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How to Apply

Assessment of Applications 

Your application will be evaluated and ranked based on the Points Scoring System. To ensure your application can be reviewed by the UCC admissions team, please make sure to clearly indicate whether you hold, or are in the final year of, an eligible Level 8 degree (or equivalent). Additionally, it is important that you provide all necessary details about your subject(s) through the self-declaration form(s) and supplementary materials. 

More information, including tables referring to the Points Scoring system, can be found in the link circles below. 

Supporting Documentation  

The following documents must be submitted as part of your application: 

  • Fully Completed Teaching Council Subject Self-Declaration Forms  
  • Work Experience Reference Forms (if applicable)  
  • PME Additional Questions 
  • Academic Transcripts  
  • Proof of Identity 

Teaching Council Subject Self-Declaration Forms

Complete & sign a self-declaration form for each proposed teaching subject and upload it to UCC Apply. Please note, UCC does not assess these forms; they are evaluated by the Teaching Council. It is very important to ensure that these forms are correctly completed.  

Work Experience Reference Forms (if applicable)

If you have professional experience related to your proposed teaching subjects, or professional experience in working with young people, you can complete a Work Experience Reference Form to recognise the value of these experiences, and some additional points can be awarded. You can download & fill out a Work Experience Reference form and ask your employers to sign and stamp them. If it is not possible to get this filled out, tax documents in the form of a 'statement of liabilities' document will suffice. Only paid work up to the 1st of December in the year of application will be considered for points purposes. For more information on scoring, please read the Assessment of Applications below.  

PME Additional Questions

The application includes a section with questions about your skills and experience. You will need to provide evidence to support your answers, as this information will be reviewed during the assessment process. Be aware that unsupported or inaccurate claims may affect the outcome of your application.

Academic Transcripts

  • If you are a Final-year undergraduate applicant, you must provide a statement of results of your eligible Level 8 degree for each year of study completed to date. Results provided must be in the percentage, GPA, or QCA format only. An original or certified photocopy of the complete transcript of results for EACH year of study to date should be uploaded to UCC Apply. (Excluding ERASMUS or equivalent).  
  • If you are a Graduate applicant, you must provide your results as an overall percentage mark. An original or certified photocopy of the full transcript or statement of results for EACH year of study to date should be uploaded to UCC Apply.  
  • Please ensure all submitted information is clear and accurate. Results provided for assessment must be in the percentage, GPA, or QCA format only.   
  • If your transcripts do not clearly indicate your ECTS credits, please submit a statement from your university confirming them.  
  • If you are a UCC student or graduate you are not required to upload transcripts of UCC results if you provide your student number on the UCC application form. If you have forgotten your UCC student number, please use the Graduate Enquiry Form to contact us.

Proof of Identity

A clear copy of one of the following documents must be uploaded: 

  • Passport photo page 
  • Irish NDLS Driving License 
  • Birth Certificate 
  • If you are a UCC student or graduate you are not required to upload Proof of Identity if you provide your student number on the UCC application form. 

English Language Requirements

If you are a non-native speaker of the English language you will need to meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Assessment and Offers

Assessment of Applications 

Your application will be evaluated and ranked based on the Points Scoring System. To ensure your application can be reviewed by the UCC admissions team, please make sure to clearly indicate whether you hold, or are in the final year of, an eligible Level 8 degree (or equivalent). Additionally, it is important that you provide all necessary details about your subject(s) through the self-declaration form(s) and supplementary materials. 

Tables referring to the Points Scoring system can be found in the Assessment Section below.  

The PME Application Assessment and Scoring Process  

  • Applicants must have a primary degree at a minimum level of 2H2 or equivalent (e.g. primary degree and Masters) that is recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland for the teaching of at least one subject in a post-primary school.  
  • Applicants who have not yet completed their degree at the time of applying are assessed on the examination results of the most recently completed academic year (Erasmus or equivalent are not accepted). Results provided for the most recently completed academic year must be in the percentage, GPA or QCA format.  
  • If an applicant is offered a place based on their most recently completed academic year result and does not receive the necessary 2H2 grade in their final year, the offer will be rescinded.  
  • The offer of a place is made based on the applicant declaring that they have a level 8 eligible degree which is compliant with the Teaching Council`s overall ECTS requirements. The Teaching Council will carry out a detailed examination once the PME commences and if shortfalls are identified applicants may be required to address these or in extreme circumstances have the offer of a place withdrawn. 

The PME Assessment Process is a points-based application system.  

Points will be awarded, as detailed below, for: 

  • Undergraduate Level 8-degree result 
  • Additional relevant completed Level 8 or above academic qualifications 
  • Relevant paid professional experience (where applicable) 

Offers 

Offers will be made in March for the Autumn intake. Offer holders will receive an email asking them to check their application status and outlining details of the offer. Please ensure that the email address provided in the online application is active and correct. Should you receive an offer, please log on to UCC Apply to confirm acceptance of your offer by the specified date to secure your place. 

Commencement of Programme 

The programme will commence in the third week of August with the beginning of the required PME1 School Placement, in line with the opening of local partner post-primary schools. Dates will be communicated to successful applicants and will depend on your individual school’s first day of term. PME lectures and tutorials will commence in UCC the first week of September. 

 

How to Apply

This page provides information on the PME application process. It’s important to read through carefully to ensure you provide the correct information and documentation to support your application. We also recommend referring to the PME Prospectus Page for further details about the programme. 

By following the steps here, you will learn: 

  • How to submit your application 
  • The specific entry requirements 
  • What documentation is needed 
  • How the assessment process works 

Where to Apply

All applications are submitted through UCC Apply, UCC’s Student Application Portal. [Link to UCC Apply demo application here?] 

Application/Documentation Deadlines and Application Fees for Autumn 2026 

  • Application Fee - €100
  • Application Opening Date  - Monday 13 October 2025 
  • Application Closing Date - Monday 26 January 2026
  • Documentation Closing Date  - Monday 2 February 2026
  • Application Decisions - March 2026

*No late applications will be accepted 

Graduate Studies Office

Oifig na Staidéar Iarchéime

2nd Floor, West Wing, Main Quad, UCC , T12 YN60

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