Mathematics & Computer Science with Education - Second Level Teaching
If you are interested in a career as a second-level Mathematics and Computer Science teacher, this may be the degree for you.
You will take a five year route to second-level teaching instead of a six-year route.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
BSc Mathematics and Computer Science (with Education) CAO Code: MH212 MCS
4 years + 1 year postgraduate study
Erasmus/Study Abroad Option: No
Placement Option: Placement is required
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate: 2H5 & 4O6/H7, Irish, English & Science subject (one of Agricultural Science, Applied Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, or Physics with Chemistry) & H4 Mathematics*
*Students admitted to MH212 are required to have H4 Mathematics to register for MCS.
Note: An offer of a place on this course is subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau.
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
In general, students must be 17 years or older by 15th January in the year after entry to the University. If you are younger, you must make a special application to the University’s President.
All Leaving Certificate subjects carry equal points with the exception of *Mathematics (details below). Points are awarded for your six best subjects in any one year. These do not have to include subjects needed to meet general minimum entry requirements. Minimum entry requirements and course requirements may be satisfied by an accumulation of subjects over more than one year. As well as achieving the required points, you must have a minimum of six subjects in your Leaving Certificate, with two Higher Level papers at grade H5 and four Ordinary or Higher Level papers at grade O6/H7.
The requirements for each course are shown above.
* 25 bonus points will be added to the points score for a Leaving Certificate Higher Level Mathematics grade H6 or higher.
The bonus points are included in the overall points calculation only when Mathematics is one of the applicant’s best six subjects following the addition of the bonus.
Foundation level Mathematics is accepted for matriculation (i.e. can be counted as one of the six subjects required - grade F6 or higher), but does not meet the requirement for degrees where Mathematics is a special programme requirement. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Foundation level Irish is not accepted for matriculation. Points are not awarded for this subject.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Points are awarded as follows:
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Applicants can use their points allocation for the Link Modules as one of their best six subjects for the purpose of calculating points, but the Link Modules do not qualify as a subject for minimum entry requirement purposes.
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Options after graduation?
- Graduates will be qualified to teach mathematics and computer science up to Leaving Certificate Higher Level. Graduates apply to the Teaching Council of Ireland for registration.
Further information
Maynooth University greatly values the particular contribution of mature students to the academic and social environment of the University. A mature student is 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time degrees the mature age is 21. There is no upper age limit; we currently have students who range in age from 23 to over 70. Up to 200 mature students begin their studies here each year. Many of our mature entrants undertake preparatory studies in advance of gaining admission.
The Mature Student Office is committed to supporting the learning experience of our mature students. A certain number of places are reserved for mature students on all undergraduate courses. We offer a range of supports for mature students including an advisory service, tailored information sessions during Orientation/Welcome Week, academic advisors, the Student Budgeting Advice Service and a technology skills programme. There is also a Mature Student Society on campus providing a continuation of peer support, both academic and social, to incoming mature students.
See the Mature Student handbook for detailed information about applying as a mature student. Call, email or drop in to meet us in MAP Lodge on the North Campus or to request a mature student information pack. If the opportunity to return to education has presented itself to you, we hope you’ll choose Maynooth University.
Emer Sheerin, Mature Student Officer
+ 353 1 708 3307
emer.sheerin@mu.ie
2023: 65 (MH212)
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
You will study with the Maynooth University Department of Education who are committed to reflecting on and interrogating the purposes, principles and values underpinning educational policy, practice and theory.
Why choose this degree?
- As an undergraduate, you will study a four-year Science degree, while also completing 60 credits in Education.
- After four years you are awarded a BSc Mathematics and Computer Science (with Education) degree – a level 8 honours degree. You now have two pathways open to you:
1. You can choose to exit your studies with your level 8 qualification and take a different path in your education or career.
2. You can continue with your studies to become a fully qualified teacher. This means you complete one further year of study at postgraduate level - required in order to meet the Teaching Council requirements to be registered as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) in two subjects. Having graduated with your Level 8 BSc Mathematics and Computer Science (with Education) degree, you are guaranteed your place in this postgraduate year. At the end of year five of your studies, you will be a fully qualified second-level computer science and mathematics teacher up to Leaving Certificate level. Through this pathway you are fully qualified after five years rather than taking the six year route (details of the six-year route are outlined in the next bullet point below).
- For those students who may not achieve the points necessary to secure a place on MH212, an alternative, six-year route to second-level teaching is available. You can take the BSc Bachelor of Science (MH201) degree for four years and then apply for the Level 9 Professional Master of Education degree. The PME is a two-year, full-time programme designed to qualify graduates to teach at second level. Entry to the PME is competitive and is not guaranteed to graduates of the BSc Bachelor of Science degree.
Course structure
- After four years of concurrent Mathematics, Computer Science and Education studies, students may graduate with a Level 8 honours degree in Mathematics and Computer Science (with Education)
- To become a fully qualified Mathematics and Computer Science teacher, students must complete a fifth year of study at Masters level – the Professional Master of Education
- Once you reach the required standards after 4th year, the place in 5th year is guaranteed
- Students have the option of transferring to MH212 MED Mathematics (with Education) at the end of year 1.
Possible topics:
1st year
Computer Science
Mathematics
Mathematical Physics
Experimental Physics
2nd year
Continue with Mathematics and Computer Science
Introduction to Teaching – Critical reflection on science and mathematics teaching and learning including school based experience in semester two
The Learner and Learning
3rd year
Continue with Mathematics and Computer Science (40 credits)
School Based Experience 2 (1 day per week)
Learning, Teaching, Assessment and Curriculum
The Foundations of Educational Thinking
Critical Reflections on Mathematics and Computer Science Teaching and Learning
4th year
Continue with Mathematics and Computer Science (40 credits)
School Based Experience 3 (2 week block in September and 1 day per week in semester 1)
The Teacher as Critically Reflective Practitioner
Irish Education History, Policy and Legislation
Critical Reflections on Mathematics and Computer Science Teaching and Learning
Final year
School Based Experience 4 (3 days per week in school)
Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Curriculum: The Practice of Teaching
The Teacher as Critically Reflective Practitioner: The Teacher as part of a Professional Learning Community
Contact us
Maynooth University Department of Education,
School of Education
+ 353 1 708 3656
education.department@mu.ie
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/education
Twitter/X: @MU_Education