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During this programme, you will:   

• Become a more confident and resourceful educator, with real-life experience of delivering your ideas in the classroom through placements. 

• Consider factors which affect how students learn, from different styles of learning and educational needs to diversity and social justice. 

• Learn how to adapt your style to different scenarios, and to tailor your approach based on independent research. 
  
• Understand how and why education is changing, and how new approaches and technology are meeting that challenge. 

Explore Frequently Asked Questions. 

Key Information:  

• Complete full-time over two years. 

• Specialize in either one or two subject areas (please contact Subject Pathway Leader for more details) You must have the required credits in your specialist areas at level 8. 

• Blended delivery. On–campus, online and practice placement.   

• Modules taught during autumn and spring semesters.  

• Attend campus during Autumn semester, Year 1 and Spring semester Year 2.  

• Complete School Placement in Spring Semester of year 1 and Autumn Semester of year 2. UL will arrange school placements for you. 

• Attend online modules during school placements. 

• Graduate with a Level 9 Professional Master of Education.  

You will learn through a blend of:  

• Lectures, workshops, and interactive activities  

• Reflective practice and guided research  

• Regular feedback from faculty and peers  

Year 1  

Autumn Semester 

• will encourage you to consider what it really means to be a teacher, with a focus on themes such as literacy, social justice and the use of technology. 

• will discuss how young people learn and develop, exploring behavioural, cognitive and socio-cultural factors. 

• will prepare you for your first school placement, by introducing key aspects of planning, assessment and classroom practice. 

• Pedagogy 1A – electives available per pathway  

• Pedagogy 1B – electives available per pathway  

Spring Semester 

• will enhance your understanding of inclusion and, enable you to respond more effectively to students with different educational needs. 

• will give you your first experience of teaching in a school and, give you the tools to reflect on your performance. 

• Pedagogy 2A – electives available per pathway  

• Pedagogy 2B - electives available per pathway  

Year 2 

Autumn Semester 

• will develop your research skills and, empower you to develop ideas for learning based on the needs of pupils. 

• will give you a second school placement experience. You will be fully immersed in a school community, and prepare learning that meets the needs of all students. 

Spring Semester 

• will encourage you to reflect on your experiences in your placements, and consider the importance of curriculum, education, and your role as a teacher. 

• will cover the history of educational policy and institutions, and the changes that have shaped education in Ireland and beyond.  

• will deepen your research understanding and skills, with a focus on synthesis, analysis and discussion of data collected during your placement. 

• will empower you to reflect on concepts of diversity and social justice, and give you the ability to identify and address issues in a school setting. 

• Pedagogy 3A – electives available per pathway  

• Pedagogy 3B – electives available per pathway  

Books and journal articles needed for the course will be available online through the UL Glucksman Library.  

For more information on each module, you can search the faculty, school and module code on UL’s  

• Applicants should hold a bachelor’s degree ( Level 8) with at least a second-class honour, grade 2 (2:2) in a relevant discipline.   

• Submit a formal declaration that you have reviewed the requirements of the Teaching Council of Ireland for the purposes of teaching in your chosen subject(s). This declaration confirms you
  • Hold/will hold, by the date of commencement of the PME programme, a level 8 honours degre
  • Have studied the relevant number of ECTS credits in the relevant subject area(s) as part of your degree
  • Have studied higher-level degree content related to the subject area(s) in year 3 or 4 of your degree
  • Have covered, as part of your degree, the mandatory topics/subjects as set out in the Teaching Council subject requirements 

• Garda Clearance (for successful applicants) 

• The University will shortlist and interview applicants during March / April of the application year. Interview priority will be given to candidates who meet the full teaching council requirements.
  • Language Applicant interviews will be partly conducted through Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), Gaeilge and English as a Second Language (ESL) as appropriate 

• Physical Education Applications will be screened and shortlisted for using the below criteria:
  • Education and awards (undergraduate, postgraduate and respective awards)
  • Relevant work or voluntary experience (subbing, shadowing, etc.). This is beneficial but not required.
  • Personal statement (see below)
  • Application quality
  • Subject Declaration Form  

Note: Before applying, please ensure that your primary degree meets the Teaching Council of Ireland’s requirements for teaching your chosen subject(s). 

It is your responsibility to confirm this independently and declare you have met the requirement. 

Successful admission to the programme does not guarantee eligibility to register with the Teaching Council.  

Checklist of documents: 

• *Academic transcripts and certificates translated if needed.
  • UL graduates only need to provide their student ID.
• Copy of your birth certificate or passport
• Personal statement
  • Two Pages highlighting
    • Brief background of your undergraduate and postgraduate programme(s) and key learning points in relation to teaching your subject area(s).
    • Evidence of knowledge of the Teaching Council requirements.
    • Evidence, if available, of your experience shadowing, or voluntary work related to your subject area(s).
    • Why you should be accepted on to the programme.
• Copy of your CV
• Completed 
  • Please ensure that the pages in your form(s) are combined into one file for each subject.
  • Referenced the 
• Garda Clearance (for successful applicants) 

English Language: 

• English Language Competency certificate
• For details on accepted language qualifications visit English Language Requirements 

Guidelines on Completing your Application  

• To make sure we can review your application quickly, please:
  • Upload all documents. Your application can’t be reviewed until we have all the documents on the checklist. 
  • Title the documents you are uploading. For example, "Personal Statement", "Undergraduate Transcript", "Postgraduate Transcript", "English Language Certificate" etc. 
• *If you are waiting to graduate, submit your application with the documents you have to date, you don’t need to have finished final exams before applying. 

PME Contacts 

Programme Director 

Dr Diarmaid Lane - Diarmaid.lane@ul.ie 

Business   

Dr Dan O'Sullivan - Dan.j.OSullivan@ul.ie 

Languages   

Bláthnaid Breslin - Blathnaid.Breslin@ul.ie 

Mathematics  

Dr Patrick Johnson - Patrick.johnson@ul.ie 

Music 

Shannon Burns – Shannon.Burns@ul.ie  

Physical Education  

Ursula Freyne – ursula.mccarthy@ul.ie

Science 

Dr. Aishling Flaherty – Aishling.Flaherty@ul.ie  

Technological Education 

Dr Diarmaid Lane - Diarmaid.lane@ul.ie 

EU - €5,800 per annum*

Non-EU €10,500 per annum*

* Year 2 fees are subject to change 

Annual fees are billed by semester. Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan.  

Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie).  

Funding 

Find further information on funding and scholarships. 

The Professional Master of Education can lead graduates to the following sectors and careers: 

• Second Level Education
• Further Education
• Community Settings 

Still Curious?  

The team regularly host and take part in webinars to support future students. If you would like to learn more or ask questions at an online information session, click below.     

Online Information Sessions 

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Laila Jedir graduated with a PME Music in 2021 

“I cannot recommend the qualification more. It opened up many opportunities for me. Most importantly, it gave me skills to pass down music education in efficient, informed and positive ways. 

Jean Downey also helped me build the skills to start a choir which I am now leading in a secondary school in London, which is a fantastic opportunity.” 

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Anthony O’Leary graduated with a PME Physical Education in 2023 

“I found it daunting returning to education in later life to pursue a change in career. However the staff on this PME course have been incredibly supportive and have made the whole experience very much worthwhile. 

My knowledge and perspective around physical education, teaching pedagogies, assessment methods and conducting research has been broadened immeasurably through a mixture of lecture, practical, and tutorial classes. 

The course is taught using state of the art teaching and research facilities with small class sizes which allow students to receive individual attention from highly qualified staff. I would recommend this course to anyone looking to take the next step into teaching.” 

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Steven Giffney graduated with a PME Technological Education in 2022 

“After studying for five years to become a mechanical engineer and entering the working world, going back to full-time education was not an easy decision. However, from early on, my doubts in committing to the PME were allayed largely due to the quality of teaching and the highly relevant module assessment. 

The programme developed my drive for learning, my respect for the profession and a real confidence in my capacity to teach. 

The engaging module content was brought to life by the passionate lecturers and tutors whose expertise was obvious. As student teachers, we were empowered to take ownership of our teaching while out on teaching practice, and the feedback and support I received from my tutors was invaluable. 

I am now a full-time teacher of Technology and Robotics at St. Josephs C.B.S. in Fairview. I am preparing to submit my final-year research article for publication. Though intensive and challenging, I found the PME in Technology incredibly engaging and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone looking for a comprehensive course for modern-day teaching.” 

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Conor McGowan graduated with a PME Science 

“When I left secondary school teaching was not on my radar. All I wanted to do was study science and understand more about the world around me. However, when I was nearing the end of my undergraduate degree in UCD, I wanted to find a job that gave me variety every day and had a significant purpose.  

The PME completely challenged my views about science, education and how the two disciplines interact with each other. The lectures and tutorials opened a whole new way of thinking to me, and the diversity of expertise within the School of Education ��ɫ��Ƶ meant that over the two years my thinking was continuously challenged. 

The two years of the PME flew by. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed but I would do it all over again. I entered the classroom with the skills and confidence needed to teach up to 30 teenagers at a time, which is no easy task! I also met some great friends along the way, which is just as important as the academic side of things.” 

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Enya O’ Callaghan graduated with a PME Business 

“Completing the Professional Masters of Education ��ɫ��Ƶ has been a journey. I would highly recommend anyone interested in the profession of teaching to apply to this course. 

Over the two years , my knowledge, skills and abilities were developed and nurtured by highly knowledgeable and passionate lectures and tutors. The PME is a strong cohort of individuals who are extremely passionate about education. The expertise and guidance they provided were invaluable, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn from such inspiring educators. 

The coursework is challenging yet engaging, and the practical components allowed us students to apply our learning in real classroom settings over the course of two school placements. I would whole heartedly recommend this program to whomever is passionate in pursuing a career in the field of education.”