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BA in Education, Business Studies & Religious Studies (International applicants only)

This degree is level 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) awarded by University of Limerick.
PLEASE NOTE: This programme page is for International Students/students from abroad only who wish to study this programme in Ireland. It is not relevant for CAO applicants. Relevant programme page for CAO applicants may be found in the Undergraduate section and is labelled with a CAO code.
Places Offered: Up to 30
  • Programme Overview
  • Programme Content
  • How to Apply
  • Ask a Question

Programme Overview

The BA in Education, Business Studies and Religious Studies programme (post-primary) is a four-year, full-time, undergraduate concurrent teacher education degree, currently offered at MIC Thurles. Graduates are qualified to teach Business Studies and Religious Studies to honours Leaving Certificate level.

Female student in the hallway on Thurles campus

Why study on this programme?

Graduates of the programme will:

  • Demonstrate subject knowledge, curriculum process and content, and professional knowledge
  • Engage in critical and analytical thinking, problem-solving, reflection and self-evaluation
  • Engage in planning, teaching, learning, assessment, classroom management and organisation for the classroom and the school as a learning organisation
  • Articulate a commitment to and vision for the development of the uniqueness of the pupil in all its dimensions
  • Integrate and apply knowledge skills, attitudes and values in complex and unpredictable educational settings
  • Exhibit strong interpersonal skill and a readiness to be leaders and innovators of curriculum change
  • Demonstrate a commitment to lifelong personal and professional development and actively participate in professional learning communities

Modules & Undergraduate Dissertation

Students are educated in the most current methodologies and technologies available to enhance the teaching of their subject areas at post-primary level. The degree programme includes four years of modules in Business Studies and Religious Studies. These are taken concurrently with education modules which include theoretical, pedagogical and professional studies along with a number of school placement experiences.

This programme places great emphasis on teaching and research and as part of their development as research-active teachers, students undertake an Undergraduate Dissertation. The Dissertation can be in either Education or a Subject discipline. Students begin the preparation for the dissertation in Year 3 where they undertake their research methods module.

School Placement

The School Placement element of the programme is designed to meet the Teaching Council’s requirements, and students will spend approximately 21 weeks in schools during the programme. This period will allow students to engage in observation, class-based and whole-school teaching and learning activities. Working in partnership with schools, the placements are designed to enable students experience class levels from junior to senior cycle within a range of school types, and where student is guided and empowered along his/her learning-to-teach journey. The level and range of teaching and learning activities increases from School Placement 1 to School Placement 4 and the student is assisted by the placement tutors and cooperating teachers to ensure that his/her practice is reflective of professional knowledge and his/her own personal commitment to the pupils’ wellbeing and learning. There is an integrated focus on subject knowledge and also inclusion and differentiation for each placement. Placements occur at four points in the programme:

  • Teaching and Learning 1 - Year 1, Semester 2: Students are given the opportunity to observe teaching in practice for one week in a senior primary classroom. This observation placement provides an opportunity for students to gain an insight into the interconnection between primary and post-primary education. The placement inducts student teachers into the practice of teaching and reflection.
  • School Placement 1 -Year 2, Semester 4: The focus for this six-week School Placement is on lesson planning and preparation, scheme planning and developing effective teaching strategies in their subject areas. There is also a strong emphasis on the development of critical and reflective practice, and on developing an understanding of schools as organisations. Both observation and teaching elements are integrated into this placement which is located at Junior Cycle level and /or Transition Year level. This School Placement marks the beginning of their Professional Portfolio, to be completed on an on-going basis throughout the remainder of the degree programme.
  • School Placement 2 - Year 3, Semester 6: In this two week placement, students will work in special settings including the possibility of an international placement. The purpose of this placement is to support the student in becoming an inclusive teacher and to develop their confidence and competence in responding to diverse needs in the classroom.
  • School Placement 3 & 4 - Year 4, Semester 8: School Placement 3 and 4 will run simultaneously over 12 weeks. School Placement 3 addresses the whole school elements of the extended placement beyond the classroom and provides structure to the student’s whole school learning throughout the placement including the continuation of the Professional Portfolio. In School Placement 4, the student teachers will plan, prepare and implement schemes of work and lesson plans in their subject areas at Junior and Senior Cycle level. There will be a strong emphasis on reflective practice throughout these modules.
Practical Experience
Practical Experience
The programme puts a strong emphasis on practice, as well as academic endeavour.
MIC Thurles
MIC Thurles
Small class sizes and a friendly atmosphere are a distinctive feature of the campus,

Career Opportunities

This programme is accredited by the Teaching Council and has been developed in response to the growing need for excellence in teaching at post-primary level. The programme prepares graduates for their roles in all areas of professional life in education.

The following list demonstrates just some of the careers our graduates have pursued:

  • Post-primary teacher
  • Retail Management
  • Banking
  • Marketing and PR
  • Human Resource Management
  • Training and Development
  • Educational Management
  • Sales
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Administrative positions in faith-based organisations
  • Parish and diocesan pastoral assistants and administrators

Contact

MIC Thurles

T: +353 504 20535 / 21201

E: Paula.Hourigan@mic.ul.ie

Admission Enquiries

EU Applicants: Admissions@mic.ul.ie

Non EU Applicants: International@mic.ul.ie

 

Programme Content

Semester 1 (Year 1)

Becoming a Student Teacher

Two of the following modules will be offered:

Management Principles

Business Mathematics

Marketing

Two of the following modules will be offered:
Religion and World Religions
Introduction to Systematic Theology
Theology of the First Testament
Semester 2 (Year 1)

Teaching and learning 1 - Planning to Teach 

Understanding Contemporary Schools and Society

Adolescent Development - Understanding Young People and How They Learn

One of the following modules will be offered (excluding the modules already offered):
Management Principles
Business Mathematics
Marketing
One of the following modules will be offered (excluding the modules already offered):
Religion and World Religions
Introduction to Systematic Theology
Theology of the First Testament
Semester 3 (Year 2)

Teaching and Learning 2 -Planning for Differentiation

Teaching Business and Religious Studies 1
Business Studies Accounting
One of the following modules will be offered:

Legal Environment of Business

Economics

Two of the following modules will be offered:
Theology of the Second Testament
Christology
Fundamental Moral Theology
Semester 4 (Year 2)
Inclusive Education: Contemporary Perspectives

School Placement 1

One of the following modules will be offered (excluding the modules already offered):
Legal Environment of Business
Economics
One of the following modules will be offered (excluding the modules already offered):
Theology of the Second Testament
Christology
Fundamental Moral Theology
Semester 5 (Year 3)

Curriculum Studies; Assessment for and of Learning

Diversity in Education - Ethics, Interculturalism and Inclusive Classrooms

Two of the following modules will be offered:
Organisational Behaviour

Entrepreneurship and New Enterprise Creation

Business Information Systems

Ireland and Global Economy

One of the following modules will be offered:
Approaches to God
Foundations and Approaches to Religious Education/The Christian Church through the Ages
Ritual and Sacrament
Semester 6 (Year 3)

Research Methods - Ethical Foundations for Teaching and Research

School Placement 2

Two of the following modules will be offered (excluding the modules already offered):
Organisational Behaviour
Entrepreneurship and New Enterprise Creation
Business Information Systems
Ireland and Global Economy
Two of the following modules will be offered (excluding the modules already offered):
Approaches to God
Foundations and Approaches to Religious Education/The Christian Church through the Ages
Ritual and Sacrament
Semester 7 (Year 4)
Policy and Leadership in Education

Dissertation 1

Teaching Business Studies and Religious Studies 2

Strategic Management
Selected Topics in Applied Moral Theology
Semester 8 (Year 4)
School Placement 3

School Placement 4

E-Portfolio

Dissertation 2

How to Apply

Programme intake is once a year in September.

EU Applicants

You are advised to contact the MIC Admissions Office before applying 

Email: Admissions@mic.ul.ie 

Non-EU Applicants

Entry requirements and the application process vary according to country of origin. For information that is specific to your home country, click here.

Application Information

Intake onto this programme is once a year in September.

Download and complete the application form, paying particular attention to the requirements:

  • Please enclose detailed certified results and awards for all examinations mentioned in the application form (certified original documents and certified English translation where applicable).
  • Official results and award of examinations to be taken should be submitted as soon as they are available.
  • If you are from a non-English speaking country, you will be required to show evidence of a high level of competence in English as part of the application. Click here for English language requirements.
  • Please note that your application form cannot be considered unless certified results and awards are submitted.
  • When detailing result/grade/mark, please include QCA/GPA, mark or percentage relative to marking system at your university.

Intake onto this programme is once a year in September.

You are advised to contact the MIC International Office before applying:

Email: International@mic.ul.ie 

Telephone: +353 61 204988

Transferring from another 3rd Level Institution

The transfer route into MIC depends on the content overlap of your new and old course and the number of places on the new course in the year you apply. Before submitting an application you should contact international@mic.ul.ie where we will consider your case with the relevant Head of Department of the course you wish to transfer to.

EU/Non-EU Status Assessments

The designation of a student as being from the EU or a Non-EU country determines the fees they will pay at MIC, i.e. there may be cases where a non-EU national acquires EEA citizenship during the course of their third-level studies and would qualify for EU fees for example. 

Click here for more information on EU/Non-EU status assessments which will be conducted by MIC International office to determine status. 

Fees

Undergraduate programme fees available here.

US Students please note that this is a US Federal Aid eligible programme. 

Fitness to Teach

In order to establish students' fitness to teach, all incoming teacher education students are required to complete a Student Fitness to Teach Form.

Garda Vetting

Registration will be conditional upon successful completion of the Garda vetting process.

Ask a Question

  • Programme Overview
  • Programme Content
  • How to Apply
  • Ask a Question