The majority of students taking the BEd Post-Primary degree course wish to pursue a career in teaching. The course has been developed in consultation with the General Teaching Council Northern Ireland (GTCNI) and fully meets the requirements of the GTCNI and the Department of Education. Graduates have Qualified Teacher Status (necessary to obtain permanent employment as a teacher) and are eligible to register with the GTCNI.

Most graduates enter employment as teachers in post-primary schools within Northern Ireland. However a significant percentage of graduating students decide to apply for and are appointed to teaching posts outside Northern Ireland e.g. recent BEd graduates have been successful in securing permanent teaching posts in England and Scotland whilst others have decided to move further away and secured posts in Europe and Asia.

Beyond teaching, studying for a BEd degree at St Mary’s develops the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions. Some graduates decide not to teach in schools, but rather, pursue other careers related to education, such as sports development. Other graduates may also decide to pursue their academic studies further and take Masters or Doctoral courses in education or other subject specialisms.