Careers with a teacher training qualification

Teaching in the Republic of Ireland

In the Republic of Ireland, teachers must hold teacher training qualifications, except for those holding posts in Vocational Education Committee (VEC) Schools where only a degree is required for teaching academic subjects. A postgraduate diploma in Education is required for posts in secondary-level schools, and you must also have taken to degree level at least one subject or area of study relevant to the curriculum.

The Bachelor of Education degree, or alternatively the Graduate Diploma in Education, is required for posts in primary-level schools. As Further Education Colleges come under VEC auspices, a teaching qualification is not mandatory for appointment to posts. For the VEC schools, though, most appointees hold a teaching qualification.

Teaching in Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland it is compulsory for all who graduated after 1973 to have a teacher training qualification in order to gain a permanent teaching post in primary or secondary schools. The options are secondary school PGCE (Postgraduate Certificate in Education) and primary school PGCE. A teaching qualification is not mandatory for appointment to posts in further education.

However, new entrants to full-time permanent teaching or associate lecturer posts in further education who do not already possess a Bachelor Education Degree or a Postgraduate Certificate in Education will need to pass the Postgraduate Certificate in Further and Higher Education awarded by the University of Ulster. Application forms are available from University of Ulster, Coleraine.

Getting a job

Teaching qualifications gained in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are recognised throughout the European Union. There appear to be no ‘shortage subjects’ at secondary level in the Republic of Ireland and there is competition for posts. Initial part-time or substitute employment can help your long-term prospects. Demand for teachers at primary level is stronger. Posts are advertised most frequently in the Independent (Thursday/Sunday editions). VEC websites carry advertisements for their schools. Direct application to schools can be an important means of securing an appointment.

There are no ‘shortage subjects’ in Northern Ireland and, again, competition for teaching posts is high. Many newly qualified teachers spend their first year in temporary teaching posts within Northern Ireland. Vacancies are advertised in the local press – The Belfast Telegraph (Tuesday/Friday), The Irish News (Thursday) and the News Letter (Thursday).

An online regional databasehas been set up of qualified teachers who provide substitute (supply) cover for schools throughout Northern Ireland.

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