University College Cork’s School of Education

UCC’s School of Education is committed to the lifelong professional development, support and empowerment of educators. Thier work is informed by research, inquiry and the critique of educational studies, policy and practice. They achieve their mission through:

• Teaching – courses are offered at undergraduate and postgraduate level;
• Research – the research programme includes individual and collaborative projects;
• Extension, dissemination and application of research findings;
• Co-operation with individuals, schools, institutions and agencies, locally, nationally and internationally.

UCC serves the Irish Education Community through the provision of quality initial and in-service teacher education and continuing professional development programmes for primary, secondary and university teaching.

About the Professional Masters of Education

UCC’s PME is a two-year full-time teacher education course, designed to qualify graduates as post-primary secondary school teachers.

The PME combines two-year-long school placements with university lectures and tutorials, which develop student teachers’ requisite professional knowledge, skills, understanding and competence. Students are introduced to best practice 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. Students are encouraged to integrate educational theory and practice through extensive reflection on their own professional classroom practice. They 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.  It will be necessary to limit the number of students admitted to the programme; UCC’s current quota is circa 120 students per year.  Within this quota, a subject quota of 10 applies to Business Studies and Business related degrees.

It is organized in partnership with co-operating second-level schools, normally located within a 50 km (30 mile) radius of Cork city.   During PME school placements, students only teach the subject(s) for which they hold recognition by the Teaching Council of Ireland.

At the end of the 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 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.

Students should note that the following post-primary teaching subjects are currently supported on the programme: Business Studies (including Accounting and Economics), CSPE*, English, French, Gaeilge, Geography, German, History, Italian, Maths, Music, Religious Education, Science (including Biology, Chemistry and Physics), Spanish.

*CSPE: Students presenting with CSPE must have a second teaching subject.

Entry requirements

Applicants must possess a relevant primary degree at 2.2 honours level or higher (Level 8 – National Qualifications Authority of Ireland or equivalent) or be about to graduate with such a degree. In line with Teaching Council and HEA protocol, when applying for a place on the Professional Master of Education programme, the PME Applicant is required to make a formal declaration, using a Subject Declaration Form, that he/she:

1. Holds / will hold, by the date of commencement of the PME programme, a level 8 honours degree
2. Has studied the relevant number of ECTS credits in the relevant subject area(s) as part of their degree
3. Has studied higher-level degree content related to the subject area(s) in year 3 or 4 of their degree
4. Has covered, as part of their degree, the mandatory topics/subjects as set out in the Teaching Council subject requirements
5. The Subject Declaration Form for each of the subjects you wish to teach must be fully completed and attached with your application to this course.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that his/her primary degree meets the requirements of the Teaching Council of Ireland for the purposes of teaching your chosen subject(s). Any successful application to join the course is subject to the individual applicant having established and declared for himself/herself that he/she has met this requirement.

Candidates may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Professional Recognition in Canada

UCC’s Professional Master of Education program is fully recognized and accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland for the purpose of registration as a professional post-primary teacher in Ireland and the EU.

Graduates of the University of Limerick’s Professional Master of Education teacher training program are eligible to apply for licensing in Canada, however, it is critical students understand the requirements needed to complete this process before licensing will be granted. KOM Consultants understand the process and requirements needed to enter the teaching profession in Canada. Contact KOM for more information.

All students applying directly through KOM will be supported with the latest information on the accreditation process.