A one-year full time postgraduate course, the PGCE (Early Years) is aimed at those who wish to prepare for a teaching career specialising in the 3-8 age range.
The course is approximately 36 weeks in duration, beginning in early September and lasting until late June of the following year.
How will I study?
In addition to seminars, tutorials, workshops and individual/group work, at least eighteen weeks are spent obtaining practical teaching experience. At the outset of the course, students will spend a short period of time in SureStart centres with 2-3 year old children. The initial assessed placement is spent in a nursery setting towards the end of October, lasting for a period of five weeks. An additional five weeks in January/February is spent in a Foundation Stage classroom (i.e. Year 1 or 2 in a primary school) and a further 6 weeks spent in a Key Stage 1 classroom (i.e. Year 3 or 4 of a primary school) in April/May. Students will then get the opportunity to spend two weeks in an additional alternative educational setting of their choice in Northern Ireland. A small number of students will also get the chance to undertake their final two week placement in a European setting. Students will spend every Monday in schools for observation purposes.
Who will be teaching me?
In University and on your professional placements, you will be taught, assessed and supported by an exceptional team of internationally recognised, research-led and experienced practitioners. As a small, specialist institution, our tutors get to know you – your strengths, your weaknesses, your abilities and your talents – and will support you to become a learning leader.
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed wholly by course work and continuous assessment, including the assessment of practical teaching.
The course is of thirty-six weeks duration, beginning in early September and lasting until late June. Half of the course is based in the University College and the other half in schools. Both aspects of the course have been designed to complement each other and to contribute to the development of professional competence.
The course consists of 4 modules:
- Implementing a Play-based Curriculum
- Teaching the Key Stage 1 Primary Curriculum
- Professional Experience 1
- Professional Experience 2
With the increased value on playful approaches to teaching and learning, both at pre-school and foundation stage levels, this aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of how a play-based curriculum can be effectively translated into practice. Students will critically examine relevant theory and research in this field and the appropriate role of the teacher will be discussed and debated. Much emphasis will be placed on preparing students to offer children a developmentally appropriate curriculum which builds on children’s needs and interests and allows playful approaches to be infused across the entire early learning experience.
The course also aims to enhance students’ understanding of the integrated nature of children’s learning. It focuses on how the six key areas of learning at Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 can be taught, principally through the use of themes. Practical guidance of how this can be done effectively will be provided. The content of the Northern Ireland Curriculum for Key Stage 1 will be fully explored and examined and the transition from play-based to more formal activities will be addressed.
Applications for the PGCE Early Years degree for September 2020 entry are now closed.
Entry Requirements
Upper second class honours degree in the area of Early Years or a degree with significant Early Years content.
Specific Requirements
GCSE Grade C: English, Mathematics, single or combined Science (must be achieved at time of application). Applicants must also have recent and substantial experience of working with children aged 3-8.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted directly to the College and are not available on UCAS. Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview and deliver a presentation to a selection panel. The interview and presentation are used to assess the suitability of the candidate to become an effective classroom practitioner.
For further information
contact:
Academic Registry
Stranmillis University College, Belfast BT9 5DY
T: 0289038 1271 E: registry@stran.ac.uk
Tuition Fees
Please visit here for more information
All completed PGCE applications require a payment of a £10 administration fee. Please click here to make payment.
Additional Course Costs
There may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from the Library. However, If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the Library, prices per text typically range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies and library fines.
A one-year full time postgraduate course, the PGCE (Early Years) is aimed at those who wish to prepare for a teaching career specialising in the 3-8 age range.
The course is approximately 36 weeks in duration, beginning in early September and lasting until late June of the following year.
How will I study?
In addition to seminars, tutorials, workshops and individual/group work, at least eighteen weeks are spent obtaining practical teaching experience. At the outset of the course, students will spend a short period of time in SureStart centres with 2-3 year old children. The initial assessed placement is spent in a nursery setting towards the end of October, lasting for a period of five weeks. An additional five weeks in January/February is spent in a Foundation Stage classroom (i.e. Year 1 or 2 in a primary school) and a further 6 weeks spent in a Key Stage 1 classroom (i.e. Year 3 or 4 of a primary school) in April/May. Students will then get the opportunity to spend two weeks in an additional alternative educational setting of their choice in Northern Ireland. A small number of students will also get the chance to undertake their final two week placement in a European setting. Students will spend every Monday in schools for observation purposes.
Who will be teaching me?
In University and on your professional placements, you will be taught, assessed and supported by an exceptional team of internationally recognised, research-led and experienced practitioners. As a small, specialist institution, our tutors get to know you – your strengths, your weaknesses, your abilities and your talents – and will support you to become a learning leader.
How will I be assessed?
The course is assessed wholly by course work and continuous assessment, including the assessment of practical teaching.
The course is of thirty-six weeks duration, beginning in early September and lasting until late June. Half of the course is based in the University College and the other half in schools. Both aspects of the course have been designed to complement each other and to contribute to the development of professional competence.
The course consists of 4 modules:
- Implementing a Play-based Curriculum
- Teaching the Key Stage 1 Primary Curriculum
- Professional Experience 1
- Professional Experience 2
With the increased value on playful approaches to teaching and learning, both at pre-school and foundation stage levels, this aims to provide students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of how a play-based curriculum can be effectively translated into practice. Students will critically examine relevant theory and research in this field and the appropriate role of the teacher will be discussed and debated. Much emphasis will be placed on preparing students to offer children a developmentally appropriate curriculum which builds on children’s needs and interests and allows playful approaches to be infused across the entire early learning experience.
The course also aims to enhance students’ understanding of the integrated nature of children’s learning. It focuses on how the six key areas of learning at Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 can be taught, principally through the use of themes. Practical guidance of how this can be done effectively will be provided. The content of the Northern Ireland Curriculum for Key Stage 1 will be fully explored and examined and the transition from play-based to more formal activities will be addressed.
Applications for the PGCE Early Years degree for September 2020 entry are now closed.
Entry Requirements
Upper second class honours degree in the area of Early Years or a degree with significant Early Years content.
Specific Requirements
GCSE Grade C: English, Mathematics, single or combined Science (must be achieved at time of application). Applicants must also have recent and substantial experience of working with children aged 3-8.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted directly to the College and are not available on UCAS. Shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an interview and deliver a presentation to a selection panel. The interview and presentation are used to assess the suitability of the candidate to become an effective classroom practitioner.
For further information
contact:
Academic Registry
Stranmillis University College, Belfast BT9 5DY
T: 0289038 1271 E: registry@stran.ac.uk
Tuition Fees
Please visit here for more information
All completed PGCE applications require a payment of a £10 administration fee. Please click here to make payment.
Additional Course Costs
There may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from the Library. However, If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the Library, prices per text typically range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges. There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies and library fines.
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