Review Application Information
SpriNG 2023
Please ensure that you meet the entry requirements before starting your application.
1. Entry Requirements
An undergraduate degree at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) which has an ECTS weighting of at least 180 credits.You must refer back to your awarding provider if unsure of the level of your degree.
Department of Education entry requirements below:
| Subject | Grade | |
| Irish | C2 Higher Level | H4 |
| English | C2 Ordinary Level | O4 |
| Or | ||
| E Higher Level | H7 | |
| Maths | C2 Ordinary Level | O4 |
| Or | ||
| E Higher Level | H7 | |
2. Supporting Documents
Please click below to view sample documents.
See ‘5. Additional Information’ for further information.
3. Oral Irish Component
Prospective students of the Primary programme are encouraged to be fully prepared in advance of the Irish oral component of the interview. In the Irish oral component, applicants are assessed on communication skills, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension and accuracy.
The best way to improve your level of Irish is to practice the language regularly. Try to find opportunities to speak to other people frequently. You should speak the language for at least 30 minutes every day. Applicants should remember that Irish is a core subject of the Primary curriculum and that a good command of the language is necessary in the teaching profession. Therefore, candidates should demonstrate a level of Irish whereby they could teach the language effectively in the classroom, or a sufficient standard whereby they could reach that level.
A Level 9 standard is required for the Irish oral component, as well as throughout the PME programme.
4. Interview Preparation
Once your online application has been reviewed and processed you will be called for an interview. The interview will comprise of a 20-minute general component and approximately 10 minutes of an oral Irish component to determine your language proficiency, including but not limited to: conversational fluency including verb usage, vocabulary, grammar and tenses. To improve your Irish language skills, we advise regular practice and completion of an Irish language course that will adequately prepare you for interview.
Prior to interview you should be speaking Irish conversationally for at least 30 minutes per day. It is also essential to comprehensively prepare for the general component of the interview, including your motivations for becoming a teacher and up-to-date knowledge of teaching in Ireland.
In the general interview, you will be asked about your PME application. Your suitability for the programme and profession, familiarity with the primary school classroom and curriculum and your communication and presentation skills will be assessed. Remember that your personal statement can be discussed in the interview.
Your interview panel will consist of two experts in the field of Primary Education.
Additional Information
Supporting Documents
1. Undergraduate Transcripts: You are required to upload your official undergraduate transcripts. The transcripts are a breakdown of the results you received in each module for each year of your degree. Transcripts are NOT the certificate/parchment you received on your graduation day. If you do not have the transcripts in your possession, you can re-order them from your awarding institute. For the purposes of applying to our PME in Primary Education, you will only need the FINAL year transcript including your overall degree result.
Note: If your undergraduate degree does not state that your degree is Level 8 (NFQ) or above, please refer to your awarding institute to obtain written confirmation of the Level awarded.
2. Leaving Certificate: This transcript must be from the State Examinations Commission or CAO. This can be ordered from examinations.ie.
3. Reference: The reference must be completed by someone who knows you in a third-level academic or professional capacity (e.g. lecturer, tutor, employer or former employer). Please submit your reference using either our reference template or on official letterhead. Your reference must have an official signature, be written within 48 months of submission and be authenticated with a stamp where available.
4. TEG: If you have achieved a minimum of 65% / (B1) Teastas Europach na Gaeilge (oral) (TEG) this will be accepted in lieu of the Irish interview. If you have passed the Meánleibhéal 2 (B2) this will be accepted in lieu of the Irish interview and the Leaving Certificate requirement. Please view example TEG Certificate.
Document Format
- All documents must be scanned and uploaded in a clear, legible PDF format (one PDF file per document). We cannot accept Word documents, pictures or other formats.
a. A file compressor must be used if the file size is over 4MB. Search for “PDF file compressor” to find this tool.
b. A file merger must be used if you need to upload multiple pages into one document. Search for “PDF file merger” to find this tool.
Please note only documents submitted in the correct PDF format will be reviewed.
If you have further questions, please call our Enrolment Helpline at (01) 661 0168 (option 2) between 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
