The Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project

The Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project is a three year joint initiative between the National University of Ireland Galway and St. Angela’s College, Sligo which aims to recruit and educate individuals from under-represented groups who are interested in becoming post-primary school teachers.

As such, the APT Project has developed a direct entry route into St. Angela’s three initial teacher education programmes specifically for students with a QQI-FET qualification, as these individuals are typically underrepresented within the teaching profession. This direct entry route will continue until the project terminates in 2020.

This project is being led by the Home Economics and Education Departments, along with the Access Office of St. Angela’s College, in partnership with Further Education (FE) providers in the Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) region, including Galway Community College. Biomedical Science/Laboratory Techniques and Early Childhood Care & Education are the approved QQI-FET courses at this location. 10 places will be reserved in St. Angela’s Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes for eligible FE students; 1 place is specifically reserved for a participant from GCC.

Initial Teacher Education at St. Angela’s St.

Angela’s offers a total of three BA/PME Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes through the APT Project. Each programme is 5 years in duration. All students study Home Economics& Education, along with one additional subject area, namely, Biology, Religious Education, or Irish.

• AS001- Home Economics & Biology Second Level Teaching
• AS002- Home Economics & Religious Education Second Level Teaching
• AS003- Home Economics & Irish Second Level Teaching

Home Economics explores the areas of food studies, family resource management, fashion & design.

The Education component provides students with the foundational studies of Initial Teacher Education.

Biology explores the areas of biological & physical sciences, and methodology of Science & Biology teaching.

Religious Education includes Theology, Contemporary Religious Practice, World Religions, and Ethics.

The Irish elective enables students to attain a high level of proficiency in the spoken language and includes modules such as Irish Literature, Irish Poetry, Drama Folklore, and Irish Media and Film Studies.

Eligibility Requirements

All potential applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Achieve 8 distinctions in their approved QQI-FET course in the year prior to entering St. Angela’s
• Complete all InReach & OutReach Activities
• Be a first-time entrant to Higher Education (i.e. be eligible for free-fees)
• Be in receipt of a SUSI Grant or or the Back to Education Allowance. 

Available Supports

Pre-entry supports consist of InReach & OutReach activities such as short ‘taster’ courses which take place at St. Angela’s during the academic year, as well as OutReach activities that will be provided by St. Angela’s staff at your FE College/Institute. Post-entry supports for successful students include the following:

• A €1000 equipment bursary on entry to Year 1;
• A € 500 School Placement grant for each of the 5 years of study;
• A Personal and Academic Liaison (PAL). This is a member of staff who will support the student during their studies;
• Academic writing & subject specific support throughout their course of study.

Applying to the BA/PME Programme

Apply to St. Angela’s via the CAO for entry in September 2019 or 2020. Each year, up to 10 places will be reserved in St. Angela’s ITE programmes for entrants who meet the eligibility criteria from the partner FE providers. Of the total number of places, 1 place will be reserved for an eligible student from each FE provider. The remaining two places will be opened to APT students in all of the partner FE providers. All places are allocated on merit, and random selection will apply, if necessary. Places will then be formally offered by St. Angela’s College via the CAO.

Further Information

If your require further information on this project please contact:

Dr. Andrea Lynch
andrea.lynch@nuigalway.ie
087-112-9868

Important
Whilst every effort is made to avoid changes to this programme, published details may be altered, without any notice at any time. The College reserves the right to withdraw or amend any part of this programme without prior notice. www.stangelas.nuigalway.ie