Minister Foley announces extension of deadline for applicants to primary initial teacher education due to increase in course places in 23/24

Minister for Education Norma Foley today announced a deadline extension for applicants to primary initial teacher education having recently announced an historic increase in the number of course places available for 23/24 year.

The decision to extend the deadline for applications to the primary Professional Master of Education (PME) programme by the four State-funded providers of primary initial teacher education: Dublin City University, Maynooth University, Marino Institute of Education and Mary Immaculate College, was taken to ensure the maximum number of students could avail of this recent expansion.

As part of the department’s comprehensive programme to support the supply of teachers, Minister Foley recently announced an increase to the number of places on the primary Professional Master of Education programme nationally.

A further Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) examination will take place on 12 May. Those wishing to take the examination should apply to TEG by 20 April.

The closing date for applications to the programme for the relevant higher education institutions has been extended until 2 June.

Minister Foley said:

Application for the primary Professional Master of Education (PME) programme

Each year, the number of students admitted to primary concurrent (Bachelor of Education) and consecutive (PME) programmes in State-funded higher education institutions (HEIs) is determined by the Department of Education, having regard to teacher supply and demand issues, and available resources.

The primary concurrent and consecutive programmes are available in the following State-funded HEIs:

• Dublin City University
• Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
• Marino Institute of Education
• Maynooth University (Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education)

The entry requirements for applicants are published annually by the Department of Education, in consultation with the relevant higher education institutions.

The closing date for applications to the PME programme for these providers was 3 April 2023 and is now extended to 2 June 2023.

As part of the application process, all candidates must, prior to the closing date:

• have achieved a minimum required level of 65% or higher in the oral component of the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 1 (B1) Irish examination, or
• currently hold a valid certificate in the oral component of either Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Meánleibhéal 2 (B2) or Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) Ardleibhéal (C1) Irish examination having achieved a pass grade or higher

For candidates who wish to avail of **the extended deadline, a further TEG examination will take place on 12 May. Those wishing to take the examination should apply to TEG by 20 April.

Full requirements for entry to primary PME programmes are outlined in the entry requirements. Link at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/2558f-initial-teacher-education-ite-primary/

The onus is on each candidate to ensure that they meet the eligibility requirements for the programme.

If you have already applied to your chosen higher education institution for entry in 2023, you do not need to reapply.

Summary of important dates in relation to the PME application

The minimum required level must be obtained in the oral component of the relevant TEG examination, prior to the closing date for applications. The closing date to apply for the TEG B1 oral Irish exam is Thursday, 20 April 2023.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications to the four higher education institutions is 5pm on Friday, 2 June 2023.

The minimum entry requirements in Irish, English and Maths or an approved alternative must be met prior to 14 July 2023.

The academic qualification of a H2.2 Honours Bachelor Degree (Major Award at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications) must be met prior to 14 July 2023.

Additional places 2023 and 2024

Following engagement with the relevant higher education institutions providing initial teacher education, the Minister approved 610 additional places with 320 of these coming on stream in 2023, and the remaining 290 in 2024.

The new places are as follows:

• 90 additional places on the B.Ed. programme in 2023 and 2024, making a total of 1,090 each year
• 30 additional places on the B.Ed. through the Medium of Irish in 2023, making a total of 60 in 2023
• 200 additional places on the Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) (PME) programme in 2023 and 2024, making a total of 400 each year

The total number of primary initial teacher education places at each HEI for the academic years 23/24 and 24/25 are as follows.

• B.Oid. places will be increased to 60 for the 2023/24 academic year only.