In order to be admitted to the Register of Teachers as a post-primary teacher an applicant must hold a suitable degree and teacher education qualification.
A suitable degree is defined as an award from a State-recognised university or similar third-level college, which enables the holder to teach at least one curricular subject to the highest level within the Post-Primary schools curriculum. For most subjects, this is Leaving Certificate Higher Level. The programme must be comprised of at least three years of full-time study or equivalent, carrying at least 180 ECTS credits and be equivalent to at least a Level 7 award on the Irish National Qualifications Framework (NQF). With effect from 1 April 2013 the minimum requirement will be Level 8 on the NQF.
A suitable initial teacher education qualification is defined as a qualification from a State-recognised university or similar third-level college, incorporating three specific elements:
- Foundation Studies
- Professional Studies
- School Placement
and which is directed towards the 12 to 18 age range (First year to Sixth year). The programme must extend over at least one year of full-time study or equivalent. With effect from September 2014, postgraduate programmes of initial teacher education accredited by the Teaching Council will be extended to two years full time study or 120 ECTS credits.
The most common initial teacher education qualification in this country is the Professional Diploma in Education (previously known as the Postgraduate Diploma in Education / Higher Diploma in Education). This is awarded on successful completion of a one-year full-time course.
The link below provides details of the individual subject requirements (subject criteria) for all post-primary curricular subjects. Applicants applying under Regulation Four (Post-primary) must hold a qualification which meets the requirements for at least one of these subjects. The link also provides a list of degrees which have in the past been deemed to meet the requirements for named curricular subjects. Given degree programmes and elective modules within degrees can change over time, it is important that this list should only be considered as a guide and applicants should in the first instance ensure that they satisfy the criteria for at least one curricular subject. This will be verified by Council staff when processing Regulation Four applications for registration.
Curricular Subject Requirements/List of Degrees Recognised for Registration Purposes - click here to download.