Sun 21 Sep 2003
Now you can study to be a fully qualified Irish primary school teacher on the Internet with Hibernia College. It only takes 18 months and the degree is recognised by the Irish government. If a company like Hibernia College with very few employees and no campus of its own can set up and offer courses leading to professional qualifications, then what hope is there for bloated universities and colleges, with thousands of staff and expensive buildings?
September 25th, 2003 at 8:36 am
Aloha Antoin, I was curious what the reputation of this school is, if you have any knowledge. I noticed they are developing a BA program in Irish Studies, and am intrigued.
Mahalo and go raibh maith agat!
October 2nd, 2003 at 3:39 pm
I don’t know what the reputation of it is. The background of the founder (Sean Rowland) is in Irish Studies, so that isn’t too surprising.
The most worrying thing is that the College does not appear to have full-time staff with knowledge of the courses they teach (i.e., primary school teaching) listed on the website. Neither do they have any details about their library facilities. Normally these things are required to get HETAC accreditation for a course, and I don’t know how this requirement has been fulfilled or circumvented in this case.
October 9th, 2003 at 8:07 am
Mahalo (thanks)! Good to know.
November 10th, 2003 at 12:21 pm
HOW MUCH DOES THE PRIMARY TEACHING COURSE COST WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED AND HOW DO I GO BOUT APPLYING
November 10th, 2003 at 2:10 pm
hmmmm this is very interesting. but i dont understand how this works.
November 10th, 2003 at 2:11 pm
THIS IS A LOAD OF CRAP! I DONT THINK THIS IS TRUE!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
November 11th, 2003 at 5:59 pm
What Qualifications do I need?
When does the course start?
How much does it cost?
November 16th, 2003 at 9:54 pm
is this too good to be true?wat qualifications are needed?do i need to have honours irish?how do i apply?
November 16th, 2003 at 9:54 pm
is this too good to be true?wat qualifications are needed?do i need to have honours irish?how do i apply?
November 19th, 2003 at 7:57 pm
This is definitely a great idea. How many points and how does this operate? thanks
November 25th, 2003 at 1:19 pm
Why don’t you try http://www.hiberniacollege.com/ ?
Antoin.
December 4th, 2003 at 3:33 pm
Most of the postgrads run for this course provide experience in schools teaching, which from my own experience is essential. Does this course offer this? Also when your finally qualified and apply for a job in a school are you going to be discriminated against because you haven’t gone to a recognised college.From what I’ve heard primary teachers are not one bit happy about this online thing, either are students who are currently studying to become teachers.If these are teachers are going to be your future collegues, where does that leave you?
December 12th, 2003 at 3:42 pm
Hibernia College’s web address is www.hiberniacollege.net NOT .COM. It wrong in all your links.
January 22nd, 2004 at 9:41 am
What do I need to apply and how and when can I apply? What is the cost?
January 29th, 2004 at 3:18 pm
Firstly, i would like to congratulate on the success of such a fantastic idea…..the introduction of an online professional qualification…….emphaises should not be placed on the irish language as much and more on the individual in question. I myself went for interview and unfortuently did not get a place. Hopefully this year will bring more luck?
February 10th, 2004 at 9:06 pm
I think Minister Dempsey has made a fundamental mistake in sanctioning this Hibernia course. I believe, that because of this course, the future quality of Primary School Teachers has been put in jeopardy. I am a qualified Primary School Teacher in the Republic Of Ireland.
December 3rd, 2004 at 12:55 pm
This certainly sounds interesting, i’m not to sure about it though,do i need the same number of points(450-465) to apply for this course? Does this course offer work experience on the job like the colleges. more information needed!!!!
December 6th, 2004 at 4:47 pm
PLEASE TELL ME HOW DO I GO ABOUT APPLYING FOR THIS COURSE, ITS NOT FAIR I HAVE A FIRST CLASS HONOURS DIPLOMA IN MONTESSORI AND SOMEHOW i FEEL THIS HAS GOT ME NOWHERE. IS THERE ANYWAY I CAN CONTINUE TO GO ONTO A DEGREE PLEASE HELP.
December 14th, 2004 at 9:37 pm
I am currently taking part in the second intake of this Hibernia course. You apply by going to the college’s web site and filling out a form. There are approx. 200 students on each course. I began in Feb ‘O4 and will hopefully qualify in Aug ‘05. Leaving cert points are not an issue as this is a post-graduate course. You must have a primary degree and have leaving cert honours Irish, similar to the St. Patrick’s 18-month post-grad. The cost of the course is about 5,500 euro, which is also similar to the St. Pats course, and as with that course, previous teaching experience is a major advantage for being accepted. You are interviewed in English and Irish. During the 18 months you go on three practical Teaching Practice blocks of 4wks, 5wks, and 5wks, also, as it is part-time, most students are constantly doing sub work if they dont already work as full-time teachers. You also spend 3 weeks in the Gaeltacht during the summer. All the curricular subjects are covered and then some. This course, like the Pats course, is very intensive because of its brevity and needs a lot of commitment. Because it is part-time, Saturdays and evenings are often taken up with onsite days, held in Education Centres around the country and online tutorials (using headphones and microphone). I understand why the other teacher training colleges would be opposed to this course, and of course it will have initial teething problems and have to prove itself, reputations only come with time, but I dont see how the quality of primary teaching will be downgraded. If we are not good enough, in a competitive market, we will not get jobs. I personally achieved 560 points in my Leaving (some people seem to think that we are doing this course as a back door because we didnt get the points initially). I have a BA and an MA and have worked for 3 years in publishing. Most of the people doing the course are similar, coming from a wide spectrum of backgrounds from which they will bring valuable life experience to the teaching profession. Many have families, mortgages, etc. and have moved on from a time when they could attend a full-time course in Dublin or Limerick. We have all chosen to do this course after time spent in college and in the world of work, not simply because we got the points. Most of the people on the first two intakes of the course are already working full time as teachers, some for a number of years, so it is not true to say, as the colleges are, that we will add greatly to the number of teachers looking for work next year. Some traditional colleges are protesting that we will be taking their jobs. No one is entitled to any job. Its a free market. What are they afraid of? If we are as poorly qualified as they say we are then they have nothing to fear, the best person, surely, will get the job. I think the huge number of applications Hibernia has received has shown how popular this innovative course is. There was obviously a niche waiting to be filled. If you think that this course involves paying the money, sending off a few e-mails, and being handed a certificate after 18 months, as the traditional teaching colleges would have you think, dont bother to apply. Sorry for the rant, and I know some lovely people from the other colleges, so I dont mean to paint them all with the same brush, but I and my fellow students are working extremely hard to gain a qualification in a profession we are all committed to, so it is hard to watch protests on the streets of Dublin, as there was this week, looking for Hibernia to close.
June 7th, 2005 at 11:14 am
Can you tell me excatly how this course works and what qualifications are needed?
August 4th, 2005 at 5:50 am
Like they’ve all said, is this to good to be true? Please let me know where to go from here to apply and how much it costs!!!
August 9th, 2005 at 12:55 pm
I have a degree in business studies I have completed the ECDL successfully. I really want to become a primary school teacher please let me know what i have to do. I want to start this year.
August 12th, 2005 at 12:42 pm
Jenny, I agree with you. There are alot of people who want to do Primary School teaching in this country and it is very competitive. I have looked into the Hibernia course and think it looks excellent. I have an honours degree in Irish, as well as a masters and I just wouldnt be able to take another 18 months off work to study. And I agree that so much emphasis should be placed on Irish - have you people no national pride?! If Irish isnt thought in priamry school then it will disappear forever. I would be interested in hearing from people who have completed the course to see if they have found employment
August 16th, 2005 at 7:36 pm
Caoimhe,
Sorry to say this but hopefully you will not get a position as a primary school teacher. You can’t spell English words, our first language, never mind Irish….(Please see your note - If Irish isn’t thought! Should be - taught!!!) English, both spoken and written, is very important in our day to day lives and if you can’t provide that in primary school then what chance do these children have?
Regards,
Joanne
August 17th, 2005 at 7:50 pm
Hey, I have heard so much about this course and I’m eager to learn more. I had planned to apply for Primary school teaching as soon as I finished travelling (taking 18 months to travel around the world starting in January). I just turned 24 and by the time I come back I will be close to 26, is this too late to start a new career? I completed my primary degree in Recreational Management and then went on to do a H-Dip (business studies being my primary subject). I found it close to impossible to find a teaching job when i finished in UCC, so I chose to work with children with special needs instead. I currently tutor children with Autism. Is my backround sufficient for this course? I didnt do honours Irish for my leaving cert. Where can I complete an Irish course?
August 25th, 2005 at 1:38 am
what are the requirements to becoming a primary school teacher. i would like to work in AUS but i need to know what course to take.
September 14th, 2005 at 9:11 am
hi my name is chris and i am a year ten student at corby community college. i am writing this note in hope to recieve a reply as i lpea for information on what it takes to be a primary school teacher as it has been my life long ambition to do this. can you please e-mail me on clm31791@myway.com if you would like too help me. thankyou very much
chris macinnes
September 16th, 2005 at 2:49 pm
Can you please let me know how do i apply for this course, what qualifications do i need and how much it costs. thanks.
September 19th, 2005 at 3:17 pm
Can you please let me know how I can apply for this course, which qualifications I need and how much it costs. Thank you.
September 19th, 2005 at 4:23 pm
Hello,
I am interested in finding out more about this course. Could you please tell me what level Irish i need, what level of a degree i need, what the recommended hours per week are, could I complete it in a year if I wanted to? How much are the fees? Also any other relevant information would be much appreciated,
September 20th, 2005 at 12:40 am
Hi there catriona, all.
Check
http://www.hiberniacollege.net/Default.aspx?tabid=382
for details about this course.
Be interested to hear how you all get on!
Best,
Antoin.
October 24th, 2005 at 4:22 pm
I have done my leaving cert in 1989. I do not have honours Irish. I haven’t got a degree. I was wondering how long it would take to become a national school teacher.
Would it be possible to do it by correspondence. I would attend an Honours Irish class here. Thanks
October 31st, 2005 at 10:09 am
Hi there, can anyone tell me how much Irish is required in the interview, what type of questions were asked & how long did it take?
November 25th, 2005 at 9:28 am
Did the leaving cert in 1989 have an honour in Irish. Also have a diploma from DIT. Would I be eligible
December 6th, 2005 at 7:29 pm
Hi,
I am interested in getting into primary school teaching and I would like to know details regarding requirements, time the course takes and the fees involved. Is it accepted to get into primary school teaching all over Ireland. I have a chemistry backround from U.C.C.
Regards.
Eamonn
December 11th, 2005 at 5:21 pm
hi all,
just a quick note, am actually enrolled in the course at the moment and love it. It is incredibly time consuming though and if you teach while you study( as most people do) be prepared for an exhausting 18 months!
having said that it is really rewarding and a progressive way to study- the standard of irish expected is leaving cert honours irish oral level -to the grade of a c and upwards ,so quite high.
Good luck to everyone, the last round had over 1,000 applicants and approx 200 were accepted, so study,listen to radio na g,tg4,read irish newspapers, do whatever you can!
Good Luck!
January 26th, 2006 at 4:45 pm
Hi guys
Was just wondering if your irish initially needs to be up to scratch or if they would accept you on the condition that you study irish along the way.
Would really love to know what i would have to do as I am desperate to become a primary school teacher.
Thanks
February 8th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
It is obvious to anybody with even a fragment of common sense that this course was given the go-ahead by a man who did more damage to the primary education system than good. Teaching is a profession that requires intensive training and supervision, and it is a well known fact amongst schools who have had Hibernia students that their level of supervision is way below the standards set by other teacher training colleges. Where I come from in the East Clare, many of the principals there refuse to allow Hibernia students to do teaching practice in their schools, mainly due to the faulty principles from which this course is structured upon. The supervision is not organised in a way which would give a clear indication of how adept the teacher trainee actually is. Grades are given generously, and when you consider the difficulty in obtaining a similar qualification from Mary Immaculate College for instance, it is obvious that this so called teacher “training” programme should be stopped before it damages the already fragile primary school system. If the medical or law profession were to experience a similar programme, an national outcry would occur. Regardless of what people say about this course, it is fundamentally wrong for it to exist in the first place, and I hope that Noel Dempsey realises the damage he will have on generations of young children for years to come.
February 25th, 2006 at 2:20 pm
I have heard about this site from my friends. I am confused in how it works though. What qualifications are needed, whats the cost and can you attend straight after your leaving cert at 17 years of age???????? Is honours irish necessary?
March 3rd, 2006 at 1:53 pm
The course is for graduates so you need to have a degree already. There is also the requirement, as for all primary teachers, to have an Honour in Leaving Cert Irish.
I’m doing the Hibernia Course at the moment and have a close friend doing the Mary I course so can compare the two. Both courses have similar core subjects and course outlines although we, in Hibernia, seem to have more emphasis on Gaeilge and a lot more emphasis on ET - Educational Technology (using technology for education). Both courses are very intensive, both have Irish College as compulsary during the summer, both need a lot of time and dedication, but essentially both courses turn out excellant teachers of our children.
March 7th, 2006 at 12:51 pm
Hi there, im thinkin of doin the online hibernia course. i have a degree in marketing but am currently doin some substitute work in a primary school, also have a C1 in hons irish leaving cert. just wondering if anybody knows wat would b my chances of gettin into the course and when the closing date is for the next applications? Thanks!!
April 15th, 2006 at 5:43 pm
a C1 in hons irish leaving cert. just wondering if anybody knows wat would b my chances of gettin into the course and when the closing date is for the next applications? Thanks!!
April 17th, 2006 at 4:09 am
Is this course recognised by the irish education system?? Wht do i need to qulalify for the course? When does it start and how much does it cost??
April 29th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
I am disgusted at this course, which undermines the teaching preaching profession. I have never heard of doctors training online or being allowed to work as doctors and get paid for it during their training. I have experience of Hibernia teaching practice-3 lessons/day and about a weeks notice prior to inspectors visit, and getting to pick what subject to be seen.What a joke!
May 9th, 2006 at 9:20 pm
I have a first class honours diploma in Montessori teaching.Where do I go from here?, How can I do this course what do I need? Please help me?
May 15th, 2006 at 9:25 am
Hi
I am 27 years old and have a primary degree in french and sociology… I have a B in pass Irish in my Leaving Cert but am going back next year to sit the hons exam and then hopefully do the 18 months in Hiberbia… My question is I am working full-time at the mo but would like to start primary school teaching in Sept (obv unqualified at the mo but with a view to being qual), where do I begin to look for work as a sub/ full time teacher… Is this possible?
Thanks
May 18th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
I am currently doing a 3year degree in Montessori Education. Can you do this course with a pass degree or will i have to do the 4th year to get my honours degree. please advise me
May 29th, 2006 at 10:57 am
Hi.
I dont have Irish, what qualifications do i need, how much does it cost & when does it start?
Thanks.
June 19th, 2006 at 9:19 am
I dont have Irish, but would like to become a primary school teachers, what qualifications are needed? Could you please forward me more info on this course.
Thanks.
June 28th, 2006 at 3:36 pm
I have been onto the hibernia site but it doesn’t give alot of information. What qualifications do you need. Could you send me information with more detail on how to go about applying.
Many thanks
Sheena
July 19th, 2006 at 6:59 pm
hello
i was just woundering what point and subjects do you need to become a primary school teacher
August 2nd, 2006 at 6:11 pm
I am a qualified B.Ed grad from Mary I of several years and I totally agree that it IS ridiculous how unqualified and qualified staff can work in the same role i.e mainstream teaching.There is no comparison between the high quality of education received by Mary I,Pats,Marino grads.and that of those who “attend” Hibernia.we’ve had parents complain that they don’t want their children taught by a Hibernia “graduate”.Also the Irish requirement in the Hibernia interview is very poor.
August 2nd, 2006 at 7:39 pm
I have a pgce, Uk equivalent of this Hibernia course. I wonder if this will qualify me to taech in Ireland, as I want to move home. For the record, I don’t feel these courses are a very good way of becoming a teacher. They cannot possibly prepare you in such a short space of time, for such a demanding and responsible job.
September 1st, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Here are a few reasons why you SHOULD take the Hibernia College:
1) This course has undergone an exhaustive accreditation process including scrutiny by an international panel of experts. Can the same be said for any other courses available? No.
2) If you think Teaching Practice is a doddle at Hibernia College - think again. Hibernia College students must load up their lesson plans for every single lesson to a private area which can be viewed by teaching practice supervisors. This means that in addition to the normal visits to the school, the work of Hibernia College students can be scrutinised at any time by any number of supervisors and the course faculty team.
3) The level of competence in the Irish language of Hibernia College graduates is higher than that of graduates in any other College of Education. The Gaeltacht component in particular has been repeatedly praised by Department of Education inspectors.
4) Much of the Teaching Methodologies component of the course was designed and developed by highly experienced teachers who are or were seconded to the Primary Curriculum Support Programme. This programme is reponsible for teaching teachers about the revised Primary School Curriculum. Therefore, Hibernia College students receive the most up to date tuition from the most experienced teaching professionals.
5) The course places more emphasis on the use of information technology in the classroom than any equivalent course. Furthermore this element of the course was designed by leading educational technologists from Trinity College Dublin. If you want to be able to harness the opportunity offered by technology in the classroom, then the Hibernia College course is the best option.
6) Hibernia College graduates and Hibernia College faculty are innovative educationalists who believe that models of education should be challenged and re-apraised in order to have the best chance of providing superior quality education to Ireland’s primary school pupils. If you would prefer to be part of a student cohort that marches through the streets with banners saying “No to the Internet”, then St. Pat’s is the College of Education for you - and good luck.
7) Hibernia College students are all postgraduates. This means they are able to arrive at a mature decision regarding their desire to be a primary school teacher, and that they bring with them the benefit of several years of experience from other professions.
8) And finally here a list of items that are SAVED by students who study with Hibernia College - travel time, printed paper, accommodation costs in Dublin or Limerick, forward thinking in education and approx 12,000 euro per student (paid by the Department of Education to other Colleges of Education for every teacher they train - in addition to the course fees!)
October 4th, 2006 at 3:56 pm
hey, am really interested in doing primary school teaching, am currently studying for my degree in early childhood studies, iv got my c3 in honours irish. Was wondering would it be easier to get accepted for a post graduate course in st.pats or with the hibernia course?? Where do i find information on when the interviews etc… are?? really grateful if someone could help me on this…
December 10th, 2006 at 10:38 am
Well,
Just wondering if there are any graduates from Hibernia out there who could let us know how they got on with seeking employment???
Am seriously considering Hibernia.
January 11th, 2007 at 10:05 am
hi am very interested in hearing more information from /about hibernia graduates. . could some one maybe let me know how they got on ??and did they seek work??, also is it recongnised worldwide???
thanks a mill
Evil
January 13th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
I was wondering is it hard to become a teacher
February 11th, 2007 at 4:56 am
i think that this is a fantastic idea, and im only 15. i think that there should be more of these adds especialy if people can be a teacher with pride. good on ya!
March 7th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Hi i just wanted to askabout the teaching course. I have completed a computer degree last year and would love to do primary teaching but hear that that it is very difficult to get into this course. I am thinking of applying , i have honours irish but have no previous teaching experience. I know it says that this is not essential but have heard that without it it is unlikely i would get the course. Can you please let me know what u feel about this. Also can you tell me when i would want to get my application in for the next round which is in Oct i think?
Thanking You for your help in advance
April 6th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
I AM ATEACHER WITH MANY YEARS EXPERIENCE AND A GRADUTE OF M.I.C.E (HONOURS DEGREE.IF ANYONE INTRESTED).TEACHING IS INTUITIVE.IT’S A VOCATION NOT STRICTLY ACADEMIC.I HAVE SEEN BRILLIANT TACHERS WITH GREAT SKILLS IN MANAGING CHILDREN.I HAVE SEEN HIGH POWERED ACADEMICS RUINING CHILDRENS LIVES. M.I.C.E. IS OVERATED AND ACADEMIC WITH SNOBS LOOKING DOWN THEIR NOSES AT HIBERNIA.I AM HORRIFIED AT THE HYPOCRITICAL SHENNIGANS OF SUCH GRADUATES.TEACHING IS ALL ABOUT JOINING AND BEING AT ONE WITH CHILDREN. IT’S ABOUT BEING EMOTIONALLY INVOLVED WITH CHILDREN.IT’S ABOUT ENABLING CHILDREN TO LEARN AND FULFILLING THEIR THEIR POTENTIAL.IT DOESNT MATTTER WHERE THE DEGREE COMES FROM.IN FACT I DONT THINK TEACHING NEEDS A DEGREE LIKE MDICINE AT ALL.TEACHING IS AKIN TO BEING A MOTHER.ITS ABOUT NURTERING .JUST A MORE FORMAL VERSION OF MOTHERING .
April 18th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
I am amazed at some of the above comments from people who have attended m.i.c.e. etc, I too attented M.I.C.E for four years and i now intend to do the Hibernia course. With such an increase in the cost of living i think it is pathetic that others would begrudge individuals who want to further there education without landing themselves in massive debt. Yes m.i.c.e. is a good college but i firmly agree with Helen, i think we have all come across teachers who are not at all suited to the profession and have been doing it badly for years. It appears that the majority of negative comments are from people who think thay are above Hibernia when in fact graduates of Hibernia will have a Primary degree and a post graduate study completed. Is that not dedication? is that not hard work? So the impresion of a Hibernia qualification being an easy option really needs to be reviewed!
May 2nd, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Hey…if anyone has any information on what cao choices would help me become an Irish secondary teacher. I’ve been interested in doing this for years and I’m due to sit my Leaving Cert in June….any advice??
May 30th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Hi, I am also a mother and hope to do the Hibernia college postgraduate course. I have the interview for the course shortly and Iam wondering if anyone out there with some examples of interview questions that have come up in the past? Particularly the more recent round of interviews. I am more worried about the questions that could arise in the Irish part of the interview so examples of past questions asked in IRish would be most welcome!
Thanks
June 21st, 2007 at 11:06 pm
I don’t know anything about the course, but I got here via a search.
I do know this - a lot of you haven’t the sense to do five minutes of research on basic issues such as cost, standard of Irish required etc. Or maybe it’s just laziness.
Either way, I hope my kids will not be taught by anyone with such lack of initiative, online trained or not.
June 26th, 2007 at 11:17 am
I am a qualified accountant with an excellent leaving cert, an honours degree and first time passes in my professional examinations with training in the big 6 and successful but hugely demanding career and I find some of the comments about the hibernian college above extremely negative almost smacking of sour grapes. I really really want to become a teacher, I know it could be a vocation for me , all my family are teachers and when I taught in schools when studying I absolutely loved it so please dont try and look down on us as we are both highly qualified and obviously looking with a mature eye on perhaps the career we should have pursued if there was adequate career counselling in our schools. Can I ask is there much prejudice experienced by teachers who have qualifed through Hibernia?
July 3rd, 2007 at 10:36 am
How do i apply etc???
July 4th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
@ Helen: “IN FACT I DONT THINK TEACHING NEEDS A DEGREE LIKE MDICINE AT ALL.TEACHING IS AKIN TO BEING A MOTHER”
It´s twits like you that are keeping our pay down, saying stupid things like that. It´s ok for people like you who have husbands and your pay is only a second income. Of course teaching requires a degree.
But I do also partially agree with your other comments. Bedside manner is just as important, for both doctors and teachers, as it were. But Hibernia is, and always will be, inferior.
July 10th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
So that is the problem Conor? There is an issue around pay? You feel you should be paid more. And Hibernia is the scapegoat? I hope you are not bitter and perhaps this might take away from what you class as youre ‘ bedside manner’ in the classroom. No Irish prople or Hibernian graduates need apply……!!!!! is youre philosophy?I thought we had all grown up
At the end of the day, we are moving towards a society where more and more learning and business will be conducted on line. Come back to this message board in ten years and I believe the way things are done will be changed dramatically. Think ten years ago and today. This country was practically bankrupt 15 years ago!And for the begrudgers if they are there, remember , this course is only part internet , it has been approved by the DOE which has taken advice from international impartial bodies , and as we all agree is it the bedside manner and the commitment the inspired nurturer of our future generations as all teachers hope to be…
July 18th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
how much does it cost to become a teacher? i really want to be a primary school teacher!
heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp me!
July 27th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
As someone else said:-
for all of you looking for information:-
You already know the name of the college
You obviously have internet access, so why don’t you just google it & find out for yourself!!!!!!
For Hibernia Prost Grad.
You MUST already have a degree. (which must be at Level 8 of the NFQ (Google it!!!)
You MUST have Honours Irish (or an equivalent Irish Uni qualification)
It is not necessary to have previous teaching experience. I have heard of many who have been accepted without. It would definitely help though, but voluntary work with children outside of school would also help (i.e. sports coaching etc)
You get interviewed in English & Irish. Your Irish MUST me at the Leaving Cert Oral Exam level.
It currently costs approx €8000
Approx 1000 apply for each intake. There are 200-250 places.
There are two sittings each year. One in Oct, one in Feb.
Applications are accepted all year long.
There is less snobbery towards Hibernia graduates now, as they have proven themselves time & time again.
I’m currently repeating my Irish leaving exam. (I’m 27) I’m doing it myself. You don’t need to register with any college. Even if you did, you still have to register with the department yourself to sit the actual exam.
August 9th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
hi Boozybabe.
what do you mean you have to register with the dept yourself to sit the exam even if you register with a college? what if you are doing an irish course at a college? wouldnt they do all that for you just like when we done our leaving cert in school?
August 13th, 2007 at 12:51 pm
Hi Boozybade,
Can you tell me how i can register to re-sit my leaving cert irish - I have checked the departments website and I have had no luck.
August 18th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I think this is brilliant! I am a mother with a primary degree working in local government - I would love to be a teacher, I have got to that stage in life where I want to make a diffence. I am not in a position to give up work to do a full-time course but I am willing to put all my spare time into achieving my dreams. Well done Hibernia!
August 19th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Hey everyone,
I just finished my exams this week with Hibernia college. I think everyone is different and different colleges suit different people. All the fulltime colleges are superb, I’m sure, but Hibernia college has a lot to offer and the academic standard is extremely high. Anyone who thinks that it is an easy ride will be sadly disappointed.
I have been working as an SNA in a school and did my three teaching practices during that time too. I worked damn hard and earned my good grades. The negative comments were to be expected in 2003, but now, in 2007 when Hibernia students and graduates have proved time and time again to be equal to colleagues from other colleges, I am shocked to see the negative comments above about Hibernia.
Conor, I apologise for getting personal but really? It is hardly mature professional teacher behaviour to call others who express their opinions “twits”. I hope that is not the practice in your classroom.
Everyone who graduates from Hibernia, has at least one degree. They have life experience, they are not just out of college. I myself, have many qualifications including Montessori. This all on top of my pending Hibernia qualification.
It is perhaps easy to scapegoat Hibernia because it is regarded as “not a real” course, despite the fact that a lot of us work in schools, we have to travel to areas over the country for lectures and onsites (without complaint I might add!) and we work really hard. During teaching practices, daily extremely detailed lesson plans, modular lesson plans, integrated flow charts, weekly plans and assessment records are all part of it.
The Hibernia interview is not a doddle and you must prepare for it. Boozy Babe gave all the necessary details about it further up. You have to keep up with the work load and your work must be of a high standard or you will not do well. it is as simple as that. Of course, Hibernia has its’ problems and students have a lot of issues with the admin sometimes. It is not easy to do an online course when you cannot get face to face conferencing a lot of the time. But what college doesnt have its’ problems.
I am a single girl in my late twenties who does not have a husband or want a second income “cos I’m bored”. I know that teaching is my vocation and I know that this was the right move for me as it will be for others. This will be my career for life. I paid for everything myself through a loan, which I might not have been able to pay back if I wasn’t also working.
Hibernia gives people who might not financially get the chance to study, to do so. It totally depends on the person. I would not dream of being so rude as to knock any of the other colleges as I think they are all wonderful.Choose whichever is right for you as an individual.
I would hope, that most people out there, would have the maturity, professional courtesy and open mindedness which is necessary in this job, to be of the same mind. If you don’t have the above traits, I would question why you are in the teaching profession - that is dangerous to the young minds of today - to be under the influence of narrow mindedness. While constructive criticism is necessary sometimes, blind negativity is not common sense.
I appreciate that financial security is important, it certainly is to me, but I doubt Hibernia has anything to do with anyone having a low pay packet.
The comments about parents not wanting Hibernia graduates to teach their children is just very sad, but hardly surprising if all they hear is negativity. I have never met one parent who had a problem. If a teacher can teach, he/she can teach, regardless of where they got their qualification. External inspectors from the Department of Education come to see Hibernia college students during Teaching Practice and are as strict on them as others. I wouldnt have it any other way, how else would you learn?
It would also be foolish to assume that there have been no substandard or “inferior” teachers graduating from other colleges. Hibernia is certainly not inferior. It, like other colleges, has a lot to learn, but it also has a lot to offer. I really don’t mean to rant, but I feel it necessary to reply. I wish you well in your future careers everyone
Take care,
Kate
August 19th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Just leaving another comment to see that my mature professional opinion affirming the college that I attended (Hibernia) was deleted by who ever is in charge here. I was not rude to anyone and gave good information. obviously freedom of speech is not welcome here.
That is a great pity
August 19th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
apologies, discard last comment everyone!! I am a bit cranky today!! sorry to all!!
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Hi!
I am really interested in doing the Hibernia teaching online course, I have a first class honors degree in applied social studies in social care and have been working in the social care field for over a year now, however primary school teaching has always been my dream job but I never got the required points in the leaving cert, while I have honors Irish I cant speak a word of it and its holding me back from doing the course, could someone out there give me examples of questions asked in the interview and also if anyone knows of a good irish course around the cork area it would be a great help.
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:53 pm
hi,
do i need honours irish..
where do i find out more bout course..
is it 2late to apply….
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:24 pm
what qualification do i need?
how much it cost me ?
August 24th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
Hey Lisa,
if you got honours Irish, I’d say you can speak the cupla focail so don’t let under confidence hold you back. The interview is usually half and half (English and Irish). The irish part would be similar to some questions in the Irish leaving cert oral. Not sure about courses, but a good Beal scrudu book (school book) would be perfect practice for this. obviously if you can talk as gaeilge with someone, it would be better. Just think general conversation…what your name is, what you do, why you want to be a teacher, etc. I think the October 07 course is full, but you could check that out and apply for the Feb 08? Good luck.
Em, yes I do think you need honours Irish but check it out.If you read through the information in the above posts, you’ll find what you need. You have to have a primary degree to do this course and all in all, it can cost up to 10 thousand euro by the time you have finished. look up HIBERNIA COLLEGE on the internet. I do think that perhaps that is the place to be looking and asking the questions, not here where there isn’t much help to be found!!
best of luck,
Kate
September 4th, 2007 at 2:56 pm
Hi everyone
Can someone please tell me some of some of the questions both in Irish and English they were asked this year. Also if someone can give me a great answer as to why they chose the course woudl be a great help. i just need some impressive descriptive words.
September 5th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Hi…I am a third year Arts student and I was wondering if it is possible for me to apply for the H-Dip this year pending my degree result or do I have to have my Degree completed? I would appreciate any reply on this matter!!! Thanks…
September 10th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Hi everyone,
For my interview with Hibernia, here are some of the questions I was asked:
In English:
Have I any paid work experience in a primary school?
Why do I want to become a teacher?
What did I study during my degree and what have I learned from it?
Did I know anyone who has done the course before?
What would I do if the principal told me my class weren’t disciplined enough?
Do I think music is an important part of a child’s education?
How would I balance working, studying and resting at the same time?
What do I think of the IT aspect of the course?
What attracted me to the Hibernia course?
In Irish:
Have I much Irish?
What TV programmes do you watch?
Have you been anywhere on holidays recently?
Have I read any good books recently?
Had I been to any Irish colleges when I was in school?
There were three people on the panel and were all very friendly and helpful, especially with the Irish part.
Good luck!
September 14th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
I was just wondering how many points do you need in the Leaving Cert to become a primary school Teacher.
September 26th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Hi
I have just read all the comments posted over the last four years and I am shocked at some of the very negative ones left by other teachers.
I am seriously considering applying for the Hibernian course next year.
I am 25 years old and have worked extremely hard over the last few years. I graduated from college with a first honours business degree and various awards. A fact that I am very proud of considering I also had my daughter, who is 6 now, 2 years into my dgree.
I went on to work in a big 4 accountancy firm and have since qualified as a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Tax Institute of Ireland.
People like myself applying for this course are giving up careers that we have worked hard in for years because we feel that this is what we truly could make a difference doing.
If I get accepted into the course next year I will have to struggle financially for the course duration as I don’t believe I could hold down full time employment and completely dedicate myself to my studies. Even after graduation my starting salary would only be half of what I earn now.
Please tell me how is this an easy route into primary school teaching!! Does this not show enough dedication?
As a mother myself I would be happy in the knowledge that my child was being taught by someone who had put so much effort and dedication into working with and teaching children, whether this be at the age of 17 or 27!
I would like to hear from people who have been successful in their application to the Hibernian course.
Unfortuntely I will not be in a position to get paid work experience prior to applying but I am teaching swimming lessons voluntarily and have also done some unpaid voluntary work in a primary school. Do you think this will be enough experience to apply?
If I get accepted I plan to give up my job and do resource teaching for the duration of the course.
I would love to get advice from anyone who has done the course on whether they think I should be doing anything else to improve my chances of being accepted.
My major issue is with the Irish. I understand from other comments that the level of Irish is on par with that of honours oral leaving cert. Can anyone confirm this?
Look forward to hearing from (postive!) teachers and Hibernian students.
October 14th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Hey
i was jus wondering could anyone tell me the requirements for entering this course,i have an ordinary degree in computers,but i have recently decided i would rather go down the path of being a teacher.i was basically wondering if i would eligable for this course with my ordinary degree,really appreciate any reply’s
Cheers
October 17th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Wow!! What bitter people ex MIC people are!And why is that? Because u only did primary teaching because u got the points in your leaving cert and and it would be great for mommy and daddy to tell all the neighbours that little Mary is going to be a teacher regardless of the fact that little Mary couldnt teach a dog to sit still let alone an aimsir chaite to a bunch of 8 year olds?Or because most of you cant stand putting up with the kids who lets face it arent much younger than you and you would much rather be doing the gold coast of Australia or trekking in thailand??
let me just open your tiny little institutionalised minds and explain the reasons why this course is a breath of fresh air:
1)It is mainly mature educated working professionals who are applying for it not little Mary who is more interested in what time happy hour is on in the local than why the disruptive child in the classroom is missing from school that day again-could it possibly be because he has a learning diability and is playing up to a teacher who has recieved practically NO training on how to deal with children with INTELLECTUAL and LEARNING disabilities but who can recite every verb in every tense from the amisir chaite to the aimsir Fhaisneach!!! The same child will go on to be the thief of tomorrow and just like 7 children in the 90’s who didnt get into a secondary school due to poor reading and writing skills will end up in prison or dead. 4 our of 7 of those kids are dead, the other 3 in prision.
People like myself who have years of working in “The real world” (yes it does exist other than the year abroad in Australia most people under 25 have experienced) have vast amounts of knowledge and experiece that would be extremely valuable in a classroom situation-dealing with parents, interperonal and communication skills, public speaking IT skills the list goes on. We are the people who have seen enough of the world to know that our talents are waisted if they are not used to HELP people, TEACH children, give them confidence in themselves, beleve that they are worthy, that they can make a difference, that they have a VOICE, that their dreams can come true. What would a 21 or 22 year old just finished in Mary I or St Pats know about life or teaching anyone? are they not children themselves without any life experience??Please do not knock or make JUDGEMENTAL comments and make sweeping statments about people you know nothing about. It was not our fault we had no proper guidance in the first place from teachers and guidance councillors to follow a path that we would all have been perfect candidates for but then again like everything else in life this is something we had to learn by ourselves.Due to morgages, children or other financial commitments we cannot all return to 18 months full time education and nor should we have to considering we have all spent a minimum of 4 years already in a third level institution.
for the record I got a B3 in honours Irish and love the subject but my french friends can speak better english than i can speak Irish even though they have only be learning english for 5 years while i learnt Irish for 12 years.. there was no emphasis on oral Irish when I was in school only written Irish. No wonder everyone hates the thought of an oral interview even though we all learned the language for 12 years!! go figure.In any case having brillant Irish is really not the issue for teachers today as alot of children in today’s multicultural Ireland can barely speak English let alone Irish so perhaps you should re examine your priorities as a teacher if Irish is at the top of your list in a requirment to be a teacher..
Finally I would like to point out to the begrudgers of this course I am working FULL TIME and will be for the duration of this course IF AND WHEN I get it…I will be paying TAX and guess where that tax money will be going?? You guessed it!!! It will go towards paying the fees to train the countries future primary teachers at colaiste Mhuire gan smal and the likes so I hope you put my money to good use cos I will be seeing you in the staff room at lunch times when I am a QUALIFIED PRIMARY TEACHER IN MAINSTREAM EDUCATION!!!!!!!!!!!
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:26 pm
well said caoimhe! jaonne who left that insulting reply for u needs to grow up and find something better to do wit her time.
November 2nd, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Reading this site would seriously turn mew off this course!
Are these the people i would work with?? Is there really any need to slate those who havent held down a fantastic job since the age of 20 and who have taken time out to travel. Seems some people could do with the adventure. might broaden their little minds slightly! (which would indeed benefit all those kids in the classroom!!!)
November 15th, 2007 at 9:03 pm
Hiyaa .. !
Im In Year 11 In School Doin GCSE’S I Wana Be A Primary School Teacher And Im Going On To College To Do My A - Levels .. What Are The Best Subjects To Pick For A-Levels To Become A Teacher .. ?
Could Any1 Help .. ?
x x x x
January 1st, 2008 at 11:16 pm
only got a d2 in honours irish, have a degree in bachelor of business, can i apply for this course, only can do online as i cannot afford to give up work
January 14th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
can you tell me what I need to qualify for ths course, how much it costs and when it begins it sounds too good to be true
January 21st, 2008 at 1:38 pm
hi, i am going to take my year 9 options soon and really want to become a primary teacher. can anyone give me any advice as to what i should take?
thanks!
x
March 9th, 2008 at 12:17 am
what a load of codswallop, what are all you so called qualified teachers afraid of, is it the experience that older mature student have or are you threatened , if given a choice give me a Hibernia student any day they have gained their mastery on the ground
Good luck to all Hibernia Students go teach em how to teach!!!!
March 14th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
I am very angry about the introduction of the hibernia on-line primary teaching diploma. As a result of Noel Dempsey giving dept. of ed. recognition to this course, my son is suffering in such a graduate’s class.As a B.Ed myself, I spent many,many hours taking notes on teaching studies and classroom management.I see no mention of such modules on the scant hibernia website. My son,who has mild A.S.D.,was coping very well in the mainstream until this year.His 1st class report ticked the ‘very good’ box for classroom behaviour at the end of June ‘07. Now, 6 months on, his hibernia ‘trained’ teacher can’t handle & has let his behaviour deteriorate dramatically. I am up the walls with worry.I am left to deal with the situation as best I can alone, as the school will only sing the dept recognition line. I am appalled that this so called diploma in primary teaching was rushed through to meet teacher shortages. I am dismayed at the number of “hibernates” being churned out of this milking machine of Sean Rowlands… into the 1000’s! God help the children of Ireland.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I am a qualified school principal with a first class honours degree in education from T.C.D. I am currently completing my M. Ed.
As a school principal, i sit on interview panels and i can honestly say that I would never entertain a hibernia student or give them an interview.
I regularly go on the education posts website and read the comments that have been posted on it by “students” wishing to go on on the Hibernia course and I am disgusted by what I read. Comments by people on the course clearly show how relaxed the course is.
I would love to know how many of the current studnts would have the points to get onto the B. Ed. course in a proper college of education such as MICE, St. Pat’s, Church of Ireland College and Froebel.
I am aware that there are students on the course who are very highly qualified and will make excellent teachers. I hate tarring everyone with the same brush.
The D.E.S. praise the course because it is so cost effective and a very cheap way to train teachers. There is no way that an 18 month stint on the Internet is adequate for delivering the primary school curriculum from infants to 6th class with all the current challenges that our education system has.
I have evidence of students from Hibernia who were very unsatisfactory on T.P. but it didn’t matter because the “college” supervisior only visited twice and this was a retired teacher. Many of Hibernia’s supervisors are X-teachers who can earn extra money travelling around visiting hibernia students on T.P.
Many hibernia students rant about life experinece being what they can bring to the classroom this is something we all have, they are no different. How can someone that has studied business for example go on the Internet and qualify as a primary teacher in just 18 months. If you calculated the exact length of the course I don’t think it even takes 18 months. Students from Froebel, Marino and the Church of Ireland College all achieve at least a grade C3 in honours Irish and then go on to study Gaeilge as part of their degree for three years while attending courses in Modhanna muinte Gaeilge. This is why teachers from these colleges are sought after.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
I am 32 and working currently a QS. I have an honours degree. While I am more than compotent at my job, I would rather teach. In order to do so, on a traditional route I would need to give up work. This is not a viable option. Therefore an online option while it may not be the best training available remains the best option for me.
It may be true that this online course is inferior in quality, but I think that, it is only truly in a class room that a teacher is found to be good or bad. As a child I have had both and though I am an adult now, I still remember. Both good and bad teachers came from the traditional route.
I am undecided about my future. However I think this online course looks like a good option to me.
Slán.
March 28th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Principal.. What a load of crap? What planet are you on? Have you actually read the requirements for gaining a place on the Hibernia post-grad?. I suggest you take a look, that’s of course if you know how to use the internet. After all you sound a bit backward and maybe the internet is beyond your capacity.
P.S I am honours psychology graduate, fluent in Irish currently on Hibernia course.
My friend ( a Hibernia graduate) got a permanent job on her first year out. Are you ok? Feeling sick yet?
To the other wan who posted m Marie your son sounds the product of a poor, unstable home environment where bad behaviour sounds and is probably the normal. I suggest you take a good look at your home situation, parenting and TEACHING style before you point the finger at the “Hibernia” graduate.
April 14th, 2008 at 9:21 am
To Catherine,you say you have a degree in psychology- therefore you should have knowledge about both basic & educational psychological assessments. You should have learned about autism.Your comments are both ignorant & irrelevant. If this is your attitude towards parents & teaching professionals, I suggest you take a long hard look at your choice of career i.e. your suitability for teaching.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Catherine,
You are clearly unsuitable for the teaching profession infact I would wonder about your suitablility for any profession. I am currently sitting on interview panels to appoint teachers to mainstream positions for the coming school year and I have to say what a pleasure it would be to grill you in an inteview situation. You can rest asured you wouldn’t get the job. If you have a degree in psychology why don’t you go and do something with it or was it a waste of time.
I am very familiar with the requirements for the Hibernia course but let’s be realistic the one requirement is an ability to pay the fees.
May 22nd, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Wow, I’ve just read this thread and had no idea there were such mixed views about the Hibernia course. I have a 2:1 degree in Psychology, a postgrad certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills and currently work as a home tutor for children with autism. I am currently looking into doing the Hibernia postgrad, as going back to do 18 months full time isn’t an option financially as I have a mortgage to pay. I ultimately want to work as a special needs teacher. However, reading some of the comments on here from professionals in the area has given me some concern. Is it really true that Hibernia graduates are discriminated against when it comes to trying to find employment? I thought the Hibernia course was the answer to all my prayers but I certainly don’t want to commit to 18 months hard work, along with the guts of 10k only to discover that I can’t get a job.
May 28th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
F.A.O Catherine.M Marie and Principal Teacher(March 16, 2008)
I chanced upon this site quite by accident and am apalled by the negativity on both sides of this arguement.
Some of the comments left by current and past pupils of Hibernia do little to enhance the college’s reputation. As a Hibernia student teacher myself I feel you do no justice to Hibernia or yourself and I am quite embarrassed at the display of bad manners. You are certainly not representative of the majority of people on this course.
The principals comments, on the other hand are unresearched and display a thorough lack of understanding regarding the entry requirments,content, calibre of student and intensity of this course. Whether this lady or gentleman is in actual fact a principal is dubious as I doubt very much whether a person of education and character would put in print such narrow minded and insulting words. I, as a teacher would certainly not be willing to work in a school where such an ethos was tolerated. My goodness, I feel I would be much too good a teacher and would have way too much to offer to be associated with such a school.
For the record I am a (quite!) mature student who tries to emulate the best practice from all the great teachers I have seen. It would never occur to me to ask them where they have studied.
I could write tomes more on this subject but I am much too busy dealing with my class and their work which are the only issues of any importance in this debate.
Thank you.
July 10th, 2008 at 6:13 am
hi umm my name is stephanie and i was wandering if anyone can help me decide what subjects to take in yr 12 to become a primary school teacher i know i have a long way as i am only in yr 8 but i would like to be prepared on what to take in yr11
July 16th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
Hi there - you all seem to be very passsionate about teaching which is good. D’ont forget the main colleges do 18 month courses also. I did one - it’s ok but one is definitely ‘pushed’ through and not really that well trained - although we has 3 x 3 weeks TP we only had ’supervision’ - which is judgement not help for about 7/8 hours in all that time - everything else is just essay writing skills - I will be ‘training’ myself at work which I am prepared to do.
July 25th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Mara, I don’t know whether or not you are a parent.When it comes to your own children, I don’t see why any parent should be forced to accept substandard teachers.I see no proof that this hibernia course meets any standard. Secondary teachers who do the hibernia may be satisfactory but after that I think the hibernia in no way prepares people adequately for teaching.