How to Become a Teacher in Ireland: Different Pathways into Primary and Post-Primary Teaching

Choosing a career in teaching can be both rewarding and fulfilling. It’s a profession that shapes future generations and makes a meaningful impact on society.

If you're an Irish student looking to pursue a teaching career, one of the first questions you might have is: what Leaving Cert points do you need to become a teacher?

The points and entry requirements depend on whether you choose an undergraduate teacher education programme or complete an honours degree before applying for a Professional Master of Education (PME).

Understanding the Leaving Cert Points System

The Leaving Certificate (Leaving Cert) is the final set of examinations in the Irish secondary school system. Students take exams across a range of subjects, with their six best results generally used to calculate their CAO points score.

For primary teaching, applicants must also meet the required standards in Irish, English, and Maths. These may be demonstrated through the Leaving Certificate or other recognised qualifications and examinations, depending on the route and provider.

For post-primary teaching, your academic qualifications must meet the Teaching Council requirements for at least one curricular subject if you intend to continue to a PME.

At Portobello Institute, applications are made directly rather than through the CAO. This means students are assessed against the entry requirements for their chosen programme instead of competing for a place based on a CAO points cut-off.

Learn more about our direct application process here.

How Can You Become a Primary School Teacher in Ireland?

There are two main pathways towards becoming a primary school teacher in Ireland:

1. Complete a four-year undergraduate initial teacher education programme, such as an accredited Bachelor of Education

2. Complete an honours bachelor’s degree at level 8 on Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or an equivalent qualification, followed by a two-year Professional Master of Education (PME) in Primary Teaching

The Teaching Council confirms that the undergraduate degree used for the second pathway can be in any subject or area, provided the other entry requirements for the PME are met.

This means you do not necessarily have to begin with a Bachelor of Education to work towards primary teaching.

How Can You Become a Post-Primary Teacher in Ireland?

There are also two main pathways towards post-primary teaching:

1. Complete an accredited undergraduate initial teacher education programme

2. Complete a level 8-equivalent honours degree that meets the Teaching Council requirements for at least one curricular subject, followed by a two-year Professional Master of Education (PME) in Post-primary Education

If you choose the postgraduate route, your qualifications must satisfy the applicable Teaching Council curricular subject requirements as part of the PME application process.

Students who know which subject they want to teach can therefore choose an undergraduate degree that provides the appropriate academic foundation.

Graduates who do not yet meet all of the requirements for their intended teaching subject may explore additional subject-specific study. They should confirm that any proposed qualification will be accepted by the relevant PME provider and considered by the Teaching Council.

For those interested in physical education (PE), Portobello Institute’s Graduate Diploma in Applied Physical Education Studies offers a potential route for graduates who need further subject-specific preparation before progressing towards postgraduate teacher education.

What Is a Professional Master of Education?

The Professional Master of Education (PME) is a postgraduate initial teacher education qualification for graduates who want to become teachers. It generally takes two years to complete.

Portobello Institute does not currently offer a PME. However, eligible graduates from relevant Portobello Institute programmes may go on to apply for a PME with an external provider, subject to that provider’s entry requirements.

Admission to a PME is determined by the individual provider. Following successful completion of an accredited initial teacher education programme, applications for teacher registration are assessed by the Teaching Council against the applicable requirements.

Do You Need to Meet Irish Language Requirements to Teach in Ireland?

For primary teaching, applicants must meet the required standard in the Irish language, as well as the applicable English and Maths requirements. These may be demonstrated through the Leaving Certificate or other recognised qualifications and examinations.

Applicants to a PME in Primary Teaching must meet the specific language and academic requirements for postgraduate primary teacher education.

For post-primary teaching, Irish is not generally required unless it is the curricular subject you intend to teach. Irish-medium schools may also require teachers to demonstrate an appropriate level of proficiency in Irish.

Which Portobello Programme Could Support Your Teaching Ambitions?

Teaching is more than a qualification or career title. It is an opportunity to shape how young people learn, build confidence, and see what might be possible for their future.

Whether you are choosing your first undergraduate degree or already hold a degree and are considering a move into teaching, Portobello Institute offers different academic pathways that can help prepare you for the next stage.

Primary Teaching

The BA (Hons) Early Childhood Care & Education provides an honours degree centred on children’s learning, development, and early education.

The degree itself does not qualify graduates as primary teachers. Eligible graduates can later apply for a PME in Primary Teaching with an external provider, subject to the provider’s academic and language requirements.

PE Teaching: Undergraduate Pathway

The BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching & Physical Education is designed to provide an academic foundation for progression towards PE teaching.

For graduates following the postgraduate route into teaching, the next stage is a two-year PME in Post-primary Education with an external provider.

Eligibility for a PME and subsequent registration with the Teaching Council is subject to the relevant academic and professional requirements.

PE Teaching: Graduate Pathway

If you already hold a bachelor’s honours degree, Portobello Institute’s Graduate Diploma in Applied Physical Education Studies offers another potential pathway towards PE teaching.

The one-year blended programme is designed for graduates from a wide range of academic backgrounds who want to develop the PE content knowledge required for further postgraduate study.

Its curriculum covers areas including physical education curriculum planning, sports pedagogy, skill acquisition, fitness and health-related physical activity, athletics, games, creative movement, and outdoor learning.

The programme has been designed with reference to the Teaching Council’s Curricular Subject Requirements for Physical Education and is primarily intended as preparation for progression to a PME in Physical Education.

For an eligible graduate, the pathway could therefore look like:

1. Hold an existing honours degree
2. Complete the Graduate Diploma in Applied Physical Education Studies
3. Apply to a PME in Post-primary Education, subject to the provider’s entry requirements
4. Following successful completion of an accredited PME, apply for Teaching Council registration

The Graduate Diploma itself is not an initial teacher education programme and does not qualify graduates as teachers. Admission to a PME is determined by the individual PME provider, while eligibility for teacher registration is assessed separately by the Teaching Council.

Tara's Journey from BSc to Grad Dip to PME

Portobello graduate Tara McCabe went on to study a PME after completing her undergraduate degree in BSc Sports Science and Physical Education (now the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Physical Education), followed by the Graduate Diploma in Applied Physical Education Studies.

Tara says: “Portobello Institute helped me get a place on the PME course – something I didn’t think would be possible.

“Portobello is a great college for students who have just finished their Leaving Cert and didn’t get the results they hoped for.”

Read Tara’s story here.

Build Your Pathway Towards Teaching

There is more than one route towards becoming a teacher. Whether you are interested in primary or post-primary education, choosing the right academic pathway can help prepare you for the next stage.

Explore Portobello Institute’s BA (Hons) Early Childhood Care & Education, BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching & Physical Education, and Graduate Diploma in Applied Physical Education Studies or speak with our Career Pathway Consultants for guidance.