Education: Post Primary Teaching

Course Overview

The Professional Master of Education (PME) at University of Galway is a recognised postgraduate qualification for teaching (post-primary) and provides the professional knowledge, understanding and pedagogical skills required to become a post-primary teacher.



The PME is a two-year, full-time programme for graduates and is accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland for the purposes of registration as a post-primary teacher (pupils aged 12–18 years) in Ireland and the EU, as well as other English-speaking countries.



To enable students to adopt an evidence-based approach to their professional practice and to respond to the complexity of teaching and learning within the modern day classroom, the design and approach to the programme is research-driven and research-based. Students will engage with contemporary research literature as well as policy at international and local level. The University context with its vibrant research culture provides an excellent location for teacher education programmes that are research driven and develop teachers as professional and critical practitioners.



All elements of the PME programmes are, whilst being theoretically informed, relevant to the real world of teaching and learning, to the challenges facing Ireland in the current economic and social context, and to the needs of our young people, building their capacity as active, engaged and responsible citizens.



At University of Galway, it is our mission to prepare knowledgeable, passionate, innovative and caring teachers who embrace diversity, change and uncertainty, and who ask critical questions about education and schooling.



Consequent to the above mission, the PME programme aims to:

• enable students to integrate theory and practice so as to support creative teaching and learning;

• build students’ awareness of as well as competence and skills in enacting current and emerging national priorities such as literacy, numeracy and inclusion;

• support student teachers in the practical teaching programme and provide an understanding of their ethical and legal obligations;

• engage student teachers in reflecting in and developing their personal and professional identities, enabling them to become responsible, ethical, collaborative, effective and reflective practitioners;

• support students as they develop and explore their emerging professional identity as a teacher;

• enable students to develop their capacity as inquiry-based practitioners;

• promote and develop student teachers’ appreciation of active research and its potential role in lifelong learning and development of professional practice.

Year 1

Educational Sciences

• Psychology of Teaching and Learning

• Education, Diversity and Social Justice

• History, Structure & Context of Irish Education

• Philosophy of Education



Professional Studies

• Teaching & Learning

• Curriculum & Assessment

• Catering for Diversity

• Literacy and Numeracy

• Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL)



Teaching Methodology 1A

• Subject Methodology



Teaching Methodology 1B

• Subject Methodology or Specialist Methodology



Professional Practice/School Placement:

• Practical Teaching

• Teacher as Professional

• Involvement in extracurricular activities

• Reflective Practice

• Technology Enhanced Learning



Year 2: Modules

• Practitioner Based Research:

• Research methodologies and research ethics

• Conducting and writing a literature review

• Identifying a research focus, research questions, designing and conducting a practitioner research study

• Collaborative review and critical exploration of research design, research process and research findings



Educational Sciences 2

• Same areas of study as Year 1 with focus on linking theory and policy with practice and application in schools



Teaching Methodology 2A

• Subject Methodology



Teaching Methodology 2B

• Subject Methodology



Professional Practice/School Placement:

• Practical Teaching

• Teacher as Professional

• Involvement in extracurricular activities

• Reflective Practice

• Technology Enhanced Learning



Please see Course Web Page above for module details.

The minimum requirement is a primary degree, Level 8 (or equivalent international qualification) deemed eligible by the Teaching Council for the purposes of registration as a post- primary teacher. More information: www.universityofgalway.ie/education



Additional Requirements

School Placement

Throughout each of the two years of the programme students have two school placements (one per year).

Students are responsible for securing their own school placement for PME Year 1 prior to registration on the programme. The requirements for the PME Year 1 placement are outlined in the FAQs document (see ‘Find Out More’ link). Please note: All students registering on the PME will be subject to Garda Vetting in compliance with the University's policy.

Closing Date: 10 February 2025.



Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.



An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).

2 years, full-time

Next start date September 2025

Career Opportunities

Potential students who have an interest in becoming a secondary school teacher in Ireland or the EU, who have an interest in teaching and learning, and making a change in the lives of children and young people. Those who are passionate about their teaching subject(s). People who are good at listening, explaining, and interested in building respectful and supportive relationships with young people and colleagues.

• Would you like to work with children and young people and make a difference to their lives?

• Are you passionate about (and competent in) your subjects and do you want to share your passion with young people?

• Are you patient, good at listening, good at explaining—can you build respectful and supportive relationships with young people and colleagues?

• Can you see yourself inspiring young people to learn and work hard?

• Can you see yourself enjoying and coping in a work environment where you have different (and often unexpected) experiences every day, where you can be creative and where you have to be well organised, committed and professional?