All Primary / Secondary Masters Courses - Post Q's Here Please

mtoutlemonde · 12-01-2021 10:25pm

Kirby Puckett wrote: »

I applied to a non-PAC university and they "assessed" my qualifications. In other words, they dismissed 10 ECTS of legitimate literature and told me I had to take three literature courses with them. They never mentioned anything about changes in the Subject Declaration form. The website states that all applicants entering a PME in 2021 must meet these new requirements.

However, if you go on the PAC website, the 2016 Subject Declaration form is still the one you have to fill out. I called both PAC and the Teaching Council. The advice is to fill out the 2016 form and, when your qualifications are being assessed, they will use the 2021 form.

It's possible but the Teaching Council had a different view of it today. They claimed that the new form "isn't more stringent" than the previous one. There is a shortage of teachers in my subject and while it might be great fun to reject applicants and force them to take courses in things they've already studied, it's probably not the best way to solve the issues with shortages.

I thought they were meant to make registering easier! As you mention shortages in subjects and literature - you probably have MFL like myself. I had an awful amount of hassle getting my qualifications accepted. Those fools in the Teaching Council will lead the country into shortages in every subject in a few years as their rules are too stringent, the duration and cost of a PME will turn people away from what is a great career.

I'll reread your message and bring it to the attention of union rep - I havnt got my head around it yet!

Kirby Puckett · 13-01-2021 12:09am

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

I thought they were meant to make registering easier! As you mention shortages in subjects and literature - you probably have MFL like myself. I had an awful amount of hassle getting my qualifications accepted. Those fools in the Teaching Council will lead the country into shortages in every subject in a few years as their rules are too stringent, the duration and cost of a PME will turn people away from what is a great career.

I'll reread your message and bring it to the attention of union rep - I havnt got my head around it yet!

Please do!

My experience with a non-PAC PME application was extremely unsatisfactory. The PME provider rejected my course and tried to pin it on the Teaching Council ("they won't accept it"). The Teaching Council absolutely refused to even comment on this rejection-by-proxy ("we only assess your qualifications after you've been rejected, re-applied and been accepted"). All the while, I've been sitting on the sideline feeling that this would have been avoided if someone had taken the initiative and actually assessed my course properly.

Regardless of whether the university is in the PAC system or not, surely the most logical thing would be to assess all qualifications centrally before offering people places on PMEs. Yeah, it would mean a few very busy months between January and April but it would cut out a lot of the nonsense.

lmartmom · 18-01-2021 11:34pm

Does anyone have any experience with doing the primary PME in Hibernia with young children? I would have the evenings free to attend webinars and would also be free at the weekends for in person lectures or study and assignments. I think I could also arrange childcare for one day during the week. Does that sound do-able?

starstothesun · 18-01-2021 11:48pm

lmartmom wrote: »

Does anyone have any experience with doing the primary PME in Hibernia with young children? I would have the evenings free to attend webinars and would also be free at the weekends for in person lectures or study and assignments. I think I could also arrange childcare for one day during the week. Does that sound do-able?

My sister in law is currently in her second year studying for the primary PME with Hibernia. when she began the course in April 2019 her two kids were ages 1 and 3. She has the kids in a good bed time routine that gives her the chance to grab a few hours at night. She says it is managable & a good family support behind you, will enable you to succeed if its just the kids minded for a few hours by a mam or sister she reckons has given her great flexibility too. They’re plenty of hours subbing prior to schools closing with covid & i have heard of loads of people managing the course with full time employments & or combing study with working subbing hours. This year due to covid the saturday face to face lectures have moved online which saves her the hassle of travelling to the regional centre.

starstothesun · 18-01-2021 11:55pm

Has anyone any experience of Hibernia’s PME Post primary course. Do the face to face lectures amount to the same as the amount the primary pme students attend? or are there less for Post primary to attend? I note that the primary courses tend to have face to face saturday lectures regionally ie limerick, cork, portlaoise etc. What is peoples experience of the Post Primary Face to face lectures with locations please? are these regionally too or tend to be just held in Dublin?
Also, with current covid restrictions etc has anyone any idea of when hibernia will go back to face to face lectures? I assume the saturday face to face will remain online for the remainder of this year at least? all info welcome/appreciated

jrmb · 19-01-2021 8:49am

I'm doing the post primary course. All of my "face-to-face" days have been online (the college had no choice). As I understand it, they arrange the face-to-face days at regional hubs. My subject area has a low uptake, so I don't know how regional meet-ups would work for some of my classmates.

Overall it's a good and enjoyable course, but a drawback would be that you don't get to meet people from other cohorts and programmes.

starstothesun · 19-01-2021 9:23am

Does anyone know when the PME post primary offers come out for DCU? Do they tend to be before or after NUI offers?

Kirby Puckett · 19-01-2021 2:28pm

Where does the interview fit into the procedure for PAC applications? Do PAC make a provisional offer that only becomes official after a satisfactory interview with the relevant university?

Polka_Dot · 19-01-2021 7:42pm

Kirby Puckett wrote: »

Where does the interview fit into the procedure for PAC applications? Do PAC make a provisional offer that only becomes official after a satisfactory interview with the relevant university?

,
There's no interview with PAC applications, it's all based on your score

Kirby Puckett · 19-01-2021 8:48pm

Polka_Dot wrote: »

,
There's no interview with PAC applications, it's all based on your score

It turns out the interview mentioned in one of the testimonies was in reference to an interview at a school ahead of Teaching Practice.

Wake up, Kirby.

Kirby Puckett · 23-01-2021 12:05am

Me again, sorry.

I logged into the PAC website again to find that my grade average had been changed without me being notified (how is that even possible?). I studied abroad so my grade average needs to be converted and using every grade scale I can find, my average would equate to about 65 in Ireland. They gave me 60. This mightn't sound like much of a difference, but with the PAC scoring system a difference in grade average can be the difference between an offer and another year on the sidelines.

Does anyone know what the hell is going on?

abdul98 · 27-01-2021 1:05pm

Hello I asked about the Professional Master in Limerick in the UL forum but nobody responds. Maybe somebody here can answer my questions?

pollymv1 · 28-01-2021 9:49pm

lmartmom wrote: »

Does anyone have any experience with doing the primary PME in Hibernia with young children? I would have the evenings free to attend webinars and would also be free at the weekends for in person lectures or study and assignments. I think I could also arrange childcare for one day during the week. Does that sound do-able?

Steer clear of Hibernia. They are just in it for the money.

mtoutlemonde · 29-01-2021 12:02am

pollymv1 wrote: »

Steer clear of Hibernia. They are just in it for the money.

And one of the old stories that appear here from time to time. Hibernia suits people and is even more (or was) than the PME I did in an established university. Hibernia has found it's place and is an equal to any other.

98Wallor · 30-01-2021 1:05am

Does anybody know if with Hibernia I can delay my starting date until the next cohort? I applied for, and was thankfully successful in getting a spot for this Spring, but I wouldn’t mind staying in my current job for another couple of months and saving as much as possible, then starting in September. Any ideas?

jrmb · 30-01-2021 4:52am

98Wallor wrote: »

Does anybody know if with Hibernia I can delay my starting date until the next cohort? I applied for, and was thankfully successful in getting a spot for this Spring, but I wouldn’t mind staying in my current job for another couple of months and saving as much as possible, then starting in September. Any ideas?

They're usually accommodating about this kind of thing. Call the admissions team to check.

To be honest, most people advised me not to waste any time before the PME and I'm glad I followed their advice.

starstothesun · 30-01-2021 12:46pm

98Wallor wrote: »

Does anybody know if with Hibernia I can delay my starting date until the next cohort? I applied for, and was thankfully successful in getting a spot for this Spring, but I wouldn’t mind staying in my current job for another couple of months and saving as much as possible, then starting in September. Any ideas?

If it’s post primary i think there is no issue. If it’s primary if you don’t have the new grade requirement that’s kicking in, in september you won’t be able to defer. If you have the grades you should be fine to defer. Prob no harm giving them a call to clarify

snor · 30-01-2021 2:36pm

Hi. Niece has H4 in irish but didn’t get O4 in maths. She plans to do a BA in September. Can she repeat maths on its own to get the O4 to apply for the PME? Know you can for Irish but not sure about maths. Thank you.

jrmb · 30-01-2021 5:29pm

snor wrote: »

Hi. Niece has H4 in irish but didn’t get O4 in maths. She plans to do a BA in September. Can she repeat maths on its own to get the O4 to apply for the PME? Know you can for Irish but not sure about maths. Thank you.

Yes, anyone can repeat anything they want.

starstothesun · 30-01-2021 6:54pm

PAC NUI PME application submitted. Waiting game now!

Kirby Puckett · 31-01-2021 12:16am

starstothesun wrote: »

PAC NUI PME application submitted. Waiting game now!

Submitted mine a week or two ago. You wouldn't have applied to somewhat westerly institution, by any chance?

starstothesun · 31-01-2021 12:38am

Kirby Puckett wrote: »

Submitted mine a week or two ago. You wouldn't have applied to somewhat westerly institution, by any chance?

I put Galway as 3rd choice. Have you applied for UL too? Im thinking of applying there as well just in case & keep options open

Kirby Puckett · 31-01-2021 1:22pm

starstothesun wrote: »

I put Galway as 3rd choice. Have you applied for UL too? Im thinking of applying there as well just in case & keep options open

Yeah, I applied to UL. The fees are more manageable there. No idea about the quality of education versus that of NUI, though.

French Toast · 01-02-2021 3:32am

Completed the PME in NUIG a few years back. Will never forget the morning of getting the PAC offer :P best of luck to all applying.

stiofan85 · 08-02-2021 12:53pm

I've applied to the DCU PME, put in the application back in November. All documents submitted including placement form. Anyone know when offers come out?

abdul98 · 18-02-2021 1:20pm

Does anyone know when are the interviews of UL? If they have said nothing, maybe my application is not to late. Its so difficult to organize all the documents when you dont know the deadline.

starstothesun · 18-02-2021 2:39pm

abdul98 wrote: »

Does anyone know when are the interviews of UL? If they have said nothing, maybe my application is not to late. Its so difficult to organize all the documents when you dont know the deadline.

I think i read somewhere the closing date for applications is July. Also, the website states interviews begin in March. I must actually complete my own application i was too busy submitting the PAC applications

Kirby Puckett · 19-02-2021 8:31pm

When I log into PAC, it doesn't say anything under "status" or "action". Is this normal? My application is complete and I uploaded all the documentation before the original deadline. I was sort of expecting a final "your application is complete" email.

stiofan85 · 22-02-2021 1:16pm

Kirby Puckett wrote: »

When I log into PAC, it doesn't say anything under "status" or "action". Is this normal? My application is complete and I uploaded all the documentation before the original deadline. I was sort of expecting a final "your application is complete" email.

Mine is the same. I got an update on Friday asking for an extra document for past work experience so I guess they are going through it all at the moment. It's a pretty poor website tbh.

Kirby Puckett · 22-02-2021 6:42pm

stiofan85 wrote: »

Mine is the same. I got an update on Friday asking for an extra document for past work experience so I guess they are going through it all at the moment. It's a pretty poor website tbh.

That's good if there are various applications like that. All of my documents have been "accepted" apart from the most recently-uploaded work reference. I think I read somewhere that if there are issues with references they will just award you a 0 for what you've claimed and the rest of the application will continue irrespective.

NathanB98 · 03-03-2021 8:26pm

I’m pretty nervous about whether or not I’ll get an offer. By my reckoning, I have 43 points. UCD last year was 42, so I’m worried that it’ll go up. I can’t seem to find the points for previous years anywhere, does anyone know where I can find them? Thanks!

starstothesun · 03-03-2021 10:21pm

NathanB98 wrote: »

I’m pretty nervous about whether or not I’ll get an offer. By my reckoning, I have 43 points. UCD last year was 42, so I’m worried that it’ll go up. I can’t seem to find the points for previous years anywhere, does anyone know where I can find them? Thanks!

Attached is the 2019 round 2 points. Just to note those with the * mark were not all offered places. As far as i am aware if candidates are on equal points it’s random/lottery type selection. Have you applied for Trinity, DCU or Hibernia?

09-03-2021 9:21pm

Has anyone completed the PME languages interview in UL or in any other college ? I have my interview this week and feel like I am going in blind.

starstothesun · 19-03-2021 12:51pm

086211080322 wrote: »

Has anyone completed the PME languages interview in UL or in any other college ? I have my interview this week and feel like I am going in blind.

Have you completed Interview yet? was there many general questions or were they all language specific? I’m Business and Accounting - awaiting interview date

starstothesun · 29-03-2021 1:31pm

DCU PME PP offers are out today. Delighted to have got a place for Sept 2021. Best of luck to everyone.

JGrey1426 · 29-03-2021 4:02pm

Congratulations, I have been also! Have you been able to accept and pay your deposit? I get an error when I do that, do you also need to fill out the teaching council form for your particular subject?

starstothesun · 29-03-2021 4:14pm

JGrey1426 wrote: »

Congratulations, I have been also! Have you been able to accept and pay your deposit? I get an error when I do that, do you also need to fill out the teaching council form for your particular subject?

Congrats to you too! There seems to be a problem accessing to pay the deposit, i’m sure it will be rectified in a day or two. Yeah, i think we will have to refill out the forms for the teaching council as they have different criteria for 2023 onwards (that’s when we will be finished the course) Suppose easier complete the forms now and not have to worry about credits etc down the line

Kirby Puckett · 31-03-2021 1:20pm

The PAC offers are coming out "from tomorrow". So best of luck to everyone who applied to NUIG, UCC, UCD or NUIM!

Dickie10 · 05-04-2021 11:40pm

is the PME still 12 and a half thousand? did mine in maynooth , found it fairly handy.

Blush_01 · 09-04-2021 6:09pm

Dickie10 wrote: »

is the PME still 12 and a half thousand? did mine in maynooth , found it fairly handy.

Depends on where you're doing it. Hibernia is €15,000 iirc.

oopsies · 11-06-2021 11:02am

Been thinking of applying for the PME for a long time and think the time is right now. Working in marketing makes me want to jump out the top window!

I need to do my Irish though. I have an Ordinary B from 2007. So hopefully can do the honours then this year.

Considering Hibernia or Froebel in Maynooth as Im in West Wicklow/Kildare. Are there any other PME's other than Hibernia that arent full time?

BettyBlue22 · 11-08-2021 12:56am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117395660#Comment_117395660

Hibernia is full-time. It's just more flexible than the traditional universities because the hours are at night and weekends. You are still doing the full PME course over two years.

Kirby Puckett · 23-08-2021 5:40pm

Any chance of a former PME student selling a second hand copy of Teaching Today by Geoff Petty?

Kirby Puckett · 26-08-2021 9:11pm

I have a quick question for anyone starting a PME. Did you get a second invitation to Garda Vetting recently? I got one this evening and I have no idea why. I have already been through this entire process and wasn't told of any issues. Why would they ask me to do it all again? I will call them in the morning but until then - any ideas?

BettyBlue22 · 28-08-2021 2:11am

@Kirby Puckett Sorry, I'm unsure what you mean by second invitation?

Your college will send you the initial invite, you have to complete some details and submit these and then the invite will come from the Garda Vetting Bureau.

If you got that invite twice, then yes, that's odd, the bureau should be able to sort that out for you.

Kirby Puckett · 28-08-2021 11:07am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117813637#Comment_117813637

I got the original invitation in July, signed and uploaded the documentation and got the disclosure a few weeks later.

Then, a few days ago, I got a slight variation on the original invitation urging me to sort out vetting before Teaching Practice. Apparently it's some sort of glitch relating to registration and not, as I had assumed, a problem with my vetting personally.

BettyBlue22 · 29-08-2021 10:22pm

Ah, that makes more sense, sorry for my confusion, I'm glad it's all sorted.

MöbiusStriptease · 09-01-2022 6:39pm

Hi! I'm a Spanish student of mathematics that's interested in the PME's programme. I stumbled upon this forum while seeking different views about the master and the situation in Ireland. I know that the prospects of renting a cheap room are quite bleak (compared to my country) and that the fees are a big investment. Been talking too to some unis but I'm not still sure about what to do...

So, basically: are there many job positions as mathematics teacher in Ireland? And in Europe? Is it a mad move to study in Ireland?

MS 19 · 11-01-2022 6:08pm

Hi :) Wondering if anyone can help me out!

I have the fundamental exams in ACCA passed and have the ACCA diploma in accounting and business, does anyone know if this lets me teach business or do you need the full ACCA qualification? and how do you fill out the student declaration form using the ACCA qualification?

If that ACCA qualification doesn't allow Business, I have accounting as a qualifying subject for teaching and really want to try add on business (without going back to do 4 years) has anyone done this and could maybe share the route they took as I am finding it really hard to get information seems to be impossible to get this information.

Kirby Puckett · 20-01-2022 6:04pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118444924#Comment_118444924

There is a noticeable shortage of Maths teachers in Ireland. In terms of job prospects, a PME in Maths would be a good step. However, getting Irish universities to recognise overseas degrees is quite a challenge. Some don't even try to hide their bias!

All Primary / Secondary Masters Courses - Post Q's Here Please

Comments