| Code | CK124 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 Years |
| Teaching Mode | Full-time |
| Qualifications | BEd (Hons) |
| NFQ Level | Level 8 |
| Fees | See Fees and Costs for full details. |
| CAO Points | 2024: 408 |
| CAO Points Range | 2024: 408-625 |
Course Outline
Teachers of Irish are now in high demand in secondary schools, both in English-speaking schools and also in Gaelcholáistí. Our BEd degree enables students to qualify as teachers of Irish in combination with a second subject through a 4-year undergraduate teaching degree. The second subjects offered in this degree are French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Mathematical Studies.
The language component of this programme comprises intensive language teaching, accompanied by teaching in literature and other aspects of the culture and history of the countries where those languages are spoken. Students will spend one semester studying in the Gaeltacht and, if you choose to combine Irish with another language, you will spend an Erasmus semester in the country where that language is spoken (France, Italy, Germany, or Spain).
The teacher-education element of the degree includes placements and teaching-experience in schools. This is a unique opportunity to qualify in four years for the exciting and challenging vocation of teaching Irish with another subject.
Year 1 Modules
Education
- ED1401 Teagasc, Foghlaim agus Measúnú na Gaeilge 1 (10 credits)
Gaeilge
- GA1003 Bunstaidéar ar Theanga agus ar Chultúr na Gaeilge (15 credits)
- GA1008 An Nualitríocht (10 credits)
- GA1009 An Ghaeilge Bheo (5 credits)
Plus 20 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)
- FR1111 Foundation Course in French Culture for Teaching Purposes (5 credits)
German
Beginners’ German
- GE1103 Integrated Written and Oral German Language Course for Beginners (10 credits)
- GE1104 Introduction to German Culture and Literature for Beginners (5 credits)
- GE1122 Reading and Writing the German-Speaking World (5 credits) or
Non-Beginners’ German
- GE1101 Integrated Written and Oral Language Course for German (10 credits)
- GE1102 Introduction to Literature (5 credits)
- GE1007 Research Project in German Studies (5 credits)
- GE1122 Reading and Writing the German-Speaking World (5 credits)
Italian
Beginners’ Italian
- IT1101 Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
- IT1201 Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society (5 credits)
- IT2310 Issues in Contemporary Italian Society through Film & Documentaries (5 credits) or
Non-Beginners’ Italian
- IT1102 Non-Beginners' Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
- IT1201 Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society (5 credits)
- IT2310 Issues in Contemporary Italian Society through Film and Documentaries (5 credits)
Spanish
Beginners’ Spanish
- HS1101 First Year Spanish Language for Beginners (15 credits)
- HS1008 Digital Technologies in the Spanish Language Classroom (5 credits) or
Non-Beginners’ Spanish
- HS1102 First Year Spanish Language for Non-Beginners (10 credits)
- HS1030 Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies (5 credits)
- HS1008 Digital Technologies in the Spanish Language Classroom (5 credits)
Mathematical Studies
- MS1002 Calculus (5 credits)
- MS1003 Linear Algebra (5 credits)
- MS2005 Discrete Mathematics (5 credits)
- MS2017 Mechanics I (5 credits)
Academic Programme Catalogue
See the Academic Programme Catalogue for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year-to-year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.
Course Practicalities
Typically 15-credit modules involve a minimum of 72 contact hours, generally consisting of lectures and small-group classes such as tutorials and seminars; for languages, conversation classes and language laboratory work also feature. These modules are generally assessed by a combination of written examination and continuous assessments (essays, journals, projects, presentations, etc.) 10- and 5-credit modules involve a minimum of 48 and 24 contact hours, respectively, generally consisting of lectures (and small group classes) and/or assessed by a combination of written examination and continuous assessment.
The concurrent Education component of this degree will begin in Year 2 and continue to Year 4, and will contain lectures on the methodology of the teaching of the specific subjects selected by the student. It will also involve school placements, again in Years 2 and 4.
To practice in Ireland, all teachers are required to register with the Teaching Council of Ireland. Complying with subject-specific Teaching Council requirements is therefore essential for every graduate. In the languages, this refers particularly to modular content (e.g. prose and poetry), residency in the area where the language is spoken, and overall linguistic ability. In this degree, a three-month Gaeltacht residency will be accommodated within the course, as will a three-month Erasmus residency for those students taking a second language.
Why Choose This Course
This is an employment-focused degree that responds to teacher shortages in the secondary school sector.
The BEd Gaeilge is a 4-year degree that will fully qualify graduates as post-primary teachers of Gaeilge and one other subject without requiring any additional credits or postgraduate qualification.
Long-established, and ever-growing links between UCC and the Gaeltacht areas on its doorstep provide ready-made centres of excellence for teaching and learning of Gaeilge. Embedded features of Gaeltacht and Erasmus residencies during Years 2 and 3 facilitate immersive language exposure, and ensure that on graduation the student will have completed all Teaching Council requirements. Gaeltacht residencies will benefit from the Department of the Gaeltacht subsidies. Education work placements with UCC’s network of school affiliations, in years 2, 3 and 4, account for a significantly high proportion of credits, serving to position graduates strongly for employment.
See also BEd Gaeilge Scholarships/Scoláireachtaí Bed Gaeilge for information on BEd Gaeilge scholarships.
Placement or Study Abroad Information
The elements of the degree completed in the four years include school-placements and Erasmus/Gaeltacht semesters. School placements occur throughout Years 2, 3 and 4 of the degree. The first semester (September to November) of Year 2 will be spent entirely in a Gaeltacht location. Where another language is chosen as the second subject, the second semester (January to March/April) of Year 3 will be spent entirely in a country where that language is spoken.
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.
Requirements
Leaving Certificate Entry Requirements
At least six subjects must be presented. Minimum grade H3 in Irish, minimum grade H5 in one subject and minimum grade O6/H7 in four other subjects.
Applicants will need to meet the following minimum entry requirements:
| English | Irish | Other Language |
|---|---|---|
| O6/H7 | H3 | O6/H7 |
Additional Requirements
The following requirements apply depending on what second subject you choose:
Mathematical Studies: a minimum Leaving Certificate grade H4 in Maths is required.
Language chosen with Irish:
- Non-Beginners French: minimum Leaving Certificate grade H3 required.
- Non-Beginners German: minimum Leaving Certificate grade H4 required.
- Non-Beginners Italian: minimum Leaving Certificate grade H4 required.
- Non-Beginners Spanish: minimum Leaving Certificate grade H4 required.
Please note: All students qualify for beginner’s language options on the basis of the H3 Irish entry requirement.
Mature Students
To compete through the mature entry route, applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the application year and apply online via the CAO by 1 February. The application should include a statement of interest, and prospective students must also apply for and sit the Mature Student Evaluation (MSE) test.
Applicants will be called for an Interview conducted in Irish. The Interview in Irish will consist of a conversation with staff in order to establish that the applicant is competent in Irish to a level sufficient to understand lectures, to partake in continuous assessment, and to undergo written examinations in Irish.
Further information on applying as a mature student is available on the Mature Applicants and Mature Student Entry support pages.
QQI FET Entry
Applicants who meet the required level of distinctions in required subjects can apply for entry to this course using specific QQI FET qualifications. Please review the Programme Requirements on our Information for QQI FET Applicants page for information on related QQI courses, and visit Access UCC’s QQI/FET Entry section for further support.
Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to UCC's Fitness to Practise Policy.
Student Garda Vetting
All students on this programme will come into contact with the public and assume positions of trust through educational and training opportunities. To ensure the protection of the public, and to justify public trust and confidence, UCC is committed to ensuring that only suitable candidates are allowed to undertake this programme.
Vetting is carried out by the Admissions Office in UCC under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016 (the Acts) once a student has accepted their place on the programme. This involves a police check to establish whether the individual being vetted has had criminal convictions in the past or whether any criminal proceedings are pending. The Garda Siochána provide this information for students who have resided in Ireland for a period of six months or more (including permanent residence).
All students who have resided outside Ireland for a period of six months or more must furnish a Police Clearance Certificate from their country or countries of residence. This certificate should state that the student has had no convictions recorded against them while residing there.
Further information can be found on our Student Garda Vetting page.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such applicants are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language.
To verify if you meet the minimum academic and language requirements visit our qualification comparison page and refer to our International Office page for more information.
Fees and Costs
- Whether you are an EU or Non-EU student will affect the course fees applicable to you. See more information on EU Fees, Non-EU Fees, or Free Fees Status.
- The State will pay the tuition fees for EU students who are eligible under the Free Fees Scheme. The annual student contribution and capitation fees are payable by the student.
- See the Fee Schedule to find out the course fee.
- Check out scholarships that may be available to you.
- Explore our Nurturing Bright Futures free online course (Module 5) to learn about managing your money as a student and budgeting for university life.
Additional costs (travel, accommodation and subsistence) may be incurred during the Gaeltacht residency and, for those choosing a second language, during the Erasmus semester.
How To Apply
Irish and European (EU/EFTA/UK) Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See the CAO Handbook for useful information on applying through the CAO.
Mature Applicants
Apply via the CAO by 1 February. To apply for a place as a mature student, you must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January of the year of entry.
QQI/FET Applicants
Apply via the CAO. See our QQI/FET Applicants page for information on the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Further Education and Training (FET) application process.
Non-EU Applicants
If you are from outside the EU/EFTA/UK, apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.