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B ED BACHELOR OF EDUCATION -PRIMARY TEACHING

Qualification : BACHELOR OF EDUCATION DEGREE

Award Type and NFQ level : UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE (8)

CAO/PAC code : MH001

CAO Points : 498

Closing Date : 01 July 2024

View QQI details

Duration: 4 years

There are two routes into primary teaching: the undergraduate B Ed route and the two-year postgraduate qualification known as the Professional Master of Education (PMEd) route (see the Graduate Studies website for details). The Bachelor of Education (primary teaching) degree and the PMEd are designed for students who wish to become primary school teachers within the Republic of Ireland (both qualifications may offer the opportunity to work in many countries internationally).

  • Child-centred and active approaches to teaching are central to the Froebel philosophy and permeate the ethos in the Department.
  • The foundation disciplines of Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology and History of Education form the theoretical basis for this degree.
  • Education modules and school-based practice within a variety of placement settings feature across all 4 years, as well as a placement in the Gaeltacht for 2 fortnight blocks at Easter in second and third year.
  • Graduates are eligible to register with the Teaching Council and are qualified to teach in primary schools in Ireland.
  • As the Department is named after the famous educational philosopher, Friedrich Froebel, our programmes reflect his ideology by incorporating active, student-centred approaches to our teaching.

A year of study is 60 credits.

As a Single Major Bachelor of Education degree, a range of education-related topics are studied in first, second, third and fourth year.

  • This degree is designed to prepare students to be primary school teachers. You will take Education modules and a school-based placement across all four years of this professional teaching degree, as well as a placement in the Gaeltacht for two fortnight blocks in years two and three of the degree.
  • Child-centred and active approaches to teaching are central to the Froebel philosophy and permeate the ethos in the Department.
  • The foundation disciplines of Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology and History of Education form the theoretical basis for this degree.
  • Education modules and school-based practice within a variety of placement settings feature across all 4 years, as well as a placement in the Gaeltacht for 2 fortnight blocks at Easter in second and third year.
Course Duration: 4 years (BEd)

Graduates are eligible to register with the Teaching Council and are qualified to teach in primary schools in Ireland.

  • Further training: Educational Psychology, Educational Management, Special Educational Needs; Master of Education
  • Other areas include volunteering in developing countries, authoring of educational texts, third level teacher education, civil service

Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information about postgraduate options.

This table displays the requirements for Leaving Certificate applicants.
Subject Required Ordinary Level Grade Higher Level Grade
Irish Yes N/A H4
English Yes O4 H7
Language No N/A N/A
Math Yes O4 H7
Science No N/A N/A

International & EU/EFTA Entry Requirements

Mature Students

Mature Applicants

Mature applicants are assessed separately to school-leavers. Mature applicants are 23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University. For part-time degrees the mature age is 21. 

Click here to be taken to our mature applicant information page - tab 3 on that page outlines application steps for this degree.

Mature applicants who have a disability 

If you have a disability or specific learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia), and require examination support for any written tests that may be required, please submit supporting documentation by 15 March 2024 to the Access Office. 

Unfortunately we are unable to consider applications for alternative examination accommodation after this deadline. 

For further information on the supporting documentation required, as well as examination and other supports visit the Access Office website.

01 February 2024

Additional Information

Leaving Certificate Applicants

Leaving Certificate: 3H5 & 3O6/H7 grades. Required minimum grades are Irish H4, English O4/H7 and Mathematics O4/H7. CAO Points 2023: MH001: 498 / MH002: No offers

Health Information Form

Prior to entry, candidates are required to complete a Health Status Information Form.

Gaeltacht

Two fortnight blocks must be spent in the Gaeltacht during years two and three of the programme (there is an additional cost for this).

National Vetting Bureau

Note: Offers of places on MH001/MH002 are subject to a satisfactory background check by the National Vetting Bureau. In the case of MH001/MH002, prior to entry, candidates are required to complete a Health Status Information Form.

HEAR and DARE

DARE: The Disability Access Route to Education is a third level alternative admissions scheme for school-leavers whose disabilities have had a negative impact on their second level education.

HEAR: The Higher Education Access Route is a third level admissions scheme for school leavers from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Contact the Access Office for more information about these access routes.

APPLY TO THE CAO

WWW.CAO.IE

The application process depends on the type of applicant you are. Click here for all information about how to apply.

To view DES (Department of Education and Skills) entry requirements for non-mature applicants click here.

Categories of applicant:

  • School-leavers (Leaving Certificate students)
  • Mature students (23 years or older by 1st January in the year of entry to the University/part-time degrees the mature age is 21)
  • EU/EFTA/UK students
  • International students (outside the EU)
  • QQI (Further Education) students
  • Transferring students
  • Deferring students
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