Overview

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

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.

Students repeating First Year in 2023/24 will register on the revised programme and may be required to take new modules as prescribed by the participating Schools. Where a student has been granted exemptions due to having passed module(s) in an earlier attempt year, an exemption in any particular module is relevant to the repeat year only where that module is included in the current prescribed programme.

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
Year 1
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
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
ED1325	Curriculum and Pedagogical Coherence in Junior Cycle
plus 15 credits in one Arts subject from the following:		15
English
French 1
Gaeilge/Irish
History
Mathematical Studies
Year 2 (from 2024/25 onwards)
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (35 credits) and 25 credits from their chosen Arts subject continued from First Year:
Core Modules
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
Plus 25 credits from their chosen Arts subject continued from First Year		25
English 2,3,4
EN2003	Critical Skills Seminar 5	10
plus 5 credits from Semester 1 and 10 credits from Semester 2 from the following:		15
Semester 1
EN2012	Old English Language (5)
EN2043	Romance and Realism (5)
EN2077	Modern Drama (5)
EN2079	Adaptation, Literature, and Culture (5)
EN2080	Introduction to Renaissance Literature (5)
Semester 2
EN2011	Chaucer: The Canterbury Tales and Related Texts (5)
EN2023	Eighteenth-Century Literature (5)
EN2046	American Literature to 1900 (5)
EN2071	Women and Literature (5)
French
FR2101	Advanced French Language I 6	10
FR2202	Literary Seminar I	5
FR2204	Topics in Literature and Culture	5
plus 5 credits from the following:
FR2111	France and the Great War (5)
FR2306	The Theatre of the Absurd (5)
FR2311	Africa: Colonialism to Continental Crisis (5)
FR2313	Francophone Travel Narratives (5)
FR2406	An Introduction to Translation Studies with French ()
Gaeilge
GA2001	Úsáid agus Cruinneas na Gaeilge I	10
agus trí mhodúl as:		15
GA2003	Filíocht na hOchtú hAoise Déag (5)
GA2013	Léann agus Lámhscríbhinní na Gaeilge (5)
GA2014	Logainmníocht na Gaeilge (5)
GA2016	Dialanna na Gaeilge (5)
GA2019	Cineálacha Scéalaíochta: An Litríocht Bhéil agus an Gearrscéal Liteartha (5)
GA2024	An Ghaeltacht (5)
GA2025	Teanga na Nua-Ghaeilge Luaithe (5)
GA2026	Iriseoireacht na Gaeilge (5)
GA2027	Craoltóireacht na Gaeilge (5)
GA2035	Seán Ó Ríordáin: filíocht agus prós (5)
GA2036	Na Laoithe Fiannaíochta (5)
History
HI2110	Sex, Gender and Power in History	5
Plus 20 credits from:		20
HI2003	Culture and Power: Renaissance Intellectual History, 1450-1650 (5)
HI2014	Women in Early Modern Europe 1500-1800 (5)
HI2022	The History of the Media in Ireland (5)
HI2025	The Vikings (5)
HI2036	Sport and Society in Modern Ireland (5)
HI2038	The Tudors and Ireland (5)
HI2044	Crime and Media in Ireland (5)
HI2045	Crime, Violence, and Revolutionary Ireland, 1913-1925 (5)
HI2046	Policing and Popular Justice in Ireland, 1803-1940 (5)
HI2047	Hitler, Nazism and the Holocaust (5)
HI2048	1989 Revolutions: Poland and East Central Europe - Transition to Democracy (5)
HI2049	The Great Famine: its Making, Meaning and Memory (5)
HI2051	The First World War, 1914-1918; International Relations, Politics and Society (5)
Mathematical Studies
MS2005	Discrete Mathematics	5
MS2013	Geometry	5
MS2015	Multivariable Calculus with Financial Applications	5
plus 10 credits from:		10
AM1053	Introduction to Mathematical Modelling (5)
MS2014	Algebraic Methods and Applications (5)
MS2017	Mechanics I (5)
MS2019	Quantitative Research and Survey Sampling Methods (5)
MS2020	Business Data Analytics (5)
Year 3 (from 2025/26 onwards)
Students take 60 credits as follows – all listed core modules (40 credits) and 20 credits from their chosen Arts subject continued from Second Year:
Core Modules
ED3304	Skill Acquisition and Analysis	5
ED3307	Coaching Science 2	5
ED3308	Health 1: Understanding Health and Wellbeing	5
ED3327	Creativity and Innovation in Education	5
ED3328	Community-Based Physical Activity	5
ED3329	Placement 2 7	15
Plus 20 credits from the chosen Arts subject continued from Second Year		20
Year 4 (from 2026/27 onwards)
Students take 60 credits as follows:
Core Modules
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
ED4325	Arts Subject Pedagogy 2	5
ED4326	Professional Relationships and Development in Education	5
ED4315	Research Project	10
ED4320	Placement 4 8	20

¹

A student will not normally be allowed to select French unless (s)he has attained a pass standard in French in the Leaving Certificate Examination (or equivalent)

²

Students must include in their selection at least one lecture or seminar module from the range of Old English, Middle English and Renaissance modules. (These will be designated with the letters OMR on departmental course lists).

³

Students may substitute one 5 credit EN module with LL2003 Aspects of the Classical Tradition

⁴

Students cannot take modules that are cross-scheduled.

⁵

EN2003 Critical Skills Seminar : Students will only have the option of selecting a seminar from those on offer for Semester 1 (registration for seminars is done via the Department of English. Details will be given in the departmental student handbook published at the start of the new academic year).

⁶

Note: In addition to the general regulations for passing the year, students must pass FR2101 Advanced French Language I.

⁷

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 ED3329 Placement 2 (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.

⁸

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) programme. 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.

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)

• Professional Values - Demonstrate professional practice with consolidated ethical and professional behaviour standards, aligned to the Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers;
  
• Professional Values - Demonstrate readiness to embark on a journey of continuous professional development as a newly qualified teacher.
  
• 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;
  
• 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;
  
• 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;
  
• 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.
  
• 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;
  
• Professional Knowledge and Understanding - Demonstrate an understanding of the key principles of planning, teaching, learning, assessment, reflection and evaluation;
  
• 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;
  
• 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.