Qualification : PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE (LEVEL 8)
Award Type and NFQ level : PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE
CAO/MU Apply code : MHO62;MHO63
CAO Points :
Closing Date : 30 August 2025
The Professional Certificate in German for Teaching as Post-Primary Level aims to provide domestic and international candidates with an opportunity to complete the subject-specific credits they require in order to be able to submit themselves for accreditation through the Teaching Council of Ireland. It is particularly suitable for holders of a BA and HDip/PME who already teach in the post-primary system and want to add German as an additional subject to their skillset; it will also be of interest to international candidates (including native speakers of German), who have completed their teacher education, have had it approved by the Teaching Council but require up to 20 ECTS credits in German to register as teachers of the language.
This programme has been specifically tailored to meeting the Teaching Council of Irelands requirements for registration as an accredited German teacher at post-primary level. The programme follows a three-pronged approach by offering intensive studies in the areas of German language skills; literary, cultural and film studies of the German-speaking world, and German linguistics and language pedagogy. In this way, it aims to enhance students knowledge and understanding of important concepts in German language and literature, culture and society, including their didactic and methodological application.
Prospective candidates may qualify for partial funding of this programme through the Post-Primary Languages Initiative (PPLI). See here for further details.
IMPORTANT: This programme does not involve professional accreditation. It allows applicants to register for up to 20 ECTS from a range of German-specific credits. Applicants can choose from these modules to put together a programme that complements their existing qualifications and thus allows them to meet the current Teaching Council requirements for German. In order to be accredited by the Teaching Council, all graduates of this programme must hold a PME or equivalent (e.g. Lehramt) and will be required to submit themselves for individual evaluation by the Teaching Council of Ireland
Applicants must have a recognised primary degree which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree level (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent honours degree). Under normal circumstances, applicants should have a BA involving German Studies or a cognate discipline (e.g. Lehramt, linguistics, literary/cultural studies) with at least a 2.1 degree or equivalent (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent honours degree). Applicants whose previous history of education does not fit this profile are invited to contact the Programme Director to enquire about their eligibility to apply for the programme.
Minimum CEFR Proficiency level of B2.2 in German and C1.1 in English.
Minimum English language requirements:
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.
Maynooth University's TOEFL code is 8850
Head of Department
Academic
Academic
Department of German Studies
Department of School of Modern Languages
Department of Motherhood Project
Department of Arts and Humanities Institute
Academic
Academic
Applicants can choose up to 20 ECTS from the following modules:
| Module code | Module title | Semester 1,2, or full year | New or existing module | Compulsory or optional module. | Credit weight |
| GN611 | Translation: German to English | 1 | Existing | Optional | 5 |
| GN616A | New Trends in German Literature | 1 | Existing | Optional | 10 |
| GN319A | Deutschsprachiger Film der Gegenwart | 1 | Existing | Optional | 5 |
| GN618A | Introduction to German Linguistics | 1 | Existing | Optional | 10 |
| GN612A | Introduction to Intercultural Studies | 1 | Existing | Optional | 5 |
| GN621A | Translation: English to German | 2 | Existing | Optional | 5 |
| GN321B | Engaging with German-Language Culture 3B | 2 | Existing | Optional | 5 |
| GN622A | Methodologies for Teaching German as a Foreign Language | 2 | Existing | Optional | 10 |
| GN627 | Narratives of Conflict in German Culture | 2 | Existing | Optional | 5 |
| Year | Total of credits for the year | 60 |
NB: Prospective candidates who are undertaking the programme in order to meet the Teaching Council requirements for German are strongly advised to consult with the Teaching Council regarding the number and type of credits that they must complete.
Applications for postgraduate courses will open mid-October. Further information on how to apply for the course will be provided then. If you have any queries please contact [email protected].