PDE-FE Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ's
The application process for the PDE-FE is completed through the MIE website, and applications typically open in the Spring. If you would like the admissions office to notify you when the application process for this programme reopens, please send an email with your contact details to [email protected]
In addition to submitting the application and supporting materials, all applicants will be asked to participate in a short interview where they will be asked about areas such as their motivation/reasons for wanting to teach adults, their subject areas of expertise, and previous relevant experience.
The PDFE course is 60 ECTS in total. The chart below outlines the number of hours of study associated with each module. In addition, you also have to complete 30 hours of observation and 100 hours of educational placement (i.e. teaching practice), which accounts for another 15 ECTS.
| Module Title | ECTS | Course Contact Time | Directed Study | Self-directed Study | Assessment | Total Student Workload |
| Historical and Philosophical Understandings of Education | 5 | 20 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 20 hours | 120 hours |
| How Adolescents and Adults Learn | 5 | 20 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 20 hours | 120 hours |
| Contemporary Issues in Education | 5 | 20 hours | 40 hours | 50 hours | 20 hours | 120 hours |
| Approaches to Teaching, Learning and Special Education | 10 | 40 hours | 80 hours | 80 hours | 40 hours | 240 hours |
| Module and Programme Design and Evaluation | 5 | 20 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 20 hours | 120 hours |
| Communication and Technology in Education | 5 | 20 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 20 hours | 120 hours |
| Group Management and Organisation for Learning | 5 | 20 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 20 hours | 120 hours |
| Development of a Reflective Stance in Specialised Area | 5 | 20 hours | 40 hours | 40 hours | 20 hours | 120 hours |
We strongly advise students who are working full-time to consider applying to the part-time two-year programme, as the workload on the full-time programme is substantial and feedback from graduates has affirmed the same.
The entry requirements for the PDE-FE are the same as those required for registration with the Teaching Council of Ireland as a Further Education teacher:
An Honours Bachelor’s Degree at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits
OR
An Ordinary Bachelor’s Degree at Level 7 on the NFQ which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits a minimum of three years’ experience in a workplace or instructional setting which is relevant to the qualification.
The blended approach to learning means we combine face to face lectures, with online learning, and practical educational placements (i.e. teaching practice).
It is the sole responsibility of the student to secure a placement. Applicants do not need to have their educational placement secured at the time of application to the PDE-FE, but we encourage applicants to start the process of securing a placement as soon as they receive confirmation that they have been accepted onto the programme. MIE must also approve all placements before the student can commence their observation and/or teaching hours.
Students do not need to register with the Teaching Council before starting placement. However, those who meet the degree requirements set forth by the Council may be eligible for conditional registration. For more information, please contact the Teaching Council directly, or click here.
Educational placements are typically unpaid positions for the purpose of completing the educational practice requirements.
All educational placements must be completed in State approved providers of Further and Adult education on Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) courses. This includes colleges of further education, community education centres, post-leaving certificate courses (PLCs), and organisations such as Youth Reach.
Students are required to complete their observation and teaching hours on QQI Level 1-6 programmes in State approved providers of Further Education. Please note: Individual/one-to-one tuition is not permitted for the purpose of educational placement/teaching practice.
No, students do not need to complete all teaching hours in one venue/centre. Rather, they are permitted to split their hours across multiple centres, and are encouraged to do so where possible.
The application process for the PDE-FE is completed through the MIE website, and applications typically open in the Spring. If you would like the admissions office to notify you when the application process for this programme reopens, please send an email with your contact details to [email protected]
In addition to submitting the application and supporting materials, all applicants will be asked to participate in a short interview where they will be asked about areas such as their motivation/reasons for wanting to teach adults, their subject areas of expertise, and previous relevant experience.
All students must complete 30 hours of observation and 100 hours of teaching practice. Full-time students complete this requirement in one year, and part-time students complete this requirement over two year of study.
| Module Title | ECTS | Required Number of Hours | When Completed |
| Educational Placement 1 | 5 | Observation Hours (15 hours) Educational Practice (34 hours) |
Semester 1 for full-time students Year 1 for part-time students |
| Educational Placement 2 | 5 | Observation Hours (15 hours) Educational Practice (66 hours) |
Semester 2 for full-time students Year 2 for part-time students |
Modules take place weekday evenings online, and on the Marino Institute of Education campus on Saturdays. Incoming students are emailed a timetable over the summer so they can plan their schedules accordingly.