Education

DCU Institute of Education

General questions

What courses are offered by DCU Institute of Education?

DCU Institute of Education brings together students of education and provides a rich menu of undergraduate courses across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. We offer a range of taught and research postgraduate courses at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate level and have a distinguished record in providing continuing professional development.

Is there Garda vetting for students who study DCU Institute of Education courses?

Garda vetting is required for all students who have unsupervised access to children and vulnerable adults as part of their studies at DCU. Applicants must successfully pass the Garda vetting process in order to complete the registration process.

What are the potential teaching pathways for primary, post-primary and further education and training offered by DCU?

Primary Teaching Pathways

Undergraduate*

Bachelor of Education - DC002 | DC003 | DC004

Postgraduate**

Professional Master of Education (Primary Teaching) - DC970

* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes

** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes

Post-Primary Teaching Pathways

Undergraduate*

－Bachelor of Religious Education & English or History or Music - DC010 | DC011 | DC012

－Bachelor of Education in Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish - DC013

－Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Science Education - DC203

－Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Physical Education with Biology - DC205

－Bachelor of Science in Physical Education with Mathematics - DC206

Postgraduate**

－Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary Teaching) - DC905

* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes

** Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements for all postgraduate programmes

Further Education and Training Teaching Pathways

Undergraduate*

BSc (Hons) in Education and Training (Further, Adult and Continuing Education) - DC235

* Please ensure that you consult minimum entry requirements and CAO points for all undergraduate programmes

Early Childhood Education

What FETAC courses are accepted for the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (DC001)?

For details of QQI/FE requirements and relevant codes please click here. Simply enter the DC code for the programme you are interested in or if you are not sure of the code enter DC in the Select by Institution option, then click on Go. Students must have attained the FULL Level 5 or Level 6 QQI/FE award with distinctions in relevant modules.

What is involved in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (DC001)?

All students take required early childhood education and care modules and spend approximately 1,000 hours on professional placement related experiences. You will work with children from a variety of linguistic, social, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and also with children who have special educational needs.

In Year One, you will cover the core information needed to understand young children and how they develop. Year Two focuses on the ECEC environment. Students learn how to create settings that support and challenge young children. Diversity, equality and inclusion are key themes in Year Three. You’ll discover how to support and engage with the rich culture, languages, traditions and needs of a diverse range of children and their families through respectful relationships. The final year focuses on leadership, ethics and research—you’ll complete a dissertation in an area of professional interest to you. Students can also select from a range of relevant specialisms in final year.

Primary Education

What other route is there into Primary Teaching if I don’t get the points?

If a student wants to become a primary teacher, they must attain the required points and minimum entry requirements for the Bachelor of Education course.

An alternative pathway to primary teaching is to undertake a level 8 degree and use this degree to apply for the Professional Master of Education (Primary). To apply for the Professional Masters of Education, you must meet the minimum requirements in relation to your degree, Leaving Certificate results and Teastas Eorpach Gaeilge (TEG) Level B1 Oral Irish examination. Candidates who satisfy the minimum entry requirements are required to attend an interview as part of the application process.

How do I qualify for the Bachelor of Education - Gaeltacht Applicants Pathway (Restricted entry)(DC003)?

Applicants must select DC003 to inform the CAO Office that they are a Gaeltacht Applicant. The CAO will contact the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht. An official from the Department will conduct an Irish language interview with the applicant. The Department will provide the CAO with a report in relation to the applicant’s standard of Irish.

Roghnaíonn an t-iarratasóir DC003 le cur in iúl d’oifig an CAO gur iarratasóir Gaeltachta é/í. Déanann an CAO teagmháil leis an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Cuirfidh oifigeach ón Roinn agallamh i nGaeilge ar an iarratasóir. Cuirfidh an Roinn tuairisc ar ais chuig oifig an CAO maidir le caighdeán Gaeilge an iarratasóra.

How do I qualify for the Bachelor of Education - Church of Ireland Pathway (Restricted Entry) (DC004)?

For more information about the entry requirements for the Bachelor of Education - Church of Ireland Centre Pathway (Restricted Entry) (DC004) , please contact Prof Anne Lodge directly.

If I start another course in DCU can I transfer into the Bachelor of Education (DC002)?

No, students can only transfer into the Bachelor of Education (DC002) if they have started a Bachelor of Education in another Higher Education Institution.

What types of placements are undertaken on the Bachelor of Education?

Placement experiences enable our students to integrate coursework, theory and practice in how they learn, relate, and teach in various settings.

Over the course of the four years, you will undertake 30 weeks of school placement. Students spend time in schools each academic year, with extended placements in each of Years Three and Four. You will start by observing the class teacher and will build up gradually to teaching all day. Throughout your placements, support will be provided by both faculty and school staff.

You will also undertake two residential Gaeltacht Placements; one in Year One and in Year Three. You will also have the opportunity to study and gain invaluable experience as part of DCU’s Erasmus experience abroad in Year Three.

With regards to school placement, do students get to choose which schools they do it in each year (1st-4th) or is it decided for them?

Placement experiences enable our students to integrate coursework, theory and practice in how they learn, relate, and teach in various settings.

BEd students self source for 1st and 3rd. DCU (School Placement Team) source placement for 2nd and 4th year students.

Post Primary Education

I am interested in studying Religious Education and would like to teach it at post primary level. What other subjects can I study along with Religious Education?

DCU Institute of Education offers three different combinations for those who wish to teach Religious Education another subject at post-primary level. These courses are fully recognised by the Teaching Council of Ireland, and upon graduation, you can register as a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) and apply immediately for employment in post-primary schools:

● Bachelor of Religious Education and English (DC010): dcu.ie/DC010

● Bachelor of Religious Education and History (DC011): dcu.ie/DC011

● Bachelor of Religious Education and Music (DC012)*: dcu.ie/DC012

*DC012: In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the University, the following entry requirements apply: H4 in Music or equivalent (this requirement may be waived by the Head of Music). DC012 is a restricted entry course. Applicants must apply through CAO by 1 February. Late applications cannot be accepted. Applicants must take music aural and performance tests. For details, please visit: https://www.dcu.ie/registry/dc012-music-test-information.shtml

Applicants for the Bachelor of Religious Education and Music (DC012) programme are advised that the Music aural/theory test scheduled for Saturday 21st March 2020 and the audition/interview scheduled for Saturday 4th April 2020 are cancelled - please see details at: https://www.dcu.ie/courses/undergraduate/institute_of_education/religious-education-and-music.shtml

If you have any questions about Music on the Bachelor of Religious Education and Music programme (DC012), please contact Dr Róisín Blunnie directly.

Do I need to be equally proficient in Gaeilge and my chosen language to undertake the Bachelor of Education in Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish (DC013)?

Both languages (Gaeilge and French or German or Spanish) carry equal weighting in the programme and also equal entry requirements (H3). It is extremely important that students interested in the programme are not only proficient but interested in the two languages they are choosing to study, not only to facilitate their own language learning and development but also that they can pass on equal enthusiasm and knowledge to students in post-primary schools.

I have an undergraduate degree but I am interested in becoming a post-primary teacher. How can I find if I am eligible to apply for the Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary)(DC905) course?

In order to obtain information on the DCU Professional Master of Education (Post-Primary) candidates should consult the online prospectus and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in advance of contacting DCU. Applicants will normally hold at least a primary honours degree (NFQ Level 8), that complies with the Teaching Council's Curricular Subject Requirements for at least one subject from the second-level school's curriculum.

Further Education and Training

What is the difference between a 3 year option and the 4 year option on the BSc (Hons) in Education and Training (DC235) course?

The BSc (Hons) in Education and Training contains two strands of study:

3 year option - NFQ Level 8 honours degree

Completion of the three year degree awards the NFQ Level 8 BSc (Hons) in Education and Training.

4 year option - NFQ Level 8 honours degree

Completion of the optional placement year extends the degree to four years and awards the NFQ Level 8 BSc (Hons) in Education and Training (Further, Adult and Continuing Education), and enables you to register with the Teaching Council of Ireland as a Further Education Teacher.

Delivery Modes:

● The full-time delivery mode is delivered during traditional university hours.

● The flexible delivery mode is delivered two evenings per week and on occasional Saturdays and is also a designated full-time programme.