H.Dip in Education

stupefly

Does anyone know how hard it is to get into this?

I'm pretty much a 2.1 standard college student, with some teaching experience abroad. But I was told recently that you need a first class honour degree to get into it? :eek: Is this true?

My degree is in Irish so I can also try doing it through Irish in Galway. The standard may be a tad lower but that might be wishful thinking.

Also, is there much demand for Irish teachers? I did Biology in First year Arts (its allowed in Maynooth) I'd also like to know if thats enough to qualify me to teach it.

Thanks

finlma

You'll find plenty of information here and in other places on the website:

http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=10900&ecategory=32115&language=EN

You're too late to apply this year. I suggest you do some subbing and apply next year. The more teaching you have the better chance of getting the course. A 2.1 degree is fine.

stupefly

I'm only in second year in college so I'm not worried about applying this year. Thanks for the ink I'll go check it out.

*yoda*

i have heard as well it's hard to get into H-Dips but I don't think you would have to have a first degree. In UL you have to do a short hand course during a couple of weeks in August as well but I think that's just for the business course. The main thing is to apply anyway if it is something you really want. You should try going to the Post Grad fairs in college and talk to the people at the stands.

ruler1

im contemplating applying aswell and was having a look at the H-dip handbook . There is one section entitled - Points-Scoring System and it gives a graph of points . Is this how they decide who gets in ? What sort of points score is good enough to secure a place ?

Thanks

Trotter

ruler1 wrote:

im contemplating applying aswell and was having a look at the H-dip handbook . There is one section entitled - Points-Scoring System and it gives a graph of points . Is this how they decide who gets in ? What sort of points score is good enough to secure a place ?

Thanks

I think.. and Im not 100% sure, that the cutoff was around the 42 points mark 2 years ago when I went for it. You pick up X amount of points for your final degree percentage and then add on 1 or 2 or however many points based on how many hours of subbing you've done. Careful though, you have to have your subbing hours backed up by letters from the principals stating that your figures are right.

budthedub

I'm currently doin the Grad dip in UL, its very good as in the block of five weeks of TP, you need more hours of teaching than the H dips, plus its a specialised subject dip. Look into it, its very good.

Salmon

Hey bud,

Is that the Engineering grad.dip?? Was thinking of doin that myself, whats it like? Is it difficult to get a job after finishing?

santyhat

be careful, do the galway or somewhere else one if you can. This is really painful and full of false hope.... you have to do a 5 week shirthand course to get in and then keep it up for hte year, real 1950s stuff.... no need for it. also you will be promised cspe, sphe and a whole host of other add ons which will never come to fruition, the course director promises much but delivers little all the while using you for his dirty work.... beware . go to galway. also TP is only 5 weeks compared to other colleges who get sequential, (in school every day) or a course of 3, 4 and 3 weeks which helps build better relations wiht the pupils getting you a better grade...

Rosita

stupefly wrote: »

I'm only in second year in college so I'm not worried about applying this year. Thanks for the ink I'll go check it out.

Your second year is very important (assuming you are doing a three-year degree) if you want to apply to do the H-Dip imediately after your degree.

Let's say you are doing your final exams in May 2011 and want to start the H-Dip the following September, you will need to apply in December 2010 by which time the latest results you will have will be your second year ones, so they will be of paramount importance in that context.

Incidentally where you stand on the 2.1 spectrum will be very important. You will need to be 65%+ to get in on your degree results alone without adding subbing to it, which by all accounts will be increasingly difficult to get in the coming few years.

I've just noticed that your are thinking of Galway through Irish. Yes, the points have tended to be a bit lower but I think there is an interview so it adds a different kind of challenge in that you will be specifically tested on your standard of Irish, which doesn't happen with any other subject. I would imagine it's a nice course to do as it's through Irish though.

Rosita

It is worth noting this little rider in the PAC literature regarding teaching experience: "No more than 1 point can be allocated for teaching experience gained during the years of undergraduate study."

rainbowtrout

stupefly wrote: »

I did Biology in First year Arts (its allowed in Maynooth) I'd also like to know if thats enough to qualify me to teach it.

Thanks

A subject needs to make up 30% of your degree to make you eligible to teach it, so no you can't teach Biology. First year biology in most degrees barely goes beyond what's on the Leaving Cert course.

trihead

just to make you guys aware some of the above postings are pretty old - posted in 2006.;)
Im sure info will be of benefit to someone applying now though!

Mack19

Where did you do your Degree in Irish? I am thinking of going back to college to go down the road of becoming an Irish teacher, would any of the above posters have advice on this, i'm 24 so I would be returning as a mature student, any advice on colleges would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

dory

Well I did mine in Maynooth. There was a big thread on this about a week or two ago where everyone shared their experiences of studying Irish. I'll have a look....

dory

Ta-dam!
Check this out: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055670419

Grainne101

santyhat wrote: »

be careful, do the galway or somewhere else one if you can. This is really painful and full of false hope.... you have to do a 5 week shirthand course to get in and then keep it up for hte year, real 1950s stuff.... no need for it. also you will be promised cspe, sphe and a whole host of other add ons which will never come to fruition, the course director promises much but delivers little all the while using you for his dirty work.... beware . go to galway. also TP is only 5 weeks compared to other colleges who get sequential, (in school every day) or a course of 3, 4 and 3 weeks which helps build better relations wiht the pupils getting you a better grade...

Oh no this doesn't look good, I was looking into applying for this next year, hmmmmm. What do you mean "using you for his dirty work"?

jdooley28

Grainne101 wrote: »

Oh no this doesn't look good, I was looking into applying for this next year, hmmmmm. What do you mean "using you for his dirty work"?

I would also like to know what you are talking about making a statement like this. Also why would you get CSPE as an add-on if you have not studied it as part of your undergraduate degree.

Pee F

Hi,
Its my first time using this!! Just wondering is ther any one else in the same boat as me, I applied for the Hdip and didnt get offered anything ( totally gutted) it says my name is on a waiting list :mad:, just wondering has any one ever got a place on the second round of offers? Any info on this would be much appreciated. Thanks..

awny

Pee F wrote: »

Hi,
Its my first time using this!! Just wondering is ther any one else in the same boat as me, I applied for the Hdip and didnt get offered anything ( totally gutted) it says my name is on a waiting list :mad:, just wondering has any one ever got a place on the second round of offers? Any info on this would be much appreciated. Thanks..

Hi Pee F

Im in the same boat, had the 43 points but wasnt randonly selected so im waitin for the second round. WHat subject you looking to teach? Apparently the 2nd round offers are few and fab between but I read a post on boards of someone who was doin his Dip having been offered a place in the second round!

Pee F

So all is not lost yet although I wont be gettin my hopes up just yet..
I was hoping to do science to junior cert and Biology to leaving cert.
What subjects were you hopin to do, where was your first choice?
I didnt realise it was random selection, i have 43 also..

awny

Wah hoping to do Maths in UCD... UL (where I went to college) are hoping to start a PGDE in Maths in Sept if they get the numbers so im hoping that goes ahead! Have you considered looking into england?

Pee F

awny wrote: »

Wah hoping to do Maths in UCD... UL (where I went to college) are hoping to start a PGDE in Maths in Sept if they get the numbers so im hoping that goes ahead! Have you considered looking into england?

Yeah I would, but I have no idea even where to begin with that to be honest, is that PGDE? Best of luck with that hope it works out for you..

pathway33

Pee F wrote: »

Yeah I would, but I have no idea even where to begin with that to be honest, is that PGDE? Best of luck with that hope it works out for you..

Go to the GTTR website and take it from there. It's PGCE in england but same as the PGDE as long as you do the 11-18 one and not 11-16

Pee F

Ok thanks for that.. Have you done it in england?

awny

If I was you and was thinkin of applying for England id put down Edge Hill University down as first choice. The Edge Hill PGCE is the only Dip in the UK automatically recognised by the Teaching council back here. All other Dip courses have to be accessed by the teaching council when you come back, so that would be one to look into!

sanches56

In reply to a previous comment. I will be starting the h.dip in galway next september. I intend to teach biology to leaving cert and science to junior cert. I got a 2.1 for my degree and a 2.1 for my masters,each around 65%. I have no previous teaching experience so it is possible to get in with below a 1.1. I know the teaching experience doesnt count for next year anyway.
The academic standard for next year will be increased greatly due to this because the people with masters or phds will the top of the pile.

paddys79

I have just got a place to do the Hdip in trinity starting in September. I am a mature student (31) and am just trying to figure out how much time I will have for part time work etc. Could anyone tell me what hours are like, day to day? Also, when does the course start and finish, does it finish around the end of May is it?

Thanks in advance

dory

sanches56 wrote: »

In reply to a previous comment. I will be starting the h.dip in galway next september. I intend to teach biology to leaving cert and science to junior cert. I got a 2.1 for my degree and a 2.1 for my masters,each around 65%. I have no previous teaching experience so it is possible to get in with below a 1.1. I know the teaching experience doesnt count for next year anyway.
The academic standard for next year will be increased greatly due to this because the people with masters or phds will the top of the pile.

Standard will be high but with a masters you should get in.

mrboswell

paddys79 wrote: »

I have just got a place to do the Hdip in trinity starting in September. I am a mature student (31) and am just trying to figure out how much time I will have for part time work etc. Could anyone tell me what hours are like, day to day? Also, when does the course start and finish, does it finish around the end of May is it?

Thanks in advance

Mon afternoon, all day Wednesday and Thursday in Trinity. The rest of the week is set aside for teaching practice.

I think school starts back before college - if I can remember. There is a lot of time in between classes hanging around on the full days so take my advice (because I didn't) but if you get work done in between classes it will make your life so much easier.
Also make sure you give sample essays to the lecturers at the end of the year before exams!!

Its around now in may - last weekend or this weekend.

Last exam always seems to be on a Saturday!! :mad:

George Orwell 1982

I have a degree in economics and a masters in European Studies. Does anyone know where I can find out if the masters in europeans studies qualifies me to teach history?

Rosita

George Orwell 1982 wrote: »

I have a degree in economics and a masters in European Studies. Does anyone know where I can find out if the masters in europeans studies qualifies me to teach history?

The Teaching Council is the arbiter of all such matters, but I can tell you informally that it will not qualify you to teach history. Only Primary degrees qualify people to teach a particular subject, except in very exceptional cases where there are not specifically relevant degrees for the subject e.g. career guidance. I presume this is because Master's are shorter narrow-focussed courses which will not cover the broad spectrum of material they expect in a subject.

TheDriver

there are some cases where a masters does suffice but usually the masters is for the purpose of qualifying teachers in a subject e.g. masters in Maths or History directly

Rosita

TheDriver wrote: »

there are some cases where a masters does suffice but usually the masters is for the purpose of qualifying teachers in a subject e.g. masters in Maths or History directly

I have to say that I have been closely watching issues such as eligibility for the last few years until I did the Dip myself this year and it is news to me that a Masters in Maths or History or such subjects is in any way related to a teaching qualification. All the information I have ever seen (in PAC literature for example) for such mainstream subjects is that you had to have them to Primary degree level/they must make up at least 30 per cent of your degree.

Just wondering what your source for this information is?

TheDriver

I never said the masters was a teaching qualification but rather that a masters in a certain subject can qualify you to teach the subject provided you obviously have a HDip also from TC point of view. I cannot give you hard facts at this stage as my literature is in office in school however I do know that UCC are developing a new masters at moment that would allow say engineer to teach Maths on basis of TC recognition. I am not sure if any of these masters are actually running yet but I am aware they are in development. Very few however will suffice for TC recognition.
I won't comment anymore on these courses but you will start to see them appearing. Bottom line is the future that TC will recognise masters as a subject from my sources.

bubblies

hey, i graduated a year ago with a 1.1 degree in business... keep thinkin about going back to do secondary teaching but would I have any hope of getting in even with a first??! I've heard that there's a massive surplus of business teachers...

Rosita

TheDriver wrote: »

1) I never said the masters was a teaching qualification but rather that a masters in a certain subject can qualify you to teach the subject provided you obviously have a HDip also from TC point of view.

2) I cannot give you hard facts at this stage as my literature is in office in school however I do know that UCC are developing a new masters at moment that would allow say engineer to teach Maths on basis of TC recognition. I am not sure if any of these masters are actually running yet but I am aware they are in development. Very few however will suffice for TC recognition.
I won't comment anymore on these courses but you will start to see them appearing. Bottom line is the future that TC will recognise masters as a subject from my sources.

1) I never accused you of saying that a Masters (in general) was a teaching qualification. But you did indeed say that Master's in a certain subject can qualify you to teach the subject which like I said was news to me - "there are some cases where a masters does suffice but usually the masters is for the purpose of qualifying teachers in a subject e.g. masters in Maths or History directly"

2) Perhaps this is planned for the future which would explain why it was not mentioned in any of the literature I came across when researching the Dip. Given all the hullabulloo about Maths teaching at the moment there might be something happening on that front to fast-track people into that area.

But that does not contradict the view that, as things stand, a Masters in European Studies does not qualify one to teach History - which was the actual question raised by the other poster.

With respect, I think it is misleading to suggest - as you did - that there is a History Masters available which supercedes the normal teaching qualification requirement.

TheDriver

fair enough Rosita, won't get into an argument with you about it. When I mention that something could be a teaching qualification, I was referring to the acceptance by the TC for purposes of subject recognition and not the whole teaching training/HDip idea but we're on the same track in the thoughts. Like I said, I have documentation in my office in school but all locked up.
And I agree with your statement, his masters won't count unless the TC has said it will which is highly unlikely.
Keep in mind however OP that your masters will be accepted for purposes of payment but probably not regarding subject recognition.

sanches56

Posted by George Orwell 1982: I have a degree in economics and a masters in European Studies. Does anyone know where I can find out if the masters in europeans studies qualifies me to teach history?

I was talking to a Maths teacher recently and was asking him how to get qualified in a particular subject if your primary degree doesnt cover you. He said that there is a possibility to do a Diploma or Higher diploma (not sure which) in that subject. There are specific courses available that are specifically geared for post primary teachers in order to be considered to be qualified in that subject. Usually the are part-time evening courses so that working teachers can avail of them

I dont know anything specific about these courses but if anybody can shed some light on this, it would be great.

pathway33

sanches56 wrote: »

I was talking to a Maths teacher recently and was asking him how to get qualified in a particular subject if your primary degree doesnt cover you. He said that there is a possibility to do a Diploma or Higher diploma (not sure which) in that subject. There are specific courses available that are specifically geared for post primary teachers in order to be considered to be qualified in that subject. Usually the are part-time evening courses so that working teachers can avail of them

I dont know anything specific about these courses but if anybody can shed some light on this, it would be great.

Yeah there is a H.Dip in maths at UCD and NUIM which claims to satify the teaching council requirements but I don't think the TC have officially recognised them yet. Also courses like this for religion http://www.maynoothcollege.ie/courses/diplomas/hdiptheo.shtml have been alleged to be deemed TC recognised as long as you are already a qualified teacher in some other subject