St Mary's University College Belfast

Northern Ireland Department of Education STEM Teacher Training Bursary

Government incentive bursary supporting high-achieving STEM graduates enrolling in the Post-Primary teacher education program at St Mary's.

Funding

Up to £9,000 tax-free training bursary paid in installments throughout the study year

Deadline

February 15, 2027

Bachelor of Education (BEd Hons) Primary Direct UCAS Admission

Four-year professional teacher training curriculum validated by Queen's University Belfast, integrating 24 weeks of clinical school teaching practice.

Funding

Student Loans Company tuition fee loans and maintenance grants for qualifying students

Deadline

January 15, 2027

Oideachas Lán-Ghaeilge Irish-Medium Teacher Education Fellowship

Specialist fellowship supporting teachers in training who commit to teaching within the rapidly expanding Irish-medium immersion school sector.

Funding

£4,000 annual language excellence grant plus immersive Gaeltacht residential residency

Deadline

March 31, 2027

Bachelor of Arts (BA Hons) in Liberal Arts Admission Pathway

Three-year interdisciplinary degree offering majors in Business Studies, Human Development, English, History, or Religious Studies with a Queen's University degree.

Funding

St Mary's College bursaries up to £1,000 per year for students from low-income households

Deadline

January 15, 2027

West Belfast Community Education and Youth Inclusion Practicum

Twelve-week community-based research internship evaluating youth mental wellness, after-school literacy programs, and cross-community peace education.

Funding

£1,200 total student training bursary

Deadline

April 15, 2027

Master of Education (MEd) in Educational Studies by Research

Two-year part-time or one-year full-time research master's degree exploring special educational needs (SEN), digital pedagogies, and school leadership.

Funding

School employer professional development fee sponsorship accepted

Deadline

June 30, 2027

Certificate in Special Educational Needs and Autism Classroom Support

Eight-week accredited professional development course for educators on neurodiversity, sensory room management, and individual education plans (IEPs).

Funding

General Teaching Council for Northern Ireland (GTCNI) professional learning endorsed

Deadline

May 30, 2027

Prof. Peter Finn

Principal of St Mary's University College Belfast

Long-standing Principal of St Mary's leading bilateral university collaboration across Ireland, teacher education quality initiatives, and cross-community civic engagement.

Topics: Higher Education Leadership, Teacher Education Policy, Peacebuilding through Education

Dr. Gerard McCann

Senior Lecturer in International Studies & Fellow of the Royal Historical Society

Historian and political economist researching EU regional development funds, post-conflict economic regeneration, and international development policy.

Topics: European Union Policy, International Development Economics, Modern Irish History

Dr. Gabrielle Nig Uidhir

Senior Lecturer in Irish-Medium Education & Head of Gaeilge

Leading scholar in Irish-medium immersion pedagogy, investigating language acquisition strategies, literacy development in Gaelic immersion schools, and bilingual curriculum design.

Topics: Bilingual Immersion Pedagogy, Minority Language Acquisition, Sociolinguistics