An MA for Ursula

Ursula Byrne

Ursula Byrne, Initial Teacher Education and Training Manager for the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, Aberystwyth University will receive her MA (Irish) this week. Ursula originally graduated from University College, Dublin with a BA in Irish and Welsh.

Since moving to Wales in 1984 she has worked through the medium of Welsh in every post that she has held, including her time at Manweb, as a Care and Repair Manager for Cymdeithas Tai Cantref and the two years she worked for the Beacon of Hope. After completing a PGCE course in 2004-05 she then joined the staff at the School of Education and Lifelong Learning.

“I began to study for the MA in 2005 when I was administrating the External Degree through the Medium of Welsh,” explained Ursula. “Then I moved to a full time job, which meant that it took longer for me to complete the extended essay. An MA of this kind, which is available to study part time, is particularly suitable for people who work,” she said.

Ursula’s extended essay explored ‘The use of Irish Literature in theArdteistiméireacht exam 1924-2008’   (‘Golwg ar y defnydd o Lenyddiaeth Wyddeleg yn arholiad yr Ardteistiméireacht   1924-2008’).  She researched the texts and syllabi of the Ardteistiméireacht (leaving certificate) at the National Library of Ireland, looking at the change in the nature of the texts, reading workload and the nature and purpose of the assessment methods.

Studying for her MA has allowed Ursula to cross from Irish to Education as academic subjects.

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