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Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project

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    About the Access to Post-Primary Teaching Project

    The Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project is a joint initiative between the National University of Ireland Galway and St. Angela’s College, Sligo. The APT Project has developed a direct entry route into St. Angela’s three Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses. This restricted entry route is specifically for students with an approved QQI qualification from a partner Further Education (FE) College within the Border Midlands Western region only, as these individuals are typically under-represented within the teaching profession. This project is led by the School of Home Economics and the School of Education, 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.

    St. Angela’s offers a total of three BA/PME Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses through the Access to Post-Primary Teaching (APT) Project. Each programme is 5 years in duration. All students study Home Economics and Education, along with one additional elective subject area, namely, Biology, Religious Education, or Irish.

    A total of 6 APT Project places (two per elective) have been reserved on the following BA/PME Initial Teacher Education (ITE) courses for entrants who meet the eligibility criteria and who have engaged fully in all aspects of the APT project over the course of the academic year.

    AS001: Home Economics and Biology (Teacher Education) – 2 places
    AS002: Home Economics and Religious Education (Teacher Education) – 2 places
    AS003: Home Economics and Gaeilge* (Teacher Education) – 2 places (*must have minimum H5 in LC Gaeilge or Merit in QQI minor award Gaeilge (5N1631)

    The relevant QQI-FET programmes (and specific minor awards where applicable) are as follows:

    • Applied Social Studies (5M2181)
    • Early Childhood Care & Education (5M2009)
    • Education & Training (5M3635)
    • General Studies (5M3114)
    • Laboratory Techniques (5M3807)
    • Food Science (5M5267)
    • Community Health Services (5M4468)
      Community Health Services (5M4468) must include the following:
      Dietetics (5N3736)
      Nutrition (5N2006)
      Anatomy and Physiology (5N0749)
      and one of the following:
      Behavioural Studies (5N1351) or Applied Social Studies (5M2181)
      or
      Psychology (5N0754) or Family Studies (5N4466)

    Requirements for the APT Project:

    Eligible students for the APT Project who are registered on an approved course (see above) in a partner FE College/Institute in the BMW region must be:

    • Eligible for free fees
    • Eligible for SUSI Maintenance Grant or Back to Education Allowance
    • Currently registered on an approved QQI Level 5 Course with one of the partner FE Providers (see below)
    • A first-time entrant to higher education

    Partner Further Education Providers in the Border, Midlands and Western (BMW) Region

    • Cavan Institute, Co. Cavan
    • Errigal College, Co. Donegal
    • Finn Valley College, Co. Donegal
    • Galway Community College, Co. Galway
    • Galway Technical Institute, Co. Galway
    • Portlaoise Institute, Co. Laoise
    • Drumshanbo ETB, Co. Leitrim
    • Longford College of Further Education, Co. Longford
    • Drogheda Institute of Further Education, Co. Louth
    • Ó Fiach Institute, Co. Louth
    • Castlebar College of Further Education, Co. Mayo
    • Monaghan Institute, Co. Monaghan
    • Sligo College of Further Education, Co. Sligo
    • Jesus and Mary Secondary School (Enniscrone), Co. Sligo
    • North Connaught College, Co. Sligo
    • Moate Business College, Co. Westmeath
    • Mullingar Community College, Co. Westmeath
    Students must then complete all In-reach (St. Angela’s College) and Out-reach (based at your FE provider) and online activities including webinars and course discernment interview. Students apply for entry into an Initial Teacher Education programme at St. Angela’s through the Central Applications Office (CAO) by 1st February 2022 for entry in September 2022. When entering your St. Angela’s College course choices in the application, it is essential that you list them in your order of preference. All students who have participated in the APT project and who achieve a QQI-FET major award (8 modules) with a minimum of 5 distinctions in the academic year in which application for entry is made, will compete for the 6 places which are restricted to APT project participants. All places are allocated on merit, and a random selection will apply, if necessary.  Places will be formally offered by St. Angela’s College via the CAO. Offers based on QQI-FET qualifications are usually issued in early August each year.

    More Details

    Mr Ian Kennedy
    APT Project Co-ordinator
    St. Angela’s College, Sligo
    E: [email protected]