Are you interested in studying to be a teacher of modern languages and/or an Ghaeilge at post-primary level? Are you passionate about teaching young people and making a positive impact on their lives? This innovative teacher education course prepares high quality language teachers to teach, inspire and lead across the Irish education system.
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This course is available through the following application route(s)
This four-year programme blends language learning and initial teacher education to prepare students to work as a language teacher in post-primary schools in the Irish education system. Students can choose to study either two languages from the following list (French, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese) or one from this list along with an Ghaeilge. Alternatively, students can choose to major in an Ghaeilge alone.
The following combinations are possible in this programme:
- BEd Education, Gaeilge and Modern Language (French, Spanish, German, Portuguese or Italian)
- BEd Education and Modern Languages (French, Spanish, German, Portuguese or Italian)
- BEd Education and Gaeilge
About This Course
Download Pathway - BEd Education, Gaeilge and Modern Language
Download Pathway - BEd Education and Modern Languages
Download Pathway - BEd Education and Gaeilge
This course blends language learning and initial teacher education to prepare you to work as a language teacher in post-primary schools in the Irish education system. You can choose to study two languages from modern languages (French, Spanish, German, Italian or Portuguese) and/or an Ghaeilge. Alternatively, you can choose to major in an Ghaeilge alone. You will engage in modules to develop your language proficiency skills, building your linguistic competencies while also learning about the culture and literature of the language(s) through an interrogation of key texts. You will also develop your skills as a teacher as you progress through the course, undertaking modules in foundation disciplines (history/sociology/psychology/ philosophy of education, curriculum studies) and professional studies (communication skills, digital learning, research) while also engaging in school placement (in both primary and post-primary schools).
First Year
Language modules will focus on developing your language proficiency while also introducing you to the associated culture and literature. Education modules include: Irish Childhoods • Socio-Historic Perspectives on Education • Education for a Sustainable Future • Creative Pedagogy & Wellbeing • Introduction to Language Learning, Pedagogy & Communication.
Placement in this year will be undertaken in a primary school.
Second Year
You will continue to build your language proficiency in Modern Languages and an Ghaeilge. Education modules include: Key Ideas in Education • Inclusive Education for Learners with Additional Learning Needs (ALN) • Contemporary Language Pedagogy, Curriculum & Assessment.
Placement will be undertaken in a post-primary school.
Third Year
The immersive study abroad or in the Gaeltacht forms an integral part of this year to apply your language learning in a language placement. If studying two modern languages, placement will be undertaken in trimester two and three (Summer trimester) of the third year. If studying an Ghaeilge and a modern language, language placement will be undertaken in trimester one (the Gaeltacht) and two (Erasmus) of the course. If studying an Ghaeilge alone, language placement will be undertaken in trimester one of the course. Education modules will be taken online to include research methods and digital technologies & language pedagogy.
Fourth Year
The final year of the course will prepare students for the intensive block placement undertaken in post-primary schools over two trimesters. Students will also engage in a research project.
Education modules include: Professional Placement • Portfolio & Methods (Trimester 1 & 2) • Research Project. Students will also engage in the final language modules required to ensure you meet the required standards for language proficiency.
Assessment
Assessments will include essay format as well as written examinations, oral and aural examinations, in-class individual presentations, group project work, reflective diaries, translation tasks, and a research project in the final year. Placement will be assessed by a school placement supervisor.
This concurrent initial teacher education (ITE) course has been recognised and accredited by The Teaching Council of Ireland
(www.teachingcouncil.ie/en/)
Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.
Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.
| Trimester | Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stage 1 Core Modules |
EDUC10180 | Irish Childhoods | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
EDUC10240 | Introduction to Language Learning, Pedagogy & Communication | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
EDUC10270 | What’s it for?” – Socio-Historic Perspectives on Education | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
EDUC10220 | Education for a sustainable future | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
EDUC10250 | Professional Placement | Spring | 10 |
Stage 1 Core Modules |
EDUC10260 | Creative Pedagogies, Critical Thinking and Wellbeing in Education | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 1 requirements. Please ensure that you choose a culture option in the modern language that you are studying. Please note, you will be required to take a second culture option module in your modern language in stage 2. |
FR10120 | Reading Short French Texts: Literary Analysis | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 1 requirements. Please ensure that you choose a culture option in the modern language that you are studying. Please note, you will be required to take a second culture option module in your modern language in stage 2. |
GER10120 | Spoken German for Beginners | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 1 requirements. Please ensure that you choose a culture option in the modern language that you are studying. Please note, you will be required to take a second culture option module in your modern language in stage 2. |
GER10140 | Reading German Literature | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 1 requirements. Please ensure that you choose a culture option in the modern language that you are studying. Please note, you will be required to take a second culture option module in your modern language in stage 2. |
ITAL20240 | Italian history 1815-1945 | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 1 requirements. Please ensure that you choose a culture option in the modern language that you are studying. Please note, you will be required to take a second culture option module in your modern language in stage 2. |
PORT10110 | Postcolonial Portuguese World | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 1 requirements. Please ensure that you choose a culture option in the modern language that you are studying. Please note, you will be required to take a second culture option module in your modern language in stage 2. |
SPAN10110 | Reading Hispanic Texts | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 1 requirements. Please ensure that you choose a culture option in the modern language that you are studying. Please note, you will be required to take a second culture option module in your modern language in stage 2. |
FR10130 | French Fictions | Spring | 5 |
Stage 1 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 1 requirements. Please ensure that you choose a culture option in the modern language that you are studying. Please note, you will be required to take a second culture option module in your modern language in stage 2. |
ITAL10110 | Italy | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
EDUC20030 | Key Ideas in Education | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
EDUC20090 | Contemporary Language Pedagogy, Curriculum and Assessment | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
EDUC20100 | Inclusive Ed for Additional N | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Core Modules |
EDUC20080 | Professional Placement II | Spring | 20 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
FR20130 | French New Wave | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
GER20230 | Transcultural Encounters 1 | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
GER20260 | Radical Thinkers | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
IR20240 | An Ghaeilge ar an Scáileán | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
ITAL20240 | Italian history 1815-1945 | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
PORT20200 | Migration and Displacement in Portuguese-language global cinema | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
SPAN20310 | Indigenous Cultures | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
SPAN20320 | Spain on Screen | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
SPAN20330 | Catalan Culture and Society | Autumn | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
FR20160 | The Realist Novel | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
FR20180 | La France d'aujourd'hui | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
GER20200 | Auf Deutsch Handeln | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
GER20280 | Große Reden | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
IR20310 | Bunchlocha an Aistriúcháin | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
PORT20210 | Portuguese Today | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
PORT20220 | Reading Portuguese Texts | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
SPAN20240 | Latin American Culture I | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
SPAN20290 | 21st-C Spanish fictions | Spring | 5 |
Stage 2 Options - A)1 of: You must select one language culture option from the list below to fulfill stage 2 requirements. You must select an option in one of the languages you are studying, ensuring that you select an option in the language you did not select in stage 1; i.e. studying Gaeilge and German, if a German culture option is taken in stage 1, a Gaeilge culture option must be taken in stage 2. |
SPAN20300 | Spaces of Conflict in Spanish Film | Spring | 5 |
I chose this degree as I have always had a great love for languages, especially An Ghaeilge. I was really impressed by the employment opportunities, not just in education but across media, translation and the civil service. The course modules are varied and provide invaluable insights into education, pedagogy, language and culture. There is incredible academic support in UCD, both from programme leadership and within the individual modules. The placement opportunities provide unrivalled experience in preparation for our teaching careers, as well as the built-in Erasmus and Gaeltacht Experiences in Stage 3, which will allow us to develop our fluency & cultural awareness.
Cormac Delaney, Student
How to Apply
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Education, Gaeilge &/or Modern Languages:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to | Application Type | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceInt | EDS3 Education, Gaeilge &/or Modern Languages |
Full-TimeCommencing 2025/2026 September Commencing 2025/2026 September |
N/A | Not available to International (non‑EU) applicants |
| showAudience-audienceEU | DN760 Education, Gaeilge &/or Modern Languages Bachelor of Education |
Full-Time Commencing September 2025 |
Application through CAO | Apply via CAO |
* you can change options at the top of the page