies and subsequent professional experience.
Articulate a well-developed understanding of the limits, contradictions and emerging issues within the professional field.
Evidence an enhanced aptitude for continued self-directed learning as well as collaborative learning in professional settings throughout their careers.
Critically assess the main theoretical, policy, and practical approaches to education as informed by the cognate disciplines of education and prevailing influences on educational practice.
Demonstrate an understanding of the distinct and complementary roles of professionals involved in primary or post-primary (as relevant) education provision from within and outside the school.
Competently apply theory to practice: illustrate and apply relevant concepts in the disciplines of education and pedagogy with reference to secondary education in Ireland in general and in their own classroom practice and professional development.
On completion, the student should 1. Exhibit a well-developed knowledge of the different paradigms of educational research and possess through their engagement with the programme the ability to apply this knowledge to their professional roles.
Assessment is a combination of written assignments, reflective practice logs, e-portfolios, poster presentations and oral presentations. School placement is also assessed over the course of both years, by at least two university personnel each year. Typically students can expect at least four visits per year in their school placement. Students must pass the school placement aspect of the programme in Year One in order to progress onto Year 2.
Develop informed opinion and positions: predict and develop positions that might inform practice in relation to issues based on an understanding of their role as teachers, an informed ethics and the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers.
Demonstrate a keen understanding the significance of reflection in the development of expertise and innovative practice thus providing leadership within schools and the wider educational community.
Display a sophisticated level of pedagogical content knowledge.
Demonstrate a more in-depth knowledge and more critical engagement with the foundational disciplines of education to enhance and enrich the expertise acquired in undergraduate studies and subsequent professional experience.
Articulate a well-developed understanding of the limits, contradictions and emerging issues within the professional field.
Evidence an enhanced aptitude for continued self-directed learning as well as collaborative learning in professional settings throughout their careers.
Critically assess the main theoretical, policy, and practical approaches to education as informed by the cognate disciplines of education and prevailing influences on educational practice.
Demonstrate an understanding of the distinct and complementary roles of professionals involved in primary or post-primary (as relevant) education provision from within and outside the school.
Competently apply theory to practice: illustrate and apply relevant concepts in the disciplines of education and pedagogy with reference to secondary education in Ireland in general and in their own classroom practice and professional development.
On completion, the student should 1. Exhibit a well-developed knowledge of the different paradigms of educational research and possess through their engagement with the programme the ability to apply this knowledge to their professional roles.
University College Dublin
Belfield,
Dublin 4, Ireland.
T: +353 1 716 7777