Course Summary
The Professional Master of Education Post-Primary (PME) at Maynooth University (MU) is a two-year, level 9, full-time initial teacher education programme. This 120-credit programme is accredited by Teaching Council of Ireland. It is designed to allow students to meet the registration requirements set out by the Council to become a post-primary teacher in Ireland.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor honours degree (NFQ Level 8) (or equivalent) with a minimum of second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) including at least 60 ECTS studied to Third Year in at least one curricular subject that is taught at post-primary level. Please consult the Curricular Subject Requirements Post Primary (effective from January 2026 set out by the Teaching Council that must be met for the purposes of registration as a post-primary teacher. These eligibility criteria must be read carefully. The onus is on applicants to ensure they meet the registration requirements set out by the Teaching Council for their subject/s.
As entry to the PME programme is competitive. Applicants are required to apply via the MU APPLY portal and will be invited to provide relevant information on subject specialism, degree results, additional qualifications, and relevant professional experience. In line with the Irish government's on-going initiative to increase the supply of teachers in nationally prioritised subjects, places will be prioritised for applicants who meet the entry requirements for the following subjects: Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science and Languages including Gaeilge, German, French, Italian, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
Applicants must ensure that responses are accurate and provided to the best of their knowledge. Supporting evidence will be requested and verified during the application review process. Failure to provide such evidence will result in the non-progression of the application.
Application Details
Closing Date : 12 January 2026
The course commences in late August and lectures and school placement end in May.
Fees
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.