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Further Information

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Who is the Course for?
The PGCE at Queen’s prepares students to teach in secondary-level schools. We recruit students who are in the final year of their first degree or who have completed higher degrees, and those more mature individuals who, after a period in another occupation, have decided to become teachers.

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What is the course content?
The programme of study is organized around three interdependent strands:

  • Subject Teaching
  • The Professional Role of the Teacher
  • Professional Performance

Subject Teaching focuses upon the teaching of the student’s particular specialism.

The Professional Role of the Teacher is concerned with common aspects of teaching and the general professional role of the teacher including for example:

  • the Northern Ireland Curriculum
  • the education system
  • assessment and recording
  • classroom processes and cognition
  • educational disadvantage
  • the social context of teaching
  • pastoral care, counselling
  • general management issues
  • teaching as a moral activity
  • relationships with other professionals
  • promotion of equal opportunities
  • use and understanding of information technology
  • literacy and numeracy in the classroom.

Professional Performance focuses on developing practical teaching competence particularly through working closely with experienced teachers during periods of school placement.

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What is the structure of the course?
 
 
 
     

Early September

2 weeks

experience in a primary school

 

7 weeks

short induction programme followed by University based tuition

 

11 weeks

first professional placement in a school

Beginning of February

4 weeks

University based tuition

 

11 weeks

second professional placement in a different school

Early June

Final week

University based tuition

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How do I apply?
The application form can be downloaded, completed in Word, and printed. Forms must be signed and returned by post.

Please ensure that you download the following when making a PGCE application:

  • application form
  • guidance notes
  • a letter requesting a reference (for each referee)
  • a reference form (for each referee).

When you have completed your application form please return it to:

Initial Teacher Education Secretary
School of Education
69-71 University Street
Belfast
BT7 1HL

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What is the closing date for applications?
The closing date for applications is the 1st November for entry in the following September.

Please ensure you have paid the correct postage if using an A5 or A4 envelope, as any applications arriving after the closing date as a result of incorrect postage will be considered LATE.

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Can I make a late application?
Applications received after the closing date will be regarded as LATE and will be considered only if vacancies exist when all applications received by the closing date have been processed. Normally ‘late’ applications are not considered before June at the earliest.

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What qualifications do I need to apply?
Prospective students should possess/or be in final year of an honours degree or have qualifications that are recognized as degree (hons) equivalent. Their degree will normally be in their chosen subject specialism or in a closely related subject. In addition, all applicants must hold, at the time of application, passes in GCSE or O-level GCE (Grades C or above) in Mathematics and in English Language, or equivalent qualifications. Non-native speakers should possess the relevant English Language equivalent, IELTS 6.5 (5.5 in each element) or TOEFL ibt (internet based test) with overall score of 90 and individual elements 17 listening, 18 reading, 20 speaking and 17 writing.  Information on equivalents can be obtained from UK NARIC (National Academic Recognition Information Centre) on tel: 0870 9904088 or http://www.naric.org.uk/home.htm.

Please include non-returnable photocopies of the documentary evidence of these qualifications. Failure to submit the required evidence will result in your application not being considered.

If offering an ‘equivalent qualification’, please supply as much detail as possible on a separate sheet.

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What subject specialisms are currently offered at the School of Education?

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Information Technology/Computing
  • Modern Languages (applicants, including native speakers of languages other than English, should normally offer two languages from the following list: French, German, Irish, Spanish)
  • Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
  • Sociology
  • Politics
  • Religious Education
  • IME (Irish Medium Education) - Extra places are reserved to prepare those who are interested in teaching a subject through the medium if Irish in Irish medium schools.  These students do a number of elements, including a Gaeltacht residentual in the August preceding the course, which is delivered by St Mary's University College.  They receive an additional certificate in IME and applications are welcomed from students wishing to do such courses in one of the subjects listed above.

 

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I wish to apply for two subject areas, do I need to complete two application forms?
Please complete a separate application form for each subject area for which you are applying i.e. English, Mathematics, RE etc.
For modern languages only one application is necessary.

For science, please state all sciences you wish to be considered for in order of preference (e.g. Biology and Chemistry)

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I am already a graduate, do I need to provide my degree certificate?
If you have already obtained your degree/qualification at the time of application you should enclose a photocopy of your degree certificate.

Applicants who have obtained their degree(s) outside the UK must provide:

  • a photocopy of degree certificate
  • transcript of degree in original language
  • translation of degree transcript
  • photocopy of certificates of higher degree (e.g. Maitrise)
  • translation of higher degree transcripts (e.g. Maitrise)

Candidates should ensure that all of the above enclosures are clearly labelled. Successful candidates will be required to provide original documentation of qualifications at registration. Please do not send original documents.

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I graduated from university five years ago and have been working since then. Would employer references be acceptable?
No, in this instance we would require two university lecturers who have knowledge of your academic work.
If you have been away from education for some considerable time (i.e. more than 10 years) and you are unable to find university tutors to complete a reference for you, you may provide alternative referees who would have knowledge of your work in an educational or professional setting. These may be present/past employers or school personnel if you have some teaching experience.

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Will my application be acknowledged?
Receipt of applications received by post will only be acknowledged if a stamped self-addressed envelope is attached to the front of the form. For candidates from outside the United Kingdom a stamp is not required.

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When will I be informed of the outcome of my application?
On-time applicants are normally informed during December/January if they are to be invited for interview. Interviews normally start in late December and run through January and into early February.

Successful applicants will normally be offered a place on the course before the end of May preceding the commencement of the course.

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What are the fees for the PGCE course?

Students from Northern Ireland

Students who normally live in Northern Ireland are currently charged £3,465 (fees for 2013/14 have not yet been confirmed).  This fee does not need to be paid up front. Eligible students will be able to cover the full cost through a tuition fee loan.

This loan is funded by the Department for Employment and Learning and paid by the Students Loan Company. Eligible students should apply through Student Finance NI at their local Education and Library Board.

Help with Living Costs

Eligible students can apply for non-repayable grants and repayable loans to help towards their living costs whilst at university/college.

Further details can be found on the following websites:

or the Queen’s page

         http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/ProspectiveStudents/UndergraduateStudents/MoneyMatters/

 

Students from England, Scotland and Wales

Queen’s University Belfast currently charges £9,000 (2013/14 fee rate has not yet been confirmed) to students who normally live in England, Scotland and Wales.  Students will not have to pay upfront for tuition.   

Students from England

Grant and loan levels for students from England starting courses in Northern Ireland can be found at www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk

Students from Scotland

Grant and loan levels for students from Scotland starting courses in Northern Ireland can be found at www.saas.gov.uk

Students from Wales

Grant and loan levels for students from Wales starting university courses in Northern Ireland  can be found at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk

In 2012/13  the following scholarships were available for students from Scotland, England and Wales

Scholarships

Tuition Fees

Value

Net Fee

Achieve Offer Grade

£9,000

£1,250

£7,750

Achieve a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree or above

£9,000

£2,500

£6,500

 

The following framework provides information on the criteria currently used to assess residency status:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/directorates/sgc/finance/TuitionFees/

      

Students from the Republic of Ireland or non-UK European Union countries

 The fee for students ordinarily living in the Republic of Ireland or other non-UK EU countries wishing to study in Northern Ireland is currently £3,465 (fee for 2013/14 has yet to be confirmed). EU students can apply to the Student Finance Services European Team (Tel 0141 243 3570) for a loan to cover the tuition fee.

 Contact the Student Finance Services European Team at the Student Loans Company, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington, Co Durham, DL3 9BG, Tel. 0141 243 3570, email: EU_Team@slc.co.uk,  for an application form for a fee loan or if you have any questions about whether you qualify for finance as an EU student.

 

Applicants from outside the EU

Candidates will normally be regarded as international for ‘fees purposes’ if they have not been resident permanently in the UK/EU/EAA country for reasons other than education for three years prior to the first day of the first academic year of the course, for purposes other than receiving full time education.   For courses starting between 1 August and 31 December, the first day of the academic year is defined as 1 September. 

 In addition, candidates must be ‘settled’ in the UK on the first day of the first academic year of the course.  To be ‘settled’ you must either have the Right of Abode or Indefinite Leave to Enter or Remain in the UK; or have the right of permanent residence in the UK under EC law, or be a British citizen.  Other EU nationals or the relevant family members of a non-UK EU national who are in the UK; or the relevant family member of a UK national may also qualify, depending on the individual’s circumstances.  It is the country of domicile and not nationality which is one of the main factors in determining fee status.  Details of fees for international candidates can be obtained from the following link (Fee Rate 1 applies to PGCE students):

 http://www.qub.ac.uk/home/TuitionFeesandStudentSupportArrangements201213/InternationalStudentTuitionFees201213

Immigration Procedures

Points Based System for students - Tier 4 Entry clearance visas to come to the UK

Students applying for a visa will be issued with a confirmation of acceptance for studies.  This will be issued for study at Queen’s University only.  Information on the Points Based System for immigration can be found at http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/.   If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the International Office at Queen’s, international@qub.ac.uk