Initial Teacher Education Qualifications
Below is a list of the Higher Education Institutions which provide programmes of initial teacher education in Ireland (primary and post-primary).
Post-primary teachers’ degree requirement
To be eligible for the Postgraduate Diploma in Education/Higher Diploma in Education (post-primary) candidates must have obtained a suitable third-level degree deemed eligible by the Teaching Council for the purposes of teaching at post-primary level.
Click here for more information, including the list of relevant degree qualifications.
Entry requirements
The Department of Education and Skills sets out the requirements for entry to initial teacher education in consultation with the Teaching Council. The entry requirements for initial teacher education in Ireland and the application process for entry to programmes, are outlined on the website of the Department of Education and Skills.
Higher Education Institutions providing initial teacher education
Primary teaching
Undergraduate programmes: application is through the Central Applications Office (CAO) and selection is based on the CAO points system. Mature applicants should check with the relevant college/university regarding application procedures.
Postgraduate programmes: courses in primary teacher education are advertised in the national media with details of closing dates and application procedures. Places on the programme are awarded on the basis of qualifications, an interview and an oral examination in Irish.
Post-primary teaching
Undergraduate programmes: academic subjects are taught concurrently with education programmes and teaching practice. Application is through the Central Applications Office (CAO) and selection is based on the CAO points system.
Post-graduate programmes: application is through the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) central application system for NUI colleges and Dublin City University. For other institutions, application is direct to the individual institution.