B ED BACHELOR OF EDUCATION -PRIMARY TEACHING

Become a primary school teacher with our 4-year Bachelor of Education. Its combination of real-world classroom placements, Gaeltacht experience and the renowned child-centred Froebel approach will qualify you for Teaching Council registration and a truly rewarding career.

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Qualification
Bachelor Of Education Degree
CAO Points
495
CAO/MU Apply code
MH001
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

There are two routes into primary teaching:

  • the undergraduate Bachelor of Education (BEd) route (MH001 and MH002)
  • the two-year postgraduate Professional Master of Education (PMEd) route (see the Graduate Studies website for full details about the PMEd route)

The BEd degree and the PMEd are designed for students who wish to become primary school teachers within the Republic of Ireland (both qualifications may offer the opportunity to work in many countries internationally).

As the Froebel Department is named after the famous educational philosopher, Friedrich Froebel, our programmes reflect his ideology by incorporating child-centred, active, practical approaches to our teaching.

You will study education modules and experience school-based practice within a variety of placement settings across all four years. You will also go on a placement in the Gaeltacht for two two-week blocks at Easter in your second and third years.

These foundation disciplines form the theoretical basis for this degree

  • psychology
  • philosophy
  • sociology
  • history of education

Choose to study primary education at the heart of this major university, where students enjoy intellectual stimulus and social interaction with professors and students from other disciplines.

Course structure

Duration: 4 years (BEd)

As a Single Major Bachelor of Education degree, a range of education-related topics are studied in first, second, third and fourth year.

  • This degree is designed to prepare students to be primary school teachers. You will take Education modules and a school-based placement across all four years of this professional teaching degree, as well as a placement in the Gaeltacht for two fortnight blocks in years two and three of the degree.
  • Child-centred and active approaches to teaching are central to the Froebel philosophy and permeate the ethos in the Department.
  • The foundation disciplines of Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology and History of Education form the theoretical basis for this degree.
  • Education modules and school-based practice within a variety of placement settings feature across all 4 years, as well as a placement in the Gaeltacht for 2 fortnight blocks at Easter in second and third year.

Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Important: The information on this page is for prospective students, MU current students and staff should use Programme Directory.

Year 1

ED1FSM - Education

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Education modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EDF134

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF128

7.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF126

12.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF136

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF133

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF125

10

Year-Long

Y

EDF137

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF127

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF130

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF131

5

Year-Long

Y

Year 2

ED2FSM - Education

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Education modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EDF235

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF229

7.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF237

7.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF238

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF228

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF225

10

Year-Long

Y

EDF234

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF239

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF227

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF231

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF232

5

Year-Long

Y

Year 3

ED3FSM - Education

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Education modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EDF351

2.5

2

N

EDF330

15

Year-Long

Y

EDF328

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF346

2.5

1

Y

EDF329

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF357

7.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF327

20

Year-Long

Y

EDF337

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF348

2.5

2

N

EDF340

2.5

Year-Long

N

EDF372

2.5

1

N

EDF364

2.5

1

N

EDF363

2.5

1

N

EDF361

2.5

1

N

EDF367

2.5

1

N

EDF371

2.5

1

N

EDF366

2.5

1

N

EDF360

2.5

1

N

EDF365

2.5

1

N

EDF362

2.5

1

N

EDF369

2.5

1

N

EDF370

2.5

1

N

EDF373

2.5

1

N

EDF368

2.5

1

N

EDF355

2.5

2

N

EDF341

2.5

2

N

Year 4

ED4FSM - Education

Credits: 60  |  Compulsory

Education modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EDF4101

2.5

2

N

EDF4151

2.5

2

N

EDF442

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF447

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF443

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF487

2.5

2

N

EDF4181

2.5

2

Y

EDF441

5

Year-Long

Y

EDF499

2.5

2

N

EDF497

2.5

2

N

EDF493

2.5

2

N

EDF4191

2.5

2

N

EDF4131

2.5

2

N

EDF476

2.5

2

N

EDF448

2.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF446

7.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF440

20

Year-Long

Y

EDF462

2.5

2

N

EDF4161

7.5

Year-Long

Y

EDF4121

2.5

Year-Long

N

EDF4171

2.5

2

N

EDF4122

2.5

2

N

EDF472

2.5

1

Y

EDF498

2.5

2

N

After Graduation

As a graduate, you will be eligible to register with the Teaching Council and are qualified to teach in primary schools in Ireland.

Some graduates move into employment areas such as volunteering internationally, authoring of educational texts, third level teacher education, and the civil service.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

3H5 & 3O6/H7 grades. Minimum entry requirements H4 Irish, O4/H7 English and Mathematics.

The DES (Department of Education and Skills) entry requirements for all CAO applicants to this degree can be viewed on their website.

DARE

Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is an alternative entry route to third level education for school-leavers whose disability affected their second level education.

HEAR

The Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) is a pathway to third level education for school-leavers from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information on these access routes.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.

Entry requirements table

Subject

Required

Ordinary Level Grade

Higher Level Grade

Irish

Yes

N/A

H4

English

Yes

O4

H7

Language

No

N/A

N/A

Mathematics

Yes

O4

H7

Science

No

N/A

N/A

* This course requires 3 additional subjects.

  1. EU / EFTA Applicants - Further information can be found by navigating to our EU/EFTA applicant information page
  2. International Applicants - International (Non-EU) applicants for undergraduate programmes submit their application online via our online application portal. Applications open on 14th October 2026 and close on 1st July 2027. For further information, please navigate to our International applicant page

Mature applicant information

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry.

For part-time degrees the mature age is 21.

Visit our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on this page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) and require support for any required written exercise/interview/online video audition which may form part of your application assessment, you must complete an online request form and submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2027. Applications for alternative examination accommodation cannot be considered after this deadline.

Visit the Access Office for more information on available supports and required documentation.

Mature applicant deadline: 01 February 2027

The DES (Department of Education and Skills) entry requirements for all CAO applicants can be viewed on their website.

Health Information Form

Prior to entry, candidates are required to complete a Health Status Information Form.

Gaeltacht

Two fortnight blocks must be spent in the Gaeltacht during years two and three of the degree (there is an additional cost for this).

National Vetting Bureau

Offers of places on this programme are subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.

How to apply

Apply online to the CAO (Central Applications Office)

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are.

The DES (Department of Education and Skills) entry requirements for all CAO applicants to this degree can be viewed on their website.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1 January in the year of entry/21 years if part-time)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students

Learn more about undergraduate applications and access routes.

Got a question about this course?

Maynooth University Froebel Department of Primary and Early Childhood Education
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