Every route to teaching in Ireland's secondary schools, mapped side by side. Concurrent undergraduate degrees, postgraduate PME pathways, Teaching Council registration, shortage subjects, salary scales, and career progression. No Irish language requirement for most post-primary routes.
There are two equally valid pathways to becoming a registered post-primary teacher in Ireland. The concurrent route combines subject study with teacher education across a 4-year undergraduate degree, and you graduate fully qualified. The PME route involves completing any Level 8 degree first (with 60+ ECTS in your teaching subject), then a 2-year Professional Master of Education. Both lead to the same Teaching Council registration and the same salary scale.
Concurrent: 4-year BEd/BSc (Level 8) PME: Degree + 2-year Master's (Level 9)Unlike primary teaching, you do not need Irish for most post-primary teaching programmes. The only exceptions are programmes where Irish (Gaeilge) is one of your teaching subjects. This makes secondary teaching accessible to a much wider range of students, including those who took Ordinary Level Irish or who studied abroad.
These 4-year undergraduate programmes qualify you to teach in secondary schools on graduation. Search, sort, and filter to find your match.
| CAO Code | College | Programme | Teaching Subjects | 2025 Pts | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LM090 | UL | BSc Physical Education | PE + English/Gaeilge/Geography/Maths | 531 | Limerick |
| LM091 | UL | BEd Languages | French/German/Spanish/Gaeilge/Japanese | 407 | Limerick |
| LM092 | UL | BSc(Ed) Biology with Physics/Chemistry/Ag Science | Biology + Physics or Chemistry or Ag Science | 488 | Limerick |
| LM094 | UL | BEd Graphics and Construction Technology | DCG + Construction Studies | 465 | Limerick |
| LM095 | UL | BEd Graphics, Engineering and Technology | DCG + Engineering/Technology | 401 | Limerick |
| LM096 | UL | BSc(Ed) Physical Science | Chemistry + Physics | 465 | Limerick |
| LM097 | UL | BSc(Ed) Mathematics and Computer Science | Mathematics + Computer Science | 433 | Limerick |
| DC010 | DCU | BRelEd Religious Education and English | Religious Education + English | 410 | Dublin |
| DC011 | DCU | BRelEd Religious Education and History | Religious Education + History | 409 | Dublin |
| DC012 | DCU | BRelEd Religious Education and Music | Religious Education + Music | 410 | Dublin |
| DC013 | DCU | BEd Gaeilge and MFL | Gaeilge + French/German/Spanish | 440 | Dublin |
| DC015 | DCU / TUS | BEd Technology, Engineering and Graphics | Technology + Engineering + DCG | 402 | Athlone (Yr 1-2) → Dublin (Yr 3-4) |
| DC016 | DCU | BEd Home Economics and Technology | Home Economics | 367 | Dublin |
| DC203 | DCU | BSc Science and Mathematics Education | Maths + Chemistry or Maths + Physics | 443 | Dublin |
| DC205 | DCU | BSc Physical Education with Biology | PE + Biology | 521 | Dublin |
| DC206 | DCU | BSc Physical Education with Mathematics | PE + Mathematics | 499* | Dublin |
| MI016 | MIC Thurles | BA Education, Business Studies and Accounting | Business Studies + Accounting | 409 | Thurles |
| MI017 | MIC Thurles | BA Education, Business Studies and Religious Studies | Business Studies + Religious Studies | 346 | Thurles |
| MI018 | MIC Thurles | BA Education, Gaeilge and Religious Studies | Gaeilge + Religious Studies | 407 | Thurles |
| MI019 | MIC Thurles | BA Education, Gaeilge and Business Studies | Gaeilge + Business Studies | 397 | Thurles |
| MI020 | MIC Thurles | BA Education, Mathematics and Gaeilge | Mathematics + Gaeilge | 443 | Thurles |
| MI021 | MIC Thurles | BA Education, Mathematics and Business Studies | Mathematics + Business Studies | 403 | Thurles |
| MI022 | MIC Thurles | BA Education, Home Economics and Business Studies | Home Economics + Business Studies | 473 | Thurles |
| AU985 | ATU St Angela's | BEd Home Economics and Biology | Home Economics + Biology | 453* | Sligo |
| AU986 | ATU St Angela's | BEd Home Economics and Religious Education | Home Economics + Religious Education | 400 | Sligo |
| AU987 | ATU St Angela's | BEd Home Economics and Irish | Home Economics + Irish | 398 | Sligo |
| AU988 | ATU St Angela's | BEd Home Economics (Single Subject) | Home Economics | 408* | Sligo |
| AU620 | ATU Galway | BEd Art and Design and Communication Graphics | Art + DCG | 410 | Galway City |
| AU680 | ATU Connemara | BSc(Ed) Design, Graphics and Construction | Construction Studies + DCG | 400 | Letterfrack (Yr 1-2) → Galway (Yr 3-4) |
| AD202 | NCAD | BEd Education and Art or Design | Art | #600 | Dublin |
| US801 | TUS / UL | BEd Art and Design | Art | #949 | Limerick (TUS + UL joint) |
| GY109 | University of Galway | BA Arts (Mathematics and Education) | Mathematics | 423 | Galway |
| GY133 | University of Galway | BEd Computer Science and Mathematical Studies | Computer Science + Mathematics | 402 | Galway |
Points shown are 2025 Round 1 CAO points. * = not all on this score offered. # = portfolio/audition required. Click any CAO code for full course details on cao.ie.
These 4-year concurrent degrees combine your teaching subjects with professional teacher education. You graduate fully qualified to register with the Teaching Council and begin teaching immediately.
UL pioneered concurrent post-primary teacher education in Ireland and offers the widest range of subject combinations. All programmes include school placements each year, and the campus houses world-class sports and science facilities. UL graduates have among the highest employment rates in Irish teaching.
DCU's Institute of Education (formerly St Patrick's, Mater Dei, and the Church of Ireland College of Education) is one of Ireland's largest teacher education centres. Based on the Drumcondra campus in Dublin, DCU offers post-primary degrees in humanities, languages, science, PE, and technology subjects. DCU also delivers the only evening-mode PME programme for working graduates.
MIC's Thurles campus in Co. Tipperary specialises in post-primary teacher education across business, maths, Gaeilge, religious studies, and home economics. As a linked college of the University of Limerick, degrees are UL-accredited. The smaller campus means a tight-knit learning community with personalised support.
St Angela's has been Ireland's specialist Home Economics teacher education college since 1952 and is now part of Atlantic Technological University. Located in Sligo, the campus offers four concurrent teaching degrees, all with a Home Economics core and a second teaching subject. A QQI Level 5/6 PLC access route is available for mature learners.
Already have a degree? The PME is a 2-year Level 9 Master's that qualifies you to teach. You need a Level 8 degree (minimum 180 ECTS) with at least 60 ECTS in a Teaching Council recognised curricular subject. There are seven providers, and the choice depends on your location and preferred delivery mode.
You must hold a Level 8 honours degree (minimum 180 ECTS) that includes at least 60 ECTS in a Teaching Council recognised curricular subject. Check the Teaching Council Curricular Subject Requirements document before choosing your undergraduate degree. For language subjects, you also need an Immersive Educational Experience (IEE) in the target language. No Irish language requirement unless you want to teach Gaeilge.
Schools across Ireland are actively struggling to recruit teachers in these subjects. If you qualify in a shortage subject, you'll find it significantly easier to secure permanent employment quickly after graduation.
The single most in-demand teaching subject in Ireland. Maths teachers regularly secure permanent contracts within their first year. Available through UL (LM097), DCU (DC203, DC206), MIC Thurles (MI020, MI021), and University of Galway (GY109, GY133).
French, German, and Spanish teachers are in consistently high demand. With the new Leaving Certificate modern languages specifications expanding, this shortage is deepening. Available through UL (LM091) and DCU (DC013).
A severe and persistent shortage across Ireland, with schools regularly unable to fill Home Ec vacancies. Available through DCU (DC016), MIC Thurles (MI022), and ATU St Angela's Sligo (AU985-AU988), Ireland's specialist Home Ec college.
Science subjects, particularly Physics and Chemistry, face ongoing recruitment challenges. Available at UL (LM092, LM096) and DCU (DC203). TCD offers bursaries for PME Science students.
Growing demand particularly in Gaelscoileanna and Gaelcholáistí. Available through DCU (DC013), MIC Thurles (MI018, MI019, MI020), and ATU St Angela's (AU987). TCD offers bursaries for PME Irish students.
The newest Leaving Certificate subject with rapidly growing demand as more schools introduce it. Available through UL (LM097) and University of Galway (GY133). Strong competition from private sector for graduates.
Based on ASTI Circular 0005/2026, effective 1 February 2026. This is the standardised incremental scale for all post-primary teachers who entered teaching on or after 1 January 2011. The scale includes the PME/H.Dip allowance already built in.
| Point | Career Stage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | NQT (Newly Qualified) | €46,948 |
| 3 | Year 3 | €50,500 |
| 5 | Year 5 | €52,611 |
| 10 | Mid-Career | €61,932 |
| 15 | Senior Teacher | €71,415 |
| 19 | LSI 1 (Long Service Increment) | €76,773 |
| 23 | LSI 2 | €80,875 |
| 27 | Top of Scale | €85,411 |
Source: ASTI Circular 0005/2026. Incremental skips apply at points 4, 8, and 12, meaning you advance two points at those stages.
Defined benefit public service pension, 13+ weeks annual holidays, permanent job security post-Droichead, paid sick leave, career break options, study leave, and family-friendly policies including job-sharing.
Teaching is one of the few professions in Ireland offering a guaranteed incremental salary scale — your salary rises automatically each year regardless of performance reviews or economic conditions.
It is a legal requirement in Ireland to be registered with the Teaching Council to teach in state-funded schools and receive a state salary. On graduation from an accredited programme, you apply for registration through the NQT fast-track process (open each summer) via teachingcouncil.ie. Registration costs €90 per year. You must also undergo Garda Vetting.
Droichead (meaning "bridge" in Irish) is the mandatory induction programme for all Newly Qualified Teachers. It typically takes place during your first year of employment and involves working with a Professional Support Team (PST) of experienced teachers in your school. On successful completion, you gain full Teaching Council registration. The deadline for 2025/26 Droichead applications is 5pm on 9 March 2026.
Teach one or two Leaving Certificate subjects to students aged 12–18, across Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle. Take on year head, class tutor, or exam coordinator roles as you gain experience.
Progress to Assistant Principal, Deputy Principal, or Principal. Leadership roles involve curriculum planning, staff management, student welfare, and representing the school in the wider community.
With additional postgraduate qualifications (HDip/MA in Guidance Counselling), support students with career planning, college applications, and personal development. Growing demand in schools nationwide.
Experienced teachers can apply to become inspectors, evaluating school quality and advising on curriculum implementation. Competitive recruitment, strong salary, and national influence on education policy.
Irish teaching qualifications are internationally recognised. Popular destinations include the UK, UAE, Oman, Australia, and international schools worldwide. Tax-free salaries in the Middle East can be very attractive.
With a Master's or PhD, move into educational research, university lecturing, or teacher education. Shape the next generation of teachers and contribute to education policy and practice.
The concurrent route takes 4 years and you graduate ready to teach. The PME route takes 5-6 years total (degree + 2-year Master's), but your undergraduate degree gives you a broader subject foundation and a Level 9 Master's qualification. Same salary, same registration, same career prospects. Choose based on how certain you are about teaching right now.
If you're considering the PME route, check the Teaching Council's Curricular Subject Requirements before you choose your undergraduate degree. You need at least 60 ECTS in specific modules for each subject. Picking the wrong electives could leave you ineligible for the PME years later.
If you teach Maths, Home Economics, Physics, Chemistry, or a Modern Foreign Language, you will find it significantly easier to get permanent hours quickly. Some schools offer permanent positions to NQTs in these subjects before they even finish Droichead. English and History teachers, by contrast, may spend years on part-time or substitute contracts before securing permanence.
Most secondary school timetables require teachers to fill a full teaching load. Having two registered teaching subjects makes you far more employable, as principals can timetable you across two departments. This is especially important in smaller rural schools where they can't fill a full timetable from one subject alone.
Dublin teachers face higher accommodation costs, but more schools are within commuting distance. Rural placements during training (and first jobs) can mean significant travel. Consider where you want to live long-term, as teaching posts outside Dublin are often easier to secure due to lower competition.
The Teaching Council updated its curricular subject requirements in January 2026 to include Drama, Film and Theatre Studies and Climate Action and Sustainable Development as new registered subjects. If you have a strong background in these areas, you could be among the first teachers registered to teach them.
MyCareerVerse — Teaching in Secondary Schools: Ireland's Complete Guide
Data sourced from CAO (2025 Round 1 points), Teaching Council, ASTI Circular 0005/2026. Always verify details with individual colleges and the Teaching Council. Last updated March 2026.