Hibernia College

johnprofumo wrote: »

Just wondering if anybody else ever had any similar experiences?

I finished the PDPPE in Hibernia and had a few minor issues. Usually admin based - like being sent to an onsite in Tipp instead of a Dublin venue which was 20min from my home.

I have heard some horror stories around academic grading. Two friends were given identical written feedback on an assignment with one being graded a D and the other a B. When they discovered this they questioned their tutor and both were bumped to As. I would suspect this was down to a tutor who was looking to rush through work.

I did my undergrad in UCD and a postgrad in DCU. I found that there is always admin problems in universities. I heard many a horror story in UCD. One of my friends failed an economics class, went crying to the lecturer and he gave her a pass. The same lecturer turned me away from his office because I supposedly never attended his class - a class I never missed.

Hibernia get a lot of stick but personally they were great and their program allowed me to get a hDip while working full time. I couldn't have gone back to UCD for a full time postgrad at that time in my life.

joeharte123 wrote: »

I haven't heard good things about Hibernia, to be honest. Principals and management seem to be often quite snobby toward those in applications with Hibernia qualifications, even though technically speaking it is the same qualification recognised by the Teaching Council like the well established courses such as Maynooth.
However, to avoid any handicaps in getting a job in teaching I would advise against Hibernia in order to give yourself a chance in an already highly saturated market.

I find it interesting that Hibernia withdrew your place, as far as I'm aware Hibernia basically has "unlimited" courses as it is online education - this is often part of an argument that they are part to blame for the over saturation of teacher qualifications in this country in the first place!

That is a very unfair thing to say. There are many hibernia graduates who are excellent teachers and there are many terrible teachers that went to the NUIs. In the past when hibernia was launched, there probably was some snobbery but that no longer exists. I went to an NUI and the only way to describe it was chaos. Assignments being assigned late, lecturers not delivering, people in the education department not speaking to each other etc. I havn't heard anything like that from teachers I've worked with who studied with Hibernia except for the anti-hibernia teachers here and they are few and far between. The only way someone can give a true comparison of teacher education courses in Ireland, is to do both otherwise you talking through your hat. Likewise for management.

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

That is a very unfair thing to say. There are many hibernia graduates who are excellent teachers and there are many terrible teachers that went to the NUIs. In the past when hibernia was launched, there probably was some snobbery but that no longer exists. I went to an NUI and the only way to describe it was chaos. Assignments being assigned late, lecturers not delivering, people in the education department not speaking to each other etc. I havn't heard anything like that from teachers I've worked with who studied with Hibernia except for the anti-hibernia teachers here and they are few and far between. The only way someone can give a true comparison of teacher education courses in Ireland, is to do both otherwise you talking through your hat. Likewise for management.

I agree, it is unfair. But you admitted it there is an element of "anti-hibernia". I've said in my previous post that all qualifications are recognised by the TC to allow someone register as a PP teacher, thus shouldn't be treated differently. But, there have be instances whereby applications were snubbed because of the institution of the teacher training. Not saying this bias happens everywhere, but it does happen.

sullivlo wrote: »

None of my fellow Hibernia graduates have struggled to find jobs. Well, none of the ones I am in contact with. I think some of the niche subjects where there are very few posts advertised have struggled to get hours in their subject, like music, or where subjects are over subscribed, like English or geography.

So I think you're probably talking out of your arse.

I don't mean to offend you as a Hibernia graduate. Like I have originally stated in my post, I believe it is unfair to treat Hibernia graduates differently, but there have been cases of this happening - it hasn't happened to you or your close friends which is positive and well deserved to anyone that invests their time training to work in the career they love!

Music is particularly bad with many wasting thousands of euro qualifying in the single subject leading to them being unemployed, with the best they can hope for is casual subbing in numerous different schools along with no permanency or job security.
I know people that have went to the UK to teach music on full hours and love it, after scratching around Ireland for years, waiting by the phone for a few classes to supervise. I believe Geography is heavily subscribed across the board, also.

mtoutlemonde wrote: »

I said it happened in the past. Hibernia and the other teaching courses are equal now. Interview boards would have to have a better reason to not give someone a job based on their teacher education diploma.

They were always equal. But some interview panels still look down on Hibernia graduates, which is wrong. I can only speak for Secondary here, not primary.

joeharte123 wrote: »

They were always equal. But some interview panels still look down on Hibernia graduates, which is wrong. I can only speak for Secondary here, not primary.

Have you been on interviews and experienced this?

joeharte123 wrote: »

Music is particularly bad with many wasting thousands of euro qualifying in the single subject leading to them being unemployed, with the best they can hope for is casual subbing in numerous different schools along with no permanency or job security.

I'd agree with you on the issues music teachers face, but that is nothing to do with Hibernia. In a lot of schools a subject like economics or music isn't going to be oversubscribed like geography or business.

I think you advising anyone to stay away from a qualification with Hibernia is misinformed. It's ideal for anyone looking to change careers and who haven't the time for a full-time postgrad.

As a Hibernia grad I never found anyone questioning my decision to gain a qualification with them nor have I been subject to any unfair treatment. I even think it's a stretch to say a panel even considers it.

joeharte123 wrote: »

Students must find their own placements with Hibernia?

What college provides students with automatic placements?

I agree. I've personal experience of Hibernia. At the end of the day it is run as a business as opposed to an academic institution. The staff aren't treated well at all. It feels like you are in sales just churning through fee payers. Doesn't rate with real universities.

I have level 8 degree but it is only a pass grade, Have I any chance at all of getting accepted into Hibernia for primary school teaching?

On the above note about the grades. Ive only a C3 in Irish English and maths (ordinary) I know I'll have to repeat my Irish and that's fine but what about the c3s? I know they require a C2. I have a level 8 honours degree and I'm a fully qualified accountant looking to change career. Is there any chance of not having to repeat my English and maths to get into any of the colleges to do the primary PME?