Bachelor in Education (Primary)

Bachelor in Education (Primary)

What is the Bachelor in Education (Primary)?

Helping young people learn has to be one of the most satisfying and rewarding careers of all. By choosing the Bachelor in Education (Primary) programme you embark on a four year course that will prepare you for working in primary schools in Ireland. You will find out how children learn to read, write, count and calculate; you’ll learn how to introduce them to the arts the magic and mysteries of the world around them and how to grow and develop in a healthy way.

What will I study?

Over the four years of the programme you will learn how to teach children aged from 4 to 12. In the foundation studies you will study how children learn, what factors influence their learning and how our understanding of this has changed over time. Advance your own knowledge of curriculum subjects and learn specific methods for teaching all primary school subjects. Experience the challenge and satisfaction of teaching through engaging in school placement in a supportive environment.

You will have the opportunity to study for a certificate in Catholic Religious Education in preparation for teaching in schools under the patronage of the Catholic Church. The opportunity to study for a certificate in Multi-belief and Ethical Curricula in Diverse School Contexts is also available to you.

School placement

During the four years of the B.Ed. programme, you will have a variety of placement experiences. You will have opportunities to experience placements in urban and rural schools, single sex and co-educational schools, multi-grade and single class situations, DEIS schools and Gaelscoileanna nó Scoileanna Gaeltachta. You will also engage in a Special Educational placement in the second year of your programme. This provides you with the opportunity to experience school life in a variety of contexts.

Gaeltacht

As part of the B.Ed. programme you must spend time, typically two two-week periods, in the Gaeltacht to develop your knowledge of the Irish language and culture. Students pay this fee directly to the Gaeltacht College.

What are my career options?

Most graduates of the B.Ed. programme become primary teachers in schools in the Republic of Ireland. Some travel abroad to teach English as an additional language or to teach in primary schools elsewhere. Occasionally graduates work in areas other than education such as in the media or in research.

What other options do I have?

In time some graduates pursue further studies in education at diploma, masters or doctoral level. Such additional qualifications open up possibilities of careers as a curriculum leader in a school, principal teacher, teacher educator, educational psychologist or as an inspector with the Department of Education and Skills.

MODULE LISTING

General information

CAO codes: CM001/CM002

Duration: 4 years full-time

Award level: NFQ 8

ECTS Credits: 240

Awarding body: Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin

Minimum entry requirements

No. of Leaving Cert subjects: 6

Grade H5 on a higher level paper in not less than three subjects.

Grade 06/H7 in three subjects 

Minimum grades:

Irish – H4

Maths – H7/O4

English – H7/O4

For more information on the minimum entry requirements and the CAO application process, please see here.

Mature Applications

If you are applying for mature entry to primary teaching in Dublin City University, Marino Institute of Education, Mary Immaculate College Limerick or Maynooth University: you must apply to CAO by 1st February at 17:15. In March, those meeting the eligibility criteria will be sent an email (to the email account registered to their CAO account) with instructions for completing and submitting a supplementary form. For further information regarding the minimum entry requirements and selection process for mature students, as set by the Department of Education and Skills, please see here.