Bachelor of Education – Primary Teaching
Overview
This programme is designed as a pathway into primary teaching that combines further education study with a clear transition into higher education.
The programme hopes to welcome students from a range of backgrounds and encourages participation from students who:
- Come from one or more of the National Access Plan (2022 – 2028) priority groups.
- Come from communities that experience disadvantage.
- Have experienced educational disadvantage.
The programme starts with Year 1 in Tipperary Education and Training Board (TETB) and aims to build academic skills, confidence and readiness for progression to a Bachelor of Education -Primary Teaching with Mary Immaculate College, Limerick, where students will complete the remainder of their teaching studies. Students who successfully complete year 1 will be awarded, subject to validation, an NFQ Level 5 QQI Major Award in Education Studies – Primary Pathway.
Successful graduates of the five-year programme can use their qualification to apply to the Irish Teaching Council to be placed on the register of primary teachers. In Ireland, all primary teachers need to be registered with the Irish Teaching Council.
Year 1 in TETB will include classroom-based modules and assessments that are designed to help students prepare for degree-level study. The curriculum in Year 1 specifically focuses on developing:
- Key academic and study skills for success in higher education.
- Communication and language skills in English and Irish.
- Introductory knowledge of education and primary teaching.
- Personal development and reflective practice.
Applications will close on Thursday 28th May 2026
Provider Locations and Structure
Year 1: At Tipperary FET College Nenagh – Kenyon Street (Teach an Leinn), E45 RX24.
Years 2 to 5: At Mary Immaculate College, South Circular Road, Limerick, Ireland, V94 VN26.
Course Content for all Year
Students will study the following modules:
Year 1: Tipperary FET College Nenagh
- Using English in Learning and Study Contexts
- Cumas na Gaeilge (Using Irish in Communication and Learning)
- Understanding English Language and Literature
- Ag Tuiscint Teanga agus Litríocht na Gaeilge (Understanding Irish Language and Literature)
- Developing Mathematical Understanding
- Learning in Education Contexts.
NB – In order to progress from the ETB to Mary Immaculate College, the student must at the end of Year 1 have been successful in all modules and achieved the QQI Level 5 Major award (Certificate in Education Studies – Primary Pathway), obtaining a minimum of four Distinction grades (to include both Gaeilge modules and one English module) and one Merit grade in Mathematics.
Years 2 to 5: Mary Immaculate College
Information relating to the Bachelor of Education – Primary Teaching programme in MIC, as well as a list of modules that a student will follow in years 2 to 5, may be viewed here.
The programme as presented is correct at the time of publication. The programme design team reserves the right to amend or modify any aspect of the programme at any time.
Accreditation and Embedded Awards
This is a comprehensive five-year tertiary pathway. The programme is designed to support academic success despite challenges that may arise. If a student has to leave the programme before completing the final year, tertiary pathways include embedded awards.
Embedded awards formally recognise learning achieved during time in the programme. For this programme, they are:
- After successfully completing Year 1, subject to validation: NFQ Level 5 Certificate in Education Studies – Primary Pathway from QQI.
- The final NFQ Level 8 Bachelor of Education – Primary Teaching is awarded by the University of Limerick. Mary Immaculate College is a linked provider of the University of Limerick
Planned Intake (Number of Places)
15 Places
Entry Requirements and Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for this programme applicants must hold:
- Leaving Certificate with a minimum grade of H6/O3 in Gaeilge and a minimum grade of H7/O5 in both English and Mathematics.
OR
- QQI Level 5 Major Award with a minimum Merit grade.
All applicants applying through this route must also hold a minimum of:
Leaving Certificate Gaeilge at grade H6/O3 or Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge (TEG) with minimum of a Pass (50%) at Level A2 in the full examination
AND
QQI Level 4 Mathematics with a Merit grade or Leaving Certificate Mathematics with a grade H7/O5
Minimum English Language Requirements:
Minimum English language and literacy competence at entry to the programme for speakers of English as a second language is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), B2. Evidence of achievement of this standard is necessary for entry to the programme. An Irish Leaving Certificate qualification or a full Major NFQ Award at Level 5 or equivalent achieved through the medium of English meets this requirement.
International Applicants:
Applicants outside of the European Union (EU) must meet the visa requirements of the State before enrolling on the programme. It is the applicant’s responsibility to engage with the relevant agencies in relation to visa requirements, etc.
Onward Pathways
The Bachelor of Education - Primary Teaching is designed to qualify students to teach in primary schools. Upon successful completion of the degree programme, applicants are eligible to register as a primary teacher with the Irish Teaching Council.
Successful graduates of the programme may also be eligible for Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within MIC and/or elsewhere
Special Features
Please note:
- Applicants from specified groups that are under-represented in higher education in Ireland will be prioritised. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section for further information.
- Applications will be scored using a matrix to determine a shortlist for interview.
- Applicants will also have to complete a personal statement and interview as part of the application process.
- Entrants to this programme will be required to undergo vetting by An Garda Síochána.
Contact Details
Further information about this programme is available by contacting the following:
FET Admissions: admissions@tipperaryetb.ie
