Course Details

Course Code(s):
PDMATETPBD
Available:
Part-Time
Intake:
Spring
Course Start Date:
January
Duration:
2 Years, Part-Time
Award:
Professional Diploma
Qualification:
NFQ Level 8 Minor Award
Faculty: Education and Health Sciences, Science and Engineering
Course Type: Taught, Professional/Flexible
Fees: For Information on Fees, see section below.
Application Deadline:

Contact(s):

Name: Ms Helen Fitzgerald
Email: pdmt@ul.ie Telephone: +353 (0) 61 234786
Express Interest

Register your interest here for more information or to be notified when applications are open.

Brief Description

NB: Ensure you upload ALL required documents with your application. 

Note: Selection of candidates will be random but we will at all times seek to ensure that teachers across a large number of schools and across a large number of counties will have the opportunity to enrol on the PDMT.

The Professional Diploma in Mathematics for Teaching course is aimed at 'out-of-field' mathematics teachers, to up skill them to teach mathematics. ‘Out-of-field’ mathematics teachers are those who are teaching mathematics whose qualification is NOT in the field of Mathematics’.

 

 

Why this course?
This is a bespoke programme designed to upskill out-of field registered post-primary mathematics teachers to meet current Teaching Council curricular subject requirements in Mathematics at the highest level. ‘Out-of-field’ mathematics teachers are those who are teaching mathematics whose qualification is NOT in the field of Mathematics’.

Priority will be given to:
out-of-field teachers of post-primary mathematics who are registered post-primary teachers
irrespective of employment status (e.g., casual, full-time or part-time contract).
Depending on the availability of places, consideration will also be given to unemployed registered teachers of other subjects with Leaving Certificate (OL) Mathematics grade C3/O6.
However, these applicants will have to provide evidence of their ability to meet the practical assessment requirements of the mathematics pedagogy modules.

National Programme
A partnership of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) has been established for the purpose of delivering this course, achieved by having distributed centres for the delivery of teaching and tutorial support nationally.
 
Where are the local centres located?

  • University of Limerick
  • University of Galway
  • Dublin City University
  • Technological University Dublin
  • Munster Technological University
  • Atlantic Technological University
  • South East Technological University

Programme Delivery - Every Tuesday & Thursday. Each module is 6 weeks. The programme combines online and face-to-face delivery to facilitate participation of serving teachers on a national scale. All PDMT activities are scheduled for out-of-school times (e.g., during evenings, week-ends, term breaks and school holidays). Mathematics Lectures: All lectures will be delivered online. Mathematics Tutorials and Mathematics Pedagogy Workshops: Students normally attend a local centre for their tutorials and workshops (Due to COVID 19 this will be reviewed in Semester 1 and if necessary online sessions will be scheduled instead).

The programme is structured in 6-week sessions that are superimposed on the academic and calendar years to facilitate teachers in work, during school breaks and summers. This structure promotes maximum flexibility in terms of work, study and examinations, while providing participants with some control over when and where they learn.
 
Programme Assessment
Mathematics modules are assessed by assignments as well as end of term examinations at the end of semester 1 and semester 2.


Pedagogy modules are assessed through a combination of workshop tasks, essays, and projects rather than supervised examinations. Participants will also compile a professional inquiry portfolio that can be maintained and updated throughout their career.

Cohort 1 (Start January 2021/End Dec 2022)
 Mathematics ModulesPedagogy Modules
AY 2020/2131Summer School
AY 2021/2251Portfolio 
AY 2022/232  

Participants must be a qualified post primary teacher fully registered with the Teaching Council Registration Regulation 4 of the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2009 up to 25th July 2016 or Route 2 of the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016 and The Teaching Council (Registration) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 thereafter and can provide proof of registration.

Participants must complete the declaration form confirming their existing qualifications are not sufficient to meet Teaching Council criteria for the purposes of teaching mathematics at post-primary level

The course is open to 200 eligible post-primary teachers and is fully funded by the HEA.

A deposit of €250 is required to secure a place on the course. This will be refunded upon completion of the course.

NB: What to Include with your Application Form

  • A copy of your birth certificate or passport
  • Your marriage certificate/deed poll certificate if your name on your qualifications is different to that on your application.
  • Qualification transcripts and/or certificates/awards 
  • Your signed Declaration Form
  • Recognised Prior Learning Application
  • If your qualifications have been obtained in a country where English is an official language this will suffice
  • If this is not available, the following additional documents must be provided:
  • English translation of your qualification(s)/transcripts AND
  • English language competency certificate
  • Please click here for Further Information on English Language Requirements

The programme is free to eligible post-primary teachers and fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills as part of the national strategy to support the implementation of Teacher Supply Action Plan and improve standards in mathematics education in post-primary schools by upskilling out-of-field teachers of mathematics.

A deposit of €250 is required to secure a place on the course. This will be refunded upon completion of the course.

Please click here for information on funding and scholarships.

Click here to see a video about our graduates