Education - Home Economics with Food & Nutrition & Nutrition & Food Science - PGCE

About

The overall aim of our PGCE programme at Ulster is to support this aim and to foster the development of pedagogical competences in the following three areas: - Professional Values and Practice; Professional Knowledge and Understanding and Professional Skills and Application. To achieve these aims the PGCE post-primary programme at Ulster University prepares student teachers to be competent in the following: - the ability to plan, teach and assess worthwhile learning activities in their subject area(s) in post-primary schools in Northern Ireland for the 11-18 age group; - the acquisition of the knowledge, understanding and skills that are essential for the promotion of learning among pupils; - to assume responsibility for developing as competent reflective practitioners, able to monitor and evaluate their teaching performance; - to realise a commitment to on-going personal and professional development in pursuit of sustained pupil learning and school improvement. Student teachers on the PGCE will evidence their competence through achieving the following objectives: - by demonstrating a critical understanding of the Northern Ireland Curriculum and of National Curriculum requirements; -by demonstrating a knowledge of their subject and its contribution to the area of study and to the “Big Picture” of the curriculum at Key Stages 3 & 4 with its objectives of:



a) developing the young person as an individual;



b) developing the young person as a contributor to society and



c) developing the young person as a contributor to the economy and the environment.



The successful completion of the PGCE also requires the student to: recognise and take account of those factors which influence curriculum planning in a particular school context; understand how children learn and appreciate the social, moral, psychological and cultural factors which affect educational attainment; plan, teach and evaluate lessons, units and schemes of work organise and manage classes effectively; use a range of teaching and learning methodologies supported by resources for pupils of all ability levels, including those with special educational needs; recognise the need for continuity, progression and differentiation in pupils' learning; assessment for learning and assessment of learning; assessing, recording and reporting pupil achievement; develop pupils' language and numeracy skills through the teaching of their subject; promote skills of problem solving, decision making, presentation, teamwork, leadership and independent learning; develop pupils' personal and interpersonal skills; promote fairness and equality of opportunity; build and sustain good relationships with both pupils and staff; work co-operatively with colleagues and other student teachers and contribute to school wide activities; develop skills and confidence in Information Communications Technology (ICT) and emerging technologies for both personal and professional use.



On successful completion of initial teacher education student teachers will be able to evidence their competence and be awarded the Post Graduate Certificate in Education allowing them to register with the General Teaching Council of Northern Ireland. They will also accrue 60 CATS points towards a Master’s degree in Education. In total the PGCE is worth 120 points ( 60 at Master’s level 7 and 60 at Post graduate level 6).



Work placement / study abroad

24 weeks of the programme are school based. This includes one week in a primary school and two 12 week placements in post-primary schools.

Year One

School Experience 1

School Experience 2

Foundation for Learning and Teaching

Developing Effective Learning and Teaching

Principles of Religious Education - This module is optional

Improving Practice in Religious Education - This module is optional

a. GCSE passes at Grade C or above in English and Mathematics (or equivalent qualification). (Please note Essential Skills Level 2 qualifications are not regarded as equivalent for entry to this professional course as the professional accrediting authority, the GTCNI, does not recognise them as equivalent). Students wishing to take Religious Education as an optional level 6 module must have achieved a GCSE pass at Grade C or above [or equivalent qualification] in that subject.



b. At least a 2:2 Honours (or above) degree directly related to Home Economics / Food and Nutrition / Nutrition and Food Science. Alternatively, applicants may possess a Master's degree that is linked to the specialist PGCE subject on offer. In the case of a combined Honours degree, at least 50% of the degree shall be in the specialist subject.



c. Two acceptable references must be supplied - one academic and one character.



d. Medical certificate of satisfactory health.



e. Applicants will be scrutinised by Access NI procedures to ensure that they do not have a criminal record and must also satisfy the University and the Department of Education regulations that nothing would legally prohibit them from working with children.



f. Evidence of good quality presentation and basic literacy skills are required throughout the application process. The application form will be examined for spelling, punctuation and grammar skills. Applicants will also be expected to complete a set piece of formal writing as part of the selection process. This is a timed piece and is required as part of the interview/selection process.



g. Applicants should comply with the DE Circular requirements as outlined in Initial Teacher Education: Approval of Programmes document.



h. Demonstrate evidence of knowledge and interest in working with young people of post-primary age.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

The closing date for applications is 8 January 2025. Applications received after the closing date may be considered at the discretion of the selection panel.

Attendance

This is a programme of professional training of teachers for the teaching profession. Attendance therefore is compulsory for all activities, modules and components of the course. Students are required to attend all classes and course activities including placement in school. Students must be available for registration and an induction programme at the beginning of September.

Start Date: September 2025

Career options

The PGCE is an internationally recognised programme for Initial Teacher Education leading directly to a career in teaching. The post primary PGCE is for those who wish to teach the 11-18 age range.