How do I become a secondary school teacher?

In order to become a qualified secondary-school teacher you must hold a Higher Diploma in Education. The Higher Diploma in Education is a one-year full-time course. Successful completion of an eligible primary degree course is an essential prerequisite for entry to the Higher Diploma in Education.

A list of approved Degrees is available from the Teaching Council, www.teachingcouncil.ie The Degree must be adequate to enable the holder to teach at least one subject or area of study approved for the purposes of a course of instruction prescribed in the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools.

The Higher Diploma in Education is offered by the education departments of:

• Trinity College Dublin

and the four universities of the National University of Ireland

• University College Cork ? National University of Ireland, Cork www.ucc.ie
• University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin www.ucd.ie
• National University of Ireland, Galway www.nuigalway.ie
• National University of Ireland, Maynooth www.may.ie

A Higher Diploma in Education through Irish has been established and is available in the National University of Ireland, Galway.

Applicants can now apply for the Higher Diploma in Education programmes, which are available in the four universities of the National University of Ireland, on one common application form.

Application pack and handbook are available from: The Higher Diploma in Education (NUI) Applications Centre, PO Box 184, Galway. Tel.: 091-568417/568418; fax: 091-568419