Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching)
Course Code:
DC970
Course Type:
Postgraduate
NFQ Level:
9
Delivery Modes
Full-Time
Duration
2 Years
The Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) (PMEP) programme equips students with the principles, curriculum knowledge and pedagogical understanding with which to begin their teaching careers as competent and committed professionals. The programme is responsive to the changing contexts of primary education, offering student teachers opportunities to engage critically with the interface between society and education.
As with any professional course, the Professional Master of Education is intensive and requires a considerable commitment from students. It is also a rewarding and interesting experience and you will find that you have been comprehensively prepared for your teaching career.
The programme aims to develop graduates who:
- Are competent, professional and knowledgeable in their approach to teaching, learning, curriculum and assessment;
- Become adaptive experts and critically reflective practitioners who continue to grow and learn throughout their careers;
- Facilitate the holistic development of all children in terms of their emotional, social, personal, physical, creative, spiritual and intellectual capacities, promoting their agency across all areas of school life;
- Recognise and meet the needs of all learners with insight, expertise and respect;
- Become collaborative, supportive and committed members of school communities, learning communities and the teaching profession;
- Engage in ethical practice informed by a critical concern for social justice, equality and care and respect for others locally and globally, and recognise all children as citizens, rights-holders and active agents in their own learning.
View Year 1 course structure » | View Year 2 course structure »
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As a student of the DCU Institute of Education you will have access to more opportunities in Teacher Education than any other Irish institution and will study in the context characterised by innovation and development, scholarship, research and excellence in teaching and learning. Embedded in our programmes is a deep commitment to equity, social justice and inclusion.
You will be taught by internationally recognised experts in (primary) teacher education. Committed to academic excellence and innovation, the DCU Institute of Education is confident its graduates will flourish in the challenging and complex contexts of the 21st century societies.
Life on Campus
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
DCU student facilities boast a fully equipped sports complex with a 25-metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
Our purpose built, state-of-the-art new student centre known as 'The U' serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500. It is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice.
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year.
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules.
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
The PME is not only a gateway to the primary teaching profession, but also to a number of other careers in the areas of educational administration, consulting, content writing, research and educational policy
Requirements
Note : To view Entry Requirements for DC970 (2023) click here
ENTRY PROCESS FOR DC970
Candidates wishing to apply for the Professional Masters of Education (Primary Teaching) MUST take Teastas Eorpach Gaeilge (TEG) Level B1 Oral Irish examination. A minimum of 65% must be attained on this examination to be eligible to apply for the PME (Primary) programme.
The TEG B1 Oral Irish examination dates for the Professional Masters of Education (Primary Teaching) 2022-23 applications at a cost of €100 are:
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12th & 13th May 2023
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For entry to the PMEP application process for 2022-23, the closing date for applying for the TEG oral examination is 5pm, Thursday 20th April 2023
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A successful result in the TEG B1 Oral Irish examination will be valid for two years before the examination needs to be retaken
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Applications for the TEG B1 Oral Irish examination will made directly through TEG
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Further information can be found on the TEG website:
To view FAQs about the changes to entry process please click here
Further details on the application process should be viewed at the Next Steps section
Fees
Full time
EU Status Fee
€5,564
Next Steps
Applications to the PMEP (DC970) are now open.
Due to the additional places that are available on the PMEP programme this year, many applicants will receive offers in June without the need to undertake an interview. Where interviews are required, they will take place during the week of June 9th by Zoom.
All Applicants must apply through the Postgraduate Applications Centre, www.pac.ie
Applicants are advised to make your application as early as possible to ensure documentation validation is complete prior to the application closing date of 5pm on the 2nd of June 2023.
Documentation Required:
The following documentation MUST be uploaded to your PAC application:
- Academic Transcripts of Results for UG honours degree, with overall results of H2.2 or higher, unless completing your degree in 2023.
- Evidence that you have fulfilled the minimum requirements for
- Gaeilge: Leaving Certificate transcript (or equivalent, see options here)
- English: Leaving Certificate transcript (or equivalent, see options here)
- Mathematics: Leaving Certificate transcript (or equivalent, see options here)
- Irish language oral proficiency (65% on Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, TEG, B1)
- Passport Photograph
- Student Declaration page (this will be provided to applicant when he/she applies through PAC)
By June 2nd, an email confirming that you have achieved 65%, or higher, in the TEG B1 examination will be accepted. The official TEG certificate must be uploaded to your PAC account by July 14th.
By July 14th, 2023, all other entry requirements must have been met and verified submissions uploaded to your PAC account.
Important Notes
1. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that each document submitted is valid evidence that the applicant achieved the required standard. Each document must be an official statement from a relevant institution, e.g. Certified university transcript (bearing stamp and signature), TEG certificate (Or email from TEG), school Leaving Certificate transcript (with candidate name, school name and year clearly shown). Screen shots, emails or portal page printouts will not be accepted, and your application will be declined.
2. Please note that all PMEP students must undertake two mandatory Gaeltacht Placement periods as part of the programme. The first mandatory placement will take place from Friday, 25th August to Friday, 8th September, 2023, before you commence lectures. Please see calendar here.
3. Deferral of Offers: Deferrals are not permitted on the DC970 PMEP Programme
