The interview for the Professional Master of Education (PME) in Post-Primary Education is a unique opportunity to convey why you want to teach and why you are a good fit for our programme. When your online application has been reviewed and processed, you will be called for an interview. The closing date for applications is 25 June 2025.
When you submit your application and meet the necessary entry requirements, your interview will be scheduled. After your interview, you will find out if you have been successful in securing a place on the programme.
Read on to learn more about the PME in Post-Primary Education interview.
Remember that teaching is a wonderful career opportunity that requires energy, commitment and enthusiasm. This is what we want to see at your interview. It is your opportunity to convince the panel that you possess these essential characteristics to become a teacher. We look forward to meeting you very soon, and remember — preparation is key.
PME in Post-Primary Education Interview
All applicants who have been deemed to have met the entry requirements, submitted a fully completed application form with supporting documentation and paid the application fee will be invited to an interview.
The PME in Post-Primary Education interview is a 30-minute professional interview. The interview panel consists of two people. The panellists are experienced educators within your chosen subject(s).
The interview outcome will be issued within 10 working days of the interview. Interviews are subject-specific and scheduled on a rolling basis. The earlier you submit your application, the earlier it can be reviewed.
About the Interview
The interview will be held online via Zoom. It is 30 minutes in duration and will include a presentation. You will be required to present on a topic of interest from the post-primary curriculum in your first subject. This presentation should be no more than three minutes in length, so please ensure you practise in advance and time your presentation. Candidates are no longer required to send their presentation via email. Remember that the presentation should focus on the teaching and learning of post-primary pupils. It may be useful to target your presentation towards either Junior or Senior Cycle pupils and ensure to state this clearly. You can visit NCCA Curriculum Online to review Junior and Senior Cycle curricula and prepare your topic presentation in advance.
The interview is an opportunity to show that you possess the skills, interest and enthusiasm for your chosen subject(s) and the teaching profession. You should demonstrate that you have investigated both of your subjects (where you have chosen two subjects) and have given thought to teaching at different levels to different year groups. You are encouraged to provide evidence of your effective planning, responsiveness, interpersonal and reflective skills, along with other teaching competencies.
In the interview, applicants should demonstrate their motivation for wanting to enter the teaching profession. The panel will be interested to know:
- Why you are applying to complete the PME with Hibernia College
- What you know about the programme
- What aspects of the programme you are excited about
Things you can do to help prepare for the interview:
- Become familiar with the Hibernia College website.
- Attend a webinar.
- Speak to current students and former graduates.
- Learn more about the course content, school placement and how the curriculum is delivered and assessed.
- Do your research on Hibernia College and the blended learning style and teaching strategies.
- Find out about recent or upcoming curriculum changes.
The panel will reference your personal statement, and they will expect you to demonstrate your competency or experience in areas such as communication and interpersonal skills, organisation and planning, motivation to become a teacher, preparation and professionalism, and suitability to teach.
If you are successful in gaining a place on the programme, you will be taught the skills and knowledge to become a post-primary teacher; the panel does not expect you to have all this knowledge for the interview, and prior experience is not mandatory before applying to the programme. However, you should be able to show that you have an interest in education and working with children and young people and reference some experiences that support this. Also, consider the informal experiences that you might have, such as coaching, caring for children and young people and supporting extracurricular activities. If you do have experience working in a classroom or school, the panel will want to hear about that experience and how you will apply that to the programme.
Finally, prepare for the interview by practising the answers to questions aloud or in front of the mirror. It is a good idea to ask a family member or friend to do a mock interview with you online.
Language Teaching
If one of your subjects is a modern foreign language (French, Spanish or German) or Gaeilge, part of your interview will be conducted in this language. If you have two languages, questions will be asked in both languages.
The interview will assess your knowledge and awareness of both your chosen subjects’ curricula. Further information on all curricula can be attained at NCCA Curriculum Online.
During the interview, the panel will assess your conversational fluency and grammatical accuracy. The interview will consist of a general conversation in relation to you, your interests, the language and education. We do not recommend memorising anything in advance because it limits your ability to communicate effectively with the panel. Practise changes of tense and using a wide range of verbs and vocabulary. Remember to practise speaking the language aloud, in front of a family member or with a friend.
Three-Minute Presentation
Applicants will be required to present on a topic of interest from the post-primary curriculum in their first chosen subject. This presentation should not be more than three minutes in length. Applicants are advised to practise this presentation before the interview to ensure they adhere to this time.
Remember
Do:
- Take the approach as if you are introducing a topic to the classroom
- Be prepared for follow up questions because your knowledge of your subject will be assessed
- Practise presenting using Zoom and your PowerPoint presentation in ‘share screen’ mode
- Time your presentation because a strict time limit of three minutes is applied to each presentation
Don’t:
- Read your presentation to the panel
- Fail to prepare for potential follow-up questions
- Forget to research your second subject because it will be discussed
Competency Assessment
Communication: Presentation and interview preparation
Applicants will be expected to demonstrate good communication skill, including eye contact, facial expression, posture and intonation.
Motivation: Applicants should demonstrate their enthusiasm for wanting to enter the teaching profession and provide examples of how they are motivated, resourceful, flexible and resilient.
Suitability to Teach, Subject Knowledge and Professionalism: Applicants should demonstrate skills and personal qualities necessary for the teaching profession. They should be able to reflect on the skills and attributes observed during their educational experiences, work experience and extracurricular activities. They should consider what aspects of teaching may be challenging and rewarding, as well as what they can bring to the role of a teacher. Applicants should demonstrate flexibility and resilience in the face of difficulties and challenges.
Interpersonal Skills: Applicants should demonstrate good interpersonal skills and provide examples of times they have displayed skills such as empathy, leadership, collaboration and listening.
Organisation, Planning and Ability to Evaluate: Applicants should demonstrate their ability to plan, organise, reflect and evaluate.
Applicants also need to show knowledge of the College and the PME. This is an opportunity for applicants to demonstrate knowledge of the PME programme and the meaning of blended learning.
Interview Tips
- The interview is a professional one, so please ensure that you are prepared, dressed appropriately and have your ID (current passport or driving licence only) ready.
- Make sure you can access the Zoom link well in advance of the interview time.
- Have some trial Zoom calls with family or friends.
- Make sure that the interviewers can clearly see and hear you during the interview.
- Test the audio options to see what works best with your headphones, microphone and so on.
- Have your friends and family tell you how you are appearing on their screens and adjust to ensure you are perfectly visible on screen.
- Avoid sitting in front of a strong source of light and choose a plain, still background.
- Find a quiet location for the interview.
- Remember all the usual professional interview tips and take the opportunity to demonstrate the necessary skills required of a teacher, such as listening, eliciting participation and building rapport. The panel will also consider communication skills, such as body language, eye contact and vocal presence, during your interview.
It is advisable to do at least three practice Zoom sessions with different people in advance of your interview so that you feel comfortable.
Learn More
If you have any queries about the interview or the documents required to apply, our enrolment advisors are here to help. You can schedule a call at a time most convenient for you. If post-primary teaching is your dream, submit your application today.
