Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching)

Entry requirements

ENTRY PROCESS FOR DC970

Note: The Department of Education Entry Requirements for a Professional Masters of Education (2026) is available in English here and in Irish here

Before making your application to DCU DC970:

Candidates wishing to apply for the Professional Masters of Education (Primary Teaching) MUST take Teastas Eorpach Gaeilge (TEG) Level B1 Oral Irish examination. A minimum of 65% must be attained on this examination to be eligible to apply for the PME (Primary) programme.

The TEG B1 Oral Irish examination dates for the Professional Masters of Education (Primary Teaching) 2025-26 are:

• 23rd and 24th January, 2026. Please see www.teg.ie for more information.
• 15th and 16th May, 2026. Please see www.teg.ie for more information
  

A successful result in the TEG B1 Oral Irish examination will be valid for two years before the examination needs to be retaken

Applications for the TEG B1 Oral Irish examination are made directly through TEG.

Please note that spaces are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. If a centre or date isn't appearing on the form, that means it is full. In this case, please apply for a different centre/date. Candidates may not sit more than one exam on the same day.

Months of entry

September

Course content

DCU (St Patrick’s campus) is the Home of Teacher Education with 150 years of experience. Our staff have unrivalled expertise in education. We are Ireland’s largest provider of education programmes. However, the PME in primary education cohort itself is small in size, allowing you to thrive within a smaller group while also enjoying the full university experience.

During this two-year course, you’ll discover how to empower, motivate and engage children. You’ll also explore the latest approaches to helping them develop critical skills, including how to understand, analyse and apply what they learn. The PME in primary education is designed to help students give every child the best education and to challenge traditional, often limiting, teaching approaches. Our large lecturing staff are experts in their field and are very keen to support and motivate you in your learning journey.

Get ready for a diverse learning experience

Modules are delivered through lectures, seminars, workshops and outdoor classes, while assessments include written assignments, presentations, interactive oral exams, digital posters, quizzes and portfolios.

Supportive Placements

You’ll also undertake 24 weeks of placement in primary school classrooms in both mainstream and special education teaching settings. The first placement will be a staggered, supported placement where you will begin going out to the school two days a week, while attending lectures to allow you to discuss your evolving school experience with your lecturers. You will begin by observing and completing reflective tasks and gradually start planning and teaching lessons. This will culminate in a block of two-weeks of teaching.

Flexible programme

In first year, there will be some on-line learning (most Mondays) and a half day on Fridays in Semester One.

In semester two of first year, you will spend two days a week on a home-based placement and spend the second half of the week on campus for the first half of the semester. The second half of semester two is devoted to home-based placements.

In second year, the first half of the semester is spent on campus (Monday-Thursday). Then, you will undertake two home-based placement blocks for the rest of the academic year.

Gaeltacht

You will have two Tréimhsí Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht during the two-year programme. They will take place in May of first year and Easter of second year. Information about the Gaeltacht »

Once you graduate, you can pursue a career as a primary school teacher or move into areas like educational administration, consulting, content writing, research or educational policy. Alternatively, you may choose to work in educational support services like the Professional Development Service for Teachers or the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment.