If you have a question that isn’t answered on this website, you can
email it to academicaffairs@hiberniacollege.net,
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or submit it in the “Ask a question” section at the end of this page.
- Do I need to be able to speak Irish to do the course?
- What can I do to improve my standard of Irish?
- What is involved at the interview?
- Can I hold down full-time employment while completing this course?
- Do I need previous teaching experience?
- Are there concessions for mature students?
- I’ve sent in my application. How long will it be before I get called for interview?
- I have a primary degree but I don’t know if it’s ‘Level 8′.
- When do the live online tutorials take place?
- Is there an upper age limit for enrolling on the programme?
Do I need to be able to speak Irish to do the course?
There is a minimum requirement of a C3 in honours Leaving Cert. Irish. In addition, half of the admission interview is conducted through Irish and, during the programme, three weeks are spent studying Irish in the Gaeltacht. For a full list of entry requirements for the Higher Diploma programme, click here.
What can I do to improve my standard of Irish?
Gael Linn (www.gael-linn.ie) organises Irish courses as do Conradh na Gaeilge (www.cnag.ie), Gaelchultúr (www.gaelchultur.com) and St. Helen’s Tuition Centre (www.sthelenstuition.ie). Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge (www.gaelport.com) has a Ciorcal Comhrá on Monday nights and Comhar na Múinteoirí Gaeilge (www.cnmg.ie) offers courses free of charge to students if they register as members. CNMG also provides resources at a discount to students. They have branches all over the country and they provide advice and support to teachers and students locally.
Cuireadh Chun Cainte (www.gaelport.com/cuireadhchuncainteb) is a guide a for those who will be undertaking the new Irish Oral for their Leaving Certificate from 2012 and may also be helpful. The new Leaving Certificate Irish Oral exam has four distinct parts: reception, poetry reading, description of a series of pictures, and conversation. The full DVD can be watched on this website but the final part will be relevant for students wishing to prepare for any oral exam and gives practical tips to anyone wishing to improve their Irish.
Those wishing to improve their Irish could also listen to Raidió na Gaeltachta or Raidió na Life and watch TG4. They could visit websites such as www.gaelport.com for the latest news in Irish and www.gaelsceal.ie or www.beo.ie for interesting articles. www.focal.ie is an online dictionary if help is needed reading any of the articles while www.gaeilge.ie is also a useful website for anything Gaeilge related.
Please note that Hibernia College has no association with any of the above courses, organisations or websites and inclusion on this list should not be seen as an endorsement of any kind.
What is involved at the interview?
The interview lasts approximately 20 minutes and is conducted in both English and Irish in order to assess the candidate’s suitability for the course and ensure that their standard of Irish is acceptable. All candidates who meet the minimum application requirements are called for interview. At the interview candidates are assessed in the following areas: communication skills, preparation/presentation skills, instructional/planning skills, IT skills, Gaeilge.
Can I hold down full-time employment while completing this course?
This is a part-time course so, in theory, you can be in full-time employment. However, there is a sizeable time commitment including 18 weeks of on-site school experience and teaching practice and three weeks in the Gaeltacht. For full details of the structure and the timescale of the Higher Diploma, click here.
Do I need previous teaching experience?
No. It is not a requirement to have prior teaching experience to be eligible to apply for this course.
Are there concessions for mature students?
No. All applicants must meet the same minimum entry requirements to be considered for admission to the programme and all applicants who meet those requirements will be called for interview.
I’ve sent in my application. How long will it be before I get called for interview?
Currently, it takes 6 to 8 weeks from receipt of application to interview. Each applicant receives an e-mail to acknowledge receipt of their application and will then be contacted by phone to arrange their interview. All interviews take place at Hibernia College, 2 Clare Street, Dublin 2 (click here for map). The Admissions Office will endeavour to give applicants at least one week notice prior to their interview.
I have a primary degree but I don’t know if it’s ‘Level 8′.
If you are unsure of the level of your primary degree, you should contact the conferring college or university, or contact the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland at www.nqai.ie.
When do the live online tutorials take place?
The live online tutorials generally take place on weekdays from 6-8 p.m.
