BA in Education, Gaeilge & Religious Studies (MI018)
CAO Round 1 Pts 2025: 407
Duration : 4 years full-time
Places Offered: Up to 30
Location: 91制片厂 Thurles
Lecture Hours: 10 approx.
Tutorial Hours: 5 approx.
Assessment:
Mixed but may include presentations, essays and exams.
- Programme Overview
- Programme Content
- Entry Requirements
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Programme Overview
The BA in Education, Gaeilge and Religious Studies programme (post-primary) is a four-year, full-time, undergraduate concurrent teacher education degree (Level 8), currently offered at 91制片厂 Thurles. Graduates are qualified to teach Irish and Religious Studies to Leaving Certificate level.
Why study on this programme?
Graduates of the programme will:
- Demonstrate subject knowledge, curriculum process and content, and professional knowledge
- Engage in critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, reflection and self-evaluation
- Engage in planning, teaching, learning, assessment, classroom management and organisation for the classroom and the school as a learning organisation
- Articulate a commitment to and vision for the development of the uniqueness of the pupil in all its dimensions
- Integrate and apply knowledge skills, attitudes and values in complex and unpredictable educational settings
- Exhibit strong interpersonal skill and a readiness to be leaders and innovators of curriculum change
- Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong personal and professional development and actively participate in professional learning communities
Modules & Study Abroad
Students are educated in the most current methodologies and technologies available to enhance the teaching of their subject areas at post-primary level. The degree programme includes four years of modules in Gaeilge and Religious Studies. These are taken concurrently with education modules which include theoretical, pedagogical and professional studies along with a number of school placement experiences. The Teaching Council requires Irish language teachers to have spent a minimum of four weeks in a designated Gaeltacht area prior to registering with it. This requirement is fulfilled in the form of two compulsory 颁煤谤蝉补 Gaeltachta each of two weeks duration which is organised by the College. The 颁煤谤蝉补铆 Gaeltachta are a programme requirement as each 颁煤谤蝉补 forms the basis of a module of the programme.
Study Abroad Options
Study abroad opportunities for short stay placements are available in Year 3. In recent years, recipients of International Scholarships have undertaken placements in Japan, Brazil, USA and across Europe, where they have immersed themselves in diverse educational practices and cultures. 91制片厂 is working with International partner universities on an ongoing basis to expand the range of International opportunities available.
School Placement
The School Placement element of the programme is designed to meet the Teaching Council鈥檚 requirements, and students will spend approximately 23 weeks in schools during the programme. This period will allow students to engage in observation, class-based and whole-school teaching and learning activities. Working in partnership with schools, the placements are designed to enable students experience class levels from junior to senior cycle within a range of school types, and where student is guided and empowered along his/her learning-to-teach journey. The level and range of teaching and learning activities increases from School Placement 1 to School Placement 3 and the student is assisted by the placement tutors and cooperating teachers (treoraithe) to ensure that his/her practice is reflective of professional knowledge and his/her own personal commitment to the pupils鈥 well-being and learning. There is an integrated focus on subject knowledge and also inclusion and differentiation for each placement. Placements occur at four points in the programme:
- Teaching and Learning 1 - Year 1, Semester 2: Students are given the opportunity to observe teaching in practice for one week in a senior primary classroom. This observation placement provides an opportunity for students to gain an insight into the interconnection between primary and post-primary education. The placement inducts student teachers into the practice of teaching and reflection.
- School Placement 1 - Year 2, Semester 4: The focus for this six-week school placement is on lesson planning and preparation, scheme planning and developing effective teaching strategies in their subject areas. There is also a strong emphasis on the development of critical and reflective practice, and on developing an understanding of schools as organisations. Both observation and teaching elements are integrated into this placement which is located at Junior Cycle level and /or Transition Year level. Students may also be placed in pairs on this placement, facilitating team teaching with one another as well as with established teachers.
- School Placement 2 - Year 3, Semester 6: In this two week placement, students will work in special settings including the possibility of an international placement. The purpose of this placement is to support the student in becoming an inclusive teacher and to develop their confidence and competence in responding to diverse needs in the classroom.
- School Placement 3 - Year 4, Semester 8: School Placement 3 will run over 14 weeks. In School Placement 3 the student teachers will plan, prepare and implement schemes of work and lesson plans in their subject areas at Junior and Senior Cycle level. There will be a strong emphasis on reflective practice throughout these modules.
Gaeltacht Courses / 颁煤谤蝉补铆 Gaeltachta
Tabharfaidh mic l茅inn faoi dh谩 Ch煤rsa Gaeltachta coic铆se le linn chl谩r na c茅ime. De ghn谩th, beidh na 颁煤谤蝉补铆 sin le d茅anamh ag deireadh Bhliain 1 agus ag deireadh Bhliain 3. Mod煤il riachtanacha den chl谩r c茅ime is ea na 颁煤谤蝉补铆 Gaeltachta. D茅anfaidh mic l茅inn an d谩 ch煤rsa sin i gceantair Ghaeltachta 茅ags煤la chun taith铆 a fh谩il ar dh谩 cheann de phr铆omhchan煤int铆 na Gaeilge.
Tr铆 thumadh sa Ghaeilge t谩 s茅 d鈥檃idhm ag na 颁煤谤蝉补铆 Gaeltachta:
Cur le heolas agus le tuiscint an mhic l茅inn ar shaol agus ar sha铆ocht na Gaeltachta;
Cur le cumas cumars谩ide an mhic l茅inn tr铆d an nGaeilge a 煤s谩id mar theanga bheo. D茅anfar t谩st谩il ar an gcumas sin tr铆 thagairt do thortha铆 foghlama na mod煤l;
Taith铆 thaitneamhach a bheith ag an mac l茅inn le t贸g谩il ar an ngr谩 at谩 aige/aici don Ghaeilge mar theanga agus a m(h)uin铆n i labhairt na Gaeilge a threisi煤.
Undergraduate Dissertation
This programme places great emphasis on teaching and research and as part of their development as research-active teachers, students undertake an undergraduate dissertation. The Dissertation can be in either education or a subject discipline. Students begin the preparation for the dissertation in Year 3 where they undertake their Research Methods module.
Career Opportunities
This programme is accredited by the Teaching Council and has been developed in response to the growing need for excellence in teaching at post-primary level. The programme prepares graduates for their roles in all areas of professional life in education.
The following list demonstrates just some of the careers our graduates have pursued:
- Post-primary teacher
- Researcher
- Irish Language Media
- Irish Language Promotion
- Translation
- Administrative positions in faith-based organisations
- Parish and diocesan pastoral assistants and administrators
Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships
Each year, 91制片厂 awards up to 50 Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships across all undergraduate programmes valued at 鈧2,000 each, on the basis of results obtained in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination.
Further information about Undergraduate Entrance Scholarships available here.
- Programme Overview
- Programme Content
- Entry Requirements
- Ask a Question
