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Professional Diploma in Education (Further Education)

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Course Overview

The Professional Diploma in Education (Further Education) provides the further education student teachers with the professional knowledge, understanding and pedagogical skills required to carry out their teaching roles and responsibilities. The course has been specifically developed to meet the needs of persons working in the Further Education sector who wish to register with the Teaching Council of Ireland for the purposes of registration as a Further Education teacher in Ireland and the EU, as well as other English speaking countries. 

The PDE(FE) aims to:

  • Provide student teachers with the theoretical knowledge, pedagogical skills and professional competences required to successfully teach and facilitate learning in the further education sector
  • Develop competent teachers whose teaching practice is underpinned by ongoing reflective learning and by the core values of the teaching profession
  • Engender a sense of collegiality and relationship building within the further education sector
  • Foster commitment to the teaching profession built on espousing a love of teaching and lifelong learning, and on championing the potential of all learners.

Applications and Selections

Apply Online

 
Early application is advised as offers will be made on a rolling basis.
A limited number of applications may be accepted after the official application closing date, subject to the availability of places.

 

NOTE: You must also upload a copy of your final undergraduate degree result and a copy of your birth certificate or passport when applying online.

All applicants, whose first language is not English, or who have not been educated through the medium of English language during their two most recent years of study, must present one of the following qualifications in the English language: IELTS: 6.5 or TOEFL (IBT): 92. Please see this webpage for further information: https://www.nuigalway.ie/international-students/english.html

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Teaching Practice Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate that they are in a position to undertake the teaching practice requirements of the PDE(FE).

  • In YEAR 1 applicants must be in a position to commence their Teaching Practice Portfolio.
  • In YEAR 2 applicants must be in a position to carry out their teaching practice class requirements (100 hours of teaching) in subject(s) in which they seek to be registered by the Teaching Council and must be in a position to complete their Teaching Portfolio.

It is the responsibility of each programme participant to arrange a suitable further education teaching practice school or centre.

Entry requirements for the programme are designed to comply with Regulation Five of the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations, 2009. Regulation Five details the requirements for registration of teachers in the further education sector.  For further information on Regulation Five see The Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2009 available at: www.teachingcouncil.ie

Three 2-day workshops are delivered on the NUI Galway campus each year. In addition, Year 1 students attend a 1-day orientation workshop.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

  1. Level 8 primary degree (180 credits)  or
  2. Level 7 ordinary degree (180 credits) and an additional qualification

Please note you must upload a copy of your final undergraduate degree results when submitting your online application.

Computer Proficiency Requirements
Applicants are expected to be proficient in the use of computers and the internet.

Garda Vetting
Students must satisfy Garda/Police clearance requirements. Garda clearance must be applied for through NUI Galway, regardless of whether an individual currently holds Garda clearance with another organisation. Further information on Garda Vetting.


Additional Requirements

Duration

2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2018

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

30

Closing Date

Next start date

September 2018

NFQ level

8

Mode of study

Blended learning

ECTS weighting

60

Award

Professional Diploma in Education (Further Education)

CAO

PAC code

Course Outline

Timetable PDE(FE) 2017

‌‌‌Course modules include:

  • Teaching Practice and Learning Methods
  • Programme Design, Development and Assessment
  • Psychology of Learning: Theories and Concepts
  • Professional Teaching Practice
  • Quality Assurance: Monitoring and Evaluation
  • The Learning Society: Context, Structure and Policy

 

 

 

 

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Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the programme, student teachers will be able to:

  • Evaluate teaching practices and strategies to select appropriate teaching methods for diverse learners in the further education sector
  • Apply relevant theories and concepts of adult learning and teaching to teaching practices and methods
  • Develop programme curricula that comply with the requirements of quality assurance policies and national awarding bodies
  • Design and develop formative and summative assessment procedures that constructively support learners’ learning and that assess learners’ achievement of learning outcomes
  • Design quality assurance procedures that monitor and evaluate the academic integrity and standards of QQI (or equivalent) accredited programmes
  • Reflectively appraise the knowledge and skills that contribute to successful adoption of the core values, beliefs and skills of the professional teacher
  • Engage in reflective practice as part of the ongoing development of expert knowledge, pedagogical skills and professional competence.

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€3,500 p.a.

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€4,000 p.a.

A fees scholarship of up to 30% may be available for students who wish to upskill for the purposes of re-employment.  Students must be registered as unemployed and in receipt of one of the following: 

  • Job-seekers Benefit
  • Job-seekers Allowance
  • One-parent family allowance
  • Disability allowance
  • Community Employment Scheme
  • Carer’s Allowance
  • Signing for social insurance contribution credits

Please download the 2017_18 Fees Scholarship Form for more information.

Find out More

Edel Molloy
Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development
NUI Galway, Nuns' Island, Galway
Tel: 091 494058/494055
Fax: 091 528905
Email: edel.molloy@nuigalway.ie

What Our Students Say

Safia

Safia Waller |   Current Student

This is a practical course that has armed me with the theory and the knowledge that I feel I will need for facilitating adult learning in the future. While I had little previous teaching experience, the micro-teaching sessions, where short classes are taught in front of tutors and fellow students, gave me confidence in my ability and constructive feedback to improve all aspects of my practice. Studying while working part time and with a young family has been challenging, but with routine weekly study time, the blended learning aspect of the course has suited my busy life. I believe that the area of further education is an exciting and growing one and I look forward to being a part of it.

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