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Course Details
Course Code(s):
PMEDUCTFAD
Available:
Full-Time
Duration:
2 Years
Award:
Masters
Faculty:
Education and Health Sciences
Course Type:
Taught
Fees:
For Information on Fees, see section below.
Application Deadline:
Contact(s):
Apply Now
Read instructions on how to apply
Express InterestRegister your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.
Brief Description
‘Please note the Physical Education, Business and Music strands are now full and are not accepting any further applications.
We are accepting late applications for Technology, Science, Mathematics and Languages. Pending the results of the first round of interviews, a number of places may still be available in these strands. Applicants will be put on a waiting list and considered for interview if spaces remain unfilled’.
QS Ranked Top 100 worldwide (School of Education)
The Professional Master of Education (PME) is a two-year full-time course of study designed to enable graduates to become second level teachers. On completion of the programme, you will be recognised to teach across a range of areas including second level education, further education and community settings. The PME at UL caters for a number of subject pathways including: Business, Languages, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Science and Technological Education.
We encourage you to explore this page to learn about the different aspects of the PME at UL and the application process. We also have a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section in which you will hopefully find answers to some questions you might have.
If you wish to make contact with our PME team at UL, you will find details for the discipline Course Directors in the table below. For general enquiries about the PME, you are welcome to contact the Programme Director Dr. Diarmaid Lane – PME@ul.ie.
Contact
Each discipline also has an individual director, as outlined in the table below:
|
Discipline |
Contact name |
Details |
|
Business |
Dan O'Sullivan | |
|
Languages |
Dr Laura Regan |
(061) 233777 |
|
Mathematics |
Dr Patrick Johnson |
(061) 202208 |
|
Music |
Jean Downey |
(061) 213160 |
|
Physical Education |
Dr Antonio Calderon |
(061) 234722 |
|
Science |
Ceren O'Connell |
|
|
Technological Education |
Dr Diarmaid Lane |
(061) 213532
|
Important Dates: The first round of interviews will take place in early March.
The Professional Master of Education is a two-year full-time initial teacher education programme designed to qualify post-primary teachers in the following disciplines:
- Business (Accounting, Business, Economics) - applicants applying now will be on a reserve panel for interview
- Languages (French, German, Irish, Japanese, Spanish, English as a second language (ESL can only be taken when studying a language)
- Mathematics - applicants applying now will be on a reserve panel for interview
- Music - applicants applying now will be on a reserve panel for interview
- Physical Education - applicants applying now will be on a reserve panel for interview
- Science (Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics) - applicants applying now will be on a reserve panel for interview
- Technological Education (Engineering, Technology, Construction Studies, Design and Communication Graphics) - applicants applying now will be on a reserve panel for interview
Students who meet Teaching Council requirements may decide to specialise in one or two disciplines as listed above. Please note that a minimum number of students are required before a discipline will run.
PROGRAMME AIMS
The aims of the programme are to ensure those successful graduates:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the complex nature of education and the education system
- Display a high level of expertise in relation to their subject area and pedagogical approaches that maximise student development
- Develop skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, reflection and self-evaluation
- Use a variety of teaching and learning strategies to cater for a diverse range of learning needs
- Integrate theories and principles of education in a teaching setting
- Conduct and apply research in a teaching context
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong personal and professional development using tools such as the professional portfolio and reflective practice
- Know and uphold the core values and professional commitments, which are set out in the Teaching Council's Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers
| YEAR 1 | |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
PEDAGOGY 1A PEDAGOGY 1B |
PEDAGOGY 2A PEDAGOGY 2B |
| YEAR 2 | |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
|
PEDAGOGY 3A PEDAGOGY 3B |
Content of modules can be found by using the search option on the book of modules
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:
- Holds/will hold, by the date of commencement of the PME programme, a level 8 honours degree
- Has studied the relevant number of ECTS credits in the relevant subject area(s) as part of their degree (see the link in point (5) below)
- Has studied higher-level degree content related to the subject area(s) in year 3 or 4 of their degree
- Has covered, as part of their degree, the mandatory topics/subjects as set out in the Teaching Council subject requirements
- The Subject Declaration Form (available here) for each of the subjects you wish to teach must be fully completed and attached with your application to this course.
- Within each subject area, interview priority will be given to candidates who meet the full Teaching Council requirements (content and credits).
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). See the relevant section on the TC website www.teachingcouncil.ie 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. Part of the interview process for Language applicants will take place through the language(s) the applicant has chosen on the programme.
Please have the following documents ready to upload with your application: (please note your application will not be processed without these required documents
- Fully and accurately completed ‘Subject Declaration Form(s)’ in those subjects you believe you will be qualified in
- Qualification transcripts and awards/certificates
- A copy of your birth certificate (long document)/passporT
- If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice
-
If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
• English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts
AND
• English language competency certificateFor more information Click Here
Garda clearance is also required for this programme for successful applicants.
EU - €5,600 per annum*
Non- EU - €10,052 per annum*
*Please note year 2 fees are subject to change
Further information on fees and payment of fees is available from the Student Fees Office website. All fee related queries should be directed to the Student Fees Office (Phone: +353 61 213 007 or email student.fees.office@ul.ie.)
Graduates from this course are enabled to teach a wide range of subjects across a number of programmes. Since its inception, there has been a consistently strong demand for teachers with this qualification. The majority of Professional Master in Education graduates opt for teaching in second-level schools. Others have secured employment in the further education sector, the international education sector, alternative education sector, community education and adult education settings.
Maggie Wallace - PME Music
"I graduated from the BA Irish Music & Dance course at the University of Limerick in 2015, after which I stayed on at UL to complete my PME (Music). The PME (Music) is run by the School of Education, in conjunction with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance. The PME(Music) provided me not only with the opportunity to gain the necessary and essential practical skills and theoretical knowledge to become a teacher, but also the chance to enhance my musicianship skills - something that I consider to be invaluable in equipping me for a career as a secondary music teacher.
Throughout the PME (Music) I particularly enjoyed the Educational Psychology modules, through which we examined how social interactions, as well as one's environment, can influence how one learns and constructs knowledge. Another aspect of the PME(Music) which was very formative (and extremely fun) was the opportunity to complete the Music Education Independent Study module, for which I choose to focus on DADGAD traditional guitar.
Since completing the PME (Music), I have been lucky enough to gain ample experience as both a teacher and a performing musician. I am currently based in Glasgow, Scotland, where I have a permanent music teaching job at a High School. Glasgow is an exciting hub for traditional and folk music, and since moving here I have carried on performing by attending various public traditional music sessions throughout the city. Last May 2019, I also had the opportunity to travel to Germany and carry out a number of gigs with a few friends. One other interesting activity I have participated in since graduating is a pan-European festival called the 'European People's Festival', in which I had the opportunity to act as co-director of the Irish cultural performances in Latvia, France and Lithuania. I would whole-heartedly recommend the PME (Music) to any aspiring teachers who wish to prepare for life as a secondary music teacher whilst continuing to develop their performance skills."
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Ross Wallace - PME Physical Education
"My journey on becoming a Physical Education teacher began after the Leaving Certificate as I made the decision to move across the water to the United Kingdom for three years. There, I completed a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Physical Education at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in Carmarthen, Wales. From this course I gained the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to teach PE. This is what the University of Limerick looks for prior to gaining entry on to the Professional Masters of Education (PME).
One of the things which I noticed about the programme was that they made you feel welcomed from the start. Consequently, one of the main things which I enjoyed about the PME programme was the small class sizes as you got to build great friendships with classmates and relationships with lecturers. The lecturers are very approachable and are always willing to help you if you have any questions or uncertainties.
The lectures were very interesting as you get to study a broad range of topics from psychology to assessment in PE to understanding teaching and learning. Overall my favourite part of the programme was school placement as you get to experience teaching in a Secondary School context and begin to understand who you are as a teacher.
Also I thoroughly enjoyed the PE related modules as we learned how to teach Physical Education through the new Junior Cycle Wellbeing Framework, the Physical Education Short Course, the Senior Cycle Physical Education Framework and Leaving Certificate Physical Education. This learning experience has helped me as a teacher to understand, teach and assess students in relation to the different curriculums. Overall, the PME PE programme will give you the knowledge, skills and ability to be the best teacher you can be.
On completion of the course, I received a full-time teaching post as Head of the PE Department at St. Paul’s Secondary School in Dublin. I highly recommended the PME PE programme at the University of Limerick to anyone interested in becoming a Physical Education teacher"
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Raymond McNamee - PME Technolical Education
"Prior to commencing the PME I was working as a Junior Contracts Manager with a large joinery company in Northern Ireland. I was eager to return to college to undertake the PME as I have always had a keen interest in education and teaching. The most enjoyable part of the course for me was most definitely the School Placements. It provided the opportunity to experience teaching and learning in a real environment and to apply the theory I had been educated on during lectures. I also found the small class sizes very beneficial as it allowed me to gain invaluable advice and support from my lecturers. Following my graduation from UL in 2018, I spent several months travelling around Australia. During this time, I worked as a relief teacher in numerous schools. I am currently teaching in St Catherines Vocational School in Killybegs Co. Donegal. My journey as a teacher is only beginning and I look forward to educating and inspiring the next generation during my future career."
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Laila Jedir – PME Music (Graduated August 2021)
I was thrilled to complete the professional master of education in music in university of Limerick in 2021. It opened up many opportunities for me and most importantly gave me skills to pass down music education in efficient, informed and positive ways. Jean Downey also helped me build the skills to start a choir which I am now leading in a secondary school in London, which is a fantastic opportunity. I cannot recommend the qualification more.
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Anthony O’Leary – PME Physical Education (Class of 2023)
I found it daunting returning to education in later life to pursue a change in career. However the staff on this PME course have been incredibly supportive and have made the whole experience very much worthwhile. My knowledge and perspective around physical education, teaching pedagogies, assessment methods and conducting research has been broadened immeasurably through a mixture of lecture, practical, and tutorial classes. The course is taught using state of the art teaching and research facilities with small class sizes which allow students to receive individual attention from highly qualified staff. I would recommend this course to anyone looking to take the next step into teaching.
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Steven Giffney – PME Technological Education (Graduated August 2022)
After studying for 5 years to become a mechanical engineer and entering the working world, going back to full-time education was not an easy decision. However, from early on, my doubts in committing to the PME were allayed largely due to the quality of teaching and the highly relevant module assessment. The programme is structured to make the most of the four semesters of teacher training. The two distinct blocks of teaching practice provided the opportunity to apply the learnings from taught semesters while giving the space to reflect and develop. The result was a programme in which I developed my drive for learning, my respect for the profession and a real confidence in my capacity to teach. Through the challenges of online teaching and learning, the PME staff reacted to ensure that the integrity of the programme was maintained while crucially also supporting students to meet the high standards expected.
The engaging module content was brought to life by the passionate lecturers and tutors whose expertise was obvious. As student teachers, we were empowered to take ownership of our teaching while out on teaching practice, and the feedback and support I received from my tutors was invaluable. I am now a full-time teacher of Technology and Robotics at St. Josephs C.B.S. in Fairview. I am preparing to submit my final-year research article for publication. Though intensive and challenging, I found the PME in Technology incredibly engaging and have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone looking for a comprehensive course for modern-day teaching.