BEd (Hons) Primary

This is a four-year honours degree programme leading to full recognition to teach by the Department of Education and registration with General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland. Each year contains the following two elements:

• Professional Studies (compulsory)
• Subject Study (chosen by the student from the following)
  • Art & Design
  • Irish
  • English
  • Geography
  • History
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Physical Education
  • Religious Studies
  • Science

Professional Studies comprises three main aspects.

1. Issues in Learning and Teaching
This is a broad area of study which draws on a number of disciplines and addresses a range of professional issues. Through lectures, seminars and tutorials students cover a wide range of topics such as: child development and psychology; the curriculum in schools; child protection and children’s rights; the social aspects of schooling; principles of effective teaching and learning; the principles of classroom management; issues pertaining to multiculturalism and inclusion; and the education of children who experience special educational needs. This broad area of study facilitates the development of the knowledge and understanding underpinning successful teaching.
2. Curriculum Issues
These courses involve the study of teaching strategies and modes of learning for all the areas of learning of the Revised Northern Ireland Curriculum. There is an emphasis on the areas of literacy, numeracy and ICT and on links with School Experience.
3. School Experience
The practical element of teaching is central to the Initial Teacher Education programmes. The BEd Degree is competence-based in line with the revised competence framework of the GTCNI. Each year as students gain experience and confidence, they are asked to demonstrate increasing levels of proficiency in the classroom. Over the course of the programme students will have opportunities to teach children of varying ages and abilities in a range of different contexts. There are also opportunities for students to choose options through which they may gain experience of teaching in the nursery and/or special sector. Students must pass School Experience each year to proceed to the next stage of the course.

Professional Studies Modules (Primary)

Professional Studies constitutes the equivalent of 16 modules across the four years of the Degree of Bachelor of Education for those students who are following the Primary Pathway. The students study the following Professional Studies Modules:

Professional Studies Co-ordinator: Frank Quinn