Overview
Note: This programme has been revised. Students entering from 2023/24 undertake the curriculum detailed below. Students who entered the programme prior to 2023/24 undertake the BEd (Hons) (Sports Studies and Physical Education) (for students who entered from 2022/23 onwards) detailed here.
The BEd (Hons) (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) is a four-year full-time programme leading to the BEd (Hons) Degree (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts).
During this four-year degree programme, students will study the following:
- The educational theory and practice of Physical Education, Sport and Physical Activity;
- The educational theory and practice of a specialist subject from a designated range of subjects in Arts;
- The educational theory and practice of Second Level Education
- A specialist subject from a designated range of subjects in Arts.
Note: The BEd (Hons) (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) degree has been fully accredited by the Teaching Council of Ireland (TCI) as providing appropriate qualifications for teaching of Physical Education and one of the following subjects: English, Irish, French, Mathematics (Mathematical Studies) and History.
Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.
Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here.
Work Placement/Study Placement
Three placement modules will be offered between years 2 and 4 of the degree, in two different post-primary school settings. Other field experiences are included in key modules, all outlined in the Book of Modules.
First Year - Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts)
In First Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) students study prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.
Note for Irish and French students: the Teaching Council require that students must have verifiable residential experience (in France or Gaeltacht). In order to fulfil this requirement, students may opt to register for an additional 5 credit module, ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht), which is available to students taking this programme. The module is taken in addition to the prescribed programme requirements. Work towards this module can be undertaken in part in Semester 3 of years 1, 2 or 3 but must be completed in full in time for examination at the Summer Examination Board in the Fourth Year of the programme. Students who wish to take this module will register for it in Fourth Year.
Alternatively, students who choose not to register for ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht) will be expected to provide the Teaching Council with proof of their immersive educational experience (such as a letter from their landlord/employer) upon application to register as a Newly Qualified teacher.
Second Year - Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) (from 2024/25 onwards)
No student may register for Second Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts until he/she has passed the First University Examination in Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts. Students who have been admitted to Second Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts must satisfactorily attend the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.
Note for Irish and French students: the Teaching Council require that students must have verifiable residential experience (in France or Gaeltacht). In order to fulfill this requirement, students may opt to register for an additional 5 credit module, ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht), which is available to students taking this programme. The module is taken in addition to the prescribed programme requirements. Work towards this module can be undertaken in part in Semester 3 of years 1, 2 or 3 but must be completed in full in time for examination at the Summer Examination Board in the Fourth Year of the programme. Students who wish to take this module will register for it in Fourth Year.
Alternatively, students who choose not to register for ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht) will be expected to provide the Teaching Council with proof of their immersive educational experience (such as a letter from their landlord/employer) upon application to register as a Newly Qualified teacher.
Third Year - Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) (from 2025/26 onwards)
Only students who have passed the Second University Examination in Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) and satisfied all other requirements specified will be permitted to register for Third Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts). Such students must attend the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.
Note for Irish and French students: the Teaching Council require that students must have verifiable residential experience (in France or Gaeltacht). In order to fulfil this requirement, students may opt to register for an additional 5 credit module, ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht), which is available to students taking this programme. The module is taken in addition to the prescribed programme requirements. Work towards this module can be undertaken in part in Semester 3 of years 1, 2 or 3 but must be completed in full in time for examination at the Summer Examination Board in the Fourth Year of the programme. Students who wish to take this module will register for it in Fourth Year.
Alternatively, students who choose not to register for ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht) will be expected to provide the Teaching Council with proof of their immersive educational experience (such as a letter from their landlord/employer) upon application to register as a Newly Qualified teacher.
Alternative Pathway for students not proceeding to Fourth Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts)
The Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module ED3329 (15 credits) in Year 3 of the BEd (Hons) (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) programme, or who decide not to continue with their professional training in the BEd (Hons) Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts programme. Such students may opt instead to register for the Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons). These students would then progress to fourth year Bachelor of Sport Studies (Hons) where, on successful completion, they would graduate with a Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons).
Note: Students who opt for this Pathway are not eligible for a professional teaching qualification.
Third Year - Bachelor of Sports Studies - for students who fail ED3329 and change their registration to the Bachelor of Sports Studies, or who decide during their Third Year not to continue with their professional training in the BEd (Hons) Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts programme will change their registration to the Bachelor of Sports Studies.
Fourth Year - Education (Sports Studies and Physical Education) (from 2026/27 onwards)
Only students who have passed the Third University Examination in Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) and satisfied all other requirements specified will be permitted to register for Fourth Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts). Such students must attend the prescribed modules to the value of 60 credits.
Note for Irish and French students: the Teaching Council require that students must have verifiable residential experience (in France or Gaeltacht). In order to fulfill this requirement, students may opt to register for an additional 5 credit module, ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht), which is available to students taking this programme. The module is taken in addition to the prescribed programme requirements. Work towards this module can be undertaken in part in Semester 3 of years 1, 2 or 3 but must be completed in full in time for examination at the Summer Examination Board in the Fourth Year of the programme. Students who wish to take this module will register for it in Fourth Year.
Alternatively, students who choose not to register for ED2319 Residency (in France or Gaeltacht) will be expected to provide the Teaching Council with proof of their immersive educational experience (such as a letter from their landlord/employer) upon application to register as a Newly Qualified teacher.
Alternative Pathway for students not completing Fourth Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts)
The Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons) (BSpSt) is an alternative degree pathway for students who do not satisfy the pass standard for the placement module ED4320 Placement 4, or who decide not to continue with their professional training in the BEd (Hons) Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts. Such students may opt instead to register for the Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons) (BSpSt), and to complete ED4314 Community Placement (20 credits) within the restrictions of the three year rule. After successfully completing this module these students will then graduate with a Bachelor of Sports Studies (Hons).
Note: Students who opt for this pathway are not eligible for a professional teaching qualification.
Fourth Year - Bachelor of Sports Studies - for students who fail ED4320 Placement 4 in Fourth Education (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts), or who decide during their Fourth Year not to continue with their professional training in the BEd (Hons) (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) programme will change their registration to the Bachelor of Sports Studies (from 2026/27 onwards).
Programme Requirements
For information about modules, module choice, options and credit weightings, please go to Programme Requirements.
Programme Requirements
Module List
| Code |
Title |
Credits |
| |
| AN1063 | Anatomy of Exercise | 5 |
| DH1001 | Introduction to the Digital Humanities | 5 |
| ED1308 | Sport Psychology - Fundamentals and Application | 5 |
| ED1309 | Movement Analysis | 5 |
| ED1310 | Introduction to Exercise Physiology | 5 |
| ED1314 | Curriculum-Based Physical Activities 1 | 5 |
| ED1323 | Curriculum-Based Physical Activities 2 | 5 |
| ED1324 | Pedagogical Foundations | 5 |
| ED1325 | Curriculum and Pedagogical Coherence in Junior Cycle | 5 |
| 15 |
| |
1 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| ED2322 | Curriculum and Pedagogical Coherence in Senior Cycle | 5 |
| ED2324 | Arts Subject Pedagogy 1 | 5 |
| ED2325 | Placement 1 | 15 |
| ED2405 | Curriculum-Based Physical Activities 3 | 5 |
| ED2406 | Curriculum-Based Physical Activities 4 | 5 |
| 25 |
| |
| Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales and Related Texts (5) | |
| Old English Language (5) | |
| American Literature to 1900 (5) | |
| Modern Drama (5) | |
| Adaptation, Literature, and Culture (5) | |
| |
| Romance and Realism (5) | |
| Women and Literature (5) | |
| Colony and Nation: Irish Literature before 1900 (5) | |
| Introduction to Renaissance Literature (5) | |
| Advanced French Language I (10) 6 | |
| Literary Seminar I (5) | |
| Topics in Literature and Culture (5) | |
| |
| FR2111 | France and the Great War | 5 |
| FR2305 | Postcolonial France 1958-2015 | 5 |
| FR2306 | The Theatre of the Absurd | 5 |
| Francophone Travel Narratives (5) | |
| FR2406 | An Introduction to Translation Studies with French | 5 |
| Úsáid agus Cruinneas na Gaeilge I (10) | |
| |
| Filíocht na hOchtú hAoise Déag (5) | |
| Léann agus Lámhscríbhinní na Gaeilge (5) | |
| Logainmníocht na Gaeilge (5) | |
| Dialanna na Gaeilge (5) | |
| Cineálacha Scéalaíochta: An Litríocht Bhéil agus an Gearrscéal Liteartha (5) | |
| Foghraíocht na Gaeilge (5) | |
| An Ghaeltacht (5) | |
| Teanga na Nua-Ghaeilge Luaithe (5) | |
| Iriseoireacht na Gaeilge (5) | |
| Seán Ó Ríordáin: filíocht agus prós (5) | |
| Na Laoithe Fiannaíochta (5) | |
| Sex, Gender and Power in History (5) | |
| |
| Culture and Power: Renaissance Intellectual History, 1450-1650 (5) | |
| The Vikings (5) | |
| Sport and Society in Modern Ireland (5) | |
| The Tudors and Ireland (5) | |
| Crime, Violence, and Revolutionary Ireland, 1913-1925 (5) | |
| Popular Justice and Social Control in Ireland, 1803-1940 (5) | |
| Hitler, Nazism and the Holocaust (5) | |
| 1989 Revolutions: Poland and East Central Europe - Transition to Democracy (5) | |
| The Great Famine: its Making, Meaning and Memory (5) | |
| The First World War, 1914-1918; International Relations, Politics and Society (5) | |
| Discrete Mathematics (5) | |
| Geometry (5) | |
| Multivariable Calculus with Financial Applications (5) | |
| |
| Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (5) | |
| Mechanics I (5) | |
| Quantitative Research and Survey Sampling Methods (5) | |
| Business Data Analytics (5) | |
| |
| ED3304 | Curriculum-Based Physical Activities 5 | 5 |
| ED3307 | Coaching Science 1 | 5 |
| ED3308 | Health and Wellbeing | 5 |
| ED3327 | Creativity and Innovation in Education | 5 |
| ED3328 | Community-Based Physical Activity | 5 |
| ED3329 | Placement 2 | 15 |
| 20 |
| |
| ED4104 | Conceptual Foundations in the Philosophy and History of Education | 5 |
| ED4105 | Conceptual Foundations in the Psychology and Sociology of Education | 5 |
| ED4106 | Conceptual Foundations in Curriculum and Assessment | 5 |
| ED4107 | Conceptual Foundations in Inclusive Education | 5 |
| | 5 |
| | 5 |
| ED4315 | Final Year Research Project | 10 |
| ED4320 | Placement 4 8 | 20 |
| Total Credits | 260 |
Examinations
Full details and regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards Book and for each module in the Book of Modules.
Programme Learning Outcomes
Programme Learning Outcomes for BEd (Hons) (Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts) (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
1
1-1
Professional Values - Demonstrate professional practice with consolidated ethical and professional behaviour standards, aligned to the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers;
1-2
2
Professional Values - Demonstrate readiness to embark on a journey of continuous professional development as a newly qualified teacher.
1-3
3
Professional Skills and Practice - Demonstrate classroom management and organisational skills with effectiveness, inclusivity, positivity and flexibility, in line with the context and policies of the school;
1-4
4
Professional Skills and Practice - Demonstrate appropriate, diverse and positive communication and relationship-building skills with the whole school community, as well as with the wider community;
1-5
5
Professional Skills and Practice - Engage with the complex and unpredictable nature of an educational classroom and setting, through integration and application of knowledge in relation to planning, teaching, learning and assessment;
1-6
6
Professional Skills and Practice - Use analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving, reflection and evaluation skills in the context of best educational practice towards the improvement of self, students, peers and the wider school community.
1-7
7
Professional Knowledge and Understanding - Demonstrate a critical understanding of curriculum design and implementation, and an in-depth pedagogical content knowledge of the subjects which they teach;
1-8
8
Professional Knowledge and Understanding - Demonstrate an understanding of the key principles of planning, teaching, learning, assessment, reflection and evaluation;
1-9
9
Professional Knowledge and Understanding - Demonstrate an awareness of relevant and up-to-date educational research and policies, as well as the role of the teacher in the development and sustainability of the profession;
1-10
10
Professional Knowledge and Understanding - Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of communication and relationship-building with the different stakeholders of the school community, as well as the wider community.
*** Only for Incoming First Years and Repeat First Years 2024/2025 ***
*** Click here for Marks and Standards for all other years ***
Marks and Standards
These Marks and Standards should be read in conjunction with the Programme Requirements and the Book of Modules.
Fitness to Practise
All students on programmes subject to Fitness to Practise in UCC will be required to comply with the Fitness to Practise Policy and meet the relevant Fitness to Practise standards, in order to progress to the next year of his/her/their programme. Click here for a list of programmes subject to the Fitness to Practise Policy.
Marks and Credits
Students are required to take modules to the value of 60 credits.
Total Marks for year: 1200.
First Year - Pass and Progression Criteria
To pass first year and progress to second year, students must have satisfied the Fitness to Practise requirements and must achieve:
- An aggregate mark of 40% across all modules,
- A pass mark in modules to the value of at least 50 credits, and
- A module mark of at least 30% in any remaining modules.
Pass by Compensation: Students who satisfy each of the above criteria are allowed to compensate in modules to the value of 10 credits and pass the year overall. Such compensation can only include one 5 credit module from a student’s Arts subject modules and one 5 credit module from their remaining modules.
Award of Honours in the Degree Award
An honours classification is awarded for the final degree using the final year examination results and marks carried forward from the penultimate year. The aggregate of 33.33% of the penultimate year marks plus 66.67% of the final year marks will be used to calculate the final degree award.
Honours will be awarded as follows:
- First Class Honours: ≥ 70%
- Second Class Honours, Grade I: ≥ 60% and <70%
- Second Class Honours, Grade II: ≥ 50% and <60%
- Pass: ≥ 40% and <50%
Award of Honours when a student undertakes Study Abroad
When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, the calculation of the final degree award is based on modules in the Book of Modules only.
Examination Boards
- Provisional marks for Semester 1 examinations are released in January/February of each year. These marks are subject to approval at the University Examination Board.
- Marks for all modules taken in Semester 1 and 2, including those wholly assessed by Continuous Assessment, will be presented to the University Examination Board at the end of Semester 2.
Supplemental Examinations and Assessment
- Students who fail to achieve the progression standard for the year at the Summer Examination Board must complete Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment for those specific module(s), where there is provision to do so.
- Please refer to the Book of Modules for requirements governing the Supplemental Examination and Assessment for individual modules. Note: For some modules there is no Supplemental Examination and Assessment.
- The marks achieved in the Supplemental Examinations and/or Continuous Assessment of a repeat module are considered at the Autumn Examination Board.
- The actual mark achieved by the candidate in the Supplemental or Repeat Year Examination will be recorded on the student record (Academic Transcript).
- The maximum mark that will be taken into account for aggregation and progression purposes is a pass level, unless the student has been granted a cap waiver or deferral by the University Mitigation Committee, or a University Examination Board, or has been approved to defer the previous attempt by the University Mitigation Committee.
- At the Autumn Examination Board, marks from all passed modules approved at the Summer Examination Board are carried forward and are combined with the marks achieved in Supplemental Examinations and/or Assessments. The pass and progression criteria are applied to the aggregate mark achieved.
Note: The mark achieved at the last examination/assessment attempt is the mark that is included in the calculation of the aggregate mark for pass and progression purposes.
Study Abroad
- When students study abroad as part of his/her/their degree programme, they will be assessed by his/her/their host university.
- To pass the study abroad period and progress to the subsequent year, a student must achieve a pass standard as applied by the host institution.
- A Pass/Fail judgement will be presented to the UCC Examination Boards:
- At the Summer Examination Board for students spending Semester 1 abroad.
- At the Autumn/Winter Examination Board for students spending the full academic year abroad or Semester 2 only.
- For students failing to achieve a pass mark, Supplemental Assessment will be prescribed by the School in UCC, and these results will be presented at a Winter Examination Board.
Exemptions
All passed modules carry an exemption, which is limited to a period of five academic years (or two in the case of Computer Science modules) subsequent to the award of the exemption.
Repeat Year Examinations
Students repeating the year may do so choosing one of the following mechanisms:
1. Students retain module exemptions, if any, and must repeat all failed/absent modules, including those modules where the failing mark previously achieved was greater than the level of compensation (≥ 30%) but who failed to achieve the progression standard for the year (see above). The pass and progression criteria are then applied to the combination of full marks achieved in modules passed at the first attempt, plus capped marks achieved in modules in the Repeat Year Examinations.
Note: For students selecting different modules not previously taken, there are no restrictions on the marks awarded for those modules at the first attempt in a repeat year. The selection of different modules by the student means that the student foregoes any previous marks achieved in the original modules (including previously passed modules).
2. Students may forego all module exemptions achieved and repeat the year choosing modules to the value of the full 60 credits. In determining pass and progression, there is no restriction on the marks awarded for modules taken at the first attempt of the Repeat Year. Modules taken at the subsequent Supplemental Examination and Assessment are capped at the pass mark.
Subject to capacity, all students - whether they have failed or passed - are allowed to choose this second option, in an attempt to improve his/her/their grade.
Students repeating the final year are eligible for the award of Honours in the first Repeat Year only. Final year students wishing to repeat the year with a view to improving his/her/their degree result may do so only if they have not been conferred.
Three Year Rule
Students must pass/progress within three academic years of the date of first registration for a year, otherwise they cannot continue in the programme.
Terms and Definitions
Programme Description
Module Descriptions/Assessment
- Module descriptions, including the pass standard for a module, special requirements to pass a module, and assessment elements and their weightings, are contained in the Book of Modules.
Marks and Credits
- A maximum of 100 marks may be awarded for every five credits of a programme.
- Some modules are assessed on a Pass/Fail basis only, i.e. marks are not awarded.
Pass and Progression
- Progression is defined as the permission granted to a student to register in the subsequent academic year for the next set of modules within his/her/their programme of study.
- Compensation is defined as the process by which a student, who fails to satisfy some of the regulations for credit in a specific module, is nevertheless recommended for credit to be awarded on the grounds that the failure is offset by his/her/their performance in the other modules on his/her/their programme of study.
