Professional Master of Education (Post Primary Education)
Course Code:
DC905
Course Type:
Postgraduate
NFQ Level:
9
Delivery Mode:
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
The Professional Master of Education (Post Primary) is a full-time teacher education qualification delivered through evening and flexible learning modes for those who meet the Teaching Council's Curricular Subject Requirements for at least one subject and wish to become a teacher in a post primary school.
The PME programme in DCU provides graduates with the knowledge and skills required for twenty first century classrooms. The programme prepares teachers to respond to current curricular developments at second level and promotes teacher autonomy and collegiality in the design, delivery and assessment of curriculum. A wide range of teaching strategies and methodologies are used to encourage an equitable, student-centred and creative approach to teaching and learning.
The DCU Institute of Education is home to leading global research centres in the areas of Assessment, Evaluation, Citizenship and Human Rights Education and Anti-Bullying. Students will benefit from the expertise in these centres to develop knowledge, skills and opportunities. DCU promotes a spirit of leadership, inquiry, reflection and evaluation as students develop professional practice and recognise the importance of their own lifelong learning.
Dates for 2023 Applications
Application Opening Date: Monday 7 November 2022
Application Closing Date: Friday 10 February 2023
Documentation Closing Date (Uploading only allowed): Friday 24 February 2023
In line with the current government campaign to increase the supply of teachers in subjects of national priority, additional places will be reserved for applicants who meet the requirements for the priority subjects listed below:
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Irish, German, French, Italian and Spanish.
The Professional Master of Education (PME) programme starts in late August each year. Students are required to complete an Induction Programme which runs in advance of formal lectures. Formal lectures begin in September and are held in DCU St. Patrick's Campus, Drumcondra on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4pm to 8pm. Students will participate in lectures, seminars, tutorials and online components.
School Placement
The programme includes two school placements. Students complete placement in one school in Year 1 and in a different school in Year 2. Placements can occur in a variety of school settings including Voluntary Secondary Schools, Educate Together Secondary Schools, Community Colleges, Community Schools and Comprehensive Schools.
Students must secure their own placements in a recognised post-primary school within the Republic of Ireland. Only the first placement needs to be secured at the time of application.
Placement Hours Required: Over the course of two years all students must engage in a minimum number of hours of direct teaching, placement related activities and observation as outlined in the table below.
| Activity | Year 1 (Sept to June) | Year 2 (Sept to June) |
| Direct Teaching | 4 hours per week | 4 hours per week |
| Placement Related Activities | 4 hours per week | 4 hours per week |
| Observation | 24 classes | 24 classes |
Please see information on Getting a School Placement.
View the current course structure
Expertise and Excellence
The DCU Institute of Education is the largest provider of education and training in Ireland with more than 150 academic staff with expertise in education and over 4000 students. We take a modern, innovative and creative approach to teaching and learning.
Choice and Flexibility
Our two year full time flexible delivery PME programme addresses the need for a flexible teacher education qualification for individuals who wish to work in second-level schools but who are not in a position to engage in a traditional day-time programme of study.
Employability
DCU Graduate Teachers experience high employment success rates. Our school partnerships and professional development initiatives for in-service teachers ensure continued commitment to our students and beyond.
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.
Requirements
- Applications open on PAC from Monday 7th November 2022
- Closing Date for EU applications is Friday 10th February 2023
- Closing Date for non EU applications is Friday 10th February 2023
In order to obtain information about the DCU PME programme, candidates should consult these pages and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) in advance of contacting DCU.
Applicants will normally hold at least a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8), that complies with the Teaching Council's Curricular Subject Requirements for at least one subject from the second-level school's curriculum.
International Applications:
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.
Fees
Full time
EU Status Fee
Year 1 €4500 - Year 2 €5,200
Non EU Fee
Year 1 €9,500 - Year 2 €9,500
