Education - Religious Education - PGCE

Overview

The PGCE in Religious Education is a recognised teaching qualification aligned to the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland professional competences which affords graduates ‘Eligibility to Teach’ (referred to in some other jurisdictions as 'qualified teacher status', QTS). The course is aligned broadly with the Northern Ireland Curriculum, supporting graduates in teaching Religious Education across the 11-18+ year age range. The programme aims to develop your competence and confidence in the teaching of Religious Education and in the general professional role of the teacher.



The PGCE will appeal to you if you wish to move into teaching and if you are a graduate, or final year student, in Religious Studies or Theology.



The programme combines university-based tuition, consisting of taught sessions and directed independent study, with professional placements in schools and is organised around three interdependent strands:



Professional School-based Experience - focuses on developing practical teaching competence particularly through working closely with experienced teachers during periods of school placement.



Subject Studies - focuses on teaching and learning within your subject specialism (and cognate areas).



Education and Professional Studies - focuses on common aspects of teaching and the professional role of the teacher, bringing together relevant theory, policy and practice. This includes issues such as: the Northern Ireland education system, curriculum theory and policy, theories of learning and assessment, social class and educational disadvantage, special educational needs and barriers to learning, pastoral care and child protection/safeguarding, student voice, mental health and wellbeing of students, positive behaviour management, diversity and inclusion and whole school approaches to literacy, numeracy and the social and emotional health of young people. Students are also offered a choice of elective courses designed to enhance the subjects and skills they can offer to schools.



Extra places are reserved to prepare those who are interested in teaching their subject through the medium of Irish in Irish-medium schools. An additional certificate in Irish Medium Education (IME) is awarded in conjunction with St Mary's University College.



Further information, including an Application Guide, can be found on the School website at go.qub.ac.uk/qubpgce.



Course Structure

After enrolment, you will complete an Induction week followed by a short placement in a primary school in early September.



The next six week block of the course is devoted to university-based tuition (subject-specific taught sessions and directed independent study) before you commence your first period of professional placement based in a school (11 weeks) after a short mid-term break.



At the beginning of February, you return to university-based tuition in preparation for your second professional period in a school (12 weeks). A final week of university-based tuition completes the course at the beginning of June.



Successful completion of the PGCE depends on achieving satisfactory standards in both practical teaching and in University-based modules, which are assessed through course work.



The extended placements, which we arrange, are normally in two different school types. This ensures a varied experience of teaching in different schools and working with pupils from the whole ability range.



In the two post-primary schools you will work closely with members of each school’s staff. Your subject lecturer from Queen’s will also maintain close co-operative links with these teachers during your school placements.

Core Modules

Religious Studies (30 credits)

Educational and Professional Studies (10 credits)

Graduate

All applicants must possess the following:



An honours degree (2.2 or above) in

- theology or religious studies

Or

- a joint honours degree (2.2 or above) where at least half of the content of the degree is in theology or religious studies

Or

- an honours degree (2.2 or above) in a cognate area of theology or religious studies AND an A-Level in Religious Studies at least at Grade C

Or

- a higher degree in theology or religious studies.



At the time of application, GCSE Mathematics grade C/4, and GCSE English Language grade C/4 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. University Access courses must meet DE Circular 2010/03; this means that modules taken must be in the field of English language and/or mathematics as appropriate, and content must be comparable in breadth and depth to GCSE).



We reserve the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria if the course is over-subscribed.



Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.



Please note, applicants who are successful in obtaining an offer following completion of the selection process must provide official confirmation that they have satisfied any conditions of their offer by 12 noon on Thursday 28th August 2025 as the course will commence on Monday 1st September 2025.

Please note the closing date for 2025 entry to this programme is 1st November 2024.



Applications received after the closing date will be regarded as LATE and will be considered only if vacancies exist when all applications received by the closing date have been processed. Normally we do not consider ‘late’ applications before June at the earliest.

Coursework comprises subject studies assignments, practical teaching and core tasks arising from lectures, workshops and tutorials addressing key educational issues.

1 year full-time.

Entry Year: 2025/26.



Closing date for applications: 1 November 2024. Late applications may be accepted (refer to Entry Requirements for details).

Career Prospects

This PGCE prepares students for teaching in secondary-level schools (age 11-18+). You will gain ‘Eligibility to Teach’ (referred to in some other jurisdictions as 'qualified teacher status', QTS).



Qualified teachers have found employment in secondary schools, progressing through either a subject specialist or pastoral route into middle and senior management. Others have gone on to successfully complete further postgraduate study.



In our employability videos former students describe some of the different routes into finding a permanent teaching job:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6MjHoVkPFvLdlbjuUr3xXJbwC8W1V82S