Bachelor of Education - Irish Sign Language Pathway (Restricted Entry) (No entry route in 2025)

Dublin City University

Ireland, Dublin

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Home/Ireland/Dublin /Dublin City University/Bachelor of Education - Irish Sign Language Pathway (Restricted Entry) (No entry route in 2025)

Dublin City University

Ireland , Dublin

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

DC005

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines12-Jan-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

EUR 16,900 / year

Next Intake 12-Jan-2026

Bachelor of Education - Irish Sign Language Pathway (Restricted Entry) (No entry route in 2025)

About

Overview

The Bachelor of Education (ISL) will prepare you for a career as a Primary School Teacher in the deaf education sector where you’ll make a lasting impact on young deaf and hard of hearing children and on society.

Teaching through ISL

The course will develop your natural leadership abilities and build your communication skills. It will equip you not only with subject knowledge, but also with the tools to motivate yourself and your students in the classroom, understand how children learn, navigate the school system, and develop your classroom management abilities.

All students take Education modules and do 30 weeks School Placement. You’ll also study a specialism in deaf education.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

General Entry Requirements

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply: Minimum of H5 in no fewer than three subjects and a minimum of O6/H7 in three other subjects, to include minimum of O4 or H7 in English; O4 or H7 in Mathematics.

Furthermore, your competency in Irish Sign Language will be assessed prior to entry. Competency in Irish Sign Language is a prerequisite for entry to the B.Ed ISL.

Additional Information:

Applicants will need to provide:

a) a letter from an audiologist confirming that the applicant has a significant permanent bilateral deafness (pure tone average of 41dB or above in the less deaf ear)

A person with a mild hearing loss (<41dB) is not regarded as being a suitable candidate for this programme.

b) a letter from the principal of a school for the deaf/special class for deaf children in a mainstream school approved by the NCSE confirming that the applicant was enrolled in that specialist setting because of their deafness.

AND

Applicants will need to pass an Irish Sign Language competency examination (pass mark is 65% or higher at level B1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) prior to a place being offered on this programme. The competency examination will be arranged by Dublin City University."

GCE A Level

In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply: Six subjects must be presented, at least three at GCE A Level with the remaining subjects at GCE AS or GCSE Level. A subject may only be counted from only one of the examinations GCSE, GCE AS Level or GCE A Level. Applicants must present the following subject requirements: GCSE Level C in both English and English Literature or GCSE Level B in either English or English Literature. GCSE A Level D in Additional Mathematics or GCSE Level C in Mathematics. GCE A Level C in two further subjects; GCSE C in one other subject. Furthermore, your competency in Irish Sign Language will be assessed prior to entry. Competency in Irish Sign Language is a prerequisite for entry to the B.Ed ISL.

FET Level 5

No Entry Path

Advanced Entry

No Entry Path

International Applications

No Entry Path

English Program Requirements

Undergraduate Applicants - Minimum English Standards

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence of equivalent competence in English Language, through their school leaving examination or in a recognised English language test. The minimum standards for entry to DCU are outlined below.

Applicants are assessed on the results of a single sitting only.

EXAMINATION

Level Required

Irish Leaving Certificate English

O6/H7

GCE A-Level English Language

Grade D

GSCE

Grade C

IELTS ACADEMIC

Composite score of 6.5 or above, with no less than 6.0 in any one component.

*Scores must be achieved in one sitting.

TOEFL

237 (computer-based),
580 (paper-based test)

TOEFL iBT

Total Score of 92

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CAP)

Overall score of 180 with a minimum of 169 in all components.

Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE)

Overall score of 180 with a minimum of 169 in all components.

English Test for Academic and Professional Purposes (ETAPP)

Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)

63 (with a minimum of 59 in all components)

Duolingo

Duolingo will be accepted with a minimum score of 120 and a score of at least 110 in each subscore. Please ensure the verification link is provided when submitting this evidence and you share your results with DCU.

Additional Information

Your English language certificate must be awarded within the two years prior to the start date of your DCU programme.
English Language requirements for individual programmes may be higher than published here. Please refer to the programme page for further details.
Scores on your English language proficiency test must be achieved in one sitting.

Alternative Requirements/Evidence of Competency

In exceptional circumstances, results in examinations other than those published may be accepted as proof of competence in English language. This may include non-native speakers of English who have completed their education through the medium of English in a country where English is the official language. Please include the details of any English language examinations and proof of successful completion when applying to DCU.

For further details about DCU English Language Requirements, please contact DCU Admissions.

Career

Careers & Further Options

Careers

The BEd (ISL) degree is not only a gateway to the primary teaching profession in the deaf education sector, but also to a number of other careers related to deaf education.

Career Areas

Government Departments
National Voluntary Organisations
Statutory Bodies

Career Prospects

Consultant

Content Writer

Educational Administrator

Principal in a deaf education setting

Researcher

School Inspector

Teacher in a deaf education setting

Teacher Educator for deaf education

DCU Career Services

DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.

DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path.

Go to our Careers site to find out more about career planning, our mentorship programme, skills development and online resources for students when working on CVs and making applications.