Course Details

The Higher Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) is a professional course that is intended to provide for the academic and professional requirements of primary school teachers. It is taught jointly by the School of Education and two associated Colleges of Education - Colaiste Mhuire, Marino and the Froebel College of Education, Sion Hill, Blackrock. Students attend the majority of courses within their chosen College of Education and attend foundation courses, in common with students from other Colleges of Education, within the University's Education area.

Throughout the degree considerable emphasis is placed on the study of foundation subjects in education, the Irish and English languages, language development and mathematics, with complementary work in areas such as arts education, religious studies, physical education, social, personal and health education (SPHE), information communication technology (ICT), social, environmental and scientific education (SESE), and inclusive education. School experience is regarded as central to the H.Dip. (Primary) programme and there are three periods of teaching practice designed to give students an opportunity to develop their practical skills of observation and teaching. The evaluation of work for the degree involves a combination of continuous assessment and final examinations. Graduates of this course are recognised by the Department of Education and Science as qualified teachers, following a successful year of probation, in accordance with Rule 157 of the Rules of National Schools.

The course is of eighteen months duration and is full-time. It commences in early February and is divided into three terms, which run from February to June, September to December, and from January to June. H.Dip. (Primary) students register only with the Associated College of their choice for the first term of the course. Students register both with the Associated College and Trinity College for the second and third terms of the course. Graduate students registered with Trinity College have full access to the facilities of the University.

Candidates for admission to the programme leading to the H.Dip. (Primary) must possess an approved third-level degree. In addition, applicants must also have secured at least grade C in Higher Level Irish and at least grade D in Mathematics (Ordinary or Higher level) and at least grade C (Ordinary level) or grade D (Higher level) in English. Candidates who sat the Leaving Certificate examination prior to 1969 must have secured honors in Irish and passes in English and Mathematics. Similar requirements apply in the case of applicants who have sat the Northern Ireland GCSE and GCE A Level examination.

Further information and application forms for admission are available from Colaiste Mhuire, Marino and the Froebel College of Education, Sion Hill, Blackrock. Applicants who satisfy the academic requirements are invited to attend an interview and an oral Irish examination.