Program Overview

Bachelor of Education - Church of Ireland Pathway (Restricted Entry)

Course Details

• CAO Code: DC004
• Course Type: Undergraduate
• NFQ Level: 8
• Placement: Yes
• Delivery Modes: Full-Time
• Minimum Points: 402
• Duration: 4 Years
• Phone: +353 (0) 1
• Email: [insert email]

Overview

The Bachelor of Education will prepare you for a rewarding career as a Primary School Teacher, a role that has a positive and lasting impact on young children's lives.

As a primary school teacher, you can make a real difference - guiding and supporting children’s growing minds and personal development. This course will help you to become a skilled and creative teaching professional.

Learning to Teach, Teaching to Learn

The Bachelor of Education (Primary Teaching) will equip you not only with subject knowledge, but also with the leadership and communication skills that teachers need.

The course helps you to understand how children learn, and gives you the tools to motivate your students in the classroom. As well as learning how to teach the subjects on the primary school curriculum, your knowledge and understanding of the world will deepen through great interactive lectures.

On successful completion of their Bachelor of Education degree, graduates of this pathway are qualified to be registered as teachers with the Teaching Council. Recent graduates are employed in schools under a range of patronage types across the State.

You will take an additional qualification in Religious Studies & Religious Education to prepare you to teach the Follow Me programme, the Religious Education programme in use in primary schools under Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Society of Friends patronage.

Why DCU

• Education at DCU ranks among the top 150 education courses globally (QS World University Rankings)
• DCU Institute of Education has the highest graduate employment rate in DCU (99% of graduates are in employment or further education six months after graduation, for all four previous academic years)
• The Institute of Education has the highest Undergraduate student completion rate in DCU (87% complete their course in four years, with 93% completing their course in five years)
• There are almost 4,000 students in the DCU Institute of Education

Entry Requirements

• Leaving Cert: Minimum of H5 in no fewer than three subjects and a minimum of O6/H7 in three other subjects. Programme requirements: Irish H4, English and Mathematics O4/H7.
• Minimum age of 16 by 15th January in the year of entry.
• Restricted entry refers to the application and the eligibility assessment. Applications are made through the CAO and applicants must include DC004 in their CAO choices by 1st February in the year of application.
• Eligible candidates are required to complete an online supplementary form and pass an eligibility assessment demonstrating their understanding of and commitment to the ethos of schools under Church of Ireland, Methodist or Presbyterian patronage to be considered for a place on the DC004 pathway through the programme.

Course Structure

• Year 1 & 2: In Years 1 and 2, students cover the basics needed for teaching. You will come to understand how children think and learn in active ways.
• Year 3: In Year 3, you will review what you’ve learned to date and will apply it in different situations.
• Year 4: Year 4 focuses on deepening your expertise. It will provide you with opportunities to think about big ideas in education such as social justice, inclusion and working in a school community. You will also undertake a research project.

Placement and Specialisms

• Learners spend time in schools in each year, with extended placements in Years 3 and 4.
• You will start by observing the class teacher and will build up gradually to teaching all day.
• The majority of DC004 placements will be in schools under Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Society of Friends patronage with a particular focus on developing the experience and skills for teaching multi-grade classes in small schools.
• You will also visit the Gaeltacht for four weeks.

Fees and Funding

• Full time: Student Contribution €3,043 per annum, EU Status Fee €5,607 per annum, Non EU Fee €15,400 per annum, Material Charge €175 Year 1 only

How To Apply

• Applicants presenting EU school leaving examinations (EU, EFTA & UK): Apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February.
• Mature Applicants: Apply through the CAO by 1st February. In March, those meeting the eligibility criteria will receive an email from the CAO with a link to a supplementary form and instructions for completing and submitting this form.

Life On Campus

• Life on Campus: At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities.
• Student Supports: We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.

FAQs

• What courses are offered by the DCU Institute of Education?
• Is there Garda vetting for students who study DCU Institute of Education courses?
• What are the potential teaching pathways for primary, post-primary and further education and training offered by DCU?