BSC SCIENCE (WITH EDUCATION) (SED)

Interested in teaching science, computer science, mathematics or applied mathematics at second level? This degree is ideal. You'll develop skills in planning, implementing and evaluating teaching and learning, and have the chance to experience daily school life – inside and outside the classroom.

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Qualification
Bachelor Of Science Degree
CAO Points
422
CAO/MU Apply code
MH212
Award Type and NFQ level
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)
Study Mode
Full time
Closing Date
01 February 2027
Jump to
CAO Hub

Overview

This degree is recognised by the Teaching Council and qualifies graduates to teach up to Leaving Certificate higher level.

Gain school-based experience to develop skills in planning, implementing and evaluating teaching and learning along with the opportunity to experience the daily life of the school, both inside and outside the classroom.

There are three MH212 streams and you have up to four weeks following registration to decide on your preferred stream. Choose:

  • MH212 SED - if you are interested in a career as a post-primary science and/or mathematics teacher
  • MH212 MCS - if you are interested in a career as a post-primary mathematics and computer science teacher
  • MH212 MED - if you are interested in a career as a post-primary mathematics and applied mathematics teacher

This degree offers a five-year route to post-primary teaching - studying a four-year Science/Mathematics/Computer Science degree, while also completing 60 credits in Education.

After four years, you will be awarded a level 8 honours degree:

  • BSc Science (with Education) or
  • BSc Mathematics and Computer Science (with Education) or
  • BSc Mathematics (with Education) degree

You will then have two pathways open to you:

  1. Choose to exit your studies with your level 8 qualification and take a different path in your education or career.
  2. Continue with your studies to become a fully qualified teacher. This means you complete one further year of study at postgraduate level - necessary to meet the Teaching Council requirements to be registered as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in two subjects. Having graduated with your level 8 degree, you are guaranteed your place in this postgraduate year.

At the end of year five of your studies, you will have achieved a level 9 professional masters in addition to your level 8 higher degree, qualifying you to teach your chosen subjects to Leaving Certificate level.

An alternative six-year route to second-level teaching is available. Students can take the BSc Bachelor of Science degree (MH201) for four years and then apply for a place on the level 9 professional Master of Education degree. The PME is a two-year, full-time programme designed to qualify graduates to teach at post-primary level. Entry to the PME is competitive and is not guaranteed to graduates of the BSc Bachelor of Science degree (MH201).

Course structure

Duration: 5 years (4 years BSc + 1-year PME)

First year

  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Experimental Physics
  • Mathematics

Second year

  • Continue with any 2 of your first year subjects
  • Introduction to Teaching – Critical Reflection on Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning
  • Foundations of Education

Third year

  • Continue with your 2 chosen subjects (40 credits)
  • School-based experience (1 day per week)
  • Learning, Teaching, Assessment and Curriculum
  • Global Citizenship Education
  • Critical Reflections on Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning

Fourth year

  • Continue with your 2 chosen subjects (40 credits)
  • School-based experience (2 week block in September and 1 day per week in semester 1)
  • The Teacher as a Critically Reflective Practitioner
  • Inclusion, Diversity and Special Needs Education
  • Critical Reflections on Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning

Fifth year

  • School-based experience (3 days per week in school)
  • Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Curriculum: The Practice of Teaching
  • Becoming a Teacher
  • Lesson Study Research Project

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

BL1F15 - Biology

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Biology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI102

7.5

2

Y

BI101

7.5

1

Y

CH1F15 - Chemistry

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH102

7.5

2

Y

CH101

7.5

1

Y

EP1F15 - Experimental Physics

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Experimental Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EP101

7.5

1

Y

EP102

7.5

2

Y

MT1SF15 - Mathematics

Credits: 15  |  Compulsory

Mathematics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT101SC

5

1

Y

MT102SC

5

2

Y

MT113SC

5

Year-Long

Y

Year 2

ED2F20 - Education

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Education modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

ED211

2.5

1

Y

ED215

10

Year-Long

Y

ED209

2.5

2

Y

ED210

2.5

1

Y

ED212

2.5

2

Y

BL2F20 - Biology

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Biology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI203

5

1

Y

BI201

5

1

Y

BI204

5

2

Y

BI210

5

2

Y

CH2F20 - Chemistry

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH224

5

2

Y

CH201

5

1

Y

CH203

5

2

Y

CH202

5

1

Y

EP2EF20 - Experimental Physics

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Experimental Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EP204

5

2

Y

EP202

5

1

Y

EP201

5

2

Y

EP205

5

1

Y

MT2F20 - Mathematics

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Mathematics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT201S

5

1

Y

MT202S

5

2

Y

ST221

5

1

Y

MT216C

5

2

Y

Year 3

ED3F20 - Education

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Education modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

ED314

2.5

2

Y

ED308

2.5

1

Y

ED307

10

Year-Long

Y

ED313

5

Year-Long

Y

BL3F20 - Biology

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Biology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI303

5

1

Y

BI302

5

2

Y

BI306

5

2

Y

BI319

5

1

Y

CH3F20 - Chemistry

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH304C

5

1

Y

CH301C

5

1

Y

CH323

5

2

Y

CH331

5

2

Y

EP3F20 - Experimental Physics

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Experimental Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EP301

5

2

Y

EP309

5

1

Y

EP308

5

2

Y

EP363

5

1

Y

MT3F20 - Mathematics

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Mathematics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT311S

5

1

Y

MT303S

5

2

Y

MT322S

5

1

Y

MT301C

5

2

Y

Year 4

ED4F20 - Education

Credits: 20  |  Compulsory

Education modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

ED412

2.5

Year-Long

Y

ED411

5

Year-Long

Y

ED405

10

1

Y

ED410

2.5

Year-Long

Y

BL4F20 - Biology

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Biology modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

BI411

5

1

N

BI301

5

1

Y

BI435

5

2

Y

BI403

5

1

N

BI454

5

2

Y

CH4F20 - Chemistry

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Chemistry modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

CH405C

5

2

N

CH427

5

2

N

CH422

5

1

N

CH322

5

2

Y

CH426

5

2

N

CH421

5

1

N

CH434

5

1

N

EP4F20 - Experimental Physics

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Experimental Physics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

EP407

5

2

Y

EP418

5

1

N

EP305

5

2

N

EP440

5

2

Y

PHY401

5

1

N

EP420

5

1

Y

MT4AF20 - Mathematics

Credits: 20  |  Not compulsory

Mathematics modules

Module

Code

Credits

Semester

Compulsory

MT432C

5

2

Y

MT351A

5

1

Y

MT480E

5

2

N

MT412C

5

2

N

MT316A

5

1

Y

MT382A

5

1

N

MT471S

5

1

N

MT481S

5

2

N

MT444P

5

2

N

After Graduation

Once you have completed this Teaching Council-approved course, you will be qualified to teach to Leaving Certificate level at post-primary schools in Ireland and internationally:

  • MH212 SED: depending on the subjects chosen - teach any two of the following subjects to Leaving Certificate level (HL): mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics
  • MH212 MCS: computer science and mathematics teacher
  • MH212 MED: mathematics and applied mathematics teacher

Depending on your subject choice, you will also be qualified to teach Junior Cycle mathematics and science.

If you decide to exit after four years with your level 8 qualification, you can pursue a range of careers and postgraduate courses.

Graduates apply to the Teaching Council of Ireland for registration.

Entry Requirements

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Required to present (as a minimum): 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & Science subject (one of Agricultural Science, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry) & O4/H7 Mathematics.

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

O6

H7

English

Yes

O6

H7

Language

No

N/A

N/A

Mathematics

Yes

O4

H7

Science

Yes

O6

H7

* This course requires 2 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 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

CAO applicants may also consider the BSc MH201 degree as another potential route into MH212. There is a potential transfer pathway from first year BSc MH201 Science to second year MH212 SED Science (with Education). Places are limited. More details about potential MH201 transfer opportunities are available on this page.

Garda Vetting

An offer of a place on this course is 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.

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 Department of Education
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/education

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