Overview
This two-year, full-time programme encourages a student-centred and creative approach to teaching and learning, and gives you the skills and knowledge needed for today’s classrooms.
The programme prepares you to respond to current curricular developments at second level and is designed to promote teacher autonomy in the design, delivery and assessment of curriculum. You’ll also benefit from the DCU Institute of Education’s leading global research centres in assessment, evaluation, citizenship and human rights education and anti-bullying.
Get practical real-world experience
This post primary teacher education programme includes two school placements in first and second year in different school settings like Voluntary Secondary Schools, Educate Together Secondary Schools, Community Colleges, Community Schools and Comprehensive Schools.
While most graduates work as teachers in post-primary schools, graduates may choose to pursue further studies in education and related fields including guidance, pastoral care, school leadership and management. Graduates are also sought after for roles in further education, higher education, government departments and other education and training settings.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
DCU Graduate post-primary teachers enjoy high employment success rates - 99% of DCU Institute of Education graduates are in employment or further education some six months after graduation.
While most of our graduates will work as teachers in post-primary schools, others will pursue further studies in education and related fields, such as guidance, pastoral care, teacher professional development, and school leadership and management.
Other graduates will work in Further Education, Higher Education, government departments and other education and training settings.
- Adult Education
- Education
- Government Departments
"DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path."
Entry Requirements
First, applicants need to consult the Teaching Council's Subject Registration Requirements to see if their undergraduate qualifications meet the requirements set out by the Teaching Council of Ireland, the professional standards body for teaching in Ireland. Applicants must hold a level 8 degree (or equivalent) on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications. These requirements can be accessed here: Curricular subject Requirements (Post-Primary) For Persons applying for registration on or after 5th January 2026. Once the applicant lands on the page scroll down and click on this wording ' Read the updated Curricular Subject Requirements (Post-Primary) effective from 5 January 2026' to access the pdf document. Subject Declaration Froms 2026/27
As part of the application process, you will need to confirm that your degree complies with these requirements.
Please see here for all information on how to apply for the post primary teaching course, and to submit an application through the online portal. Applicants are advised to read all details carefully prior to submitting the application.
International Applications:
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.
Programme Structure
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 in our secondary school teaching course.
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 post-primary schools but who are not in a position to engage in a traditional day-time programme of study.
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.
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.
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: For the duration of this two year programme, all students must engage in a minimum number of hours of direct teaching, placement related activities and observation as outlined below:
Year 1 (Sept to June)
Direct teaching: Four hours per week
Placement related activities: Four hours per week
Observation: 24 classes
Year 2 (Sept to June)
Direct teaching: Four hours per week
Placement related activities: Four hours per week
Observation: 24 classes
Students must also engage in an initial observation period in the first three weeks of their school placement. The purpose of the three-week observation period is to provide opportunities for student teachers to settle into their school environment and learn from, and with, other experienced educators during the initial stages of their placement. During this period, students will engage in activities such as structured classroom observations, school-based induction, and a variety of non-direct teaching activities.
Fees and Funding
Fees
All programme fees are per annum and subject to an annual increase.
How To Apply
Please see here for all information on how to apply, and to submit an application through the online portal. Please ensure you read all details carefully prior to submitting the application.
Deadlines:
Applications for September 2026 intake:
- Opening Date for applications - 3rd November 2025.
- Closing Date for all applicants - 9th February 2026.
- Final date for any conditional items - 13th July 2026.
Offers
An email from the applications portal will alert applicants to check their status, and a Firm Offer or Conditional Offer letter will be provided. Please ensure that the email address provided in the online application is active and ensure that no details go to your spam folder. Applicants who receive an offer should confirm acceptance by the specified date in order to secure a place. Any applicants who accept their conditional offer must meet the condition of the offer by the deadline of 13th July 2026, by uploading the required documentation to the Condition section of their application in the portal.
Please note that canvassing of any kind will disqualify an applicant. Applications will not be discussed with third parties.
Queries on completed applications
Queries on applications may be emailed to pgedapplications@dcu.ie. Please include the programme code (DC905) in the subject line of your email.
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2026.
Deferrals
Deferrals of a place are not permitted on the PME programme due to the high demand for the programme.
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
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. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice & Learning Skills 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.
DCU St Patrick's Campus
FAQs
1. How long is the programme?
The programme is two years in duration.
2. Is the programme part-time?
No, the PME (Post-Primary Teaching) is a two-year, full-time, evening delivery programme. Lectures are held on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 4-8pm. Additionally some modules and tutorials are delivered online. Furthermore, you are required to complete two school placements in first and second year in different post-primary schools, and engage in teaching and placement related activities.
3. Is my degree recognised for registration as a teacher in post-primary schools?
You need to consult the Teaching Council’s Requirements for Teacher Registration to see if your undergraduate qualifications meet the requirements set out by the Teaching Council of Ireland, the professional standards body for teaching in Ireland. As part of the application process, you will need to confirm that your degree complies with these requirements.
4. How many credits do I need in my undergraduate subject(s) to become a teacher?
The Teaching Council sets the criteria for registration as a teacher of specific subject(s). You must meet the requirements for at least one curricular subject to be considered for registration as a teacher, upon completion of the Professional Master of Education (PME). As part of the PME application process you will be asked to complete a Subject Declaration Form for the subject(s) you wish to be registered to teach. This allows you to match the credits in your degree subject(s) against the Teaching Council’s requirements for that curricular subject.
If you are offered a place on the PME, your declaration form, along with transcripts of your undergraduate examination results, will be forwarded to the Teaching Council. The Teaching Council will then confirm if you will be eligible to register as a teacher and which curricular subject(s) will be recorded on the Register of Teachers following successful completion of the PME. Please note DCU does not assess your Subject Declaration forms. These are assessed by the Teaching Council.
If you are unsure if your undergraduate degree meets these requirements, please check with the institution where you completed your undergraduate degree. If you have any queries in relation to the module names, codes and credits etc., please contact the department(s) where you did your undergraduate degree. We do not have access to this information, and we do not assess your Subject Declaration Form to ascertain if they meet the Teaching Council requirements.
If you are unsure if your undergraduate degree meets these requirements, please check with the institution where you completed your undergraduate degree. If you have any queries in relation to the module names, codes and credits etc., please contact the department(s) where you did your undergraduate degree. We do not have access to this information, and we do not assess your Subject Declaration Form to ascertain if they meet the Teaching Council requirements.
5. What do I do if my degree is not currently recognised by the Teaching Council?
You need to identify and confirm where your credit shortfall exists. You will need to engage in further studies to address these shortfalls. It is up to you to identify the modules you need to complete and to apply to the relevant provider. We do not provide advice on what modules you should complete in order to meet the Teaching Council’s Post-Primary Curricular Subject Requirements. If you decide to proceed with the Professional Master of Education without confirming that your qualifications will be recognised for registration with the Teaching Council, DCU will not accept liability.
6. Can I apply for the PME if I have only one subject in my degree?
Yes, your application is considered based on meeting the requirements for one curricular subject.
7. Can I make up a credit shortfall in my second subject while completing the PME?
Yes, it is possible to complete additional modules while registered as a full-time student on the PME programme. However, modules taken to address a credit shortfall are classified as stand-alone modules and are entirely separate from the PME programme. It is up to you to identify the credit shortfall, select the module(s) that will provide you with the relevant credits and apply to the relevant provider. We do not provide advice on what modules you should complete in order to meet the Teaching Council’s Post-Primary Curricular Subject Requirements. There may be a limit to the number of stand-alone modules you can take in any one academic session, in addition to a full-time programme.
8. (a) What is a Subject Specialism?
Registered teachers must be qualified to teach at least one subject from the post-primary school curriculum. Subject Specialisms provide methodological and pedagogical support on how to teach your subject(s).
(b) What Subject Specialisms do you offer?
A full list of Subject Specialisms available as part of the PME in DCU can be viewed below:
|
English |
|
Gaeilge |
|
Mathematics |
|
History |
|
Geography |
|
Science |
|
Modern Languages |
|
Business Studies (with Business/Accounting/Economics) |
|
Religious Education |
|
Music |
|
Citizenship Education (CSPE/Politics and Society) |
|
Computer Science (Year 1 only) |
|
SPHE (Year 2 only) |
(c) If I have two teaching subjects, do I teach one in Year 1 and the other in Year 2, or do I teach both subjects each year?
You can teach one subject in Year 1 and the other subject in Year 2, or you can teach a combination of both subjects in Year 1 and Year 2 depending on the needs of the host school.
9. Do I need to secure a school placement before starting the PME programme?
Yes. If you fail to secure a placement you may not register as a student on the PME programme. Furthermore, you must always maintain a placement to stay on the PME programme. You will have to source a different placement school in Year 2 of the Programme. You only need to secure your Year 1 placement at the time of application.
10. What are the school placement requirements?
Over the course of two years, all students must complete a minimum of 220 hours (minimum of 4 hours per week) of teaching in a post-primary school with students between the ages of 12 and 18 years, with a minimum of 15 students in a class. Students are required to spend at least another 220 hours (approximately 4 hours per week) over two years in placement related activities such as: induction into the school, extra-curricular activities, classroom observation, department planning, school self-evaluation, school-based continuing professional development (CPD) and any other activities that contribute to the life of the school. Placement takes place every week throughout the entire school year and across all semesters of the programme. This allows the student teacher to gain experience of the full life cycle of a school, to plan and implement teaching and learning for an entire school year and to become immersed in the life of the school.
11. What are schools being asked to do when hosting a DCU PME student?
Schools are asked to:
- offer students the opportunity to teach subjects from the second level curriculum for a minimum of 4 hours per week.
- provide PME students with classes that contain a minimum of 15 students.
- assign one or more mentor teachers to support the student teacher during their placement.
- facilitate a period of structured observation at the start of the school year.
- facilitate the student teacher’s participation in non-teaching activities and encourage them to become involved in the life of the school (approximately 4 hours per week).
- agree a placement timetable of direct teaching hours and placement related activities that will allow the PME student to attend lectures in DCU commencing at 4pm on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings during the academic year.
12. Does the placement school need to be within a certain radius of DCU?
Currently we do not operate a radius limit on the PME programme. However, students need to be able to attend lectures which begin at 4pm on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings. The PME programme is a masters level programme and has a heavy workload. The intense nature of the programme should be considered when factoring in travel time to the university.
13. Do I need to be garda vetted to register for the PME Post-Primary Programme?
Yes, you do need to be Garda vetted to register on the PME programme and participate in school placement.
DCU is required by section 12(4)(d) of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to operate a system of Garda vetting in respect to those students who will undertake work or activities which involves unsupervised access to children or vulnerable persons as part of their programme of study, and which is the case for the PME (Post-Primary) Programme
DCU uses the National Vetting Bureau service to obtain a vetting Disclosure which is used to assess the suitability of such applicants and may also require applicants to provide an enhanced disclosure by the completion of a sworn declaration.
DCU requires students to complete the vetting process in order to make a determination about their suitability for the PME programme prior to finalising their registration as a student of the University.
Students that are vetted by another organisation are still required to complete the DCU vetting process.
A student who accepts a place on the PME programme will be sent the necessary information by DCU.
14. I want to register as a teacher of Irish or a curricular language. Do I need to complete my Immersive Educational Experience prior to applying for the PME?
Applicants wishing to register with Irish or a curricular language should provide verifiable evidence of an immersive educational experience in the language. The immersive experience must be for a minimum of 4 weeks duration. The 4 weeks may be completed in either one block of 4 weeks (Option 1), or in two blocks of 2 weeks (Option 2). In Option 2, at least one block (a minimum of 2 weeks) must be in a setting where the language is the vernacular. Either option can be undertaken during the PME. For further information, please see the Teaching Council’s Guidance on Immersive Educational Experience.
15. Is a minimum qualification in Irish necessary to apply for the PME?
There is no general requirement to have Irish to obtain a place on the PME. Irish is only a requirement for those who wish to register as teachers of Irish.
16. When does the programme start?
The programme starts in late August each year. Students are required to complete an Induction Programme which runs in advance of the official commencement of the DCU semester. Further information on the induction programme will be provided on successful application to the programme.
17. When are lectures scheduled? Do I need to attend all lectures?
Lectures are held on the DCU St Patrick’s Campus Drumcondra on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings from 4pm to 8pm. Additionally, you are required to complete online modules and online tutorials. Attendance and participation are requirements for each module. Students may be asked to attend additional one-off sessions such as field work studies for Geography etc.
18. What are the fees for the PME programme?
Fees are updated each year. Fees for 2026/2027 are:
EU Status Fee: Year 1 €4,900 - Year 2 €5,500
Non-EU Fee: Year 1 €9,900 - Year 2 €9,900
19. How do I get an application form?
There is no application form. All applications are made online at the DCU Student Application Portal under the code DC905.
What courses are offered by the DCU Institute of Education?
DCU Institute of Education brings together students of education and provides a rich menu of undergraduate courses across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate courses at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate level and have a distinguished record in providing continuing professional development.
Is there Garda vetting for students who study DCU Institute of Education courses?
Garda vetting is required for all students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the registration process.
What are the potential teaching pathways for primary, post-primary and further education and training offered by DCU?
Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
- Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) - DC002
- Bachelor of Education - Gaeltacht Applicants Pathway - DC003
- Bachelor of Education - Church of Ireland Pathway (Restricted Entry) - DC004
Postgraduate**
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Post-Primary Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
- Bachelor of Religious Education & English - DC010
- Bachelor of Religious Education & History - DC011
- Bachelor of Religious Education & Music - DC012
- Bachelor of Education in Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish - DC013
- Bachelor of Education in Technology, Engineering and Graphics - DC015
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Science Education - DC203
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Education with Biology - DC205
- Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Mathematics - DC206
Postgraduate**
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes
Further Education and Training Teaching Pathways
Undergraduate*
* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes
