Course summary
The PGCE in Modern Languages is a recognised teaching qualification aligned to the General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland professional competences which affords graduates ‘Eligibility to Teach’ (referred to in some other jurisdictions as 'qualified teacher status', QTS). The course is aligned broadly with the Northern Ireland Curriculum, supporting graduates in teaching Modern Languages across the 11-18+ year age range. The programme aims to develop your competence and confidence in the teaching of Modern Languages and in the general professional role of the teacher. The PGCE will appeal to you if you wish to move into teaching and if you are a graduate in Modern Languages or about to graduate in Modern Languages. The programme combines university-based tuition, consisting of taught sessions and directed independent study, with professional placements in schools and is organised around three interdependent strands: Professional School-based Experience - focuses on developing practical teaching competence particularly through working closely with experienced teachers during periods of school placement. Subject Studies - focuses on teaching and learning within your subject specialism (and cognate areas). Education and Professional Studies - focuses on common aspects of teaching and the professional role of the teacher, bringing together relevant theory, policy and practice. This includes issues such as: the Northern Ireland education system, curriculum theory and policy, theories of learning and assessment, social class and educational disadvantage, special educational needs and barriers to learning, pastoral care and child protection/safeguarding, student voice, mental health and wellbeing of students, positive behaviour management, diversity and inclusion and whole school approaches to literacy, numeracy and the social and emotional health of young people. Students are also offered a choice of elective courses designed to enhance the subjects and skills they can offer to schools. Extra places are reserved to prepare those who are interested in teaching their subject through the medium of Irish in Irish-medium schools. An additional certificate in Irish Medium Education (IME) is awarded in conjunction with St Mary's University College. Closing date for applications: 1 November 2024. Late applications may be accepted (refer to Entry Requirements for details). Further information, including an Application Guide, can be found on the School website at go.qub.ac.uk/qubpgce.
Modules
https://www.qub.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate-taught/education-modern-languages-pgce/#course
How to apply
International applicants
Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years. International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.
Entry requirements
Please note the closing date for 2024 entry to this programme is 1st November 2024. 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 we do not consider ‘late’ applications before June at the earliest. All applicants must possess the following: - At least 2.2 Honours degree (single or joint honours) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University, in French and/or Irish and/or Spanish. German alone is not considered but is welcomed in combination with French and/or Spanish. In all Honours degrees, modules in Modern Languages must make up at least 50% of the qualification. - At the time of application, GCSE Mathematics grade C/4, and GCSE English Language grade C/4 or equivalent qualification. (Please note Essential Skills Level 2 qualifications are not regarded as equivalent for entry to this professional course as the professional accrediting authority, the GTCNI, does not recognise them as equivalent. University Access courses must meet DE Circular 2010/03; this means that modules taken must be in the field of English language and/or mathematics as appropriate, and content must be comparable in breadth and depth to GCSE). In addition to the above requirements, native speakers of languages other than English or Irish must have a qualification in a curricular language in addition to their mother tongue, at Level B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, to be invited for interview. We reserve the right to enhance the shortlisting criteria if the course is over-subscribed. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed. Please note, applicants who are successful in obtaining an offer following completion of the selection process must provide official confirmation that they have satisfied any conditions of their offer by 12 noon on Thursday 28th August 2025 as the course will commence on Monday 1st September 2025.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For tuition fee information relating to this course please see the University's Postgraduate Tuition Fee website - https://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/postgraduate/tuition-fees/
Sponsorship information
For more information on funding and scholarships for Postgraduate study, please see http://www.qub.ac.uk/Study/PostgraduateStudy/FundingandScholarships/
Provider information
Queen's University Belfast
University Road
Belfast
BT7 1NN