The National University of Ireland, Maynooth
Professional Master of Education (Secondary)
Maynooth, Ireland
M.Ed. (Master of Education)
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
EUR 16,000
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The Professional Master of Education Post-Primary (PME) at Maynooth University is a two-year, level 9, full-time initial teacher education programme. This 120-credit programme is designed to allow students to meet the registration requirements for the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Students undertake study of the principles of teaching and learning, and develop practical teaching skills informed by the foundation disciplines of educational theory. They engage in a supervised teaching placement in at least two different post-primary (age 12-18yrs) schools, and specialise through subject-specific methodology modules.
School Placement
Prospective students are responsible for arranging their own school placements (within a 160 km radius of Maynooth University). PME students (year 1) along with their weekly placements will also undertake a three-week block placement in January.
Learning to Teach/Becoming a Teacher/Curriculum and Assessment/Global and Inclusive Education
The central focus of these modules is on enabling the student to develop a repertoire of pedagogical skills and to adopt a professional, self-analytical and reflective approach to classroom practice. This is aimed at deepening the students understanding of the processes of teaching and learning, of assessment, of education, of pupils and their psycho-social development, of schools within their evolving social context and of the structure and development of the system within which they work. Among the research sources that inform these modules are global citizenship and social justice, inclusive approaches to education, digital literacy, pedagogical and curriculum studies, the history and structure of education, educational psychology, sociology of education and the philosophy of education
Teaching/Learning Seminars in Subject Methods
These consist of seminars/lectures/workshops devoted to the methodology teaching and learning of school subjects.
The Professional Master of Education is the main qualification recognised by the Department of Education and Skills for teaching at second-level in Ireland. It is also recognised under the EU directives on mutual recognition of professional qualifications.