Secondary Art and Design PGCE with QTS

Program Overview

Secondary Art and Design PGCE with QTS

Overview

This course is designed to provide you with the knowledge, understanding, and skills that you need to be an outstanding teacher. We aim to nurture teachers who are passionate about the development of their own and their pupils' learning.

Course Details

• Level: Postgraduate
• Duration: 1 year
• Location: Exton Park, Chester
• UK Fees: £9,535 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International Fees: £14,450 per year for a full-time course* (2025/26)
• Course Leader: Dr. Helen Jones

Course Structure

The course is divided into several modules, each with its own set of learning objectives and outcomes.

Becoming a Teacher: the Professional Transformation

• This module aims to develop Associate Teachers' (ATs) commitment to inclusivity, well-being, and safeguarding of children.
• ATs will develop an understanding of the nature and aims of the National Curriculum and/or Early Years Foundation Phase.
• ATs will cover important elements of the legislative and statutory framework relevant to teaching, education, and the professional responsibilities of teachers.

Becoming a Teacher: Meeting the Teachers' Standards

• This module aims to develop and extend ATs' management of their own professional learning, their ability to plan for inclusion, safeguarding, respect for the diversity of pupils, and demonstrate professional behaviors of teachers.
• ATs will develop their understanding of the nature and aims of the National Curriculum and Early Years Foundation Stage.
• ATs will develop their knowledge and understanding of inclusion and ability to plan for how pupils of all kinds can be supported to develop positive relationships and to access an empowering curriculum.

Professional Knowledge in Secondary Education

• This module covers important legislative and statutory frameworks that teachers must know and understand.
• ATs will develop their understanding of the nature and aims of the secondary National Curriculum, particularly with regard to its ambition, breadth, and balance.
• ATs will take a holistic view of the curriculum and explore how pupils can be supported to make links between different subjects and disciplines within the curriculum.

Enriching the Teacher

• This module aims to enrich ATs' knowledge, understanding, and skills to work effectively in schools, leading learning for all children.
• ATs will involve themselves in a variety of activities aimed at developing their professional perspectives on teaching and introducing them to broader horizons in the practice of education.

Building Knowledge for Teaching

• This module enables Associate Teachers on ITE programs, and their tutors, to establish, track, and develop their fundamental knowledge for teaching in English, Maths, and (for Primary and Early Years ATs only) in Science.

Learning to teach: Developing Critical Perspectives on the Teaching of the Specialist Subject

• This module aims to develop and challenge the AT's own underpinning philosophy of teaching and learning, and understanding of the principles of professional enquiry by engaging in research and theory that inform effective and inclusive approaches to presenting the specialist subject.

Subject Curriculum, Pedagogy and Professional Enquiry

• This module straddles two contrasting placements and provides an arena for exploring contrasts between curriculum and pedagogy within the specialist subject and between institutions.
• ATs will develop their commitment to inclusivity in all its forms, safeguarding, and well-being of children, and establish a positive learning environment that respects diversity and the dignity of all children.

Entry Requirements

• Home Students:
  • Hold or be expected to gain a minimum of a 2:2 honors degree
  • Have GCSE grade C/grade 4 in English and Mathematics
• International Students:
  • Hold or be expected to gain a minimum of a 2:2 honors degree
  • Have GCSE grade C/grade 4 in English and Mathematics
  • Meet the English language requirements (IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band)

Fees and Funding

• Home Students: £9,535 per year for a full-time course (2025/26)
• International Students: £14,450 per year for a full-time course* (2025/26)
• Additional Costs: Books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery, and related materials, specialist clothing, travel to placements, optional field trips, and software.
• Bursaries: The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships.

Your Future Career

• The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service that provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences.
• Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service that is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed, and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.