Program Overview

Overview of the PGDE Secondary Education: Art & Design Program

The Professional Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Secondary Education: Art & Design is a well-recognised teaching qualification worldwide, regulated by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) and the Scottish Government. This program is designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to become effective teachers of art and design in secondary schools.

Key Facts

• Start date: August
• Study mode and duration: Full-time: 36 weeks including 18 weeks of placement experience, Part-time: two years including 18 weeks of full-time placement experience
• UCAS code: 8X52
• Gaelic Medium UCAS code: 8X46

Why This Course?

As a teacher of art and design, you will be responsible for uncovering the creative spark in each student, opening their eyes to endless creative possibilities, and nurturing talent in the creatives of tomorrow. The PGDE (Secondary) Art & Design course is a rewarding and absorbing experience, with graduates going on to enjoy busy careers where their skills are in great demand due to the University of Strathclyde's reputation within the teaching profession.

What You'll Learn

This course is modular in structure, with students studying three modules across the year:

• Education Studies; Professional Values
• Professional Learning Through Enquiry
• Professional Skills, including Curriculum and Pedagogy, and Professional Practice The PGDE operates a model whereby students attend classes on campus followed by blocks of continued learning on placement. The modules run in parallel, and learning and practice are cumulative.

Placement

You will spend 18 weeks of the course on placement in a school within Scotland, where you will be continually assessed to show you meet the requirements for the Standards for Provisional Registration. Placement is your chance to put what you're learning into practice, explore your own teaching style, learn new techniques, and develop relationships with your pupils.

Future Employment

Students from Scotland, other parts of the UK, and the Republic of Ireland who are studying at a Scottish Higher Education Institution are eligible to join the Teacher Induction Scheme (TIS), which provides a guaranteed 1-year training post in a local authority. The PGDE is a well-recognised teaching qualification worldwide, and if you wish to teach in another country, you should contact the relevant education authority to check your eligibility.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for PGDE courses are based on the requirements set by the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS), including:

• An ordinary degree or international equivalent, with at least 80 SCQF credits in fine art and/or design
• Practical studio experience as a core part of the undergraduate degree
• Ability to use art and design technology
• Higher (SCQF Level 6) English Grade C or above
• National 5 (SCQF Level 5) Mathematics Grade C or above
• Evidence of experience working with children in a secondary school or related setting
• An understanding of modern secondary education
• Ability to relate to people

Fees & Funding

• Scotland: To be confirmed
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: To be confirmed
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status
• International: £19,850
• Additional costs include travel to schools, PVG Scheme membership, and visa & immigration costs for international students

Careers

A degree in education will equip you for a range of careers working with children and young people. Most PGDE graduates go on to work as teachers in secondary schools across the country. Typical jobs include Secondary Teacher, Head Teacher, Further Education Lecturer, and Special Educational Needs Teacher. The skills you'll need include excellent communication, a good imagination and creativity, organisational and time-management skills, patience, ability to work as part of a team, and enthusiasm, energy, and excitement for what you do. The current main salary scales for secondary school teachers range from £31,584 to £47,565.