Education - Primary Education

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Entry Year 2024.

HOW TO APPLY
Applications for full-time undergraduate courses and the full-time Foundation Degree Early Childhood Studies and Foundation Degree Physical Education and Sport are made through the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

Institution code name: SUCB
Institution code: S79

WHEN TO APPLY
Applications made through UCAS for 2024 entry open in September 2023. The closing date for receipt of applications made through UCAS is 31 January 2024 (18:00) - check the UCAS website for exact date. The closing date for receipt of application forms for 2024 entry to the BA Early Childhood Studies (part-time) is 01 March and for the PGCE Early Years is 01 February 2024.

ADMISSIONS PROCESS - BEd AND BA (FULL-TIME) PROGRAMMES
The College receives applications directly from UCAS. Applications are considered on the basis of the information provided. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that complete detail is provided. All applications must contain a reference, otherwise they will not be considered. All fully completed applications submitted by the normal closing date, late January (check UCAS website for date) are given equal consideration. Applications received after this date will not be considered.

STEP 1 – REVIEW OF ACADEMIC PROFILE
Applicants must have a minimum C grade in GCSE English and Mathematics (see page 32 for full GCSE requirements). If an applicant is attempting to achieve the GCSE subject requirements in the year of application, this must be demonstrated in the UCAS application. Please note that Level 2 Essential Skills Numeracy and Application of Number is not acceptable in lieu of GCSE Mathematics. Level 2 Essential Skills Communication is acceptable in lieu of GCSE English. An unsuccessful decision will be processed against an application that does not meet the GCSE requirements. Applicants that have already completed A-levels (or equivalent level 3 qualifications) but do not precisely meet or fall slightly below the entry requirements, may still be shortlisted for interview, but will not initially receive an offer. Such applicants may be reconsidered in August, assuming the required interview score has been achieved and depending upon availability of places.

STEP 2 – REVIEW OF UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT
Applicants who meet the initial academic criteria will have their personal statement reviewed by a member of staff in Academic Registry. A personal desire and motivation for teaching (BEd) or working with young children (BA) must be evident in your personal statement. You will be required to demonstrate this by providing examples of working with children in a structured environment, preferably in a nursery, primary or post-primary school classroom setting. An unsuccessful decision will be processed for any applicant that does not demonstrate this evidence in their personal statement.

STEP 3 – INTERVIEW AND PRESENTATION
Applicants that pass the first two steps of the process will be invited to take part in an interview and presentation. Applicants will be notified of their interview date, and the presentation topic, at least one week beforehand. Interviews are held in February and March. The interview is conducted by a panel of two, normally comprising a member of academic staff from Stranmillis University College and a current/retired education professional. The presentation is followed by a short interview during which the interviewers will ask you a number of set questions. The interview, including the presentation, lasts approximately 20 minutes. Both the interview and the presentation are scored out of 20 giving a total possible score of 40.

STEP 4 – OFFERS
Offers are made on the basis of ranked interview and presentation score and verification of qualifications. The College aims to have offers processed on UCAS before the end of March, however, the final UCAS deadline for ‘on time’ applications is May (check UCAS website for exact dates).

Overview
How do children learn and develop? How do you unlock and maximise the potential of every child, inspiring, encouraging and nurturing learning to provide them with the foundations to build a better future? The BEd (Primary) is a four-year degree programme designed to support your development as an educational professional and reflective practitioner. Education Studies and Curriculum Studies provide the foundation for what you will be studying, providing an overview of education theory, policy and practice. In years one and two you will also choose a specialist area from the Northern Ireland curriculum. The leadership of your area of specialism will be studied in depth in year 3 and in year 4, plus you will conduct research and complete a dissertation on a topic that you are passionate about. The course is intellectually challenging, internationally relevant and informed by current educational research and scholarship.

How will I study?
In addition to lectures, tutorials, workshops and individual/group projects, you will undertake an extensive programme of school-based professional placements, gaining experience in Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1, Key Stage 2 and alternative education settings. In year 3, you will also have the opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad at one of our partner universities worldwide. In Year 4, you will conduct research and complete a dissertation on a topic that you are passionate about.

Who will be teaching me?
In College and on your school-based professional placements, you will be taught, assessed and supported by an exceptional team of internationally recognised, research-informed and experienced practitioners. As a small, specialist institution, you get to know your tutors and they get to know and support you to become a shaper of education.

Teaching & Learning
The Stranmillis motto is Docendo Discimus: ‘Through teaching we learn’. Our aim is deliver the highest quality teaching and learning environment to enable you to achieve your full academic potential and develop outstanding workplace competence. Innovative thinking, pushing boundaries and creating new and better solutions to professional practice and global issues such as academic underachievement and special educational needs is in our DNA. Our students, like our staff, are inspired to be shapers of education rather than followers.

A Blended Approach
Our teaching staff have a passion, a desire to inspire you to learn, to question, to innovate. We know that doesn’t happen in the lecture theatre alone. Your teaching and learning experience is enriched through a blended learning approach of lectures, workshops, tutorials, group and individual projects and self-directed study.

Personal Tutor
Every student is assigned a personal tutor, who will take the time to get to know you and your learning needs, giving you personalised academic support throughout your degree.

Work-based Placements
An extensive programme of relevant work-based placements is a core element of the course, providing you with practical, hands-on experience in the workplace. Each year, you will spend up to 9 weeks in a school or educational setting, gaining experience in a range of classes.

Alternative Placement
To explore a broader career outlook, in year 4 of the degree you will undertake a two-week ‘alternative placement’ programme with one of our 250+ business partners.

Study Abroad
In year 3, you will have the opportunity to study abroad at one of 30+ partner institutions worldwide through our Erasmus+ and International Exchange programmes – a learning experience that our students find hugely enriching academically as well as personally: experiencing and sharing cultures; improving language skills; and acquiring new perspectives on teaching and learning.

Certificate in Religious Education
The Certificate in Religious Education is a pre-requisite qualification for anyone applying for a permanent teaching position in a maintained primary school. In partnership with St. Mary’s University College, Stranmillis is able to offer the Certificate in Religious Education to students enrolled on our BEd programmes.

The modules below illustrate the current curriculum available on the BEd (Primary) programme. However, these are subject to change.

YEAR 1
Curriculum Studies – Arts, Physical Education,Religious Education / Personal Development,World Around Us
Literacy and Communication
Area of Specialism
Mathematics and Numeracy
ICT in the Primary Classroom
Professional Studies and Placement 1

YEAR 2
Curriculum Studies – Arts, Physical Education, RE/Personal Development and Mutual Understanding, World Around Us
Reading and Writing
Area of Specialism
Mathematics and Numeracy
Learning & Assessment in Diverse Classrooms
Professional Studies and Placement 2

YEAR 3
Language and Learning
Mathematics and Numeracy
Leadership in Learning and Teaching
Children with Special and Additional Needs
Education Research
Professional Studies and Placement 3

plus one module from the following:
The Arts: A Practical Approach
Playful Approaches to Science across Foundation and Key Stage 1
Fundamental Movement Skills
Local Studies
Learning through a Play Based Curriculum
Factors Affecting Literacy Development

Students undertaking Erasmus+ or International Study Abroad will take the following in semester 1:
Leadership in Learning and Teaching
Children with Special and Additional Needs
Education Research
Aspects of Language and Learning
Aspects of Mathematics & Numeracy

plus
a European Outreach or International Mobility module in Semester 2.

YEAR 4
Professional Studies and Placement 4
Dissertation

plus one module from the following:
Children’s Literature
The Arts: A Practical Approach
Contemporary Approaches to the Teaching of Primary Languages
Playful Approaches to Science across Foundation and Key Stage 1
Local Studies
Fundamental Movement Skills

and one module from the following:
Contemporary issues in Pastoral Care
Working with Parents
Working with Disadvantaged Pupils
Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Sensory Processing Difficulties
Leadership in Diversity and Mutual Understanding
Factors affecting Literacy Development
Writing, Popular Culture and the Child
Playful Learning and Teaching in Practice

A variety of assessment methods are used, including: critically reflective essays, individual and group projects and presentations, e-portfolios, formal examinations, assessment on placement and final dissertation.

Stranmillis University College
Stranmillis Road, Belfast, Co. Antrim
Northern Ireland, BT9 5DY.
T: 028 9038 1271
E: info@stran.ac.uk