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

Teacher Education in Northern Ireland is divided into three phases which are integrated.

These arrangements are designed to enhance the career-long professionalism of teachers and will 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.

The BEd (Hons) in education is the foremost qualification for student teachers wishing to enter the teaching profession in Northern Ireland.  After GCE A Levels or a comparable qualification, students enrol directly in Stranmillis University College and, in the case of primary education, follow a course involving the concurrent study of Education, Curriculum Studies and professional preparation including school based work; for post-primary, a similar course is followed with curriculum studies replaced by an academic subject and Learning for Life and Work. 

Alternatively you might, after GCE A Levels, take a primary degree in a relevant subject area, after which you could apply for an intensive Postgraduate Certificate in Education course.  Whichever route you choose it is important to note that a key feature of teacher education courses at Stranmillis is the close partnership which exists between the University College and schools (nursery, primary and post-primary) in all aspects of our courses. Educational theory is closely related to the practical reality of the classroom.

Selection Criteria

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

• personal suitability for the course and for teaching as evidenced by reports as above and the reports of interviews held in the University College.

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. Entrants who wish to prepare for teaching in the Primary sector will also be required to have achieved GCSE Grade C in a single or combined science subject.

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. However, competition for the places available is such that entrants normally have three passes (around BBB) in GCE A Level.  For entrants to the Primary BEd, this must include at least one A Level which should be from the following list of subjects: Art, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Religious Studies or Science.  For entrants to the Post-Primary BEd, this must normally include an A Level in the subject area they wish to take as their academic area of study. 

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

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

 

 

PGCE Early Years Course
This is a one-year (36 week) course which is designed for those who wish to become teachers specialising in the 3-8 age range. The course is intensive and professionally oriented. It includes a study of the teaching of the areas of the curriculum at Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and preparation for teaching pupils in the 3-8 age range. A number of weeks of School Based Work (teaching practice) will take place in pre-school and primary school settings.

Late applications will not normally be accepted.

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