Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/ Post-Primary Teacher Training)

The Professional Master of Education (PME) at UCC is a two-year, level 9, full-time teacher education course. This 120-credit programme is designed to qualify graduates as post-primary secondary school teachers.

Our PME is fully recognised and accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland for the purpose of registration as a professional post-primary teacher in Ireland and the EU.
The PME combines two school placements with university lectures and tutorials, which develop student teachers requisite professional knowledge, skills, understanding and competence. You are introduced to best practices in teaching, learning, and educational research with special emphasis on meeting the diverse needs of learners, on the curriculum and on current issues in education. You will be encouraged to integrate educational theory and practice through extensive reflection on your own professional classroom practice.

Students are supported in their development by experienced teachers in schools and tutored by specialist School of Education staff in nurturing their professional identity as teachers.

At the end of this course, you will have acquired the professional knowledge, understanding, and skills that you need to teach your subject or subjects in a second-level school. You will have gained practical experience in two contrasting school settings, and developed your ability to respond flexibly to the diverse and changing educational needs of school students aged 12 to 18 years. You will have been challenged, encouraged, and invited to question and deepen your beliefs and assumptions about the purpose of education, the nature of teaching and learning, and the role of the teacher in the 21st century.

Candidates must have a primary degree at a minimum level of 2H2 or equivalent (e.g. primary degree and Masters) that is recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland for the teaching of at least one subject in a post-primary school.

Candidates must also complete and submit a Subject Declaration Form from the Teaching Council in respect of their eligibility to meet the requirements to teach their specific subjects.

Entry to the PME programme is competitive and selection is according to a subject-based application system with points awarded based on the marks obtained in the undergraduate degree, any subsequent academic qualifications, and certain categories of relevant professional work experience.

Duolingo English Test: DET 120 (with a minimum score of 110 in each individual section)

IELTS: 6.5 Overall; 6.0 Individual Skills (academic version)

TOEFL iBT: 90 Overall; Listening 20; Reading 19; Speaking 21; Writing 20

Cambridge Examinations:

C2 Proficiency
C1 Advanced
B2 First

176 overall with no less than 169 in each element of the test

Pearson PTE: Minimum score of 63 with no section score below 59