PGCE Home Economics with Food and Nutrition and Nutrition and Food Science

The post-primary PGCE is a one year, full-time programme that prepares students for a career in teaching. The successful completion of the PGCE also requires the student to: recognise and take account of those factors which influence curriculum planning in a particular school context, understand how children learn and appreciate the social, moral, psychological and cultural factors which affect educational attainment, plan, teach and evaluate lessons, units and schemes of work organise and manage classes effectively, use a range of teaching and learning methodologies supported by resources for pupils of all ability levels, including those with special educational needs, recognise the need for continuity, progression and differentiation in pupils' learning, assessment for learning and assessment of learning, assessing, recording and reporting pupil achievement, develop pupils' language and numeracy skills through the teaching of their subject, promote skills of problem solving, decision making, presentation, teamwork, leadership and independent learning, develop pupils' personal and interpersonal skills, promote fairness and equality of opportunity, build and sustain good relationships with both pupils and staff, work co-operatively with colleagues and other student teachers and contribute to school wide activities, develop skills and confidence in Information Communications Technology (ICT) and emerging technologies for both personal and professional use.

a. GCSE passes at Grade C or above in English and Mathematics (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). Students wishing to take Religious Education as an optional level 6 module must have achieved a GCSE pass at Grade C or above [or equivalent qualification] in that subject.

b. At least a 2:2 Honours (or above) degree directly related to Home Economics / Food and Nutrition / Nutrition and Food Science. Alternatively, applicants may possess a Master's degree that is linked to the specialist PGCE subject on offer. In the case of a combined Honours degree, at least 50% of the degree shall be in the specialist subject.

c. Two acceptable references must be supplied - one academic and one character.

d. Medical certificate of satisfactory health.

e. Applicants will be scrutinised by Access NI procedures to ensure that they do not have a criminal record and must also satisfy the University and the Department of Education regulations that nothing would legally prohibit them from working with children.

f. Evidence of good quality presentation and basic literacy skills are required throughout the application process. The application form will be examined for spelling, punctuation and grammar skills. Applicants will also be expected to complete a set piece of formal writing as part of the selection process. This is a timed piece and is required as part of the interview/selection process.

g. Applicants should comply with the DE Circular requirements as outlined in the hyperlink below, DE Circular requirements.

h. Demonstrate evidence of knowledge and interest in working with young people of postprimary age

IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5., TOEFL iBT - 80 with a minimum L - 17 R - 18 S - 20 W - 17, PTE Academic - 55 (with min. of 51 in each part)