PGCE English with Drama and Media Studies

Entry requirements

a. English and Mathematics (GCSE grade C or a qualification that is equivalent in breadth and depth to a GCSE e.g. Irish Leaving Certificate. Please note that Essential/Key Skills is not accepted).

b. An Honours degree normally in the specialist subject (Art and Design, English with Drama and Media Studies, Geography, History, Home Economics, Music Education, Physical Education, Technology and Design) in an appropriate NI curriculum subject. In the case of a combined Honours degree at least 50% shall be in the specialist subject. (N.B. The normal minimum offer standard is a 2:2 Honours).

c. All applicants need to provide evidence of knowledge, interest and experience in working with young people of post-primary age.

Applicants for the post-primary pathway also require:

1. Two supportive references.

2. Medical certificate of satisfactory health.

3. Applicants will be scrutinised by Access NI and must also satisfy the University and the Department of Education that nothing would prohibit them from working with children.

4.The application form will be examined for spelling, punctuation and use of English and general quality of presentation.

5.Evidence of knowledge, interest and experience in working with young people of post-primary age normally in a formal/informal education setting.

6.Applicants appearing to fulfil the above requirements will be shortlisted. In the event that the programme is oversubscribed, enhanced criteria (e.g. degree classification) will then be applied and candidates fulfilling these criteria will be interviewed to ascertain their suitability for the course.

7.An offer of a place will be conditional upon satisfying the Selection Committee on all of the above criteria.

8. Applicants who are deemed suitable but for whom an immediate place is not available will be placed on a waiting list and offered a place if another applicant declines his/her place.

Months of entry

September

Course content

The closing date for applications is 8th January 2025.

Applications received after the closing date may be considered at the discretion of the selection panel if all places have not been filled by on-time applicants.

The course
The aim of a PGCE is to prepare the student to become a competent teacher. This is achieved through a variety of teaching and learning methods which are summarised below:

Lectures
• Tutorials: group or individually designed to advise in the preparation for school experience, curriculum projects and/or school based investigations.
• Practicals: involving simulations, role-play, practical activities and school experience.
• Workshops: designed primarily to allow students to examine the relationship between theoretical perspectives introduced in lectures and their main subject specialism.

Assessment
Performance on the course will be assessed through coursework and school experience.

Information for international students

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.