Course Summary
The Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) is a two-year, full-time Level 9 postgraduate professional teacher education programme designed to qualify graduates as primary teachers. A key element of the PME is practice-oriented inquiry where students interrogate experiences and forge new understandings, integrating educational theory and practice through structured reflection and research applications. The programme is designed to equip student teachers with the cognitions and competencies necessary to develop creative and flexible approaches to teaching in different contexts and settings embracing pupils with diverse and often complex needs.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
There are 120 places available and the closing date for applications is Monday 8 April 2024.
For September 2024 entry, the Leaving Certificate minimum requirements for the PME are as follows:
Irish - H4
English - H7 or O4
Maths - H7 or O4
Useful Links
Leaving Certificate Grading Schemes (1992-2016 Scheme and New Scheme 2017).
https://www.mic.ul.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/21/Leaving%20Cert%20Grading%20Schemes.pdf
Department of Education and Skills Requirements for entry 2024
https://www.mic.ul.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/396/Professional%20Master%20of%20Education%20(Primary%20Teaching)%20Entry%20Requirements.pdf
Department of Education and Skills Requirements for entry (Irish version) 2024
https://www.mic.ul.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/396/Professional%20Master%20of%20Education%20(Primary%20Teaching)%20Entry%20Requirements%202024%20(2)_3.pdf
Oral Irish Exam for 2024
TEG oral exam for 2024 entry will take place 26/27 January 2024 and 9/10 February 2024. Application forms available from www.teg.ie from 15 November 2023 and closing date for applications will be 8 January 2024.
Please note that the TEG office are running an additional exam for TEG on 24th February in Maynooth only, with the closing date Friday 16th February.
The Oral Irish Exam requirements for 2024 entry are detailed below.
For 2024, applicants wishing to apply for the PME Programme are required to take an Oral Irish exam before applying to MIC for the programme.
Applicants are required to take the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 1 (B1) Irish-language oral examination. Full details on the oral exam are available here.
A minimum of 65% must be obtained in the B1 Oral TEG exam to be eligible to apply for the PME Programme.
Applicants must upload their results from TEG Level B1 Oral Irish exam as part of their application to MIC for the PME programme.
A successful result in the TEG oral will be valid for two years before the test needs to be retaken. Applicants who have achieved a minimum of 65% in the TEG oral exam in the last two years are eligible to apply.
The following TEG certificates from 2022 and 2023 will be accepted:
TEG Meánleibhéal 1 (B1) with a mark of 65% or higher/ a pass or higher at TEG Meánleibhéal 2 (B2) (min 50%)/ a pass or higher at TEG Ardleibhéal 1 (C1) (min 60%).
Additional marks are awarded for students who complete the TEG Oral Examination at a high level.
Up to 6 additional marks may be awarded for students who successfully complete the TEG B1 oral examination at a high level and these marks will be added to their score. Applicants achieving from 90-100% receive 6 additional marks, applicants achieving from 80-89% receive 3 additional marks.
Applicants 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.
Applicants who have passed higher levels of TEG (B2, C1 and C2) receive 6 additional marks.
Commencing with applications for the 2023-2025 programme cycle, an interview is now no longer part of the selection process for Mary Immaculate College, and is replaced by a points scoring system. Details available in the How to Apply section.
Application Details
There are 120 places available on the programme for 2024 and the closing date for receipt of completed applications (link below) is 8 April 2024.
Applications are now open - click here to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
2024 Regulations for Entry for PME
https://www.mic.ul.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/395/Professional%20Master%20of%20Education%20(Primary%20Teaching)%20Entry%20Requirements.pdf
2024 Regulations for Entry for PME (Irish Version)
https://www.mic.ul.ie/sites/default/files/uploads/395/Irish%20Professional%20Master%20of%20Education%20(Primary%20Teaching)%20Entry%20Requirements.pdf
This programme is not open to applications from non-EU countries. Application fees are non-refundable due to applicant ineligibility. See International programme listing at https://www.mic.ul.ie/international/study-in-ireland/postgraduate
Please note: Commencing with applications for the 2023-2025 programme cycle, an interview will no longer be part of the selection process for Mary Immaculate College, and will be replaced by a points scoring system. For full details on points system at https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mic.ul.ie%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fuploads%2F396%2FUpdated%2520Information%2520regarding%2520PME%2520entry%2520for%25202024.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK
All qualifications must have been awarded by 1 March 2024 to be included for points purposes. All supporting documentation must be uploaded with the online application and MIC will not accept late submissions after the closing date. Please do not submit late documentation by post or email, as it cannot be accepted.
Please note: If any information provided for points calculation is found to be fraudulent, the applicant's application will be cancelled and will not be processed by the College.
Download the Employer Reference form (for paid employment) at
https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mic.ul.ie%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2Fuploads%2F395%2FPME%2520Reference%2520Form%25202023%2520Entry_1.doc&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK
Applications for 2025 entry are now open.
Fees
The Professional Master's of Education (Primary Education) is now open for applications for September 2023 entry.
Please note there are 120 places available on the programme at MIC for September 2023.
Please note: Closing date for completed applications is 5pm Monday 3 April 2023.
Please read the Frequently Asked Questions document before making an online application for the PME for 2023 entry.
2023 Regulations for Entry for PME
2023 Regulations for Entry for PME (Irish Version)
Please Note: This programme is not open to applications from non-EU countries. Application fees are non-refundable due to applicant ineligibility. See International programme listing here.
Important Information Regarding 2023 Entry to the PME - Please read carefully.
Commencing with applications for the 2023-2025 programme cycle, an interview will no longer be part of the selection process for Mary Immaculate College, and will be replaced by a points scoring system.
Please note that all qualifications must have been awarded by 1st March 2023 to be included for points purposes. All supporting documentation must be uploaded with the online application and MIC will not accept late submissions after the closing date of 3 April. Please do not submit late documentation by post or email, as it cannot be accepted.
Please note that if any information provided for points calculation is found to be fraudulent, the applicant's application will be cancelled and will not be processed by the College.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Career Progression
On successful completion of the course, graduates are qualified to teach all classes in the primary school.