STRANMILLIS UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

A College of Queen's University Belfast

Teacher Education at Stranmillis University College

Routes into teaching

Selection Criteria

Entrance Requirements

• Bachelor of Education degree (BEd)

• PGCE
• Entrance Requirements 
• Applications for the PGCE
• The Interview
• Other Entrance Requirements
• Medical Fitness

Teacher Education at Stranmillis has a long and distinguished history of working closely with pre-service teachers, schools and the research community to develop new ideas for learning and teaching and to prepare outstanding teachers.  The employment destinations of our graduates confirm that the portfolio of Stranmillis University College Teacher Education programmes lead to a qualification that is not only in high demand locally, but of significant currency in schools and other education related organizations both nationally and internationally.  All courses include periods of professional placement in education settings demonstrating benchmarked practice.  

Teacher Education in Northern Ireland is divided into three phases which are integrated.  Phase 1 is Initial Teacher Education through the completion of a BEd degree or a PGCE course; Phase 2 is Induction which will take place in the first year of teaching; and Phase 3 is Early Professional Development which will take place in the second and third years of teaching. 

These arrangements are designed to enhance the career-long professionalism of teachers and to be responsive to their needs created by the transition from student teacher to newly qualified teacher and to the requirements of the circumstances in which such teachers are working.

Routes into Teaching in Stranmillis University College

 The four-year Bachelor of Education (BEd Hons) Programmes lead to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in: 

• Nursery/Primary Education (Foundation, KS1 and KS2) including an Area of Learning specialism; or
• Post Primary Education (KS3-KS4/5) focusing on one of the following curriculum areas:
• Business and Enterprise
• Religious Education
• STEM - either Mathematics and Science or Technology and Design
• The one-year Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Early Years (age 3-8 learners).  The focus of this course is Pre-school, the Foundation Stage and KS1 curriculum.

These qualifications are a solid foundation for postgraduate study through the Part-time MEd, the Part-Time MTeach or on a range of Continuing Professional Development courses.

 Selection Criteria for QTS programmes: BEd (Hons) and PGCE Early Years

The teacher education requirements are in compliance with General Teaching Council (NI) accreditation and Department of Education (NI) guidelines as part of the University College's approved programmes leading to Qualified Teacher Status.

Entry is competitive and the University College Selection Committee will take account of the following:

• nature and level of academic performance and potential as evidenced by examination results and reports from school, colleges and universities;

• personal suitability for the course and for teaching as evidenced by; relevant experience in a structured environment, reports as above and the reports of interviews held in the University College.

Entrance Requirements and Application Process

All entrants to courses of initial teacher education, are required to have achieved a good GCSE profile including minimum standards in English and Mathematics. These standards are normally expressed as Grade C at GCSE level. Applicants who wish to prepare for teaching in the Nursery/Primary sector will also be required to have achieved GCSE Grade C in a single or combined science subject.

Application for the BEd (Hons) should be made through UCAS.  

At minimum, entrants must be able to satisfy the General Entrance Requirements of Queen's University. These are normally expressed as passes in two subjects at GCE A Level and grades A, B or C in three other subjects in the GCSE.

 

BEd (Hons) Entry Requirements

Nursery/Primary Education (Foundation, KS1 and KS2, including an Area of Learning specialism).  A Level grades AAB to include at least one subject from the following: Art, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies and Science.

Post Primary Education (KS3-KS4/5) focusing on one of the following curriculum areas:

• Business and Enterprise - A Level grades BBC to include a relevant subject e.g. Business Studies, Economics, Accounting or a BTEC National Diploma in Business.
• Religious Studies - A Level grades ABB to include Religious Studies.
• Mathematics and Science - A Level grades BCC to include relevant subjects, Mathematics and a Science.
• Technology and Design - A Level grades BCC to include a relevant subject e.g. Technology and Design, Art, Physics, Computing.

The following qualifications (at approved standards) may be used as substitutes for GCE A Level examinations:

VCE A Level;
BTEC National or Higher National Certificate or Diploma;
International Baccalaureate;
Scottish Certificate of Education;
Irish Leaving Certificate.

A recognised Access Course.

Applicants are advised to consult Academic Registry if they have queries about their qualifications.

Application for the PGCE (Early Years) Course
Application should be made on the appropriate form which can be obtained from Academic Registry from October. Completed forms should be returned (together with an administration fee) not later than 1 February 2012.

Late applications will not normally be accepted.

Entry requirements for the PGCE Early Years

A minimum requirement for admission to this course is the possession of an upper second class honours degree in the area of Early Years.  Account may also be taken of the range and quality of the candidate's GCSE and GCE A Level results.  Substantial and recent experience of working with children in the 3-8 age range will also be required.  Relevant experience may include, for example, work as a classroom assistant.  This experience must have been gained at the time of application.

The Interview

The interview, providing an opportunity for dialogue between candidates and University College staff and serving teachers, is one means whereby the University College Selection Committee attempts to find out whether the candidate has qualities which, after development, will help to make him or her an effective classroom teacher and a person whose professional views will command respect.

Interviews are held in the University College and a candidate will normally be interviewed by a panel of two, at least one of whom will be a member of the University College's academic staff whilst the other may be a serving teacher or another member of academic staff within the University College.

Timing of Interviews