Postgraduate Certificate in Education - Irish-medium Education (PGCE) (Taught)

The Postgraduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) is a recognised teaching qualification which affords graduates qualified teacher status. The PGCE (Irish-medium) at St Mary’s University College Belfast is a 36 week programme, designed to equip student teachers with the professional competences required to become an effective teacher. It is a recognised bilingual programme for graduates who aspire to teach in an Irish-medium setting. In addition to the PGCE teaching qualification, successful students are also awarded a Certificate in Bilingual Education, reflecting their specialist Irish-medium competences.

Programme Aims

• develop a range of professional competences

• engage in informed debate about major issues in education and training

• reflect in depth on theory/practice relationships within professional contexts

• keep abreast of research, innovation and developments in education in general and Irish-medium education in particular

• develop research skills.

The programme is structured in three modules, two of which are at Masters Level.

School-Based Work
Learning and Teaching in the Primary School
Perspectives on the Primary Curriculum

Currently, completion of the PGCE entitles students to 30 credit points within the College’s MEd programme.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Primary