QualifaX: Ireland's National Learners' Database

In Ireland, initial teacher education programmes for primary and post-primary teachers are facilitated through a range of concurrent (undergraduate) and consecutive (postgraduate) programmes.

Primary Teaching

There are four state funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI'S) which offer programmes of primary initial teacher education accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland for primary teaching through a four-year concurrent (undergraduate) programme leading to a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree. They also offer a two year Professional Master of Education (PME) prgramme of Initial Teacher Education.  Hibernia College, which is a privately-owned, non state-funded company offers a Professional Master of Education (PME) in Primary Education accredited by the Teacing Council of Ireland for primary teaching.  The programme blends online and face-to-face tuition, and is aimed at those who want to continue working while studying for their teaching qualification.

Concurrent (undergraduate)

Applications for concurrent (undergraduate) programmes are made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) and selection is based on the CAO points system.  Mature applicants should check with the relevant college/university regarding application procedures.

Minimum Entry Requirements

In addition to the points required for entry to the B.Ed., the Department of Education and Skills specifies minimum entry requirements that students must meet in the core subjects: Maths, English and Irish.  This is to ensure that primary teachers have the capacity to lead learning in these vital areas.

In October 2017, changes were announced setting higher minimum entry standards to primary programmes of initial teacher education for Leaving Certificate Maths and English at Ordinary Level and Irish at Higher Level.

Consecutive (Postgraduate) 

Consecutive (postgraduate) programmes in primary teacher education are advertised in the national media with details of closing dates and application procedures.  Places on the programme are awarded on the basis of qualifications, an interview and an oral examination in Irish*.

*TEG & PME (Primary Teaching)
As part of the entry process, applicants are required to take the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 1 (B1) Irish-language oral examination. The Irish oral examination is normally held in February at venues throughout the country. Applicants must achieve 65% or higher in this oral examination to satisfy entry requirements. Further information and sample exam papers are available at http://www.teg.ie 

Post-primary Teaching

Post-primary initial teacher education (ITE) is provided through programmes of a consecutive (postgraduate) or a concurrent (undergraduate) nature.

The most common route to qualification is the consecutive (postgraduate) route, which comprises of a suitable degree and a separate teacher education qualification.  A suitable degree is defined as an award from a state-recognised university or similar third-level college, which enables the holder to teach at least one subject to the highest level within the post-primary schools curriculum.  For most subjects, this means to Leaving Certificate Higher Level.

Concurrent (undergraduate)

In concurrent (undergraduate) programmes, academic subjects are taught collectively with education and school placement components.  Application is made through the Central Applications Office (CAO) and selection is based on the CAO points system.

Concurrent Post-Primary Programmes on Qualifax

Consecutive (Postgraduate) 

To be eligible for the Professional Master of Education (post-primary), candidates must have obtained a third-level degree deemed by the Teaching Council to be suitable for the purpose of teaching at post-primary level, to teach at least one subject to the highest level within the post-primary schools curriculum.  For most subjects this means to Leaving Certificate Higher Level.

Subject Requirements for Post-Primary Registration for persons applying for registration on and after 1 January 2017

Applications for consecutive (postgraduate) programmes are made through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC), the central application system for NUI colleges and Dublin City University.  For other institutions, application is made directly to the individual institution.

Consecutive Post-Primary Programmes on Qualifax

Further education teaching

Persons applying to register in the Further Education sector must meet the qualification requirements outlined in Route Three of the Teaching Council [Registration] Regulations, 2016.  Any person who meets the degree qualification requirements outlined therein is eligible for conditional registration for a period of three years, in which time a Council accredited teacher education qualification must be completed.

Providers of Initial Teacher Education

A list of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI's) which provide programmes of initial teacher education in Ireland (primary, post-primary and further education) and the application process for each is outlined here.

Useful Links:

• Postgraduate Applications Centre
• Central Applications Office
• GradIreland
• Department of Education and Skills
• The Teaching Council