University College Cork celebrates ten years of Professional Master of Education graduates

1 Nov 2024

• 111 Professional Master of Education (PME) graduates celebrate at UCC’s autumn conferring ceremonies.
• The PME programme has been recognised for its commitment to inclusivity, global citizenship and sustainability education.
• Graduates have described the PME as a ‘transformative’ experience, preparing them to lead and inspire in diverse educational settings.

A new generation of Irish secondary school teachers graduated from University College Cork (UCC) during the university’s autumn conferring ceremonies. This year’s ceremony celebrated a decade of UCC’s commitment to shaping Ireland’s post primary education landscape through its Professional Master of Education (PME) teacher education programme.

Since its inception in 2014, UCC’s PME programme has prepared secondary school teachers with an education grounded in excellence, inclusivity, and social responsibility. The programme has been recognised by the Teaching Council for its innovative design, highlighting UCC’s emphasis on global citizenship, education for sustainable development and social justice.  

UCC’s unique year-long school placements required as a central part of the PME programme ensure that PME graduates enter the teaching profession equipped with practical experience in two contrasting schools, differing in factors such as DEIS status, gender, location, language of instruction and patronage. 

This immersion in school for two school years, supported by research-informed best practice lectures in UCC’s School of Education allows student teachers to develop a comprehensive understanding of diverse educational environments and gain a holistic view of school life, as well as building strong relationships with students in school. Graduates of the programme are held in high esteem by school Principals and are in demand for all available teaching posts.

Dr Brian Murphy, Senior Lecturer in Education and Professional Master of Education (PME) Programme Director at UCC, said: “Today’s graduates join a growing network of UCC-educated teachers who are contributing meaningfully to classrooms, schools, and communities across Ireland and beyond. As we mark our tenth anniversary, UCC is proud to celebrate the success of these future inspiring and innovative educators and professionals and congratulates them as they embark on their teaching careers.”

Dr Niamh Dennehy, Lecturer in Education and PME Deputy Director in the School of Education, said: “Since its inception in 2014, more than 1,200 highly qualified and well-prepared teachers have graduated from our UCC School of Education PME. Our PME graduates, of whom we are exceptionally proud, continue to have impact in our schools locally and nationally. Their Masters-level initial teacher education received at the UCC School of Education continues to inform their work in supporting our school students to achieve the best outcomes from their education.”

Applications for the Professional Master of Education (PME) programme are open until 24 January 2025. Learn more about the programme here.