This programme is a pre-university primary teaching and post primary teaching course and is particularly aimed at those who want to pursue a career as a primary or a post primary teacher. This course is also ideally suited to mature students who are changing their career path to teaching.

The course prepares students on their educational journey in becoming caring and inspirational teachers and educators. Their pursuit of excellence in teaching, in learning and in research is the cornerstone which the holistic education of children and of adults in a changing Ireland is based upon.

This pre-university primary and post primary teaching course provides students with a diverse range of modules which optimizes their opportunities to apply for and progress to a broad range of Level 8 concurrent and non-concurrent education degree programmes in Irish universities and in universities in the UK and the EU. In so doing, students are provided with an all embracing and firm foundation upon which to start their third level qualification in primary teaching or in post primary teaching.

Students complete a two-week work placement in a primary school, in a post primary school or in an adult education, community education/workplace setting. Students also have an opportunity to visit the Gaeltacht and an opportunity to complete a two-week Erasmus + placement in an EU country. Participation in microteaching workshops and in outdoor recreation activities along with development of research and academic writing skills are key features of the course.

Further Study: 

In Ireland

Primary Teaching

Access Programmes

Upon successful completion of this course, students may be eligible to apply for an Initial Teacher Education Access Programme (ITE) in any of the following universities: Turn to Teaching – Primary Stream Maynooth University, Teacher Education Access Programme (TEAP) Mary Immaculate College and Tobar Access Programme Marino Institute of Education. Please refer to relevant university websites for further information and eligibility criteria.

Higher Education

Please note that while there is no direct link from a QQI Level 5 course into primary teaching in Ireland there is another well-defined route into primary teaching for graduates. Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible to apply for a Level 8 degree programme which is then followed by a Level 9 Professional Master of Education course (Primary teaching) which leads to a career in primary teaching. Please refer to relevant university websites for further information.

Post Primary Teaching

Upon successful completion of the course, students are eligible to apply to a range of 4-year concurrent education degree programmes through the CAO (Central Applications Office), Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS) and the Mature Entry Route which lead to a post primary teacher qualification in their chosen subject areas. Please refer to relevant university websites for further information. Students are also eligible to apply to a broad range of level 8 degree programmes which is then followed by a Level 9 Professional Master of Education course in Post Primary Teaching which leads to a post primary teaching qualification.

In the United Kingdom

Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible to apply through UCAS for a range of primary and post primary teaching degree programmes in the United Kingdom. Students who successfully complete this course are eligible for entry to the Bachelor of Arts in Primary Education in the University of Sunderland.  Recognition of qualifications is granted by the Teaching Council. It is subject to the fulfilment of any shortfalls including competencies in Irish that are required for registration by the Teaching Council.

In the European Union

Under EU Directives 2005/36/EC and 2013/55/EC, people who qualify as primary teachers in one EU member state are entitled to have their teaching qualifications recognised in all other EU member states. This recognition is granted by the Teaching Council. It is subject to the fulfilment of any shortfalls including competencies in Irish that are required for registration by the Teaching Council.

There are several four-year International Bachelor of Education programmes which are taught through English that graduates of this course can be considered for entry to. Upon successful completion of this course, students are eligible for entry to the International Bachelor of Education in Stenden University of Applied Sciences Netherlands.