How to Become a Primary School Teacher in Ireland
There are two main routes to becoming a primary school teacher in Ireland: complete a four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd) directly after school, or complete an existing Level 8 undergraduate degree and then undertake a two-year Professional Master of Education (PME) in Primary Teaching. Both routes must lead to a qualification accredited by the Teaching Council. (Teaching Council)
Primary teaching also has an important requirement that distinguishes it from most post-primary teaching routes: Irish matters. Applicants generally need to satisfy minimum Leaving Certificate requirements in Irish, English and Mathematics, while PME applicants normally also have to demonstrate spoken Irish through the TEG B1 oral examination. (Teaching Council)
Information checked and updated: September 2026
At a Glance
• 2 main qualification routes — a four-year BEd or an existing Level 8 degree followed by a two-year PME. 🎓
• 4 years — standard length of an undergraduate Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching. 📚
• 2 years — standard length of the postgraduate PME in Primary Teaching. 🎓
• Irish: H4 is the standard 2026 Leaving Certificate minimum for primary teaching entry. 🇮🇪
• English: minimum H7 or O4 under the 2026 requirements. 📖
• Maths: minimum H7 or O4 under the 2026 requirements. ➗
• PME applicants: normally need at least 65% in the TEG B1 oral Irish examination before applying. 🗣️
• €45,833 — point 1 of the basic salary scale applying from 1 June 2026 to primary teachers appointed on or after 1 January 2011. 💶
• €84,412 — highest point on that published 2026 incremental scale. 📈
• €90 — current Teaching Council initial registration fee. ✅
• €65 a year — current Teaching Council registration renewal fee. 🔄
The entry requirements and salary figures above can change, so prospective students should verify them with the Department of Education, Teaching Council and individual colleges before applying. (Teaching Council)
How do you become a primary school teacher in Ireland?
The basic route looks like this:
Route 1: Undergraduate
Leaving Certificate or equivalent
→ Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching
→ Four years of study and school placement
→ Graduate
→ Register with the Teaching Council
→ Begin working as a qualified primary teacher
→ Complete the required professional induction process, Droichead.
Route 2: Postgraduate
Existing Level 8 degree
→ Meet the primary teaching entry requirements, including Irish
→ Meet the required TEG oral Irish standard
→ Professional Master of Education in Primary Teaching
→ Two years of study and school placement
→ Register with the Teaching Council
→ Begin working as a qualified primary teacher
→ Complete Droichead.
The important point is that your original undergraduate degree does not have to be in education to enter a primary PME. The Teaching Council describes the postgraduate route as a Level 8 undergraduate degree "in any subject or area" followed by an accredited primary PME. (Teaching Council)
That makes primary teaching potentially accessible to graduates coming from business, science, arts, law, marketing and many other backgrounds.
Route 1: Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching
For someone leaving secondary school who already knows they want to become a primary teacher, the most direct route is generally the Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Primary Teaching.
These programmes take four years full-time and combine university study with professional teaching practice in schools. (Teaching Council)
The Department of Education currently identifies four state-funded higher education institutions offering primary teacher education:
• Dublin City University, St Patrick's Campus
• Marino Institute of Education
• Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
• Maynooth University, Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education
Hibernia College also provides an accredited postgraduate primary teaching programme rather than the undergraduate BEd route. (Government of Ireland)
View the Teaching Council's current list of accredited teaching programmes
What do you study on a primary teaching degree?
A BEd is considerably broader than simply learning how to deliver lessons.
Students study areas including:
• How children learn and develop.
• Teaching literacy and English.
• Gaeilge.
• Mathematics education.
• Science.
• History and geography.
• Arts and music education.
• Physical education.
• Psychology and sociology of education.
• Special and inclusive education.
• Classroom planning and assessment.
• Educational research.
• Professional practice and school placement.
DCU, for example, incorporates school experience throughout its four-year BEd, with extended placements later in the degree. (Dublin City University)
School placement is a core element of all accredited initial teacher education programmes rather than an optional work-experience element. (Teaching Council)
What Leaving Cert results do you need for primary teaching?
There are two different hurdles to understand:
1. Minimum entry requirements
and
2. CAO points needed to actually secure a place.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
For standard undergraduate entry in 2026, applicants generally need six Leaving Certificate subjects, including:
• Irish — H4
• English — O4 or H7
• Mathematics — O4 or H7
Applicants must also satisfy the broader academic requirements for the course, including the required Higher Level subjects. For example, DCU states that applicants require at least three subjects at H5, together with three further subjects at O6/H7, while satisfying the Irish, English and Mathematics requirements above. (Dublin City University)
Prospective applicants should check the Department of Education's entry-requirement document for the year in which they intend to enter college, as requirements can be revised. (Government of Ireland)
Department of Education primary teaching qualification requirements
How many CAO points do you need for primary teaching?
This varies by college and year because CAO points reflect competition for available places rather than a permanent qualification requirement.
For context, 2026 published figures included:
• DCU Bachelor of Education: 485 points
• Mary Immaculate College BEd: 475 points
• Maynooth University BEd: 506 points
These figures are useful as an indication of the level of competition, but they should not be treated as a forecast of the points required in a future CAO round. (Dublin City University)
This distinction matters. A student could comfortably satisfy the Department's minimum Irish, English and Maths requirements but still miss out because the CAO points for the course are higher.
Route 2: Becoming a primary teacher after another degree
Already have a degree?
You do not normally need to go back and complete another four-year undergraduate degree.
The main graduate route is the Professional Master of Education in Primary Teaching, commonly shortened to the PME.
The programme takes two years. Applicants normally need an appropriate Level 8 undergraduate qualification before commencing the programme. The undergraduate degree can be in another discipline. (Teaching Council)
This means someone who completed a business degree, for example, could later decide to retrain as a primary teacher without starting an undergraduate education degree from scratch.
Where can you do a primary PME?
The Teaching Council currently lists accredited primary teacher education provision at:
• Dublin City University
• Hibernia College
• Marino Institute of Education
• Mary Immaculate College
• Maynooth University
Applicants should always confirm that the particular programme and intake they are considering remains accredited by the Teaching Council. (Teaching Council)
Do you need Irish to become a primary school teacher?
For the mainstream route, yes.
Irish is a core part of the primary curriculum, which means primary teachers are expected to be able to teach Gaeilge.
For 2026 PME entry, the standard Leaving Certificate requirements include:
• Irish — H4
• English — H7 or O4
• Mathematics — H7 or O4. (Mary Immaculate College)
Having a degree does not generally wipe out those school-level subject requirements.
That is an important consideration for graduates thinking about changing career. Someone may have a first-class honours degree and several years of professional experience but could still have to address the Irish requirement before becoming eligible for the primary teaching route.
What is the TEG Irish exam for primary teaching?
Applicants to the primary PME normally have an additional spoken-Irish hurdle.
The Teaching Council states that PME applicants must achieve 65% or higher in the oral component of the Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge Meánleibhéal 1 — B1 examination before the relevant application deadline. (Teaching Council)
TEG stands for Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, a recognised system for assessing Irish-language ability.
For example, Mary Immaculate College required applicants for its September 2026 PME intake to achieve at least 65% in the B1 TEG oral examination. (Mary Immaculate College)
Hibernia College operates slightly differently: the Teaching Council notes that applicants may present the TEG certificate or undertake an interview through Irish with the college. (Teaching Council)
This is therefore one of the first things a graduate considering primary teaching should investigate — not something to leave until after applying for a PME.
Do primary teaching students have to go to the Gaeltacht?
Yes. Students on primary initial teacher education programmes must undertake two Gaeltacht placements, known as the Tréimhse Foghlama sa Ghaeltacht. (Teaching Council)
The exact organisation of the placements can differ between institutions.
For example, Maynooth University's BEd includes two fortnight-long Gaeltacht placements, while DCU describes a total four-week Gaeltacht component within its programme. (Maynooth University)
Students should therefore budget not just for college fees but also for the associated costs of required placements and Gaeltacht study.
How much does it cost to become a primary school teacher?
The answer depends heavily on which route you choose.
Undergraduate BEd
Students who qualify under Ireland's Free Fees Initiative may have eligible undergraduate tuition fees covered by the State, although student contribution charges and other levies can still apply.
As an example of the 2026/27 cost structure, DCU lists its BEd Primary Teaching programme with a €2,543 student contribution for eligible full-time students, while other charges depend on fee status and eligibility. (Dublin City University)
SUSI grants may cover some or all eligible student contribution or maintenance costs depending on the student's circumstances.
Postgraduate PME
PMEs can be substantially more expensive because postgraduate funding works differently.
For illustration, Mary Immaculate College listed an EU fee of €5,800 per academic year for its primary PME in 2025/26, plus certain programme levies. Fees are subject to annual review. (Mary Immaculate College)
Hibernia College currently lists its primary PME tuition as:
• €1,050 deposit on acceptance.
• €6,875 first instalment.
• €7,875 second instalment.
That implies advertised core payments of €15,800 including the deposit, before additional learner-protection charges and other costs. Its website also lists separate Gaeltacht costs of €845 for each year, payable to a third-party provider, along with other possible charges. (Hibernia College)
Fees can change considerably between intakes, so these figures should be treated as dated examples rather than permanent prices.
Worked example: retraining as a primary teacher after another degree
Consider a 25-year-old graduate with a Level 8 business degree who decides to become a primary teacher.
Assume they already satisfy the required Leaving Certificate grades in Irish, English and Maths.
Their route might look like this:
Year 0
• Confirm Leaving Certificate eligibility.
• Prepare for the TEG B1 oral Irish examination.
• Achieve at least 65%.
• Apply for accredited primary PME programmes.
Years 1–2
• Complete the two-year PME.
• Complete required school placements.
• Complete the required Gaeltacht periods.
After graduation
• Apply for Teaching Council registration.
• Complete vetting requirements.
• Begin employment as a qualified teacher.
• Complete Droichead induction.
In other words, someone who already possesses an eligible undergraduate degree can potentially retrain in around two academic years, rather than having to complete a fresh four-year BEd. (Teaching Council)
However, the financial cost is larger than tuition alone.
A career changer also has to consider:
• Lost or reduced employment income.
• College fees.
• Travel to lectures and placement schools.
• Gaeltacht costs.
• Accommodation where relevant.
• Books and teaching materials.
• The practical difficulty of combining employment with course and placement obligations.
That opportunity cost can be considerably more important than the headline university fee.
How much does a primary school teacher earn in Ireland?
Qualified teachers employed in recognised schools are generally paid according to nationally determined public-service salary scales.
For a newly entering primary teacher, the most relevant scale is the scale for teachers appointed on or after 1 January 2011.
From 1 June 2026, the basic scale begins at:
• Point 1 — €45,833
It rises through incremental points to:
• Point 5 — €51,510
• Point 10 — €60,785
• Point 15 — €70,329
• Point 19 — €75,721
• Point 23 — €79,854
• Point 27 — €84,412
These are gross annual basic salary figures before tax, USC, PRSI, pension-related deductions and other deductions. They are not take-home pay.
There are also incremental skips at certain points under the current arrangements, so the number attached to a salary point should not automatically be interpreted as the exact number of years a teacher has worked.
View Circular 0055/2026 setting out the June 2026 primary teacher salary scales
How does primary teacher pay progress?
A major advantage of teaching from a financial-planning perspective is that the basic salary scale is publicly available.
A teacher progressing from the first published point of €45,833 to the highest published point of €84,412 would see their basic annual salary increase by:
€84,412 − €45,833 = €38,579
That is an increase of approximately: 84% across the published scale.
This calculation compares the first and highest points of the June 2026 scale only. It does not mean every teacher will automatically progress on a fixed 27-year schedule, and it excludes promotions and allowances.
Can primary school teachers earn more than the normal salary scale?
Yes.
Teachers taking additional leadership responsibilities can receive allowances on top of their basic salary.
From June 2026, for example, published rates include:
• Assistant Principal II — €4,730
• Assistant Principal I — €10,692.
Principal and deputy-principal allowances depend heavily on school size and the applicable category.
Following the 2026 local-bargaining changes, INTO lists primary principal allowances ranging from approximately €16,512 to €52,730, depending on the number of authorised teaching posts in the school.
Deputy-principal allowances range from approximately €8,182 to €31,729 under the same June 2026 rates. (Irish National Teachers' Organisation)
These figures are allowances rather than standalone salaries. A principal's total gross remuneration can therefore be significantly higher than the classroom-teacher basic scale because their relevant allowance is added to their underlying salary.
Are there other teacher allowances?
There can be.
The June 2026 circular includes, among other categories:
• Teaching through Irish — €1,986.
• Certain Gaeltacht payments — €3,844.
• Island allowance — €2,312.
• Diploma for Special Education — €3,059.
Eligibility conditions apply, and the existence of an allowance on an official pay circular does not mean every newly qualified teacher can claim it. Some historic qualification allowances are restricted to teachers who entered the profession during particular periods.
That is why a teacher's basic salary and total remuneration are not always identical.
Do you have to register with the Teaching Council?
Yes.
The Teaching Council is the statutory regulator of the teaching profession in Ireland.
Under Section 30 of the Teaching Council Act, a teacher employed in a recognised school must be registered with the Teaching Council to receive a salary paid from public funds. (Teaching Council)
For a primary teacher qualifying in Ireland, registration requires appropriate qualifications and evidence of character, including mandatory vetting. (Teaching Council)
The current fees are:
• Initial Teaching Council registration — €90
• Annual renewal — €65. (Teaching Council)
Registration lasts for 12 months and must be renewed. (Teaching Council)
Do primary school teachers need Garda vetting?
Yes.
Teachers are required to undergo vetting through the National Vetting Bureau, with the Teaching Council administering the vetting process for teachers.
The process has two online stages:
• The initial application through the Teaching Council's My Registration system.
• Completion through the National Vetting Bureau's eVetting portal. (Teaching Council)
Schools also have responsibilities relating to vetting when employing staff.
What is Droichead?
Qualifying from college is not quite the final stage of becoming fully established in the profession.
Droichead is Ireland's professional induction framework for newly qualified teachers.
For primary teachers it combines:
• Strand A — school-based induction
and
• Strand B — additional professional learning activities. (Teaching Council)
A revised Droichead policy came into effect on 1 September 2026 for newly qualified teachers commencing the process. (Teaching Council)
It is designed to support newly qualified teachers as they move from teacher education into professional classroom practice rather than serving as another university qualification.
What if you qualified as a primary teacher outside Ireland?
It is possible to apply to the Teaching Council if you obtained your teacher qualification overseas, but an overseas qualification is not automatically identical to an Irish one.
The Teaching Council assesses qualifications gained abroad and may impose conditions where significant differences exist.
A particularly important issue for primary teachers is Irish.
A teacher who completed teacher education outside the Republic of Ireland will normally have an Irish Language Requirement attached to their registration. This can be addressed through either:
• SCG — An Scrúdú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge, an aptitude test.
or
• OCG — Oiriúnú le hAghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge, an adaptation period involving teaching Irish.
The Teaching Council also requires evidence of three weeks' attendance at a recognised Gaeltacht course for completion of the SCG or OCG route. (Teaching Council)
Anyone considering qualifying abroad specifically as a way of becoming a teacher in Ireland should therefore investigate the Teaching Council recognition process before committing to the overseas course.
Can mature students become primary teachers?
Yes.
Being several years out of school does not prevent you from entering primary teaching.
Mature entry arrangements exist, although the process and selection procedures can vary between institutions.
For example, DCU's 2026 mature-entry process required applicants to apply through the CAO and, once eligible, complete a supplementary application and undertake a general interview and oral Irish assessment. (Dublin City University)
The crucial point is that mature status does not necessarily mean the core Irish, English and Mathematics requirements disappear.
Applicants should check the Department of Education's Mature Entry Requirements for the relevant year rather than assuming their professional experience replaces the subject requirements. (Government of Ireland)
A new alternative pathway into primary teaching
There is also an emerging tertiary route designed to broaden access.
Mary Immaculate College describes a pathway in which students first undertake an NFQ Level 5 QQI Major Award in Education Studies – Primary Pathway through an ETB setting before progressing, subject to the required results, into the four-year MIC Bachelor of Education.
That makes the overall route longer than direct entry to the BEd, but it provides an alternative for students who may not enter primary teaching through the conventional CAO route. (Mary Immaculate College)
Prospective students should check current availability, participating ETBs and eligibility conditions directly with MIC.
BEd or PME: which route makes most sense?
For a school-leaver who is confident that primary teaching is the career they want, the four-year BEd is generally the shortest direct route.
For someone who already has a Level 8 degree, the two-year PME usually makes far more sense than starting another four-year undergraduate programme.
The trade-off is cost.
Bachelor of Education
Advantages
• Direct route from secondary school.
• Four years from entry to qualification.
• Eligible students may benefit from undergraduate Free Fees arrangements.
• School placement is integrated throughout the programme.
• No need to obtain a separate undergraduate degree first.
Limitations
• Competitive CAO points.
• Significant Irish-language requirement.
• Four-year full-time commitment.
• Teaching-specific degree offers less of a fallback into some unrelated professions than a broader undergraduate degree might.
Professional Master of Education
Advantages
• Converts an existing degree into a pathway towards primary teaching.
• Only two additional academic years.
• Original undergraduate degree can generally be in another field.
• Particularly useful for career changers.
Limitations
• Postgraduate tuition can be substantial.
• Requires a suitable existing Level 8 qualification.
• Irish requirements still apply.
• TEG oral Irish requirement can be a significant hurdle.
• School placements make maintaining a normal full-time job difficult.
• Two years of reduced earnings can substantially increase the real cost of retraining.
The hidden cost of becoming a teacher: lost earnings
Course fees are only part of the equation for career changers.
Suppose someone earns €45,000 a year before deciding to undertake a two-year, full-time PME.
If they were unable to maintain that employment during the course, their gross foregone salary could theoretically be:
€45,000 × 2 = €90,000
That does not mean the PME "costs €90,000". The individual may work part-time, earn money during holidays or have different circumstances.
But it illustrates an important financial point: for someone already established in another career, the opportunity cost of returning to education can dwarf the headline university fees.
Anyone considering a career change should therefore look at:
course fees + living costs + travel + placement costs + lost earnings
rather than tuition alone.
What is working as a primary teacher actually like?
The attraction of teaching should not be judged solely on salary or school holidays.
A primary teacher is responsible for much more than standing in front of a class between school opening and closing times.
The work can involve:
• Lesson planning and preparation.
• Teaching across a broad curriculum.
• Correcting and assessment.
• Supporting pupils with different learning needs.
• Classroom management.
• Communicating with parents and guardians.
• Staff meetings.
• School planning and administration.
• Continuing professional learning.
• Extra-curricular activities.
• Preparing resources outside classroom hours.
Primary teaching may suit someone who enjoys working closely with children, communicating, organising and continually adapting.
It is a less obvious fit for someone whose main motivation is simply the holiday schedule.
Practical checklist before applying for primary teaching
Before committing to a course, check these in order:
Check your Leaving Certificate results, particularly Irish, English and Mathematics.
Decide which route applies — four-year BEd or graduate PME.
Check that the course is currently Teaching Council accredited.
For PME entry, check your Level 8 degree eligibility.
Investigate the TEG B1 oral examination early.
Check current fees rather than relying on figures from a previous intake.
Budget for Gaeltacht and placement costs.
Consider whether you can realistically work while completing the programme.
Look at the current teacher salary scale and likely starting point.
Understand the Teaching Council registration, vetting and Droichead requirements before graduating.
That checklist can prevent one of the biggest mistakes prospective teachers make: focusing on getting into college without looking at the complete journey to professional registration.
Advantages and limitations of becoming a primary teacher
Advantages
Primary teaching offers several attractions.
Structured public-sector pay
The salary scale is published, meaning teachers can see the broad trajectory of basic pay rather than negotiating their entire salary individually.
Defined career progression
Teachers can progress into Assistant Principal, Deputy Principal and Principal positions, with additional allowances attached to qualifying roles.
Public-service pension
Eligible teachers participate in the applicable public-service pension arrangements, although the exact scheme and benefits depend on when the teacher entered public service.
Geographic choice
Primary schools operate throughout Ireland, although the availability of permanent posts can vary significantly between locations and schools.
Transferable professional skills
Teaching develops communication, leadership, organisation, presentation and people-management skills.
Limitations
Irish can be a major entry barrier
A strong degree alone is not enough for many applicants if they cannot satisfy the required Irish-language criteria.
Training takes time
A school-leaver faces four years of study, while a graduate faces another two years after their original degree.
PME costs can be significant
Fees, placement travel, Gaeltacht attendance and lost earnings all need to be considered.
A qualification does not guarantee a permanent job immediately
Graduates can initially work in substitute, temporary or fixed-term positions before obtaining a permanent post.
The work extends outside classroom hours
Lesson planning, assessment, administration and school responsibilities mean working time cannot simply be measured by pupil contact hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a degree to become a primary school teacher in Ireland?
Yes. The normal routes are an accredited four-year Bachelor of Education or an appropriate Level 8 undergraduate degree followed by an accredited two-year Professional Master of Education in Primary Teaching. (Teaching Council)
Can I become a primary teacher with any degree?
Potentially, yes. For the primary PME route, the Teaching Council describes the first qualification as a Level 8 undergraduate degree in any subject or area. You must still satisfy the remaining PME admission requirements, including the relevant Irish, English and Maths requirements. (Teaching Council)
Do I need honours Irish for primary teaching?
Under the 2026 entry requirements, the standard requirement is H4 in Leaving Certificate Irish for the mainstream routes. Applicants should verify the requirement for their own entry year because Department rules can change. (Mary Immaculate College)
Can I become a primary teacher if I did Ordinary Level Irish?
Potentially, but you would normally need to subsequently satisfy the required Irish standard before entering the mainstream primary teacher-education route. Your chosen college or the Department of Education can advise on accepted examinations and equivalents.
What is the starting salary for a primary school teacher in Ireland?
Point 1 of the post-2011 primary teacher salary scale is €45,833 from 1 June 2026. This is gross basic salary, not net take-home pay, and an individual's placement on the scale can depend on applicable incremental-credit rules.
How long does it take to become a primary teacher?
The direct Bachelor of Education route takes four years. If you already hold the required Level 8 degree, the primary PME takes two years. (Teaching Council)
Can you do primary teaching part-time or online?
Most state-funded primary teaching programmes are full-time. Hibernia College offers a blended primary PME with online and face-to-face elements, but professional placements still require attendance in schools and the programme should not be treated as a purely online qualification. (Hibernia College)
Do you automatically get a permanent teaching job after graduating?
No. Completing an accredited qualification and registering with the Teaching Council makes you eligible for qualified teaching employment, but individual schools recruit for their own vacancies. New teachers may initially work in substitute, temporary or fixed-term roles before obtaining a permanent position. (Government of Ireland)
So, is primary teaching a good career in Ireland?
For the right person, primary teaching offers a clearly defined professional qualification, structured public-service salary progression and opportunities to move into school leadership.
But entry requires more than simply getting enough CAO points. Irish-language requirements, four years of undergraduate study or two postgraduate years, school placements, Gaeltacht periods, course costs and Teaching Council registration all form part of the process.
For a school-leaver, the first step is to compare the accredited BEd programmes and their entry requirements. For somebody who already has a degree, the first checks should be whether their existing qualification is suitable, whether they meet the Irish/English/Maths requirements and whether they can satisfy the TEG Irish requirement.
Those three checks can quickly establish whether the PME route is realistic before spending money on an application.
Information that should be checked before applying
Course fees, CAO points, application deadlines, TEG dates, grant eligibility, minimum entry requirements and teacher salary scales can all change.
Applicants should therefore verify the applicable year's rules with the Department of Education and Youth, Teaching Council, CAO, TEG and the college to which they intend to apply.
Sources and Further Information
Teaching Council — How to Become a Primary Teacher
The main official overview of the four-year BEd and two-year PME routes, accredited providers, TEG requirements and Gaeltacht placements.
Teaching Council: How to Become a Primary Teacher
Department of Education and Youth — How to Qualify as a Primary Teacher
Official information on BEd and PME programmes and annual entry requirements.
Department of Education: How to Qualify as a Primary Teacher
Teaching Council — Accredited Initial Teacher Education Programmes
Use this to verify whether a particular BEd or PME is currently professionally accredited.
Teaching Council Accredited Programmes
Teaching Council — Primary Teacher Registration
Qualification, documentation and Garda-vetting requirements for teachers qualifying in Ireland.
Teaching Council Primary Registration Requirements
Teaching Council — Registration Fees
Current initial registration and annual renewal charges.
Teaching Council Registration Fees
Teaching Council — Droichead
Official information on the induction process for newly qualified teachers.
Teaching Council Droichead Information
Teaching Council — Irish Language Requirement for Overseas-Qualified Primary Teachers
Details of the SCG and OCG routes.
Teaching Council Irish Language Requirement
Department of Education — Circular 0055/2026
Official June 2026 primary teacher salary and allowance scales.
DCU — Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching
Course structure, entry requirements, placement information and current fees.
DCU Bachelor of Education Primary Teaching
Mary Immaculate College — Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching
Programme structure, placements and entry information.
MIC Bachelor of Education Primary Teaching
Mary Immaculate College — Professional Master of Education in Primary Teaching
Current postgraduate entry requirements, TEG requirements and programme information.
MIC Professional Master of Education Primary Teaching
Maynooth University — Bachelor of Education in Primary Teaching
Course details and entry requirements through the Froebel Department.
Maynooth University Bachelor of Education Primary Teaching
Hibernia College — Professional Master of Education in Primary Education
Programme structure, fees and application information for its blended-learning route.
Hibernia College PME in Primary Education
Methodology: Qualification and registration requirements were checked primarily against the Teaching Council and Department of Education and Youth. Salary figures refer to the official primary-teacher scales effective from 1 June 2026. College fees and CAO figures are dated examples and should not be assumed to apply to future academic years.