About This Course
Fact File
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Title
Education Gaeilge
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Code
CK124
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College
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Duration
4 years
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Teaching Mode
Full-time
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Qualifications
BEd (Hons)
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Fees
Student Contribution + Capitation: €3,130 See Fees and Costs for full details.
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Entry Requirements
1 x H3, 1 x H5, 4 x O6/H7; H3 in Irish and O6/H7 in another language. See Requirements for full details.
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CAO Points
2021: 473
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CAO Points Range
2021: 473-625
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 4 years for the exciting and challenging vocation of teaching Irish with another subject.
Year 1 Modules
All modules 5 credits unless otherwise stated.
- GA1003 Bunstaidéar ar Theanga agus ar Chultúr na Gaeilge (15 credits)
- GA1008 An Nualitríocht (10 credits)
- GA1009 An Ghaeilge Bheo
Plus 30 credits from one of the following subjects:
FRENCH
- FR1101 Foundation Course in Written and Oral French (10 credits)
- FR1201 Introduction to French Studies
- FR1104 Foundation Course in the French Language for Teaching Purposes (10 credits)
- FR1108 Tandem Learning for Language Teaching French
GERMAN
Beginners’ German
- GE1103 Integrated Written and Oral German Language Course for Beginners (10 credits)
- GE1104 Introduction to German Culture and Literature for Beginners
- GE1006 Beginners’ Oral and Written Classroom Language for Teaching Purposes
- GE1106 Understanding Language for the German Language Classroom: Sounds and Structures (10 credits) OR
Non-Beginners’ German
- GE1101 Integrated Written and Oral Language Course for German (10 credits)
- GE1102 Introduction to Literature
- GE1007 Research Project in German Studies
- GE1106 Understanding Language for the German Language Classroom (10 credits)
ITALIAN
Beginners’ Italian
- IT1101 Introduction to Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
- IT1201 Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society
- IT1130 Italian Language: Text and Context
- IT1103 Understanding Language for the Italian Language Classroom (10 credits) OR
Non-Beginners’ Italian
- IT1102 Non-Beginners' Written and Spoken Italian (10 credits)
- IT1201 Post-Unification Italian Culture and Society
- IT1130 Italian Language: Text and Context
- IT1103 Understanding Language for the Italian Language Classroom (10 credits)
SPANISH
Beginners’ Spanish
- HS1101 First Year Spanish Language for Beginners (15 credits)
- HS1008 Digital Technologies in the Spanish Language Classroom
- HS1104 Understanding Language for the Spanish Language Classroom (10 credits) OR
Non-Beginners’ Spanish
- HS1102 First-Year Spanish Language for Non-Beginners (10 credits)
- HS1030 Introduction to Spanish and Latin American Studies
- HS1008 Digital Technologies in the Spanish Language Classroom
- HS1104 Understanding Language for the Spanish Language Classroom (10 credits)
MATHEMATICAL STUDIES
- MS1002 Calculus
- MS1003 Linear Algebra
- MS1004 Introduction to Statistics
- MS2005 Discrete Mathematics
- MS2013 Geometry
- MS2017 Mechanics I
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 which 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 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, 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 |
Irish/Gaeilge: a minimum Leaving Certificate grade H3 is required.
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: Applicants should apply directly through the CAO, candidates are assessed based on education, life and/or relevant work experience as demonstrated in the CAO Application and Statement of Interest. Candidates 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. Find out about the mature entry requirements here.
International Students should visit the International Education website.
Non-EU Candidates
Non-EU candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate. In addition, where such candidates 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.
Refer to our International Office page for more information on how to apply to UCC.
Fees and Costs
The State will pay the tuition fees for students who satisfy the Free Fees Criteria. In 2021/22 the Student Contribution Fee will be €3,000 and the Capitation Fee will be €130. Full-time EU/EEA/Swiss State undergraduate students may be exempt from paying tuition fees.
Additional costs (travel, accommodation and subsistence) may be incurred during the Gaeltacht residency and (for those choosing a second language) the Erasmus aspects of the course.
For International Fees see our Fees Schedule page.
How Do I Apply
EU Applicants
The Central Applications Office (CAO) processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions. Refer to the Central Applications Office page for further information.
Non-EU Applicants
Non-EU applicants apply online via the UCC Apply portal. See our International Office page for more information.
All Applicants
Please note that the modules listed are indicative of the current set of modules for this course and are subject to change from year to year. Please check the college calendar for the full academic content of any given course for the current year.
- In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.