Bachelor in Education (Primary)

General Information

CAO Codes

CM001

CM002 (applicants from designated Gaeltacht areas only)

CAO points latest intake (most recent)

CM001: 473* points in 2025 (473 points in 2024)

CM002: 440 points in 2025 (455 points in 2024)

*Not all those who achieved 473 points were offered a place on this course

NFQ Level

Level 8

Awarding Body

Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

ECTS

240 ECTS

Programme Duration

4 years full time

Mode of Delivery

Classroom-based

Garda Vetting Required

Yes

Programme Placement Information

3 weeks in year 1, semester 2

3 weeks in year 2, semester 2

3 weeks in year 3, semester 2

10 weeks in year 4, semester 2

Professional Accreditation

The Teaching Council of Ireland, Route 1: Primary Teacher

Recognised Early Year's Qualification by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality

Next Start Date

September 2026

Eligible for Free Fees Initiative

Yes

Programme Overview

Helping young people learn has to be one of the most satisfying and rewarding careers of all. By choosing the Bachelor in Education (Primary) programme you embark on a four year course that will prepare you for working in primary schools in Ireland. You will find out how children learn to read, write, count and calculate; you’ll learn how to introduce them to the arts the magic and mysteries of the world around them and how to grow and develop in a healthy way.

What will I study?

Over the four years of the programme you will learn how to teach children aged from 4 to 12. In the foundation studies you will study how children learn, what factors influence their learning and how our understanding of this has changed over time. Advance your own knowledge of curriculum subjects and learn specific methods for teaching all primary school subjects. Experience the challenge and satisfaction of teaching through engaging in school placement in a supportive environment.

You will have the opportunity to study for a certificate in Catholic Religious Education in preparation for teaching in schools under the patronage of the Catholic Church. The opportunity to study for a certificate in Multi-belief and Ethical Curricula in Diverse School Contexts is also available to you.

Year 1 - Semester 1

English Methods/Múineadh na Gaeilge (5 ECTS)
Teaching & Learning 1 (Approximations of Practice) (5 ECTS)
Religious Education (5 ECTS)
Psychology (5 ECTS)
Philosophical and Historical Understandings of Education 1 (5 ECTS)
PE/SPHE (5 ECTS)
Professional Studies (SP) - whole year module

Year 1 - Semester 2

School Placement (including Professional Studies) (10 ECTS)
Language, Literacy & Literature (English/Gaeilge) (5 ECTS)
Maths Methods/SESE (5 ECTS)
Visual Arts and the Arts (Music/Drama) (5 ECTS)
Equality Studies (5 ECTS)

Year 2 - Semester 1

Inclusion & Special Educational Needs 1 (5 ECTS)
PE/SPHE (5 ECTS)
Creative Technology & Inquiry-Based Learning (5 ECTS)
Maths Methods/SESE (5 ECTS)
Curriculum & Assessment/Psychology (5 ECTS)
EAL/Teagasc Cruthaitheach Teanga (5 ECTS)
Professional Studies (SP) - whole year module
Religious Education in Catholic Schools Certificate - 2-year optional 0 ECTS

Year 2 - Semester 2

School Placement (including Professional Studies) (10 ECTS)
Drama & Arts Ed (Visual Arts/Music) (5 ECTS)
English Methods/Múineadh na Gaeilge (5 ECTS)
Language, Literacy & Literature (English/Gaeilge) (5 ECTS)
Inclusion & Special Educational Needs 2 (5 ECTS)

Year 3 - Semester 1

Literacy Education (English) (5 ECTS)
Music & the Arts (Drama/Visual Arts) (5 ECTS)
Sociology (5 ECTS)
Early Childhood Education (5 ECTS)
Communicative Competence in English/Gaeilge (5 ECTS)
Teaching & Learning 2/Behaviour Management (5 ECTS)
Professional Studies (SP) - whole year module
Religious Education in Catholic Schools Certificate - 2-year optional 0 ECTS

Year 3 - Semester 2

School Placement (including Professional Studies) (10 ECTS)
Mathematics (5 ECTS)
Maths Methods/SESE (5 ECTS)
English Methods/Múineadh na Gaeilge (5 ECTS)
Research Methods 1 (5 ECTS)

Year 4 - Semester 1

Research Methods/Dissertation (10 ECTS)
Teacher as a Knowledgeable Professional (Maths) (5 ECTS)
Philosophical & Historical Understandings of Education 2 (5 ECTS)
SESE - Inquiry in Science Education (5 ECTS)
Elective (5 ECTS)
Multi-belief and Ethical Curricula Certificate (optional, 0 ECTS)

Year 4 - Semester 2

Advanced School Placement (25 ECTS)
Research Methods/Dissertation (5 ECTS)

Electives - Year 4 (5 ECTS)

Please note that not all elective modules may be available in any given year

Creating a Culture of Reading in the Classroom
Creative Language Teaching: Co-teaching and Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL)
Space to Grow: School Gardens, Outdoor Learning and Education for Sustainability
The World in the Classroom
Supporting Learners with Special Educational Needs in all School Settings
Supporting Early Literacies in DEIS Schools
Physical Education - Inclusion, Integration, and Innovation
Leadership in Primary Arts Education

School Placement

During the four years of the B.Ed. programme, you will have a variety of placement experiences. You will have opportunities to experience placements in urban and rural schools, single sex and co-educational schools, multi-grade and single class situations, DEIS schools and Gaelscoileanna nó Scoileanna Gaeltachta. You will also engage in a Special Educational placement in the second year of your programme. This provides you with the opportunity to experience school life in a variety of contexts.

Gaeltacht

As part of the B.Ed. programme you must spend time, typically two two-week periods, in the Gaeltacht to develop your knowledge of the Irish language and culture. Students pay this fee directly to the Gaeltacht College.

Download the Official Syllabi for the Gaeltacht Learning Periods here.

Download Support Materials 1 and Support Materials 2 for the Gaeltacht Learning Period here.

What are my career options?

Most graduates of the Bachelor in Education (Primary Teaching) programme become primary teachers in schools in the Republic of Ireland. Some travel abroad to teach English as an additional language or to teach in primary schools elsewhere. Occasionally graduates work in areas other than education such as in the media or in research.

What are my further study options upon completion of this programme?

Some graduates pursue further studies in education at diploma, masters or doctoral level. Such additional qualifications open up possibilities of careers as a curriculum leader in a school, principal teacher, teacher educator, educational psychologist or as an inspector with the Department of Education and Skills.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Irish Leaving Certificate Requirements

Number of Leaving Certificate Subjects

Minimum number of higher level subjects

3 (minimum grade H5)

Minimum grade in other subjects

H7/O6 in three subjects

Minimum grade in Maths

H7/O4

Minimum grade in English

H7/O4

Minimum grade in Irish

Further information on the minimum entry requirements and the CAO application process.

Mature Applicants

If you are applying for mature entry to primary teaching in Dublin City University, Marino Institute of Education, Mary Immaculate College Limerick or Maynooth University: you must apply to CAO by 1st February at 17:15. In March, those meeting the eligibility criteria will be sent an email (to the email account registered to their CAO account) with instructions for completing and submitting a supplementary form. For further information regarding the minimum entry requirements and selection process for mature students, as set by the Department of Education and Skills.

Advanced Entry

Advanced Entry to the B.Ed/B.Oid is only possible where a student is currently undertaking an undergraduate degree in primary teaching in another HEI in Ireland and wishes to transfer to MIE to complete their degree. Such students will be subject to meeting the minimum entry requirements as outlined in section 7.1.11 of the Admission, Access & Transfer Policy. Advanced Entry from any other degree programme to a year other than first year of the primary teaching degree will not be possible.

International Students

For information about eligibility for this programme please contact [email protected]. All applicants for our programmes must have a minimum English level. You will find more information about the English Language Requirements in the Study With Us section of the website under ‘How to Apply’.

You can find information about international institute fees and charges in the policies section of our website.

You can also find information on accommodation and student support services in the Student Life section of our website.

All MIE programmes follow the academic year, with all programmes starting in late August/ early September.

Bachelor in Education (Primary)