Applicants must have the following academic qualifications: {A + B + C}
(A) Minimum H2.2 Honours Bachelor Degree (Major Award at Level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) or a major award at Level 9 or a major award at Level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications,
AND
(B) one of the following sets of second level qualifications: {(i) OR (ii)}
(i) in the Leaving Certificate Examination
Leaving Certificate Examination
Entry Requirements |
|
| Subject |
Grade |
% |
|
| Irish |
H4 |
60 < 70 |
|
| English |
O4 |
60 < 70 |
|
| |
or |
or |
|
| |
H7 |
30 < 40 |
|
| Maths |
O4 |
60 < 70 |
|
| |
or |
or |
|
| |
H7 |
30 < 40 |
|
H – Higher Level
O – Ordinary Level
The grades and % marks in the 1992-2016 grading scheme and the new 2017 scheme are set out at Appendix 1
(ii) in the Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE A Level Examinations: a Grade C at GCE A Level Irish; a Grade C at GCSE Level in both English and English Literature or Grade B at GCSE Level in either; and a Grade D at GCSE Level in Additional Mathematics or a Grade C at GCSE Level in Mathematics.
Applicants must provide evidence to the Higher Education Institution that their degree is placed as a major award at the appropriate level on the National Framework of Qualifications. Applicants must meet entry requirements (a) and (b) by July 2023 and must provide documentary evidence of meeting these requirements.
Alternatives to a second-level qualification in Irish, English or Maths
A Pass in a University First Arts Examination in Irish, English or Mathematics will be accepted in lieu of the Leaving Certificate Examination or GCE/GCSE requirement for the relevant subject.
An accepted alternative to the Irish/Maths/English Leaving Certificate grade is a ‘Pass in University First Arts’. To obtain this, applicants must complete, and pass, relevant First Arts modules to the value of 15 ECTS credits (please note that it is not sufficient to pass through compensation). It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the combination of modules studied is equivalent to a University First Arts. Please be advised that you may be asked to provide an official statement from the University/ Higher Education Institution where the modules are undertaken confirming that the results attained are equivalent to a pass in University First Arts.
Alternatives to a second-level qualification in Irish
- Grade C obtained in the Matriculation Examination (which existed up to 1992)
- Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, Level C1, NUIG
- Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, Level B2, NUIG
- Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge, Maynooth University
- Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) at Level B2, Maynooth University
- Diploma in Arts (Applied Irish), University College Cork
- Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge Fheidhmeach, UCD
- Dioplóma sa Ghaeilge (An Ghaeilge sa Saol Comhaimseartha), University of Limerick
- Diploma in Irish at the University of Ulster
Alternatives to a second-level qualification in Mathematics
- A Pass grade obtained in Mathematics in the Matriculation Examination (which existed up to 1992).
- A merit grade (65-79%) or distinction grade (80-100%) obtained in QQI Level 5 Mathematics Course (5N 1833).
AND ALSO
(C) Oral Irish Examination
Applicants must achieve 65% or higher on the oral component of the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 1 (B1) Irish examination, prior to the closing date for applications to satisfy the entry requirements.
In accordance with the Entry Requirements set down by the Department of Education and Skills, only candidates who have a successful result in the TEG oral in the last two years are eligible to apply. TEG results are only vaild for two years.
Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) for all candidates
Please note that prospective applicants must have completed and achieved 65% or higher in the oral component of the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 1 (B1) Irish examination prior to the closing date to satisfy the entry requirements. TEG is a prerequisite for application to the PMEd (Primary). We cannot accommodate students who are hoping to pass TEG in an examination that is scheduled subsequent to the deadline for applications.
If you have questions relating to the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG),
Visit the website: www.teg.ie or contact TEG directly at the email address: teanga@mu.ie or telephone 01 708 3737.
The oral Irish examination will be administered by the Centre for Irish Language Research, Teaching and Testing in Maynooth University and candidates must apply separately to do this oral Irish exam. More information, including examination guidelines, is available here: http://www.teg.ie/about-exams/teg-pme-primary-teaching.860.html
A limited number of places will be available and shortlisting for interview may take place on the basis of criteria to be applied by the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The Oral Irish Examination will comprise:-
- conversation on everyday topics, giving information and expressing opinions;
- role play on a given scenario, asking for information, giving information and expressing opinions;
- telling a simple story, describing what is happening in a series of pictures.
Applicants should note that a high standard of fluency is required in the Oral Irish Examination and should prepare for the examination accordingly. See http://www.teg.ie/_fileupload/guides/B1_treoir_PME_EN.pdf for further information.
Please note that canvassing will disqualify.
Applications to each Higher Education Institution (HEI)
- Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co Kildare. (froebel.department@mu.ie), Telephone: 01 4747413. Applications to the Froebel Department should be completed online at PAC
- Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick. (Email: admissions@mic.ul.ie). Contactable on Microsoft Teams/Lilian.Monahan@mic.ul.ie Applications to Mary Immaculate College, Limerick should be made using the ‘How to Apply’ section of the PME course page at https://www.mic.ul.ie/pme
- DCU Institute of Education, DCU St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. (ioe@dcu.ie). Applications to the DCU Institute of Education should be submitted through the Postgraduate Applications Centre http://www.pac.ie/dcu (Course Code DC970)
The closing date for receipt of completed applications to the four institutions named above is 02 June 2023 at 5pm.
All applicants should note the selection procedure detailed in the section below.
In addition to your application below is a checklist of documents you will need to supply to support your application:
- Passport size colour photograph (head shot only)
- Photographic identification, such as a:
- Passport
- Drivers licence
- Public Services Card
- National Identity Card
- Leaving Certificate/GCE/GC(S)E Examination results (or approved alternative)* showing that the 2nd level minimum entry requirements have been met. If submitting Leaving Certificate results, please ensure to submit a Certificate or Statement of Results only (i.e. a ‘Provisional Statement of Results’ will not be accepted). Further information regarding obtaining a Certificate or Statement of Results is available on the State Examinations Commission Website.
- Official final year transcript* showing that the 3rd level academic qualifications are met (i.e. a Level 8 honours degree with a II.2 result or higher).
- Certified copy of results* from TEG Level B1 Irish Oral Examination showing that a minimum of 65% has been obtained (or a pass at TEG Level B2/C1/C2).
- Applicants who are sitting final examinations and who are awaiting final results must provide a letter from their HEI confirming the date of the publication of final grades and the level of the course. Please allow a sufficient number of weeks for this to be obtained from your HEI.
* Certified true copies – Uncertified copies will not be accepted.
In order to certify documents, applicants must bring the original document and a photocopy of it to a competent authority (such as a lawyer, Commissioner for Oaths, medical doctor, justice of the peace, university administrator, local law enforcement officer e.g. Garda Síochána, etc.). That authority must then stamp and sign the photocopy to certify that the photocopy is a true copy of the original. Applicants must then upload the certified photocopy to their application. Photocopies of originals that have not been certified will not be accepted.
Interview
Eligible applicants will be required to undergo an interview. This interview will be conducted in English and is due to take place on (date to be confirmed after application is submitted). Up to 100 marks may be awarded for performance in the interview. Applicants who get a "fail" grade in the interview will be eliminated from the competition. The purpose of the interview is to ascertain the suitability of the applicant for participation in a primary teacher education programme.
Additional marks awarded for students who complete the TEG oral examination at a high level.
- Up to 10 additional marks may be awarded for students who successfully complete the TEG oral examination at a high level and these marks will be added to their interview score. Candidates achieving from 90-100% receive 10 additional marks, candidates achieving from 80-89% receive 5 additional marks.
- Candidates who complete the TEG oral examination and obtain 65-79% receive no additional marks but are deemed to have passed the test and are eligible for the programme.
- Candidates who have passed higher levels of TEG (B2, C1 and C2) receive 10 additional marks.
| Exam |
Grade |
Extra No. of
Marks Awarded |
| TEG B1 Irish Oral |
65% to 79% |
None |
| |
80% to 89% |
5 |
| |
90% to 100% |
10 |
| TEG B2/C1 Irish Oral |
50% or over |
10 |
Interview Format:
The interview is marked out of 100, and you will to receive a minimum of 40 marks to pass. Information on the interview is available here.
Interview Locations
Applicants will be advised by the relevant Higher Education Institution of the date, time, venue, etc, of their interview and must attend at their own expense. The location will be Dublin and/or Maynooth and/or Limerick.
Gaeltacht Placement
Attendance and Cost: All students who gain entry to the programme are required to attend two residential placements in the Gaeltacht. Each placement will be of two weeks’ duration. It should be noted that this is a compulsory part of the programme. The Department of Education and Skills announced its intention to restore the Gaeltacht grant for students on State-funded Initial Teacher Education programmes with effect from the academic year 2020/21.
Student Grants:
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. Further information regarding the Student Grant Scheme for the academic year will be available in coming months on the SUSI website at www.susi.ie
Fitness to Practise:
1. Garda Vetting: Before a student’s registration can be completed, the student must undergo a process of Garda vetting in order to establish whether (s)he has any convictions or criminal charges pending. Where this process confirms the existence of such, the matter is referred to a Vetting Committee within the Higher Education Institution which decides whether the student can continue with his/her programme of study.
2. Medical Requirements: Some incoming teacher education students are required to complete a Health Status Information Form, indicating whether they have any significant ongoing illnesses or disabilities which might adversely impact their capacity to meet the requirements of the programme, including School Placement. Entrants who declare significant health conditions, disabilities or psychological conditions will be assessed on an individual basis to evaluate whether, with reasonable accommodations, they would have the ability to undertake the demands of the programme. Individuals will not be excluded on the grounds that they possess a particular condition or disability if it is deemed likely that it would be possible for that person to fulfil the requirements of the programme with reasonable accommodation(s). The Higher Education Institutions will advise students as to the procedure to be followed in this regard.
During this full-time teacher education programme, participants may not engage in business or in any other programme of study without the prior permission of the Higher Education Institution’s President/Head of Department.
Further information regarding the programme is available from the applicant’s Higher Education Institution of choice.
Leaving Cert Grading Schemes (1992-2016 Scheme and New Scheme 2017)
| 1992 – 2016 Scheme |
% Awarded |
New Scheme 2017 onwards |
% Awarded |
| A1 |
90-100 |
H1 / O1 |
90-100 |
| A2 |
85<90 |
H2 / O2 |
80<90 |
| B1 |
80<85 |
| B2 |
75<80 |
H3 / O3 |
70<80 |
| B3 |
70<75 |
| C1 |
65<70 |
H4 / O4 |
60<70 |
| C2 |
60<65 |
| C3 |
55<60 |
H5 / O5 |
50<60 |
| D1 |
50<55 |
| D2 |
45<50 |
H6 / O6 |
40<50 |
| D3 |
40<45 |
| E |
25<40 |
H7/O7 |
30<40 |
| F |
10<25 |
H8/O8 |
0<30 |
I am sitting the Leaving Cert this June to make up the entry requirement, am I eligible to apply?
If you are sitting the Leaving Certificate in 2024 in order to meet a minimum entry requirement in a subject(s), you are not eligible to enter the 2024 competition.
I only have a copy of my Provisional Leaving Certificate Results. Will this be accepted as proof that I have met the second-level requirements?
Applicants must submit a copy of either the official Certificate or official Statement of Results. If you do not have a copy of one of these, you will need to order a copy from the State Examinations Commission. Please ensure to allow sufficient time for this document to be issued; and then you will need to have it certified before uploading it.
How do I know that my application has been successfully submitted on the App Centre?
The application is divided into 5 sections. Once all sections of the application form have been filled in and supporting documentation uploaded, you will be asked to confirm that the information you have provided is correct and accurate. Once this is confirmed, your application can be submitted.
What kind of questions are asked on the application form?
In addition to providing personal information, entry requirements eligibility and previous employment information, you will be asked the following open ended questions:
- Why do you wish to apply for the course?
- Have you any work or other experience which might prove advantageous in pursuing the course?
- What attributes or characteristics do you feel you have which make you particularly suitable for this course?
Your answers to these questions must be no longer than 100 words. You will also get the opportunity to add any other information that you deem relevant to the application, for example, any talents or skills you have or awards/achievements that you have received.
When will I know that I have been offered a place?
We expect that all candidates will be given their interview results by mid-July.
Do I need to upload copies of my references?
You are not required to upload references as part of the application process but you must supply the name and contact details of at least two referees. These can be contacted at any time but not unless a place has been offered.
I have been offered a place but I wish to defer. Is this possible?
The PME course is sanctioned from year to year. Therefore, it is not possible to defer an offer of a place until the next academic year.
When does the course commence?
The course will commence in early September.
Can I still apply for the PME for 2024 entry if I have not met the TEG B1 Irish Oral requirement by the application closing date?
A minimum of 65% must be obtained in the TEG B1 Irish Oral examination in order to be eligible to apply for the PME. Evidence of this result must be included at the time of submitting an online application. We regret that we are unable to accept applications where the TEG B1 Irish Oral result is not included or where the result is pending.
Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education, Maynooth University
Email: froebel.department@mu.ie
Telephone: (01) 4747413
