Education - Irish Medium - Primary - PGCE
The PGCE at St Mary’s is designed to prepare students for teaching in Irish-medium primary schools, with an emphasis on immersion pedagogy. Tuition is largely through the Irish language and there are three periods of school placement. A wide range of contemporary educational issues, including special needs, are covered in the curriculum.
| Award Name | Postgraduate Certificate at UK Level 7 |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | |
| Awarding Body | Queens University Belfast |
| NFQ Level |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postgraduate Certificate at UK Level 7 | Queens University Belfast |
Duration
1 year full-time.
Entry Requirements
On admission applicants must possess:
- A high level of competence in Irish, both written and oral, commensurate with competence to teach the primary school curriculum.
- A good honours degree (2.2 or above)
- GCSE (grade C or above) in English Language, Mathematics and Science. For applicants from the Republic of Ireland, the equivalent qualification for English and Mathematics is Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Grade D or above. For Science, the minimum requirement is Junior Certificate at Higher Level, Grade C or above.
Candidates are Interviewed as part of the selection process. Oral and written Irish language proficiency is among the competences that are evaluated at interview.
Careers / Further progression
Careers
The demand for qualified Irish-medium teachers remains high in this growing sector and most students take up positions in Irish-medium schools and continue their professional development in schools. Some teachers pursue careers in other relevant avenues relating to Irish-medium education, such as resource production, in the media, or in other branches of education.
Further information
Academic Year 2024-25.
Yes
PGCE Applications are now closed for 2024/25 entry.
PGCE interviews will be 20th & 21st March 2024.
For further information contact:
The Academic Registry,
St Mary’s University College
191 Falls Road Belfast,
BT12 6FE
Tel: +44 (0)28 9026 8320
Email: admissions@smucb.ac.uk
Overview
The Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) is a recognised teaching qualification which affords graduates qualified teacher status. The PGCE (Irish-medium) at St Mary’s University College Belfast is a 36 week programme, designed to equip student teachers with the professional competences required to become an effective teacher. It is a recognised bilingual programme for graduates who aspire to teach in an Irish-medium setting. In addition to the PGCE teaching qualification, successful students are also awarded a Certificate in Bilingual Education, reflecting their specialist Irish-medium competences.
Programme Aims
- develop a range of professional competences
- engage in informed debate about major issues in education and training
- reflect in depth on theory/practice relationships within professional contexts
- keep abreast of research, innovation and developments in education in general and Irish-medium education in particular
- develop research skills.
The course begins in September with an induction programme that establishes a solid foundation for progressing through the year and also helps to build a dynamic Irish-medium community of learning.
This includes a week of workshops and taught sessions in College, a Gaeltacht-based week with a focus on Irish competence and an introductory week in an Irish-medium primary school.
During the year, students gain experience across all phases of primary education. Practical experience is gained in both Irish-medium and English-medium schools, with placements organised by the College.
PGCE students may also take the Religious Education Certificate course, which prepares student teachers for a role in Catholic schools. Teaching in Religious Education is based on both sacred scripture and the tradition of the Church.
The PGCE at St Mary’s is designed to prepare students for teaching in Irish-medium primary schools, with an emphasis on immersion pedagogy. Tuition is largely through the Irish language and there are three periods of school placement. A wide range of contemporary educational issues, including special needs, are covered in the curriculum.
The programme is aligned with the competence-based model of teacher education and is delivered over one year of full-time study.
PGCE students at Queens and Ulster may take an Irish-medium Enhancement Course at St Mary’s to prepare them for teaching in Irish-medium post-primary schools.
Modules
The programme is structured in three modules, two of which are at Masters Level.
1. School-Based Work
2. Learning and Teaching in the Primary School
3. Perspectives on the Primary Curriculum
Currently, completion of the PGCE entitles students to 30 credit points within the College’s MEd programme.
Dr Gabrielle Nig Uidhir
t: +44 (0)28 9026 8202
e: g.maguire@smucb.ac.uk