My daughter wants to study primary school teaching but doesn’t think that she will get over 500 points in her Leaving Cert. Are there other routes available, either at home or abroad, which won’t break the bank? I have two other children in college and costs are mounting fast.
As a guidance counsellor, I am reluctant to direct any student to a particular course. However, when I read your question, a few options came to mind as a potential solution to your daughter’s dilemma and your third level costs.
One is the BEd International Teacher Education for Primary Schools at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. It is a four-year degree programme taught through English and which prepares students for teaching positions in international schools all over the world.
Your daughter probably wants to have the option to teach and live in Ireland, Under an EU directive (2005/36/EC), people who qualified as teachers in one EU member state are entitled to have their qualifications recognised in all other member states.
This recognition may be granted subject to conditions including making good any shortfalls. In an Irish context this would involve demonstrating her competence in the Irish language.
Teaching graduates who secure their qualifications outside Ireland and who wish to register with the Teaching Council will be informed about the need for any additional modules required. Under EU law, there is three-year period to complete them. Applicants can work as teachers in Irish schools during the interim.
The primary school teaching programme in Stenden, like other undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Dutch research and applied universities, is euro2,209 per year. For the past number of years, first year fees across all Dutch programmes have been discounted by 50 per cent to encourage participation in third level education. Accommodation costs vary but generally do not exceed euro500 per month, including services.
From my inquiries, it is estimated that almost 1,000 Irish students a year are starting undergraduate programmes in Dutch, so she won’t be alone. The entry requirements are modest, by Irish terms, requiring at least five passes in the Leaving cert. There is also an online assessment process. Applications opened on October 1st .
For further details on this and other third level programmes taught through English in continental EU universities, check out eunicas.ie
Concerning your other questions, it is likely that CAO points will drop back somewhat from 2021 levels next year. As a result, 500 CAO points may not be required for primary school teaching.
If your daughter wants to explore teacher education programmes in England of Scotland, fees for Irish students post-Brexit now stand at stg£9,250 per year.
Hibernia, a blended learning, higher education third-level private college in Ireland, is also an option. Any graduate who has secured the necessary 2:1 award and has met the minimum entry requirement in Irish for primary school teaching may seek a place on the Hibernia post graduate programme.
- Have you an education or career guidance query? Email askbrian@irishtimes.com
