PGCE Education - Primary Education

This course prepares you to teach within the 4-11 age range. It leads to qualified teaching status within primary school. Successful completion qualifies you to seek registration with the General Teaching Council of Northern Ireland and the religious certificate is recognised by all four churches within Northern Ireland.

The major aim of this course is to help you acquire competence in the basic skills of teaching and classroom management within the primary school. In order to ensure a close link between theory and practice, the course includes both university and school-based work throughout the year. In total, you will spend 19 weeks in school and 19 weeks in university.

The course promotes your intellectual development and preparation for teaching and incorporates critical reflection in education issues, theories, and classroom practice.

Work placement / Study Abroad
19 weeks in a primary school.

For further course details please see "Course Web Page" below.

Year one
Primary School Experience 1
This module School Experience 1 is designed to provide an academically and practically challenging programme which will give students an opportunity to put into practice the professional knowledge, skills and values related to qualifying as a classroom teacher which they have acquired in Foundation for Learning and Teaching. The module will focus on laying a foundation of competence in the pedagogy of Learning and Teaching in a school situation.

Primary School Experience 2
This module builds on the professional, knowledge, skills and values that were introduced in Modules 1, 2 and 3 and is designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate their skills and understanding of effective learning and teaching in schools and to show competence that will allow them to be awarded the PGCE.

Fundamentals of learning and teaching Religious Education in the Primary Classroom
This module provides an orientation to the place and purpose of RE in the primary classroom. It explores the skills, strategies and pedagogies required for effective learning and teaching to take place.

Developing Effective Practice in Learning and Teaching RE in the Primary Classroom.
This module explores the theory and pedagogy of creating effective Religious Education learning environments for young children in Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1.

Foundation for Learning and Teaching (Primary)
The module will provide an academically challenging programme which will give students an opportunity to study the theory and practice of education. The module gives them the theoretical background that provides the context for their teaching and which will be applied during the student's practical teaching experience in Module 2 encouraging reflection and analysis on the ways in which theory informs practice.

Developing Effective Learning and Teaching in the Primary School
The module 'Developing effective Learning and Teaching' will provide an academically challenging programme which will give students an opportunity to critique the theory and practice of education. The module gives students the opportunity to extend their knowledge and understanding of the Foundation stage curriculum. They will be able to work collaboratively in subject specialist groups to produce lesson plans and prepare teaching and learning resources for a foundation stage classroom. The design of the group work presentation is aligned to the Assessment Handbook guidance document (2021: p.37) which stresses the importance of equal contributions of every group member (Moore and Exley, 1993). The module allows students to develop and deepen their critical analysis and reflection skills.

To apply to our postgraduate taught programmes, you must meet the University's General Entrance Requirements and any course-specific requirements.

Applicants must strictly meet all the criteria listed 1 GCSE passes at grade C in mathematics and science. GCSE pass at grade C in English 2. An honours degree. Priority will be given to students with a 2.1 degree but students holding a 2.2 degree are welcome to apply. The degree must be appropriate to a primary education subject area. Primary curriculum subjects include Mathematics, Science, Geography, History, Languages/Literature, Art, Music, Drama, Personal Development, Physical Education and Religion. 3. knowledge, interest and experience in the education of primary aged children in a formal classroom setting gained within the last three years. (Classroom practice should exceed at least 2 weeks). 4. Medical certificate of satisfactory health. 5. Evidence of good quality presentation and basic literacy skills are required throughout the application process. 6. Applications will be scrutinised to ensure that they do not have a criminal record which would inhibit their ability to work safely with children. 7. Two acceptable references must be provided - one character and one academic.

If English is not your first language this course requires a minimum English level of IELTS (academic) 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5, or equivalent.

Visit ulster.ac.uk/englishrequirements for more details.

For full entry requirements please see "Course Web Page" below.

Your Application
Application is through the University's online application system (see "Application Weblink" below).

Attendance
Full time.

Year of entry: 2020/21

Postgraduate Information Session 26 March 2020
Register at: ulster.ac.uk/pg-information-events

Career options
Teaching and related professions.