Education - Gaeilge - Second Level Teaching
This innovative four-year BEd programme prepares students to become qualified post-primary teachers of Irish, combined with a second subject, French, Spanish, German, Italian, or Mathematical Studies. Responding to a critical national shortage of teachers in Gaeilge, modern languages, and Mathematics, the programme ensures a consistent supply of highly skilled, professionally qualified graduates.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | National University of Ireland |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | National University of Ireland | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years, full-time.
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H5 in two subjects and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects. English and Irish are requirements for all programmes unless the applicant is exempt from Irish.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
English O6/H7
Irish H4
Other Language O6/H7
To study Irish with French, German, Italian, or Spanish, you need at least a H4 grade in that language.
To study Irish with Mathematics, you need at least a H3 in Maths and a minimum O6/H7 in another language (not Irish or English).
Students are subject to Garda vetting.
Students are subject to Fitness to Practise policy.
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme LCVP
Distinction 66 points
Merit 46 points
Pass 28 points
QQI FET Applicants General Information
Careers / Further progression
Skills and Careers Information
In the Irish educational system at present there is a shortage of teachers of Irish and of the other subjects offered in this degree. This is recognised by the Department of Education and Skills in the Teacher Supply Action Plan 2018, which encourages teacher-training degrees ‘which qualify teachers in two subject areas’ including those subjects offered by this degree: Irish, Mathematics, French, German, Spanish, and Italian.
Teachers of these subjects are in such demand not only in English-speaking schools. Gaelcholáistí are experiencing shortages of teachers qualified to teach second subjects through Irish. Both shortages are addressed through this BEd, and graduates can expect a high employability profile.
Further information
September 2026
Approximate Available Places 4
Find out about the mature entry requirements at https://www.ucc.ie/en/study/undergrad/entryreqs/matureapplicants/
Approximate Available Places Overall 35
Entry 2026
Early online application (discounted): Fee €35 Closing Date: 20 January 2026 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €50 Closing Date: 1 February 2026 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: €65 Closing Date: 1 May 2026 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2026 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2026 at 5pm
Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.
LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2026. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2026, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €65 applies.
Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2026 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:
General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices
Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course
Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants
Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR
This innovative four-year BEd programme prepares students to become qualified post-primary teachers of Irish, combined with a second subject, French, Spanish, German, Italian, or Mathematical Studies. Responding to a critical national shortage of teachers in Gaeilge, modern languages, and Mathematics, the programme ensures a consistent supply of highly skilled, professionally qualified graduates. Aligned with Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education (2020), the programme develops strong professional values, pedagogical knowledge, and teaching practice. It also addresses the complexities of teaching through Irish, especially in immersion settings such as Gaelcholáistí, Scoileanna Gaeltachta, and Aonaid Lán-Ghaeilge.
Students receive intensive instruction in Irish and their second subject, with a strong emphasis on immersive learning. A semester in the Gaeltacht enables students to advance their linguistic skills and connect with Irish culture and heritage. Those studying a second language also benefit from an Erasmus semester abroad, enhancing proficiency and intercultural competence. Over four years, students complete at least 200 hours of structured school placement in diverse educational settings.
This practical, inquiry-led experience fosters reflective, flexible, and effective teaching. The BEd Gaeilge programme, therefore, offers a unique and timely pathway to teaching in high-demand areas, empowering graduates to teach Irish, through Irish, and a second subject in varied school contexts.
Based on their subject selection, students will take either Cúrsa A (French, German, Spanish, Italian) or Cúrsa B (Mathematical Studies).
Year 1 Modules - CÚRSA A – LANGUAGES
Students take 60 credits as follows – 20 credits Education, 25 credits Irish/Gaeilge and 15 credits of modules from the second selected subject (French, German, Italian or Spanish):
Education
ED1401 Teagasc, Foghlaim agus Measúnú na Gaeilge 1 (10 credits)
ED4105 Conceptual Foundations in the Psychology and Sociology of Education (5 credits)
ED4106 Conceptual Foundations in Curriculum and Assessment (5 credits)
Gaeilge
GA1002 Ceart na Gaeilge idir Scríobh agus Labhairt (10 credits)
GA1008 An Nualitríocht (10 credits)
GA1009 An Ghaeilge Bheo (5 credits)
Plus 15 credits from one of the following subjects:
French
FR1101 Foundation Course in Written and Oral French (10 credits)
FR1201 Introduction to French Studies (5 credits)
German
GE1101 Integrated Written and Oral Language Course for German (10 credits)
GE1102 Introduction to Literature (5 credits)
Italian
IT1102 Non-Beginners' Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
IT1201 Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society (5 credits)
Spanish
HS1102 First Year Spanish Language for Non-Beginners (10 credits)
HS1030 Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies (5 credits)
Year 1 Modules - CÚRSA B - Mathematical Studies
Students take 60 credits as follows – 15 credits Education, 15 credits Irish/Gaeilge and 30 credits Mathematical Studies:
Education
ED1401 Teagasc, Foghlaim agus Measúnú na Gaeilge 1 (10 credits)
ED4106 Conceptual Foundations in Curriculum and Assessment (5 credits)
Gaeilge
GA1002 Ceart na Gaeilge idir Scríobh agus Labhairt (10 credits)
GA1009 An Ghaeilge Bheo (5 credits)
Mathematical Studies
MA1058 Introduction to Linear Algebra (5 credits)
MA1059 Calculus (5 credits)
AM1052 Introduction to Mechanics (5 credits
MS2013 Geometry (5 credits)
AM1054 Mathematical Software (5 credits)
ST1051 Introduction to Probability and Statistics
Ms Jennifer Crowley
j.crowley@ucc.ie
+353 (0)21 490 2316
https://www.ucc.ie/en/education/