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Initial Teacher Education


Courses in Initial Teacher Education

The 3 Phases of Teacher Education in Northern Ireland

Routes into teaching

Selection Criteria


  • The Three Phases of Teacher Education in Northern Ireland

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

    Phase 1
    Initial teacher education
    through the completion of a BEd degree or a PGCE course;
    Phase 2
    Induction
    which will take place in the first year of teaching;
    Phase 3
    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 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.

    Routes into Teaching in Stranmillis University College 

    ClassroomThe 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:

    • 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 reports as above and the reports of interviews held in the University College.
    Entrance Requirements

    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.

    The Bachelor of Education degree (BEd)
    The BEd degree which is taken over four years devotes a significant amount of time to professional preparation and the delivery of the Revised NI Curriculum. Graduates with a BEd degree are very widely acceptable to schools at nursery, primary and post-primary levels
     
     
    Application for the BEd 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. 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:

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

    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 candidates's GCSE and 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.

    Application for the PGCE 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 2011.

    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 

    Course Interview Period Decisions
    Bachelor of Education December - March End of March
    PGCE February - March April

  • Other Entrance Requirements
     
    Medical Fitness
    The University College has a legal obligation to ensure the medical fitness for teaching of all entrants to BEd and PGCE courses. All candidates who have accepted a firm offer of a place on a course must complete and return a Declaration of Health. In the light of the replies given, the University College Medical Officer will classify the candidate as fit, or seek specialist advice before classifying a candidate as either fit or unfit.

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