BEd (Hons) in Early Childhood Education

Our accessible Early Childhood Education programme

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Course Type: Bachelor of Education (Honours)

Start Dates: To be announced

Duration: 48 months

Academic Accreditation: QQI

National Framework of Qualifications: Level 8

advisor@hiberniacollege.net
+353 (0)1 661 0168 (dial 2)

About the
Early Childhood Education

The Bachelor of Education (Honours) Degree in Early Childhood Education aims to provide the early childhood sector with holistic, highly competent and research-engaged practitioners. This 4-year programme is a 240 credit award at Level 8. It is a blended learning programme where students will engage in a variety of face-to-face and online engagements.
This programme is approved by the Qualifications Advisory Board (instituted to review Level 7 and Level 8 Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care Sector) as meeting the requirements of the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines standards.
Course content includes videos, presentations, audio, reflective activities, quiz questions, collaborative activities and directed reading. Assessments enable students to demonstrate learning through innovative ways. They include for example photo-presentations, short videos, blogs, short questions, setting observations and reflective writing tasks.  

In addition, through Professional Practice Placement and the provision of a well-structured mentoring Professional Support Team (PST), students will engage across the 4 years of the programme in multiple opportunities to act and reflect on their emerging understanding of knowledge, practice and values and critically examine their commitment to quality in diverse situations.

This degree programme is distinctive as it offers the current Early Learning and Care (ELC) workforce a flexible professional development opportunity that is innovative, creative and focused on career progression. Graduates of the programme will have engaged in special education, inclusion and diversity in early intervention and early education, and research methods to enhance research-informed practice across all 4 stages of the programme. The programme satisfies the aims outlined in the Department of Education (2019) Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines for Initial Professional Education (Level 7 and Level 8) Degree Programmes for Early Learning and Care (ELC) Sector in Ireland and the Government of Ireland (2019) Update Workforce Development Plan for the ELC/SAC Sector.

On successful completion of the programme, graduates will obtain a Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education.

This programme involves different learning environments and distinct learning approaches. There are online, face-to-face and placement environments. There are opportunities to learn through reading and multimedia, through individual and collaborative tasks, through engagement with research and through setting-based practice.

The blended learning experience includes:

Online Tutorials

You should expect to have approximately 3 online tutorials each week (Mon.–Fri.) that are 1 hour in length typically between 5-8 p.m. Classes are live and must be attended at the times stated.

Face-to-Face Days

Face-to-face days take place at the weekend for 5 hours over Zoom. There are 3 in-person days each semester which are highly practical and interactive, simulating practice and modelling play-based learning.

Professional Practice Placement

There are 12 weeks of Professional Practice Placement at the end of each of the 4 stages of the programme. You will be supported in specified work placements by a Placement Educator and a Peer Mentor. 35% of the programme is reserved set aside for Professional Practice Placement.

Assessment

Feedback is provided throughout the programme in a timely, regular and individualised manner, helping students build confidence to succeed. A wide variety of assessment activities are added to a digital portfolio over the 4 years of the programme as you develop your professional identity. Assessment methods include creating resources, answering short questions, essays, reports, placement assessment and a research project.

Asynchronous Tutor Support

Students are afforded opportunities to engage with their tutors via email and discussion forums at all times.

Reflection

Reflective practice is a core element of the programme. Reflective activities include writing blog posts, keeping a reflective journal and building a digital portfolio.

Required Study and Attendance

It is recommended that you set aside approximately 23 hours per week for study, including online tutorials and face-to-face days. The programme is 4 years with short breaks at Christmas and Easter. The programme is full-time, delivered through a blended learning model and requires full attendance.

How can I learn more about the programme?

If you have any questions about the programme, feel free to contact our Enrolment Team on 01 661 0168 (option 2) or advisor@hiberniacollege.net.

Application Fee

€95 – paid as part of the online application process

Tuition Fees 

The annual tuition fee is €3,950 per academic year, payable as follows:

To confirm acceptance of a place on the programme: €550 (includes €50 Garda Vetting fee)
Balance Year 1 fees (paid before the programme begins): €3,450
Year 2 fees (paid before Year 2 begins): €3,950
Year 3 fees (paid before Year 3 begins): €3,950
Year 4 fees (paid before Year 4 begins): €3,950

Payment of tuition fees is by bank transfer.

Tax Relief 

Hibernia College is an approved college for the purposes of s.474 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. This programme is approved for tax relief at the standard rate of income tax (20%) for qualifying tuition fees. Tax relief is available to the person paying the fees and the maximum amount that can be claimed is €7,000 per course, per person, per academic year. Each claim is subject to a single disregard amount of €3,000 for a full-time course and so, on an annual basis, for students of this course, relief will be available at the standard rate of tax on the qualifying balance of €1,000 and would be €200 per year. For further information, please click here.

Please note that the above, provided for information purposes, is of a general nature and is not a substitute for formal advice on taxation matters. We recommend, where necessary, you seek professional advice in relation to taxation matters. 

Entry Requirements

Applicants must be 18 years of age on 1 January on the year of entry and meet the following criteria:

Leaving Certificate or equivalent in the following subjects:

  • Grade H5 or above in 2 subjects
  • Grade O6/H7 or above in 4 additional subjects including:
    • Grade O6/H7 in Maths
    • Grade O6/H7 in English

Qualifications other than Irish Leaving Certificate will be assessed for equivalency using Entry requirements criteria for EU/EFTA Applicants.

and

Evidence of English Language Proficiency (where applicable):
Applicants, whose first language/primary mode of expression is not English, must upload evidence of English proficiency at B2+ or higher in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Note: Applicants who will be 23 or over on 1 January on the year of entry meet the criteria for mature student entry and are not required to meet the Leaving Certificate entry requirements.

The following documents must be uploaded as part of your application:

  • Leaving Certificate
  • Applicants whose first language/primary mode of expression is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency at B2+ or higher in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)

Before starting an application, review our Application Guide and documentation samples on the Hibernia College website here.

Once your online application has been reviewed and it has been deemed that you meet the minimum entry requirements, you will be called for an interview. The interview will assess your motivation, professionalism and suitability to work with very young children. It will evaluate your communication, interpersonal, organisation and planning skills. Furthermore, it will assess your knowledge of Hibernia College and the programme.

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+353 (0)1 661 0168

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