Education with Gaeilge & / Or Modern Languages - Second Level Teaching
This new four-year teacher education degree, accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland, affords students the opportunity to study languages (French, Spanish, German, Italian, Gaeilge, Portuguese) while also engaging in foundational education modules to prepare for teaching in post-primary schools in Ireland.
| Award Name | Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) |
|---|---|
| NFQ Classification | Major |
| Awarding Body | University College Dublin |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 NFQ |
| Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree - Honours Bachelor (Level 8 NFQ) | Major | University College Dublin | Level 8 NFQ |
Duration
4 years
Specific Subjects or course requirements
Leaving Cert Subject Entry Requirements
• O6/H7 in English, Irish, a third language and three other recognised subject
Special Entry Recommendations:
• BEd Education, Gaeilge and Modern Languages – To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H4 in Gaeilge and a Grade H4 in the Modern Language studied to Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).
• BEd Education and Modern Languages - To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H4 in one or more Modern Language(s) studied to Leaving Certificate (or equivalent). Two languages will be studied as part of this degree option. Both can be taken at non-beginners level or one of German, Italian or Spanish can be taken at beginners level.
• BEd Education and Gaeilge - To study this option, we strongly recommend that you have at least a Grade H4 in Gaeilge in Leaving Certificate (or equivalent).
Leaving Certificate General Entry Requirements
• To meet minimum entry requirements (matriculation) on the results of the Leaving Certificate, a student must present at least six recognised subjects selected according to course requirements (see Entry Requirements for each course) and must obtain at least Grade H5 in two subjects and Grade O6/H7 in the remaining four subjects.
• A student may normally combine the results of Leaving Certificate examinations obtained in different years to meet minimum entry requirements. This concession applies to to minimum entry requirements registration only; it does not apply to the calculation of points. However, it should be noted that students seeking to enter Medicine must meet the minimum entry requirements, including both Leaving Certificate points and Matriculation, in the same sitting of the Leaving Certificate.
Acceptable subjects
All subjects of the current Leaving Certificate examination are accepted with the following exceptions and qualifications:
1. Gaeilge – Bonnleibhéal (Irish – Foundation Level) will not be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes.
2. Mathematics Ordinary Alternative/ Foundation Level will be accepted for Matriculation Registration purposes, but not as a substitute for the subject Mathematics in courses for that the subject Mathematics is currently an entry requirement.
Leaving Certificate points are not awarded for either of these subjects.
Applicants presenting Leaving Certificate results from previous years, which include subjects no longer offered should contact www.ucd.ie/askus for advice with regard to acceptability and any exclusions that may apply.
Combination of subjects not permitted
The subject “Physics and Chemistry” may not be presented with either “Physics” or “Chemistry”.
• “Agricultural Economics” may not be presented with “Economics”.
• “Classical Studies” may not be presented with “Latin” or “Greek”
Laboratory science subjects
The following subjects in the Irish Leaving Certificate are recognised laboratory science subjects:
• Agricultural Science • Biology • Chemistry • Physics and Chemistry (Joint) • Physics.
For Science (DN200) only, Applied Mathematics, Geography or Computer Science may also be used as a laboratory science subject.
Assessment of applications
Admission to most undergraduate courses is extremely competitive. Entry is based on the points system for students presenting Irish Leaving Certificate examinations.
Notes
• Minimum points requirements can change from year-to-year as they are dependent on demand for each course, as well as the number of places available.
• 25 additional points will be awarded for a grade H6 or better in Leaving Certificate Mathematics, where that subject is one of the six subjects being counted for points purposes.
• Applicants’ performance in the Leaving Certificate examination is scored on their best results in no more than six individual subjects taken in the Leaving Certificate examination of any one year. This does not preclude an intending applicant from taking school-leaving examinations in two or more years. In this event, the choice of year for scoring purposes will be such as to ensure that each applicant is credited with the maximum possible score.
• It is still possible to achieve matriculation and subject requirements over more than one year. However, for admission to Medicine, applicants must achieve both the required subject grades and the points in the same sitting.
• The subjects and combinations of subjects not permitted for matriculation also apply when computing an applicant’s points score.
• The points scores for Medicine are adjusted when combined with HPAT – Ireland. Please see www.myucd.ie/ medicineaddreq
• For scoring of pre-2017 Leaving Certificate examinations, please see www.myucd.ie/leavingcert/pointsscoring
Leaving Certificate Vocational Progamme LCVP
Grade Points
Distinction 66
Merit 46
Pass 28
Leaving Certificate Applied Programme LCAP
Careers / Further progression
Career & Graduate Study Opportunities
This concurrent initial teacher education (ITE) course has been recognised and accredited by The Teaching Council of Ireland. For further information www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/ If students fulfil all elements and requirements of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as a post-primary school teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland.
Further information
UCD has a mature entry pathway for anyone who is at least 23 years of age on 1 January of the proposed year of entry and whose school-leaving qualifications are insufficient for admission. For admission in September 2024, your date of birth must be on or before 1 January, 2001.
How do I apply?
For all full-time and some part-time undergraduate degree courses, mature applicants must apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). The application can be completed online at www.cao.ie. For some courses you must also register for a specific test (HPAT and NMBI Nursing/ Midwifery Assessment test) for details of what is required for each course. For most of our courses, the closing date for application is 1 February 2024. Some courses may accept late applications up to 1 May 2024, but this is subject to the availability of places.
What information should I provide?
You should complete the mature section on the CAO form fully, as this is a key part of how we will assess your application. Supporting documents for your qualifications should be sent to CAO as soon as you complete your application. If you wish you can also send an additional statement of interest or CV. Please visit our website www.ucd.ie/maturestudents for further information on application and advice on how we assess applications.
For more information: www.ucd.ie/maturestudents
Other School Leaving Examinations
See www.ucd.ie/admissions
Places: 40
Entry 2024
Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm
Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm
Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm
Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm
Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 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 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.
Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.
If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.
Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.
Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.
Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.
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 2024 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
BEd Education with Gaeilge &/or Modern Languages – DN760
This new four-year teacher education degree, accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland, affords students the opportunity to study languages (French, Spanish, German, Italian, Gaeilge, Portuguese) while also engaging in foundational education modules to prepare for teaching in post-primary schools in Ireland.
Why is this course for me?
Are you interested in studying to be a teacher of modern languages and/or an Ghaeilge at post-primary level? Are you passionate about teaching young people and making a positive impact on their lives? This innovative teacher education course prepares high quality language teachers to teach, inspire and lead across the Irish education system.
As Brazilian education philosopher Paulo Freire states: “Education does not change the world. Education changes people. People change the world.”
What will I study?
This course blends language learning and initial teacher education to prepare you to work as a language teacher in post-primary schools in the Irish education system. You can choose to study two languages from modern languages (French, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese) and/or an Ghaeilge. Alternatively, you can choose to major in an Ghaeilge alone. You will engage in modules to develop your language proficiency skills, building your linguistic competencies while also learning about the culture and literature of the language(s) through an interrogation of key texts. You will also develop your skills as a teacher as you progress through the course, undertaking modules in foundation disciplines (history/sociology/psychology/ philosophy of education, curriculum studies) and professional studies (communication skills, digital learning, research) while also engaging in school placement (in both primary and post-primary schools). A key aspect of the course is to prepare you for working with a diverse range of students and personnel across the education system, with particular emphasis on the school as a learning community.
First Year
You can study two languages (French, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese, an Ghaeilge) or an Ghaeilge solely. Language modules will focus on developing your language proficiency while also introducing you to the associated culture and literature. Education modules include: Irish Childhoods • Socio-Historic Perspectives on Education • Education for a Sustainable Future • Creative Pedagogy & Wellbeing • Introduction to Language Learning, Pedagogy & Communication. Placement in this year will be undertaken in a primary school.
Second Year
You will continue to build your language proficiency engaging in modules focused on developing your skills and confidence in the language(s) you are studying as well as continuing with your cultural studies. Education modules include: Education for Democracy • Inclusive Education for Learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) • Contemporary Language Pedagogy, Curriculum & Assessment. Placement will be undertaken in a post-primary school.
Third Year
The immersive study abroad or in the Gaeltacht forms an integral part of this year to apply your language learning in a language placement. If studying two modern languages, placement will be undertaken in trimester two and three (Summer trimester) of the third year. If studying an Ghaeilge and a modern language, language placement will be undertaken in trimester one (the Gaeltacht) and two (Erasmus) of the course. If studying an Ghaeilge alone, language placement will be undertaken in trimester one of the course. Education modules will be taken online to include research methods in preparation for the research project in year four of the course and digital technologies & language pedagogy.
Fourth Year
The final year of the course will prepare students for the intensive block placement experience to be undertaken in post-primary schools over two trimesters. Students will also engage in a research project, working with your Treoraí (co-operating teacher) to identify a relevant topic and to undertake the research study over the course of your placement. Education modules include: Professional Placement • Portfolio & Methods (Trimester 1 & 2) • Research Project. Students will also engage in the final language modules required to ensure you meet the required standards for language proficiency.
Assessments will include essay format as well as written examinations, oral and aural examinations, in-class individual presentations, group project work, reflective diaries, translation tasks, and a research project in the final year. Placement will be assessed by a school placement supervisor and tutor. Students will also develop a learning portfolio of work (Taisce) over the duration of the course, which you will use as you transition into the teaching profession as a qualified post-primary school teacher.
www.ucd.ie/myucd/socsc
UCD School of Education
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