Education - Irish Medium - Primary - PGCE

Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Primary).

Programme Outline
The Irish-medium PGCE is a one-year full-time course of professional training for university graduates leading to the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Education of the Queen's University, Belfast. In addition to this professional qualification, successful students will be awarded the Teastas san Oideachas Dátheangach (Certificate in Bi-lingual Education).

This programme is primary designated (5-11 age range), accredited by the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) and is recognised by the Department of Education (NI) as an initial qualification to teach in all types of schools. Students who successfully complete the programme may apply for registration to the GTCNI.

Graduates may also apply for registration to the Teaching Council in the Republic of Ireland. Please note that conditions may apply. Registration is a mark of professional recognition as a teacher. Further information about the registration processes will be made available during the PGCE year or may be accessed directly from the websites:

www.gtcni.org.uk
www.teachingcouncil.ie

Programme Structure and Content
The programme runs from September until June and is thirty-six weeks in duration. Eighteen weeks will be spent in a variety of classroom settings where competences in professional practice are developed. The College will arrange all school placements. They will be in both English-medium and Irish-medium schools. A Gaeltacht experience is a highly valued dimension of the PGCE programme. Students are encouraged to participate in Gaeltacht courses in order to enhance their language competence.

The programme will focus on all three phases of primary education: Foundation Stage, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. The course is structured in three modules, two of which are at M-Level. Modules have been designed to allow students to integrate knowledge gained from College-based study and from clinical practice. Successful completion of the PGCE (IME) currently entitles graduates to 30 credit points within the College M-Level programme.

Religious Education
Applicants will also have the option of studying the one-year Religious Education Programme required for teaching certification in Catholic primary schools.

Programme Structure and Content
The programme runs from September until June and is thirty-six weeks in duration. Eighteen weeks will be spent in a variety of classroom settings where competences in professional practice are developed. The College will arrange all school placements. They will be in both English-medium and Irish-medium schools. A Gaeltacht experience is a highly valued dimension of the PGCE programme. Students are encouraged to participate in Gaeltacht courses in order to enhance their language competence.

The programme will focus on all three phases of primary education: Foundation Stage, Key Stage One and Key Stage Two. The course is structured in three modules, two of which are at M-Level. Modules have been designed to allow students to integrate knowledge gained from College-based study and from clinical practice. Successful completion of the PGCE (IME) currently entitles graduates to 30 credit points within the College M-Level programme.

Religious Education
Applicants will also have the option of studying the one-year Religious Education Programme required for teaching certification in Catholic primary schools.

• On admission applicants must possess an honours degree (with classification 2.2 or above) or equivalent from a recognised university.

• Applicants are also required to hold passes (Grade C or above at GCSE) in English Language, Mathematics and Science (or an equivalent qualification) prior to the commencement of the course. Please note that the Essential Skills qualification is not deemed equivalent to Grade C.

• For applicants from the Republic of Ireland, the equivalent qualification for English and Mathematics is Leaving Certificate Ordinary Level Grade O4 or above. For Science, the minimum requirement is Junior Certificate at Higher Level, Grade C or above.

• Applicants must have a high level of competence in Irish, both written and oral, commensurate with competence to teach the primary school curriculum.

Interview
All applicants who meet the minimum requirements will normally be invited for interview and asked to complete a writing task. These are designed to assess an applicant's oral and written competency and suitability for the PGCE programme. It should be noted that possession of the educational requirements does not guarantee admission to the course.

The closing date for applications is Friday, 25th February 2022.

1 year full-time

Tuition Fees

All full-time and part-time students will be charged tuition fees. This includes PGCE students. For students who are Northern Ireland domiciled, these are currently £4,160 per year and are normally subject to an annual inflationary uplift. A student will be liable for the full tuition fee at the point of enrolment and registration. This includes a non-refundable element of 25% of the calculated tuition fee.

Tuition Fee Loan
Students may defer their fees by applying for a Tuition Fee Loan, currently up to a maximum of £4,160, by paying the full fee directly to the College or by a combination of taking out a fee loan for part of the fees and paying the rest directly to the College.

A single application form PN1 is used in applying for a fee loan, for loans for living costs and maintenance grants and for the St Mary's College Bursary. Students can apply online or download an application form via the Student Finance Northern Ireland website www.studentfinanceni.co.uk.

Once applications have been assessed, the local branch of Student Finance NI will send the student a Student Notification which will include details of the amount of the fee loan the student has requested.

Payment Options
Students who do not avail of the fee loan can pay their fees in one of two ways:

• Direct Debit – Students can complete a direct debit authorisation which spreads the fee over six months from December to May.

• Cash or Cheques – Students who do not complete a direct debit authorisation will receive one invoice in November for the full amount, which will be payable within thirty days.

EU Students
Non-UK EU Students, including students from the Republic of Ireland, can defer their fees by applying for a fee loan, currently up to a maximum of £4,160.

The application is essentially the same as the system for applying for fee loans and other support. EU students may also be eligible for a College Bursary. This will be dependent on the level of their household income. EU students should contact the Student Loan Company EU team by telephoning 0141 243 3570 in Darlington for advice. For maintenance support EU students should contact their local county council.