Queen's University Belfast

Education - Religious Education

Overview
The PGCE in Religious Education is broadly aligned with the Northern Ireland Curriculum, training graduates to teach 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.

Our 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.

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.

Education (Religious Education) highlights
Our educational research has been ranked 4th within the UK in relation to research intensity with 87% assessed as 'internationally excellent or world leading' (REF, 2014).

World Class Facilities
•The Education and Training Inspectorate has assessed the quality of provision for learning and the standards achieved by the students as 'very good'. The School is also a GTCNI accredited provider of Initial Teacher Education programmes.

Learning and Teaching
Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:
Indicative Number of Modules per Semester

1.5 modules per Semester (30 CATS points)

Indicative Proportional Mix of Time in Classes, Tutorials/Seminars/Labs, and Private Study in a Teaching Semester

80% lectures, 20% private study.

Entry requirements

Entrance requirements
Graduate
Please note the closing date for 2019 entry to this programme is 1st November 2018 at 5pm.

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.

All applicants must possess the following:

- At least a 2:2 Honours degree (and/or higher degree) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, in:

(i) Theology or Religious Studies; or
(ii) a joint honours with Theology or Religious Studies where at least half of the content of the degree is deemed relevant to the teaching of Religious Education (RE) in the context of Northern Ireland*; or
(ii) a cognate area of Theology or Religious Studies where at least half of the content of the degree is deemed relevant to the teaching of RE in the context of Northern Ireland*.

- At the time of application, GCSE Mathematics grade C, and GCSE English Language grade C or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

* In the context of Northern Ireland, RE involves the study of a Core Syllabus at Key Stages 3 and 4 which has four main areas: The Christian Church; Christian Morality; The Revelation of God; World Religions.

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

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.

Further information is available at https://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/ssesw/Study/PostgraduateTaught/PGCE/

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Duration

1 year, full-time.

Teaching Times
Typically Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm. School-based placements are dependent on the host school's timetable for the school day.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
This PGCE prepares students for teaching in secondary-level schools (age 11-18+). You will gain 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.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Further enquiries

Dr James Nelson 
PGCE Programme Director and R.E. Pathway Convenor
SSESW
Dr James Nelson coordinates and teaches on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) Religious Education programme. One of his core research interests is the interface between religion and education, another is in the area of teacher education.

Subjects taught

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 - how to teach Religious Education.

Education and Professional Studies - common aspects of teaching and the professional role of the teacher, including the Northern Ireland Curriculum, the education system, assessment and recording, theories of learning, educational disadvantage, the social context of teaching, pastoral care and child protection, general management issues, relationships with other professionals, promotion of inclusion, effective use of technologies, digital safeguarding, and, literacy and numeracy in the classroom.

The programme also offers workshops on a variety of topics including special educational needs, classroom management, pastoral care, diversity and inclusion.

Assessment method

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