Professional Master of Education (NUI) Points - Scoring System - 2024 Entry
The basic requirement for entry is an eligible level 8 primary degree of the National University of Ireland (NUI) or its equivalent, as defined here. Those who have not yet completed their degree at the time of applying are evaluated on the examination results of the most recently completed academic year (not ERASMUS or equivalent). In the case of degree courses assessed by Grade Point Average (GPA), the most recent cumulative grade point average figure will be the relevant one.
Applicants can be offered places provisional on their being successful in their final degree examination. Applicants who hold an eligible primary degree at the time of application are evaluated on their level 8 degree results.
Points will be awarded on the basis of
- performance in an eligible level 8 primary degree and
- additional relevant academic qualifications, if any
- relevant professional experience, if any
Points for relevant professional experience
- Up to five points may be awarded in recognition of full time paid employment which is deemed relevant, and which can be verified. Points will normally be awarded on the basis of one point for year of relevant experience, up to the maximum of five points
- Up to two additional points may be awarded in recognition of part time paid employment which is deemed relevant, and which can be verified. Points will normally be awarded on the basis of one point for year of relevant experience, up to the maximum of two points
Points for academic performances
Points are based on the overall percentage mark obtained in the appropriate examination as confirmed by the applicant's university or awarding body, or as determined by The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) on the basis of information received. In the case of awards other than NUI awards, equivalences will be calculated. The Applications Centre reserves the right to make such determinations, judgements and calculations which it feels appropriate, based on the information in its possession, in assigning points to academic performance results, additional qualifications and professional experience.
The tables following indicate the number of points awarded for undergraduate/graduate examination performance, for additional academic qualifications, and for professional experience.
The points system for academic performance set out below is designed to take account of all eligible level 8 primary degrees – including two-subject honours degrees, single honours degrees and degrees with one subject at honours level and one subject at pass level. In the case of eligible General Level 8 Degrees of the NUI (i.e. three subject pass degrees), points will be allocated using the schedule for pass papers.
The following should assist applicants who wish to calculate their pointsThe points for academic performances are based on the overall percentage mark obtained in the appropriate examination as confirmed by the applicant's university or awarding body, or as determined by The Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) on the basis of information received.
- Maximum Points for candidates with an eligible level 8 primary degree for which an honours award is available: 51 points
- Maximum Points for candidates with an eligible level 8 primary degree for which an honours award is not available: 45 points
- Maximum Points for candidates with a two subject eligible level 8 degree, where honours are available for one subject but not for the other: 48 points
| PERCENTAGE MARK RANGE | GPA RANGE | QCA Range | PAC PME POINTS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower | Upper | Lower | Upper | Lower | Upper | Degrees where honours are available | Degrees where honours are not available |
| 78.00 | 100.00 | 4.18 | 4.30 | 3.88 | 4.00 | 51 | 45 |
| 76.00 | 77.99 | 4.06 | 4.17 | 3.76 | 3.87 | 50 | 44 |
| 74.00 | 75.99 | 3.94 | 4.05 | 3.64 | 3.75 | 49 | 43 |
| 72.00 | 73.99 | 3.82 | 3.93 | 3.52 | 3.63 | 48 | 42 |
| 70.00 | 71.99 | 3.70 | 3.81 | 3.40 | 3.51 | 47 | 41 |
| 68.00 | 69.99 | 3.58 | 3.69 | 3.32 | 3.39 | 46 | 40 |
| 66.00 | 67.99 | 3.46 | 3.57 | 3.24 | 3.31 | 45 | 39 |
| 64.00 | 65.99 | 3.34 | 3.45 | 3.16 | 3.23 | 44 | 38 |
| 62.00 | 63.99 | 3.22 | 3.33 | 3.08 | 3.15 | 43 | 37 |
| 60.00 | 61.99 | 3.10 | 3.21 | 3.00 | 3.07 | 42 | 36 |
| 58.00 | 59.99 | 2.98 | 3.09 | 2.92 | 2.99 | 41 | 35 |
| 56.00 | 57.99 | 2.86 | 2.97 | 2.84 | 2.91 | 40 | 34 |
| 54.00 | 55.99 | 2.74 | 2.85 | 2.76 | 2.83 | 39 | 33 |
| 52.00 | 53.99 | 2.62 | 2.73 | 2.68 | 2.75 | 38 | 32 |
| 50.00 | 51.99 | 2.50 | 2.61 | 2.60 | 2.67 | 37 | 31 |
| 48.00 | 49.99 | 2.38 | 2.49 | 2.48 | 2.59 | 36 | 30 |
| 46.00 | 47.99 | 2.26 | 2.37 | 2.36 | 2.47 | 35 | 29 |
| 44.00 | 45.99 | 2.14 | 2.25 | 2.24 | 2.35 | 34 | 28 |
| 42.00 | 43.99 | 2.02 | 2.13 | 2.12 | 2.23 | 33 | 27 |
| 40.00 | 41.99 | 1.90 | 2.01 | 2.00 | 2.11 | 32 | 26 |
Sample Calculations based on the above points table
- Student A received 63% in subject X and 52% in subject Y. Both subjects were in an eligible level 8 degree for which an honours award is available. Student A’s overall percentage mark is (63 + 52) 2 = 57.50% which is equivalent to 40 points.
- Student B received 63% in subject X and 52% in subject Y. Both subjects were in an eligible level 8 degree for which an honours award is NOT available. Student B’s overall percentage mark is (63 + 52) 2 = 57.50% which is equivalent to 34 points.
- Student C has taken a two-subject eligible level 8 degree, one subject 'T' for which honours is available and the second subject 'U' for which honours is not available. Student C received 58% in the honours subject 'T' and 54% in pass subject 'U'.
To calculate an overall points score for Student C, the 58% honours component is converted to the equivalent in points (i.e. 41 pts). Then the 54% pass component is converted to the equivalent in points (i.e. 33 pts). Both points values are then added and divided by 2 to attain an average points score (i.e. 41pts + 33pts = 74 pts ÷ 2 = 37 points). - (a) This sample does NOT apply to the Single Honours Level 8 Degree from University College Cork (1989 – 1999).
- (b) In those cases where information is made available concerning honours/pass designation at modular level, weighted average points scores will be calculated.
- Student D has taken an honours level 8 degree programme made up of a number of modules/courses. Student D’s overall percentage mark is 64.32%, which is equivalent to 44 points.
- Student E has taken a pass level 8 degree programme made up of a number of modules/courses. Student E’s overall percentage mark is 64.32%, which is equivalent to 38 points.
Note:
| Qualifications | Points |
|---|---|
| PhD. | 10 |
| Masters Degree | 6 |
| Higher/Graduate Diploma | 3 |
| Higher Certificate | 1 |
| Qualifications | Points |
|---|---|
| 2nd Primary Degree | 4 |
| Diploma - at least 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. | 2 |
| Certificate - at least 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time. | 1 |
Qualifications which form a subsidiary part of a higher qualification are not awarded points and level 7 as part of a level 8 award e.g., a National Diploma as part of a Degree Programme.
All qualifications being submitted for assessment purposes must be awarded prior to 01 December 2023.
Points for relevant Professional Experience
Applicants for the PME may have professional experience related to their proposed teaching subjects, or professional experience in working with young people. In recognition of the value of these experiences, some additional points can be awarded. However, to ensure verifiability, points can only be awarded for paid employment which can be verified through appropriate documentation. To claim additional points you will normally need to provide a letter from your employer showing the start and end dates, the salary and the description of the role, and you should be prepared to provide tax records to support this if required.
Points are only awarded for professional experience which is deemed relevant. The two main categories of experience which are considered relevant are (i) experience of professional work (normally at graduate level) related to the teaching subject, and (ii) experience of working with young people in a role sufficiently related to teaching. In each case the experience must be over a sustained period and must be of a sufficiently high level to merit the allocation of additional points.
Points are awarded in two categories:
- Full-time paid professional experience. If the experience is deemed relevant, one point is awarded per year of employment, up to a maximum of 5 points.
- Part-time paid professional experience. If the experience is deemed relevant, one point is awarded per year of employment, up to a maximum of 2 points.
Please note that:
- Points cannot be awarded where the information provided is ambiguous or incomplete.
- Points awarded for professional experience are entirely at the discretion of the PAC PME team, representing the participating universities.
- Points are not awarded for teaching in a second-level school while unqualified.
| Normally accepted for points purposes | Not accepted | |
|---|---|---|
| In education | Full time teaching in a school in another country
Working as a full time special needs assistant. Working as a full time classroom assistant. Full time teaching in a third level or FE college. Full time teaching in a school (this arises in a small number of cases in VEC schools). | Working in a non-contact role in a school, such as school caretaker |
| In working with young people | Full time employment as a sports coach. Full time employment as a youth organiser. Full time employment as a social worker. Full time employment in a nursery/care setting with children | Working as a personal trainer |
| Related to the teaching subject Normally professional work related to the degree subject, at graduate level | Employment as an Accountant (for Business Studies teachers) Employment as a translator (for language teachers) Employment as a laboratory scientist (for science teachers) | Working in employment not requiring graduate level skills (e.g serving in a bar, or restaurant). Working in an area not related to the teaching subject (e.g a history graduate working in an administrative post, and seeking to teach history). |
Note: Full time employment is taken to mean full time hours. Continuous employment for at least 9 months is required to claim points for one year.
Part time can be considered if either (i) part time throughout the year, or (ii) full time for a period of three months (e.g. summer employment).
Verification required
Note: PAC may seek tax records as further verification of employment.